Bali Hai? No, #61 Shanghai

Start: RCGM, 0932; $3243.89 and 40gal

First things first: a quick trip to the nearest Taiwanese ATM, to deposit another v$10,000.

Well, I'm starting to go in circles! I've searched for quite a while to find an efficient way to get to Shanghai from here, and there just isn't one. But I finally found a direct flight to Shanghai from Chiayi. Not that it's such a huge sin, but I was at Chiayi Aero just yesterday! Oh well.

So, I'll be taking 1 JAL passenger, 1 USMC Officer and 1 Chiayi passenger back to Chiayi. And it turns out, I'll be taking them there through a 36kt headwind! Probably would have been quicker to drive.

End: RCKU, 1127; $5472.45 and 45gal

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I've gassed up to the limit, because I've got 467 miles to go on this leg (plus a little detour for a Shanghai photo shoot). I'm taking 3 Business Charter passengers to Hongqiao, and I'm hoping that headwind turns into a tailwind (which it should, since I'm now going the other direction!).

Scary dark clouds; perhaps not so good for sightseeing?

I wonder if I should thread the needle?

Did I, or didn't I? (I didn't!)

End: ZSSS, 1636; $7855.65 and 12gal


Total Distance Flown:  33,804 nautical miles
Total v$ Deposited: $160,000

#60 Taipei

Start: ZGGG, 0946; $10479.51 and 30gal

Although I've already been to Taiwan, it was just an intermediate stop, and I didn't get far enough north to see Taipei. So, today I'm going to correct that oversight. I'll be taking 270 kg of Cargo to Shang Yi in Chin Men (just off the coast of mainland China) to start off. This leg will be IFR, just for the practice.

End: RCBS, 1301; $11819.95 and 25gal

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Now I've got 3 JAL Shang Yi passengers, heading for Taoyuan. This leg will be VFR, because I'm going to pass my destination for an over-fly of Taipei, before heading back for a landing.

Downtown Taipei

Sprawling Taipei

End: RCGM, 1630; $13574.05 and 7gal


Total Distance Flown:  33,232 nautical miles
Total v$ Deposited: $150,000

#59 Hong Kong, at last!

Start:  RPVI, 0602; $6752.42 and 35gal

Another day, another v$10,000 in the bank!

Today, though, is a very special day; one long in the making. Today I am going to see Hong Kong! I'll start off, near the crack of dawn, by taking 1 Corporate VIP to Clark International in Angeles City.

Some thunderstorms off to the east, and some mountainous terrain to dodge, but overall a smooth, easy flight. I'm giving it a little more gas today to speed things along. I'm really hoping to get to Hong Kong before the sun goes down -- after seven days of travel, I want some good photos!

End: RPLC, 0931; $8456.25 and 45gal

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A quick turnaround -- I've loaded my 3 Business Charter passengers, and I've fueled up to the max (for my full payload), because I've got a long leg this time; 498 miles to Chiayi Aero in Taiwan.

End: RCKU, 1303; $10839.29 and 45gal

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Okay, here's the leg we've all been waiting for! I've got 1 Corporate VIP. He's going to Baiyun in Guangzhou, China. But on the way, he's going to get a nice aerial tour of Hong Kong! It's already 1:00 in the afternoon, so I'd better get a move on -- I'm burning daylight!

Looks like I timed it amazingly well. It's 5:00pm, and I'm approaching Hong Kong. Now THIS is a city; there's so much to look at, I don't know where to head first!

Hong Kong, filling the horizon

Looking north

Looking southeast

Wow, I take back all the complaining I've done over the past week or so -- Hong Kong was definitely worth the wait! But, I must be on my way, and it's getting dark, so I'd best file an IFR plan to follow from here on out.

Time to say goodbye

UFO sighting?

End: ZGGG, 1803; $10751.69 and 10gal


Total Distance Flown:  32,753 nautical miles
Total v$ Deposited: $150,000