59. Santa Maria Azores LPAZ to Tanger Morocco and Gibraltar LXGB 10.07.2009 - 986 NM - 6:58Hrs.

Friday July 10.2009

“36:09.1N  005:20.9W"

The flight today from Santa Maria started up with a delay, because of rain, mist
and low clouds early in the morning.

We finally took off around 10 AM into clouds, which were hardly off the
ground and climbed in IMC for about 54 minutes, until we were in the clear.

What followed was an easy flight; all managed by our Automatic Pilot across
the last part of our Atlantic crossing in the direction of Lisbon Portugal.

Once we were about 200 Nautical Miles out of Lisbon, Air Traffic Control
cleared us to fly direct to Tanger in Morocco North Africa.

The weather cleared up below us with no clouds at all in all directions with
unlimited visibility.

As we got closer to the straits of Gibraltar, the sight was just overwhelming,
North Africa on the right, and Spain and Gibraltar on the left.
Many large ships and ocean Liners converged to the small inlet into the
Mediterranean Sea.

The British Air force Air Traffic Controllers then radar guided us to land
at the Air force Base here at Gibraltar.
It was interesting to see, that while we were approaching to the runway, the
main road from Spain across the runway to Gibraltar was closed and all traffic
had to wait, until we tracked back on the runway and were guided to our
parking spot on the apron.

Tomorrow Saturday, a visit to Down Town Gibraltar and the Rock is on
the agenda.

Stay tuned!