YQUET-Aviation, the long return by the Pacific
This second part of the YQUET-Aviation around-the-world network flight covers its broadest side: Patagonia, Chile, the Andes, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Central America, Mexico, the US west coast, Canada and Alaska.
The plan is huge, but it becomes very readable if treated as a campaign. The idea is not to rush it: every country should keep its atmosphere, terrain and constraints.
A long, collective and highly varied progression.
Connect the far south to Alaska through the Pacific side and the Andes.
A reliable aircraft, not too fast, keeps the route alive.
Terrain, weather, fuel, long distances and many countries.
Understanding the flight
The appeal of this page is its scale. After southern South America, the route climbs through the Andes and Pacific fronts, then changes rhythm again in California, British Columbia and Alaska.
To remain enjoyable, the route needs chapters. Each chapter has its own color: fjords, desert, Andes, jungle, tropics, California coast, Canadian mountains and subarctic north.
Before departure
- Split the page into short sessions: around ten legs per chapter is already plenty.
- Prepare fuel and weather before the Andes, Atacama Desert and Alaska.
- Choose an aircraft you truly enjoy, because this is a long route.
- Keep a logbook with dates, incidents and screenshots to give the campaign depth.
Suggested route
Patagonia and southern Chile
Ushuaia, Puerto Natales, Puerto Williams, Coyhaique and southern fields open the flight with a cold, maritime and spectacular tone.
SAWH → SCNT → SCDW → SCCC → SAWA → SCOH → SCHR
Chile, Atacama and central Andes
Puerto Montt, Temuco, Concepción, Santiago, La Serena, Antofagasta, Arica, La Paz and Oruro establish the long Andean climb.
SCHR → SCTE → SCAS → SCON → SCTL → SCTC → SCCH → SCLL → SCLC → SCFA → SCHA → SCES → SCAR → SCDA → SLLP → SLOR
Peru, Ecuador and Colombia
Cuzco, Juliaca, Lima, Ayacucho, Pucallpa, Chiclayo, Jaén, Quito, Cuenca, Ambato, Bogota and Pasto form the mountainous and tropical core.
SLOR → SPZO → SPJL → SPIM → SPHO → SPCL → SPVI → SPNC → SPHI → SPJI → SPJR → SEQU → SECU → SEAM → SKBO → SKPS
Central America and Mexico
Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico City and Mexican stops move the journey north.
SKPS → MPTO → MPLP → RICA → MROC → MSLP → MS1A → MMTG → MMMX → MMHC → MMZC → MMMM → MMLO → MMCL → MM11 → MM50 → MMHO → MM79 → MM76 → MM23 → MMSF → MMOG → UNIS
California, Canada and Alaska
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oregon, Seattle, British Columbia and Alaska close the campaign along the north Pacific.
UNIS → KLAX → KSFO → KSBP → KRDD → KTVL → KONP → KBFI → CYWL → CBJ4 → CYXT → CBZ9 → PAJN → PACY → PAGY → PAHL → PAOM → PADE
Experience tips
Do not try to finish quickly. The best result comes from a followed campaign, almost like a travel journal.
Vary weather, but stay reasonable in mountain areas: the route is rich enough without making every leg survival flying.
Copyright Michel Lagneau 2011