Flight report: Constellation Tribute / Paris-New York 1948
Nov 12, 2013 6:02:58 GMT -5
gmar likes this
Post by mkonareff on Nov 12, 2013 6:02:58 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum which I'm following for some years.
Today I decided to register to share with you my passion for these old propliners.
A short introduction :
I'm Maxime, 22 years old, from the north of France. I am a young professionnal pilot since 1 month and I am searching a first pilot job in Europe.
I began to fly in real life thanks to flight simulator and I am an enthusiast of propliners but I'm flying all types of aircraft on fs2004 and I am a member of Buffalo Airways virtual. I'm not using FsX.
I'm not sure I have a favourite Propliner Aircraft but If we have to consider that I have one, I think it would be the L 1049 Super Constellation.
Well, sometimes I write flight reports of my most beautiful flights and post them onto Pilote-Virtuel, a french forum.
I've traduced this one for you for my first post here and I hope you will enjoy. (Images are hosted by imageshack)
It tells the reproduction of the real flight of the 28th of April 1948
between Paris and New York.
There is probably some english errors here and there because I'm not really bilingual, I hope it will be understandable.
You can find my first french version here: Flight report in french
The Lockheed Constellation
Some people say that it is the most beautiful plane of the world, any generation confused. And well, even if she has of voucher rivals, they are not wrong! Her lines are perfected, so beautiful and so majestic, we would almost want that he speaks to us...
Now imagine you are a pilot, a child, what you want in the 40's and enjoy this story =) See you !
________________________
We are the 28th of april 1948, Air France pilots since the end of this fu...ing war; we are about to join Orly Airport, entirely rebuilt after being destructed during the WWII
Today's flight is not like every flight... Air france is used for some years to join New York from Paris with a fuel stop at St Maria but Today, we will go to New York directly without any stop and with passengers... for the first time !
Departure: FFOL - Paris Orly
Arrival: KLGA - New York La guardia
There is fog when we arrive at Orly Airport. I am stressed by this experience which we are about to live !
fs9 2013-03-28 07-30-24-25 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 07-26-32-15 par kmax59, sur Flickr
We take advantage of it to go to discuss a few minutes with the mechanics, to know the health of our dear Connie. It says the F-BAZF is a recent device (in reality that this was put in service only in 1950 but in the absence of repaint, and having failed in my attempt to redo one, I contented myself with BAZF)
fs9 2013-03-28 07-26-58-79 par kmax59, sur Flickr
It is not the case of all the others, some spend time be inspected Wright R-3350, driving in double(copy) stud with 18 cylinders high-powered which equip the machine
fs9 2013-03-28 07-29-39-86 par kmax59, sur Flickr
People like looking at planes and particularly at the Constellations
fs9 2013-03-28 07-47-00-60 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Well ! We have a flight to be prepared, isn't it?
We go to the preparation offices of Air France to begin by acquainting with the passenger number and with the weather report
We have 32 passengers for this flight, indeed, we need many fuel,so if it is necessary, we will board less passengers for that...
The weather report should be rather clement, a good news for us, especially as we shall be heavy and cannot necessarily rise above the ceiling without losing too quickly and by running. It is going to be necessary to optimize our road and our profile of flight at most
Here is the TEMSI map of the Atlantic Ocean of 06.00z, at the present time we shall be probably near Gander, but it is necessary to take these forecasts with a pair of tongs because it's not very precise!
numérisation0002 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Let's take a look on the winds, they are in our favour too.
numérisation0001 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Here is the real time informations and the forecasts near Orly, near Gander and near New York.
Departure (FFOL):
LFPO 281900Z 11004KT CAVOK 04/M04 Q1008 NOSIG
LFPO 281700Z 2818/2924 04008KT 8000 BKN040 BECMG 2822/2824 34008KT CAVOK BECMG 2803/2805 BKN012 PROB40 TEMPO 2905/2908 2500 BR BKN003 BECMG 2908/2911 BKN035 BECMG 2918/2921 CAVOK
Arrival (KLGA):
KLGA 281851Z 29009KT 10SM FEW065 BKN100 09/M06 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP115 VIRGA OHD
KLGA 281731Z 2818/2918 31013G18KT P6SM SCT050 BKN070 FM272000 31014G22KT P6SM BKN060 FM280000 31013KT P6SM BKN060 FM280300 32011KT P6SM FEW100
facultative stop (CYQX):
CYQX 281900Z 01017G23KT 2 1/2SM -DZ BR OVC004 01/00 A2941 RMK FG2SF6 SLP964
CYQX 281739Z 2818/2918 36020G30KT 11/2SM -RA BR BKN003 OVC008 TEMPO 2718/2801 21/2SM -RASN BR BKN004 OVC010 FM280100 35018G28KT 2SM -SN BR OVC003 PROB40 2801/2806 11/2SM -FZDZ BR OVC003 FM280600 34020G30KT 1SM -SN VV004 TEMPO 2806/2812 3/4SM -SN FM281200 33020G35KT 21/2SM -SN OVC005 RMK NXT FCST BY 280000Z
Our meteo briefing was ended, we shall meet a little of icing by place, some light turbulences probably but nothing extraordinary or of particularly dangerous.
