Second sixth entry for the Christmas Challenge.
After our engine failure at KSAN during our first attempt, time to try it again. I’ll keep a closer look to the engines this time.
Click to reveal AAR
Doing the CIVA tango… again. (sigh)
This time, I’m taking a rental.
Checking that the CIVA coordinates are entered properly and that the distances match.
Mexico Airport is pretty high… more than 7000 ft!
Taxiing… again…
According to the takeoff card, I need to make sure I don’t exceed 2.15 EPR during takeoff. I’ll try to aim towards 1.9-2.0-ish.
I pick up some speed, then I rotate about 10 kts after V2.
So far so good… no engine fire this time.
Heading towards IPL (Imperial)
I’ve always loved the bare metal look of old classic jets.
So far so good
Turning into MXL (Mexicali)
Time to cross the US-Mexico border.
Contrails
Progress
Gulf of California in the distance
Now comes the looong cruise to AMUDI, PPE (Penasco) and ZCL (Zacateras).
It’s going to be a long way to Queretaro (QET), where Bombardier Aerospace has a plant to work on the Challenger, Q400 and Global parts. A friend of mine I studied with in university actually ended up working there. With the newest layoffs announced last week, I have a sobering thought… “How many will still be working there a year from now?”
Isla de San Jorge in the distance
Now, here comes the super-boring part. Ugh.750 nm to go until ZCL.
El Alamo mountains
Still going…
The western Sierra Madre
What a breathtaking view!
Over the Área Natural Protegida Sierra de Álamos
We’re more than halfway through our fuel with 225 nm to go until reaching ZCL.
Lake Santiaguillo, near the Aeropuerto Internacional de Torreon
Finally reaching Queretaro. 95 nm until Mexico. Starting my descent.
Huapango Lake
50 miles out of Mexico, the ATIS tells me that there is yet another change of plan. Instead of landing at runway 05L, I’ll have to take 05R. The landing card tells me I’ll have to land with flaps 30 with a touchdown speed of VREF + 5 (130 kts).
There are a number of beautiful national parks on the descent path. Cumbres del Ajusco National Park, Parque Nacional Nevado de Toluca and Reserva de la Biósfera Santuario Mariposa Monarca, which is a natural reserve for Monarch butterflies.
Almost there!
On approach
Disconnecting autopilot
(Drumroll)
Coming in a little high, but power and speed are good.
Touchdown
Thrust reversers for good measure
Vacating runway
That went pretty well all things considered!
APU ON, shutting down engines.
Everyone out. It’s getting hot in here.
