Dakar 2011 from bird's-eye view - Bell 412

[as099mw]

After two editions in South America, the Dakar continues its exploration in 2011 of a continent which has impressive potential for new discovery. Heading towards the north of Argentina and Chile, the route skims the frontiers of neighbouring countries and takes competitors through ever more varied country. It's a cascade of colour.

With more than 9,500 km to be completed, including 5,000 km of racing, spread over 13 stages, the Dakar 2011 offers a dense programme, whose specifics have been adapted to the different types of vehicle present on the rally. The longest distances, both in the special and link stages, are situated on the return journey towards Buenos Aires.

Read more at http://www.dakar.com

Check the route map (pdf), which is valid also for the flights.
Leg 01/11 Copiapo - Copiapo is the only exception. This leg is divided into two flights (Copiapo - Caldera, Caldera - Copiapo), because flights departing from and arriving to the same airport are not allowed (except ASHA, AFAIK).





Start up Your Bell 412 and follow the event. Although custom flight plans are enclosed, there is still some work left. Some legs require fine tuning and careful payload and fuel planning. And don't forget enough oxygen.

Visit AirSource/BFD - Civilian Charters and search for 20101229-099-DK.... flights.
The real event takes place from January 1st to January 15th.
Expiration date is set to 2011FEB01.

Enjoy.

A note about the model:
I use the 412 Personal Edition from Hovercontrol.com. It seems to fly like a 429 (service ceiling 20.000ft).

[as099mw]

Update:
No detailed flight plans are enclosed starting leg 01/03. They have been removed.
Go to http://www.dakar.com website, check the map of a particular leg, check maps of spectator zones, check other resources and use Google Earth or similar tool to make your own F/P.

How to add custom waypoints to F/P:
1. Use the FS flight planner and create GPS Direct VFR plan from airport to airport.

2. Save the F/P to file on your disk.

3. Locate the file and open it with notepad or something similar. You'll see something like this:
[flightplan]
AppVersion=9.1.40901
title=SAAR to SACO
description=SAAR, SACO
type=VFR
routetype=0
cruising_altitude=4500
departure_id=SAAR, S32* 53.44', W60* 46.90', +000085.00
departure_position=19
destination_id=SACO, S31* 17.77', W64* 12.52', +001604.00
departure_name=Rosario
destination_name=Ing Aeron Ambrosio Lv Taravel
waypoint.0=, SAAR, , SAAR, A, S32* 53.44', W60* 46.90', +000085.00,
waypoint.1=, SACO, , SACO, A, S31* 17.77', W64* 12.52', +001604.00,

4. Select places (waypoints) in Google Earth and write down their coordinates.

5. Add waypoints to F/P. You'll get something like this:
[flightplan]
AppVersion=9.1.40901
title=SAAR to SACO
description=SAAR, SACO
type=VFR
routetype=0
cruising_altitude=4500
departure_id=SAAR, S32* 53.44', W60* 46.90', +000085.00
departure_position=19
destination_id=SACO, S31* 17.77', W64* 12.52', +001604.00
departure_name=Rosario
destination_name=Ing Aeron Ambrosio Lv Taravel
waypoint.0=, SAAR, , SAAR, A, S32* 53.44', W60* 46.90', +000085.00,
waypoint.1=, Fix01, , Fix01, I, S32* 48.81', W61* 23.58', +000018.00,
waypoint.2=, Fix02, , Fix02, I, S32* 44.03', W61* 50.56', +000018.00,
waypoint.3=, Fix03, , Fix03, I, S32* 36.76', W62* 41.26', +000018.00,
waypoint.4=, Fix04, , Fix04, I, S32* 24.57', W63* 15.47', +000018.00,
waypoint.5=, Fix05, , Fix05, I, S33* 6.97', W64* 20.15', +000018.00,
waypoint.6=, Fix06, , Fix06, I, S32* 41.00', W64* 42.30', +000018.00,
waypoint.7=, Fix07, , Fix07, I, S32* 6.09', W64* 31.68', +000018.00,
waypoint.8=, Fix08, , Fix08, I, S32* 0.86', W64* 24.95', +000018.00,
waypoint.9=, Fix09, , Fix09, I, S31* 51.05', W64* 25.89', +000018.00,
waypoint.10=, Fix10, , Fix10, I, S31* 39.36', W64* 19.0', +000018.00,
waypoint.11=, SACO, , SACO, A, S31* 17.77', W64* 12.52', +001604.00,

6. Save the file.

7. Open it in FS and fly.

Enjoy.