Our decision is taken, the flight will be made.
It is now necessary to take our compass and to decide on the flight plan which is there :
For that we will perform the Orly SID ending by EVX : EVX 1V, then we will use NDBs and Ranges until English coasts then the navigation will be done with LORAN when possible and stars until Gander. The weather will permit us to use sextan without too many problems...
After this first step, we will use again Ranges and NDBs until La Guardia. We will fly over Sydney, Halifax, Yarmouth, Boston and Norwich and the route will end by "LG", a range at NY La Guardia
The flight distance will be near to 3174 nm.
Now, we have to calculate the fuel and the Mass & balance . Flight manual page 3011 chapter 15.8.48
IMG_0468 par kmax59, sur Flickr
As I have said you before, we have 32 passengers today but if necessary, we will accept less passengers on board.
Fuel:
The average headwind will be 11 kt during this flight, with a false airspeed (ouch, no, she is true !) of 220 kt which correcpond to 209 kt. The flight distance is about 3174 milles nautiques, so we obtain a flight time of 15 hourss and 10 minutes.
Notre consommation variant entre 1100 et 1200 BHP nous permettra une consommation moyenne lu sur les tableaux du manuel de vol de 2000 lbs par heure au total soit:
numérisation0004 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Well ! It seems that we have finished our flight preparation !
The sunset is comming, it 07:30PM here. I'm going to verify that we have all documents on board while the flight attendents are preparing the meals Deserving of the best Parisian tables.
fs9 2013-03-28 08-05-03-00 par kmax59, sur Flickr
IMG_0469 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 08-03-47-40 par kmax59, sur Flickr
The passengers arrived at the airport are checking their pass.
Have you got yours?
IMG_0470 par kmax59, sur Flickr
IMG_0472 par kmax59, sur Flickr
IMG_0471 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Let's go to the aircraft. The refueling has already been done
The fuel tanks of the L749 are among 6:
- 2A and 3A which are the left and right outboard tanks for engine 2 and 3 principally: Full for this flight
- 2 and 3 which feeds engine 2 and 3, they are the central tanks : Full for this flights
- 1 and 4 wich are the mid-wings tanks feeding engines 1 and 4 : 9256 lbs each
fs9 2013-03-28 08-03-36-48 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Once inside, we are begin to start the aircraft systems and connect the external electrical power
fs9 2013-03-28 08-03-22-83 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Take Off weight: 107 000 lbs , what a plane !
Take off speeds with 60% flaps:
V1: 91 kt
VR: 99 kt
V2: 107 kt
We have to be smooth with the beast at take off, our stall speed is about 95 kt and Connie will stall if we pull too many
Passengers are boarding, we easily feel they are happy to discover this plane, and another country, far from here.
fs9 2013-03-28 08-05-09-88 par kmax59, sur Flickr
They can expect a very comfortable flight... !
Last external check
fs9 2013-03-28 08-05-15-47 par kmax59, sur Flickr
The flight attendents are talking about flight and security to passengers
"Mesdames et Messieurs, soyez les bienvenus à bord de cet appareil, un Lockheed Constellation, notre vitesse moyenne sera de 410 km/h et nous rejoindrons New York au bout d'environ 15 heures et 10 minutes de vol."
fs9 2013-03-28 07-57-13-36 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 08-05-23-10 par kmax59, sur Flickr
In the cockpit, we are ready to start the first engine: Engine number 3
fs9 2013-03-28 08-05-28-79 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Slowly the engine 3 is starting up, It buzzs with an explosive noise
fs9 2013-03-28 08-07-11-67 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Same thing for engine 4, then we can activate generators and disconnect the external power which will be cut off by ground staff
fs9 2013-03-28 08-10-00-96 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Then the engines 2 and 1 which starts with a thick smoke behind them.
fs9 2013-03-28 08-10-45-92 par kmax59, sur Flickr
It's time for testing the flaps, everything's working!
fs9 2013-03-28 08-12-13-45 par kmax59, sur Flickr
After all check, we are ready for taxi! During taxi for RWY 08, we verify that cowl flaps are full open to prevent overheating of the big engines
fs9 2013-03-28 08-10-25-30 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 08-12-50-66 par kmax59, sur Flickr
The mecanician is reviewing take off and climb performances, engines procedures, without being very difficult, it's important to do everything right
fs9 2013-03-28 08-15-23-02 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 08-15-08-52 par kmax59, sur Flickr
At the holding point everyone takes his place in the cabin while we are performing the Run up.
fs9 2013-03-28 08-16-50-43 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 08-30-04-33 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Here we go with the Checklist, don't miss any line or it could be fatal !
