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Report:
As
we began our preflight for our trip from Iceland
to the Orkney Islands of Scotland, it occurred
to us that this may be the last relaxing flight
for quite some time. The long, somewhat uneventful
journeys across the Atlantic weren't filled with
thrills, but they did give us time to relax, enjoy
the chosen beers and even listen to some Charlie
Parker along the way.
 Weather
in Iceland was pretty much a socked in overcast
for much of the week leading up to our departure,
and this day was no different. Although we knew
of two local brews (Viking and Thule), we weren't
able to procure either. So, with some Canadian
Sleeman
Cream Ale under wing, we climbed out through
the overcast 3000 ft. ceiling and made our way
via high-altitude IFR to Kirkwall.
 Once
we were climbed out and on our way to FL250, GB
was kind enough to turn over the controls to me
and I pretty much minded the store until we reached
the Islands of Orkney. Loaded with a new set of
Flight One Software's Environmental Effects, the
sky, water and clouds were alive with vibrance
and detail as never before. Puffy little whites
dotted the journey below us and guided us all
the way to the Faroe Islands, and with a tailwind
nearing 65 knots, we were there in no time!
 The
Faroe Islands (a self-governing region
of the Kingdom of Denmark) appeared on the horizon
and grew into view on schedule and proved to be
the visual delight of the leg. This is some pretty
isolated rock out here, although it seems lush
from 25,000 feet. Our flight plan skirted the
islands nicely as the sun began to provide a nice
reflective dance upon the chilled Atlantic waters
below. Before we knew it, the Faroes were a memory
as the scattered islands of Scotland dotted the
GPS.
The
high-altitude flight plan from BIRK to EGPA brings
one to the top of the Orkney's, then turns nearly
120 degrees to the right and straightlines for
Kirkwall. It was at this point that we began our
descent and GB was back on the flight deck to
do his thing.
 Kirkwall
is a decent sized GA facility, at least for this
part of the world, but there is no ILS, so we
were praying for mild weather. Mercifully, weather
was kind with scattered clouds and a steady wind
from the WSW. ATC was its usual inflexible self,
trying to guide us into a runway more lined with
the wind, but nearly half the length of the much
preferred RWY 27. After some coaxing, the ATC
relented and GB brought us in for a perfect landing
in this quaint little part of the world.
Now
the time for rest is over and the challenges begin.
There are so many fine brews to sample and a whole
new set of geography to conquer. Although we consider
ourselves to be experienced pilots in the FS world,
the intricacies of navigating through Europe are
something quite new. Next up, we plan on scouring
the countryside of Scotland, enjoying the terrafirma.
Considering we've seen a lifetime worth of ocean
over the past month, this will be a welcome change.
We'll
see if we can find Nessie and get some shots of
her sunbathing!
GZ
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