The Mirage features an amazing ILS system and that really cool synthetic runway overlay so obviously I had to take it out for a spin at night - in a thunderstorm.
On the ramp at Senaki-Kolkhi:
http://imgur.com/SX7JCqM
It’s dark, so let’s turn on the battery and get some lights in the cockpit:
http://imgur.com/rJymhmU
Starting her up:
http://imgur.com/uIsrX9v
Setting up the INS, we want to have it in NAV mode:
http://imgur.com/wYaGMW8
Next I set up the ILS system for Senaki-Kokhi - 108.90MHz:
http://imgur.com/OZxGUyC
I also tune in to Senaki TACAN - Channel 31X:
http://imgur.com/7V8157P
After getting the rest of her systems online and some last checks I’m ready to taxi, I just need to disengage the parking brake and turn on NWS:
http://imgur.com/motNkeZ
Take Off, RWY 09:
http://imgur.com/n0LAGfx
Climbing out - I forgot to reduce my fuel load before take off so I will have to burn some of it before setting up for the approach. I don’t wanna land with a heavy fuel load under these weather conditions:
http://imgur.com/x0Xhlqn
Intercepting the ILS for RWY 09 at Senaki-Kolkhi:
http://imgur.com/JeQ47qr
The chequered line on the HUD that’s pointing to the right tells me that I’m too far to the left - my current heading is around 160 but you can see I’m fighting quite a bit of crosswind: my track is around 138 as shown by the little vertical line inside the triangle below the compass tape on the HUD (the triangle can be independant from the line, I need to read up on what the triangle actually does).
The square box on the bottom right is going to represent my desired glidepath. ATM I’m too high and too far left.
I need to turn left and descend in order to intercept the ILS correctly. It was quite a sporty turn:
http://imgur.com/focxRpw
Just a bit too high and to the right - turning slightly left to correct:
http://imgur.com/NkrlYhl
Here is the synthetic runway overlay. It’s a huge help but getting her down safely is still quite the challenge with all the wind and turbulence - my AoA was all over the place on final:
http://imgur.com/ZRy1hC2
I’m finally able to see the runway threshold on the last meters:
http://imgur.com/XDtQrzh
On the Ground - safe and sound:
http://imgur.com/hSzFmnd
Cheers
Derby