A lot of things happened lately and my time to fly virtually has diminished since last I posted here. However last three years I've been started flying for real, currently working out to get my ULM license in my home country. And also with MSFS2024 launch, I've started again to do virtual flying, to practice for the real one.
So what better way of resuming posting on this blog, since it's vacation season, than with a challenging ULM (Ultra Light Motorized) in a beautiful part of the world - the French Alps.
For this tour, I've chosen to fly the same aircraft that I am currently using at the flight school, the ICP Savannah S. In MSFS 2024, there is a great freeware Savannah S made by Bagolu, which is the aircraft I fly the most.
Now let's get to the flight route. For this tour I chose to fly mostly to Altiports (which are high elevation airfields, mostly with sloped Runways). You can see the map below, as well as details about each leg, which cover some of the most iconic altiports in Europe.
[Sallanches Base] ➔ 1. Megève ➔ 2. Méribel ➔ 3. Courchevel ➔ 4. Val Thorens ➔ [Sallanches Base]
- The Route: Take off from the valley floor and immediately climb into the Arve Valley. You will pass the dramatic Mont Joly to your left.
- What to See: As you approach Megève Altiport (altitude: 1,472 meters), look down at the gorgeous authentic village architecture and pine forests.
- Altiport Feature: Megève has a relatively gentle but iconic mountain slope.
- The Route: Fly South over the stunning Beaufortain valley and cross over towards the famous 3 Valleys (Les 3 Vallées) ski domain.
- What to See: Pass the massive Lake Roselend (Lac de Roselend) and peer down at the vibrant ski tracks.
- Altiport Feature: The runway at Méribel hugs the side of the mountain and serves as an intimate introduction to the steep gradients required of high-altitude flight.
- The Route: A short but intense hop over the Saulire ridge lines.
- What to See: Broad panoramic views of the Vanoise Massif and the massive Grande Casse peak.
- Altiport Feature: Courchevel Altiport is arguably the most legendary mountain runway in the world. Perched at 2,007 meters, it features a terrifyingly beautiful 18.6% upward gradient to help slow landing planes and accelerate departing traffic over a cliff edge.
Leg 4: Courchevel to Val Thorens Altisurface (LF7327)
- The Route: Push deeper into the Belleville Valley to see Europe’s highest ski resort.
- What to See: Fly to and land at the Altiport de La Moutière in Val Thorens (nestled over 2,300 meters high) before banking northeast back toward Chamonix.
Leg 5: Return via Chamonix
- The Grand Finale: Fly directly parallel to the Chamonix Valley. You will cruise eye-to-eye with the Aiguille du Midi, glide alongside the fracturing ice of the Mer de Glace, and marvel at the massive north faces of the Grandes Jorasses before dropping back down to your base.
