A network of islands, short strips and demanding terrain
Panga Airways lasted only two years, from 1976 to 1977, but its network is a perfect snapshot of useful aviation in Papua New Guinea: connecting isolated communities, crossing mountains, following coastlines, hopping between islands and navigating carefully in a complex environment.
This flight plan creates a large loop from Port Moresby through Gulf, Western, Sandaun, Manus, New Ireland, Bougainville, New Britain, Morobe, Milne Bay and back to Port Moresby.
The scenario
The route starts at Port Moresby and follows the logic of a regional network. The legs are not always long, but they require precision: changing weather, nearby terrain, short strips, limited references and very practical navigation.
The best part is the sequence itself. You move from the southern coast to the west of the country, then toward Sandaun and Manus before reaching New Ireland, Bougainville and New Britain. The final part returns through Morobe, Milne Bay and the Central Province.
Suggested route
South and west of the country
Start from Port Moresby with regional service legs, keeping weather and terrain as the main constraints.
AYPY → KKU → AYKM → AYKK → GBE → AYKW → AYDU → MHD → NDR → AYKI → AYTB
Sandaun, Manus and archipelagos
The central part gives the plan its real character: islands, sea transitions, regional strips and sparse references.
AYTB → TLF → GRN → AYVN → TAD → AYMO → ERU → AYKV → AYKY → NTI → MKO → NIS → AYBK → WAI → AYTK → OBY → SULE → GON → JCB → BIA → AYHK → KDR → CPG
Return toward Port Moresby
The return through Morobe and Milne Bay closes the loop with terrain, coastlines and visual approaches.
CPG → FIN → AYNZ → BUO → GNA → TAP → WTP → AYGR → WGL → VIV → SAO → ESA → SEH → AYGN → SFA → CPR → AYPY
Recommended aircraft
A light twin is the most versatile choice: moderate speed, good visibility, enough performance for regional strips and useful safety margin for long stretches over water or terrain.
GPS is recommended alongside ADF/NDB navigation. For more immersion, use real or dynamic weather, plan fuel before the island sections, and choose an alternate airport whenever cloud bases become low.
Simulation advice
This plan is far too dense for a single session. Treat it as a chapter-based adventure: southern Papua, western country, the archipelagos, New Britain, then the return to Port Moresby. Each block becomes a small campaign of its own.
© Michel Lagneau 2020