Run up will permit us to consumme enought fuel to take off at Maximum take off weight
numérisation0003 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 08-28-02-20 par kmax59, sur Flickr
"Air France 015 Foxtrot Zoulou , vous être autorisés à vous aligner piste zéro huit et à décoller, rappelez travers de l'aéroport"
"Autorisé à décoller piste 08 et rappelons travers de l'aéroport Foxtrot Zoulou"
fs9 2013-03-28 08-31-35-73 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Line up and let's go !
fs9 2013-03-28 08-30-49-15 par kmax59, sur Flickr
At Vr, F-BAZF is slowly leaving the ground
fs9 2013-03-28 08-32-06-97 par kmax59, sur Flickr
The engines are running at full power, with an explosive sound, but ,fortunately for our hearing, the maximum power is allowed for 2 minutes maximum, if not we will meet some engines failure...
fs9 2013-03-28 08-32-20-08 par kmax59, sur Flickr
At 500 ft above the ground, we decreases the power to METO power :
2100 BHP for each engine
MAP 44 inhg, 2400 RPM
The mecanician is working hard !
fs9 2013-03-28 08-33-04-31 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 08-35-19-78 par kmax59, sur Flickr
For take off, the engine were in "Tank to engine" configuration (Tank 1 was feeding engine 1, 2 and 2A feeding engine 2... etc). After take off, the tanks must be well balanced : 2+2A=1 and 3+3A=2, but 1 and 4 are more full of fuel so we have to open crossfeed valves to balance and cut the 2,2A,3 and 3A feeding to consumme fuel on 1 and 4 until "Tank to engine" configuration
fs9 2013-03-28 08-33-11-21 par kmax59, sur Flickr
First right turn at 3000 ft
fs9 2013-03-28 08-38-44-52 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 08-37-51-12 par kmax59, sur Flickr
"Air France 015 Foxtrot Zoulu, travers de l'aéroport en direction d'Evreux"
"Bien reçu Air France 015 vous pouvez monter vers votre altitude de croisière"
fs9 2013-03-28 08-40-29-25 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Well ! We are climbing to 10 000 ft, our first cruise level until we reach 95 000 lbs
fs9 2013-03-28 08-42-49-87 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Direct to LGL, until intercepting QDM 329 to EVX
fs9 2013-03-28 08-37-54-91 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Landing light is reflecting on the propellers, beautiful isn't it?
fs9 2013-03-28 08-42-34-45 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 08-42-58-42 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Intercepting QDM 329 of EVX
fs9 2013-03-28 08-45-33-55 par kmax59, sur Flickr
At 10 000 ft we are steady and we reduce power to reach an optimal consumption (about 2000lbs per hour, 1200 Horse power per engine, and I don't understand where are the horse... =D )
During this step, it's time to resume tank to engine configuration
fs9 2013-03-28 08-58-57-50 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 09-19-14-59 par kmax59, sur Flickr
It's done ! we cut off all crossfeed valves until 10 hours later
fs9 2013-03-28 09-29-35-77 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 08-49-13-14 par kmax59, sur Flickr
In the cabin, people are looking to the great colors of the sky before the meal.
What would you wish for the diner?
In a Constellation, the food is the best and you have the choice !
fs9 2013-03-28 09-30-33-42 par kmax59, sur Flickr
In the cockpit, we appreciate the last moments of the day too
fs9 2013-03-28 08-58-38-10 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 09-15-48-36 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 09-10-00-16 par kmax59, sur Flickr
We are reaching Land End, last radionavigation points until some thousound of nautical milles...
fs9 2013-03-28 09-47-10-94 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 10-03-31-02 par kmax59, sur Flickr
The moon is too low above the horizon, the navigator will have to choose something else with his sextan
fs9 2013-03-28 11-12-20-87 par kmax59, sur Flickr
We are approaching the estimate of the first checkpoint of the transatlantic travel : N59°30' W008° at 09.04 PM z
It seems that all goes right.
fs9 2013-03-28 10-58-53-98 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 11-17-59-71 par kmax59, sur Flickr
After a first checkpoit, everything is OK, we are on our route and the wind forecasts seems to be correct
fs9 2013-03-28 11-50-48-84 par kmax59, sur Flickr
The diner is ready !
