I’m a bit late for this, and at a disadvantage being in Vancouver, as that’s quite a way to get that far South!
The first year we did this, I took it slow and steady and chose this as my steed for the North Pole:
It didn’t work out that well, and had to finish in a hurry with this. It ended badly:
Since X-Plane 11 is out in beta, time to make up some miles I guess. Let’s pick something quicker than the Wright Flyer this time.
Hmm, not a great view, so angular. Needs a plant or something.
I feel the need…
Light her up! CYVR, cheerio!
I have no idea what I am doing. First thing to work out is a quick experiment to see how far I can get on a tank of fuel, given that I can’t in-flight refuel like a real SR-71 (even if stock XP11 could, I probably couldn’t)
Have about 2 seconds to get that gear up.
Noise abatement procedure on YVR8 SID suspended I guess?
A quick look around the pit, time to train on the job as I go. Just like a real USAF Colonel.
Ooh, an autopilot! That could be handy. Let me dial in 60k and eat my lunch. I have a juice box too, so those dampeners look good right now.
Going up fast now!
Shame the engine spikey things (tech talk!) don’t work, although I think they are moving on there own. Not sure, but nearly all controls in the pit are off in the XP11 beta.
Not very environmentally friendly. Sorry Seattle.
Uh, I mean, sorry Astoria (that was quick!)
Getting dark at midday up here.
Ok, nicely stable at a comfortable Mach 2.8 angels 60. Nice to see the RSO hasn’t ejected yet. I need him to do that radio thing near LAX when we hear a F/A 18 talk to center.
South Pole here we come!
Will there be some sort of anti-Santa there, perhaps with a goatee?
Ok, I’ll finish the test flight and see what sort of mileage I got. Unfortunately I don’t think fuel use is being modelled correctly, so this might have to be aborted, but fun so far. 