Flight Log: Cascais LPCS -- Gran Canaria GCLP 25.11.2015

Distance: 810 NM
scheduled Flying time: 5:50 hrs
Filed Route:
ATIS Cascais:
Clearance: SIT 3C than as filed
Take Off Time: 09:35h
ATIS Gran Canaria:
Landing Time: 15:25h
25.11.2015 Cascais/Gran Canaria:
Today we had a long flight in front of us of between 7 and 7 and a half hours over the sea from Cascais to Gran Canaria. Therefore, we had to get up at 6.00 a.m. so that at 8 a.m. at the airfield we could put on our survival suits, try out the dinghies and make all the preparations for our survival equipment. We had planned to practise how to use this during the flight. A very welcome aspect was that the wind was blowing from behind at about 25 knots, so that we were able to fly relatively fast at 150 to 155 knots. Strong turbulence was a problem because sometimes while climbing steeply the autopilot couldn’t maintain altitude and course. It wasn’t until we'd reached cruising altitude that we were able to fly using the autopilot. From above, we looked down on the sea with all its white crests of foam. This was a sign that the sea was choppy and would not be a welcome place to make an emergency landing. During the flight we practised how quickly we could put on our life jackets. On average, each of us needed 2 ½ to 3 minutes to attach the lifeboats which were behind the seats. We had made an exact plan of who had to do what and when. Should an engine fail, the crew has about 10 to 12 minutes to prepare for a landing on the water. In that time a distress call has to be sent, the life jackets put on and all other preparations for a landing on water made. Consequently, 12 minutes are on the one hand a relatively long time, but on the other hand a relatively short one too. It turned out that the pilots suffered a lack of oxygen because the preparations in the cockpit were so physically demanding. You start to sweat and notice the air is quite low in oxygen. But as we have oxygen equipment on board, we just had to inhale a few breaths and were fit again. When approaching Las Palmas Gran Canaria, it was clear that strong wind of 50 knots prevailed on the ground and we would have to make sure we paid attention to the gusts. However, the wind came almost directly from the front, so that the landing was quite smooth nevertheless. As usual, immediately after landing we requested our plane be filled up again. We couldn't believe our ears when the attendant told us that his payment system wasn't working because the software was faulty. We did have aviation fuel, but couldn’t pay for it at that moment. But after about half an hour, the problem was solved and our handling agent brought us and our luggage to the taxi stand and we were able to set off for the hotel. This time Martin had chosen an especially good hotel, the Radisson Blue.