Bon appetit
Ohh no !
You put me on external view when it's time to eat !
What an ungrateful crew... ! =D
After the meal, the navigator goes back to work
A little of reading during your flight? (I'm sorry, it's french !)
aviatechno.free.fr/constellation/echo_air/vignettes.php
There is 2 automatic mode for mixtures, AUTO RICH,and AUTO LEAN which gives us less fuel consumption but we use an Auto rich with decreasing which correspond to BMEP Less 10% for a best economy and we resume the BMEP to the previous with the throttles
Ouch ! There is an error in the new checkpoint.
We are about 40' on the south and 40' on the east of our expected position...
It's my fault... I followed a wrong heading !
Finally everything goes well and we are only 30' north from our calculated route.
The english boat "Juliette" on the north of our route between N51°30 W17 and N51°48 W22 allows us to confirm our position
Our weight has decreased, we can climb to 14 000 ft.
It's time to reach N51°52' W027° , iit's 00.37 AM z and 02.37 LT in France, and already 5 hours and 42 minutes flying.
The navigator is going to calculate our position with hos sextan.
Behind, an illustration and the navigator report to the captain for N51°52' W027°
Anyways, peacefully, without turbulence, the flight continues, but the fatigue begins be felt.
At 12 000 ft, the mecanician has placed superchargers levers to High blower to have a good power higher
Here is a part of the navigation log during this transatlantic flight.
After 9 hours and 56 minutes we are reaching the last atlantic point
Here is the entire transatlantic part of the navigation log
A little reading more?
aviatechno.free.fr/constellation/long_courriers/vignettes.php
Just after Gander, we meet some big clouds
And my copilot looking to the Airspeed indicator sawn the airspeed slowly decreasing...
So I look to the window and try to see the leading edge of the left wing... =O
The wing is freezing ! Let's see to the MAP which is decreasing too !
Carburator heat: HOT
De-icer: All ON
It has been very well simulated by the calclassic Constellation !
The Tanks 1 and 4 are near to be empty, it's time to open all crossfeed valves
If you don't want someone else to sit at your place...
Now we are going to Boston, The clock is ticking and we are approaching the destination.
The most complicated part is over !
The engines are running well for once! Don't forget the Connie was known as the best tri-engine ...
Ladies and gentlement, look at the windows on your left, the sun is rising above Boston !
You can believe me, you will remember this all your life...
Now direct to Norwich !
Connie seems happy to see the sun, don't you think?
It's time to work, with an altitude of 16 000 ft, to descend to the MSA of the Range RWY 04 approach (2800 ft) with a vertical speed of 1000 ft/min we will spend 12 minute which correspond to about 60 nm
The mecanician is reducing the MAP by 3in per 3in to let the engine cooling slowly
"Air France 015, Direct Idlewild range until new clearance and expect holding at Lima Golf before approach"
"Direct Idlewild and expect holding before at Lima Golf approach, Air France 015"
The LOC has failed at La guardia and they want to look at that before our landing
On our left we can see the Idlewild airport
In the holding, near Manhattan
The tower let us to make a visual approach.
Flaps 60% then gear down and 80% flaps
Last turn, we are flying for 15 hours and 5 minutes, and we are about to land on the american ground !
On short final everyone is happy
It's done... ! Yes, we are the first commercial flight which has transported passenger without any stop from Europe to the USA in this 28th of April 1948 !
We are leaving the runway by the left taxiway. Everyone in the Connie is happy to have done it for the first time without fuel stop
We are taxiing to our assigned park. What emotion ! (virtual as real !)
The TWA Connies parked here can be proud too... They are the begginners of this great airliner story...
We follow the ground staff to park our L749 correctly
Engine cut off.
After thanks to the passengers, they begins to leave the plane
Let's review to the navigation and weather log (which a reproductions of the reals)
DC3, DC6, Constellations... They are all very beautiful on this apron !
Oh ! Look ! Is it Sean Connie ?! ... ^^
We are about to leave the plane
Everyone is left, it's time for us to leave too and let Connie here for few days
.....
"Sir?? Sir?? Eh oh ! Sir?!"
"Yes?!"
