Seattle to Denver

For this next flight, I'm heading from Seattle back to Denver in the SR-71. In this pic of the front panel, before moving from parking, you can see it's 9:30, we're about 250 feet above sea level, the engines are idling at 55% RPM, and there is about 37,000 pounds of fuel in the tank. Well, that fuel level turns out to be bogus, because that needle is stuck there forever - the simulation doesn't move it. That would be cool - if the tank didn't run out, I could fly forever without refueling - but the fuel quantity is actually simulated without being displayed, so I have to check fuel level, by going into a simulator menu to display weight and balance information, which includes pounds of fuel aboard.

Taxiing out for takeoff. The low overcast means it'll be an IFR during climbout, but the METAR (Seattle weather) tells me the skies are clear above, with no significant weather for the flight.

Rolling for takeoff, with the afterburners (figuratively) kicking me back in my seat.

Passing through 40,000 feet, and still climbing like a rocket. Before this flight, I got online and read about the SR-71 some more, during which time I discovered the "Dipsy Doodle" maneuver: "The transition from subsonic to supersonic speeds happens at around 35,000 feet and incorporates a manoeuvre called 'the dipsy doodle.' In this manoeuvre, the pilot starts a descent of about 2,500fpm until Mach 1 is reached. At Mach 1.25 the pilot pitches up slightly to resume the climb while maintaining or increasing the speed." I tried this maneuver, and was so happy to find that it did indeed allow me to continue climbing through 40,000 feet, at a respectable speed and climb rate.

Climbing through 65,000 feet, slowing down a little, but still ascending at a respectable rate. Shortly after this snapshot was taken, something happened to adversely affect my speed and climb rates. Not sure what it was, but this was about as high as I could get on this flight.

Cruising along with a very dark blue sky above.

Starting my descent toward the Denver area, passing through 55,000 feet and heading down fast.

Checking the weather for Denver, and wanting the long runway, it looks like runway 16R will be my choice today. I'll use the ILS 16R instrument approach, to help me get aligned with the runway on a stabilized approach. This airplane, even more than most, needs a stabilized approach!

Descending through a cloud layer over the Rocky Mountains, while approaching Denver from the northwest.

External view of being IFR over the Rockies. Looks a lot the same, as being IFR anywhere else.

Breaking out of the clouds at 14,000 feet, while flying toward the TSHNR initial approach fix (IAF) for the ILS 16R approach to Denver International.

Scooting along between the clouds and the mountains.

Rolling out after landing at Denver. Too bad the simulator doesn't show the drag chute behind me very well, but it's there, or else I'd never have gotten stopped on the runway.