| Aerosoft Lukla - Mount Everest |
| Monday, 28 August 2006 | |
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So that's it. You've taken off from Lukla. That was the easy part, landing here is where it really gets fun. But now you're airborne, you now have a few seconds before you smack into a mountain to decide if you want to turn left and fly out of the valley and towards Phaplu and Kathmandu, or turn right and head up the valley towards Syngboche and Mount Everest.
If you have time to spare, turn right! I took off from Lukla with the intention of flying over the top of Everest. 3 hours later I had abandoned my initial quest, and was having more fun exploring the region and the amazing scenery. Every turn you make is a challenge in itself. You have to avoid the terrain below and to the sides of you, and avoid stalling when trying to climb in these high altitudes. Made even more difficult when you are staring out of the window at the scenery itself. Eventually I did make it to Everest, just not over her peak, that can wait for another day.
As time gets on you need to think about heading back to Lukla (remember, no night landings there). This is where it gets really fun. After you have picked your way through the valley and have the airport in sight, you need to slow down as much as possible, to just above a stall, then turn your aircraft towards the runway and bring her in for a nice gentle landing (to avoid falling through the runway) and then quickly hit the brakes and reverse thrust to come to a stop before you run into the mountain and Lukla village. All this whilst avoiding a stall and the terrain. I have flown into Lukla many times with this package and have never once had a perfect landing. Everyone of them has been fun, but there are undercarriages scattered all over the airport! It is very difficult getting down here with the perfect landing. I like to fly from Kathmandu to Lukla in the C208. A short route which takes about 45 minutes. I have flown the route many times so know it well, yet still cannot get that perfect landing. So if you want a package that you don't have to work at to become good at, don't even bother buying this product. Then when you've landed, come to a gentle taxi and regathered your composure, it's time to face the challenge of taxing again. Don't think your day is over though, you've got to be out of there in under 15 minutes.
Aerosoft have created a great product here and obviously spent a great deal of care and attention whilst making it. They chose an airport that no-body else has dared to model, and they have accomplished it well. It's not a product that you would give as much use as a major international airport, but there is something about Lukla that keeps making you want to come back and try again. Is it the challenges that Lukla offers, the amazing scenery or just the unusualness of the product? I really don't know. If you have 30 minutes to kill, hop into your aircraft, take off and turn left out of the valley, turn around and try to land. The photo real scenery is stunning, and if you like low and slow flight, this is a must for you. Now if you would excuse me, I've got a flight to catch.... Having fun? I am! PAY8156
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