"It seems that you were dreaming ! We are arrived at destination New York, you are the last on board, it's time to leave the plane even if you look to appreciate this new A380 first class... ! =D
THE END
__________________________________________________
Many thanks to this people which helped me for this flight:
- Daniel / lenflure
- Pierre / Pierre95
- Sir Ottello
- Air France museum
For their documents
- Guillaume for the book he offered me and which give me the idea of this flight
Et,
- Nicolas
- Ahmed
My friends which help me in the navigator tasks
SLinks:
- Aviatechno.free.fr and Air France museum
- Pilote-virtuel help
- Personnal documents
- Calclassic
Add on used:
- Clclassic Orly, La guardia and Idlewild
- Constellation L749 Calclassic
- Gauge Bubble sextant
- Radio Range add-on
- Silver wings
- Calclassic trafic ai complet
I hope you have enjoyed this report. Sorry again for probable English errors and lack of humor (it's difficult in another language ! If you can, read the french version which has more humor ^^ )
See you soon,
Maxime
I'm new to this forum which I'm following for some years.
Today I decided to register to share with you my passion for these old propliners.
A short introduction :
I'm Maxime, 22 years old, from the north of France. I am a young professionnal pilot since 1 month and I am searching a first pilot job in Europe.
I began to fly in real life thanks to flight simulator and I am an enthusiast of propliners but I'm flying all types of aircraft on fs2004 and I am a member of Buffalo Airways virtual. I'm not using FsX.
I'm not sure I have a favourite Propliner Aircraft but If we have to consider that I have one, I think it would be the L 1049 Super Constellation.
Well, sometimes I write flight reports of my most beautiful flights and post them onto Pilote-Virtuel, a french forum.
I've traduced this one for you for my first post here and I hope you will enjoy. (Images are hosted by imageshack)
It tells the reproduction of the real flight of the 28th of April 1948
between Paris and New York.
There is probably some english errors here and there because I'm not really bilingual, I hope it will be understandable.
You can find my first french version here: Flight report in french
The Lockheed Constellation
Some people say that it is the most beautiful plane of the world, any generation confused. And well, even if she has of voucher rivals, they are not wrong! Her lines are perfected, so beautiful and so majestic, we would almost want that he speaks to us...
Now imagine you are a pilot, a child, what you want in the 40's and enjoy this story =) See you !
________________________
We are the 28th of april 1948, Air France pilots since the end of this fu...ing war; we are about to join Orly Airport, entirely rebuilt after being destructed during the WWII
Today's flight is not like every flight... Air france is used for some years to join New York from Paris with a fuel stop at St Maria but Today, we will go to New York directly without any stop and with passengers... for the first time !
Departure: FFOL - Paris Orly
Arrival: KLGA - New York La guardia
There is fog when we arrive at Orly Airport. I am stressed by this experience which we are about to live !
fs9 2013-03-28 07-30-24-25 par kmax59, sur Flickr
fs9 2013-03-28 07-26-32-15 par kmax59, sur Flickr
We take advantage of it to go to discuss a few minutes with the mechanics, to know the health of our dear Connie. It says the F-BAZF is a recent device (in reality that this was put in service only in 1950 but in the absence of repaint, and having failed in my attempt to redo one, I contented myself with BAZF)
fs9 2013-03-28 07-26-58-79 par kmax59, sur Flickr
It is not the case of all the others, some spend time be inspected Wright R-3350, driving in double(copy) stud with 18 cylinders high-powered which equip the machine
fs9 2013-03-28 07-29-39-86 par kmax59, sur Flickr
People like looking at planes and particularly at the Constellations
fs9 2013-03-28 07-47-00-60 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Well ! We have a flight to be prepared, isn't it?
We go to the preparation offices of Air France to begin by acquainting with the passenger number and with the weather report
We have 32 passengers for this flight, indeed, we need many fuel,so if it is necessary, we will board less passengers for that...
The weather report should be rather clement, a good news for us, especially as we shall be heavy and cannot necessarily rise above the ceiling without losing too quickly and by running. It is going to be necessary to optimize our road and our profile of flight at most
Here is the TEMSI map of the Atlantic Ocean of 06.00z, at the present time we shall be probably near Gander, but it is necessary to take these forecasts with a pair of tongs because it's not very precise!
numérisation0002 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Let's take a look on the winds, they are in our favour too.
numérisation0001 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Here is the real time informations and the forecasts near Orly, near Gander and near New York.
Departure (FFOL):
LFPO 281900Z 11004KT CAVOK 04/M04 Q1008 NOSIG
LFPO 281700Z 2818/2924 04008KT 8000 BKN040 BECMG 2822/2824 34008KT CAVOK BECMG 2803/2805 BKN012 PROB40 TEMPO 2905/2908 2500 BR BKN003 BECMG 2908/2911 BKN035 BECMG 2918/2921 CAVOK
Arrival (KLGA):
KLGA 281851Z 29009KT 10SM FEW065 BKN100 09/M06 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP115 VIRGA OHD
KLGA 281731Z 2818/2918 31013G18KT P6SM SCT050 BKN070 FM272000 31014G22KT P6SM BKN060 FM280000 31013KT P6SM BKN060 FM280300 32011KT P6SM FEW100
facultative stop (CYQX):
CYQX 281900Z 01017G23KT 2 1/2SM -DZ BR OVC004 01/00 A2941 RMK FG2SF6 SLP964
CYQX 281739Z 2818/2918 36020G30KT 11/2SM -RA BR BKN003 OVC008 TEMPO 2718/2801 21/2SM -RASN BR BKN004 OVC010 FM280100 35018G28KT 2SM -SN BR OVC003 PROB40 2801/2806 11/2SM -FZDZ BR OVC003 FM280600 34020G30KT 1SM -SN VV004 TEMPO 2806/2812 3/4SM -SN FM281200 33020G35KT 21/2SM -SN OVC005 RMK NXT FCST BY 280000Z
Our meteo briefing was ended, we shall meet a little of icing by place, some light turbulences probably but nothing extraordinary or of particularly dangerous.
Our decision is taken, the flight will be made.
It is now necessary to take our compass and to decide on the flight plan which is there :
EVX CAN GUR LAN N59.30W008 N51W12 N51.30W17 N51.48W22 N51.52W27 N51.43W32 N51.22W37 N50.45W42 N50W47 N49.30W50 YQX QY ZVS QI LQ NOR LG
For that we will perform the Orly SID ending by EVX : EVX 1V, then we will use NDBs and Ranges until English coasts then the navigation will be done with LORAN when possible and stars until Gander. The weather will permit us to use sextan without too many problems...
After this first step, we will use again Ranges and NDBs until La Guardia. We will fly over Sydney, Halifax, Yarmouth, Boston and Norwich and the route will end by "LG", a range at NY La Guardia
The flight distance will be near to 3174 nm.
Now, we have to calculate the fuel and the Mass & balance . Flight manual page 3011 chapter 15.8.48
IMG_0468 par kmax59, sur Flickr
As I have said you before, we have 32 passengers today but if necessary, we will accept less passengers on board.
Fuel:
The average headwind will be 11 kt during this flight, with a false airspeed (ouch, no, she is true !) of 220 kt which correcpond to 209 kt. The flight distance is about 3174 milles nautiques, so we obtain a flight time of 15 hourss and 10 minutes.
Notre consommation variant entre 1100 et 1200 BHP nous permettra une consommation moyenne lu sur les tableaux du manuel de vol de 2000 lbs par heure au total soit:
Route: 30300 lbs
Alternate : 1h eco : 1050 lbs
45 minutes reverses: 0.75 x 1050 = 788 lbs
Minimum fuel: 33652 lbs
Alternate : 1h eco : 1050 lbs
45 minutes reverses: 0.75 x 1050 = 788 lbs
Minimum fuel: 33652 lbs
numérisation0004 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Well ! It seems that we have finished our flight preparation !
The sunset is comming, it 07:30PM here. I'm going to verify that we have all documents on board while the flight attendents are preparing the meals Deserving of the best Parisian tables.
fs9 2013-03-28 08-05-03-00 par kmax59, sur Flickr
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The passengers arrived at the airport are checking their pass.
Have you got yours?
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Let's go to the aircraft. The refueling has already been done
The fuel tanks of the L749 are among 6:
- 2A and 3A which are the left and right outboard tanks for engine 2 and 3 principally: Full for this flight
- 2 and 3 which feeds engine 2 and 3, they are the central tanks : Full for this flights
- 1 and 4 wich are the mid-wings tanks feeding engines 1 and 4 : 9256 lbs each
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Once inside, we are begin to start the aircraft systems and connect the external electrical power
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Take Off weight: 107 000 lbs , what a plane !
Take off speeds with 60% flaps:
V1: 91 kt
VR: 99 kt
V2: 107 kt
We have to be smooth with the beast at take off, our stall speed is about 95 kt and Connie will stall if we pull too many
Passengers are boarding, we easily feel they are happy to discover this plane, and another country, far from here.
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They can expect a very comfortable flight... !
Last external check
fs9 2013-03-28 08-05-15-47 par kmax59, sur Flickr
The flight attendents are talking about flight and security to passengers
"Mesdames et Messieurs, soyez les bienvenus à bord de cet appareil, un Lockheed Constellation, notre vitesse moyenne sera de 410 km/h et nous rejoindrons New York au bout d'environ 15 heures et 10 minutes de vol."
fs9 2013-03-28 07-57-13-36 par kmax59, sur Flickr
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In the cockpit, we are ready to start the first engine: Engine number 3
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Slowly the engine 3 is starting up, It buzzs with an explosive noise
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Same thing for engine 4, then we can activate generators and disconnect the external power which will be cut off by ground staff
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Then the engines 2 and 1 which starts with a thick smoke behind them.
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It's time for testing the flaps, everything's working!
fs9 2013-03-28 08-12-13-45 par kmax59, sur Flickr
After all check, we are ready for taxi! During taxi for RWY 08, we verify that cowl flaps are full open to prevent overheating of the big engines
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The mecanician is reviewing take off and climb performances, engines procedures, without being very difficult, it's important to do everything right
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At the holding point everyone takes his place in the cabin while we are performing the Run up.
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Here we go with the Checklist, don't miss any line or it could be fatal !
Run up will permit us to consumme enought fuel to take off at Maximum take off weight
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"Air France 015 Foxtrot Zoulou , vous être autorisés à vous aligner piste zéro huit et à décoller, rappelez travers de l'aéroport"
"Autorisé à décoller piste 08 et rappelons travers de l'aéroport Foxtrot Zoulou"
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Line up and let's go !
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At Vr, F-BAZF is slowly leaving the ground
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The engines are running at full power, with an explosive sound, but ,fortunately for our hearing, the maximum power is allowed for 2 minutes maximum, if not we will meet some engines failure...
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At 500 ft above the ground, we decreases the power to METO power :
2100 BHP for each engine
MAP 44 inhg, 2400 RPM
The mecanician is working hard !
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For take off, the engine were in "Tank to engine" configuration (Tank 1 was feeding engine 1, 2 and 2A feeding engine 2... etc). After take off, the tanks must be well balanced : 2+2A=1 and 3+3A=2, but 1 and 4 are more full of fuel so we have to open crossfeed valves to balance and cut the 2,2A,3 and 3A feeding to consumme fuel on 1 and 4 until "Tank to engine" configuration
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First right turn at 3000 ft
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"Air France 015 Foxtrot Zoulu, travers de l'aéroport en direction d'Evreux"
"Bien reçu Air France 015 vous pouvez monter vers votre altitude de croisière"
fs9 2013-03-28 08-40-29-25 par kmax59, sur Flickr
Well ! We are climbing to 10 000 ft, our first cruise level until we reach 95 000 lbs
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Direct to LGL, until intercepting QDM 329 to EVX
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Landing light is reflecting on the propellers, beautiful isn't it?
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Intercepting QDM 329 of EVX
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At 10 000 ft we are steady and we reduce power to reach an optimal consumption (about 2000lbs per hour, 1200 Horse power per engine, and I don't understand where are the horse... =D )
During this step, it's time to resume tank to engine configuration
fs9 2013-03-28 08-58-57-50 par kmax59, sur Flickr
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It's done ! we cut off all crossfeed valves until 10 hours later
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In the cabin, people are looking to the great colors of the sky before the meal.
What would you wish for the diner?
In a Constellation, the food is the best and you have the choice !
fs9 2013-03-28 09-30-33-42 par kmax59, sur Flickr
In the cockpit, we appreciate the last moments of the day too
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We are reaching Land End, last radionavigation points until some thousound of nautical milles...
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The moon is too low above the horizon, the navigator will have to choose something else with his sextan
fs9 2013-03-28 11-12-20-87 par kmax59, sur Flickr
We are approaching the estimate of the first checkpoint of the transatlantic travel : N59°30' W008° at 09.04 PM z
It seems that all goes right.
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After a first checkpoit, everything is OK, we are on our route and the wind forecasts seems to be correct
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The diner is ready !
Bon appetit
Ohh no !
You put me on external view when it's time to eat !
What an ungrateful crew... ! =D
After the meal, the navigator goes back to work
A little of reading during your flight? (I'm sorry, it's french !)
aviatechno.free.fr/constellation/echo_air/vignettes.php
There is 2 automatic mode for mixtures, AUTO RICH,and AUTO LEAN which gives us less fuel consumption but we use an Auto rich with decreasing which correspond to BMEP Less 10% for a best economy and we resume the BMEP to the previous with the throttles
Ouch ! There is an error in the new checkpoint.
We are about 40' on the south and 40' on the east of our expected position...
It's my fault... I followed a wrong heading !
Finally everything goes well and we are only 30' north from our calculated route.
The english boat "Juliette" on the north of our route between N51°30 W17 and N51°48 W22 allows us to confirm our position
Our weight has decreased, we can climb to 14 000 ft.
It's time to reach N51°52' W027° , iit's 00.37 AM z and 02.37 LT in France, and already 5 hours and 42 minutes flying.
The navigator is going to calculate our position with hos sextan.
Behind, an illustration and the navigator report to the captain for N51°52' W027°
Anyways, peacefully, without turbulence, the flight continues, but the fatigue begins be felt.
At 12 000 ft, the mecanician has placed superchargers levers to High blower to have a good power higher
Here is a part of the navigation log during this transatlantic flight.
After 9 hours and 56 minutes we are reaching the last atlantic point
Here is the entire transatlantic part of the navigation log
A little reading more?
aviatechno.free.fr/constellation/long_courriers/vignettes.php
Just after Gander, we meet some big clouds
And my copilot looking to the Airspeed indicator sawn the airspeed slowly decreasing...
So I look to the window and try to see the leading edge of the left wing... =O
The wing is freezing ! Let's see to the MAP which is decreasing too !
Carburator heat: HOT
De-icer: All ON
It has been very well simulated by the calclassic Constellation !
The Tanks 1 and 4 are near to be empty, it's time to open all crossfeed valves
If you don't want someone else to sit at your place...
Now we are going to Boston, The clock is ticking and we are approaching the destination.
The most complicated part is over !
The engines are running well for once! Don't forget the Connie was known as the best tri-engine ...
Ladies and gentlement, look at the windows on your left, the sun is rising above Boston !
You can believe me, you will remember this all your life...
Now direct to Norwich !
Connie seems happy to see the sun, don't you think?
It's time to work, with an altitude of 16 000 ft, to descend to the MSA of the Range RWY 04 approach (2800 ft) with a vertical speed of 1000 ft/min we will spend 12 minute which correspond to about 60 nm
The mecanician is reducing the MAP by 3in per 3in to let the engine cooling slowly
"Air France 015, Direct Idlewild range until new clearance and expect holding at Lima Golf before approach"
"Direct Idlewild and expect holding before at Lima Golf approach, Air France 015"
The LOC has failed at La guardia and they want to look at that before our landing
On our left we can see the Idlewild airport
In the holding, near Manhattan
The tower let us to make a visual approach.
Flaps 60% then gear down and 80% flaps
Last turn, we are flying for 15 hours and 5 minutes, and we are about to land on the american ground !
On short final everyone is happy
It's done... ! Yes, we are the first commercial flight which has transported passenger without any stop from Europe to the USA in this 28th of April 1948 !
We are leaving the runway by the left taxiway. Everyone in the Connie is happy to have done it for the first time without fuel stop
We are taxiing to our assigned park. What emotion ! (virtual as real !)
The TWA Connies parked here can be proud too... They are the begginners of this great airliner story...
We follow the ground staff to park our L749 correctly
Engine cut off.
After thanks to the passengers, they begins to leave the plane
Let's review to the navigation and weather log (which a reproductions of the reals)
DC3, DC6, Constellations... They are all very beautiful on this apron !
Oh ! Look ! Is it Sean Connie ?! ... ^^
We are about to leave the plane
Everyone is left, it's time for us to leave too and let Connie here for few days
.....
"Sir?? Sir?? Eh oh ! Sir?!"
"Yes?!"
"It seems that you were dreaming ! We are arrived at destination New York, you are the last on board, it's time to leave the plane even if you look to appreciate this new A380 first class... ! =D
THE END
__________________________________________________
Many thanks to this people which helped me for this flight:
- Daniel / lenflure
- Pierre / Pierre95
- Sir Ottello
- Air France museum
For their documents
- Guillaume for the book he offered me and which give me the idea of this flight
Et,
- Nicolas
- Ahmed
My friends which help me in the navigator tasks
SLinks:
- Aviatechno.free.fr and Air France museum
- Pilote-virtuel help
- Personnal documents
- Calclassic
Add on used:
- Clclassic Orly, La guardia and Idlewild
- Constellation L749 Calclassic
- Gauge Bubble sextant
- Radio Range add-on
- Silver wings
- Calclassic trafic ai complet
I hope you have enjoyed this report. Sorry again for probable English errors and lack of humor (it's difficult in another language ! If you can, read the french version which has more humor ^^ )
See you soon,
Maxime