The Great Glen Fault

The Great Glen Fault is a geological feature that runs roughly from Inverness to Oban, dividing the Highlands into two parts.  Today I decided to do some sight seeing, so as both ends have airports, I chose to fly an aircraft on my simulator along this natural depression.

Using the Default Cessna 172 SF from the X-Plane 12 hangar and starting on ramp 3 at Inverness Airport, I do the walk around to remover any covers, chocks and locks, set up the trims and then start the engine. A call to control to obtain permission to taxi and we are off.

Permission to take off, Fly out and enter the circuit .  Once over the Moray Firth, just checking the airspace over Inverness Airport and activating the flight plan.

Looking ahead, I can just make out Loch Ness on the horizon.  This is a typical Scottish day with a hazy view to the distance.  The Great Glen Fault has some big depressions that are full of water.  From this end we shall be flying along Loch Ness, Loch Oich, Loch Lochy, Loch Linnhe and into the Firth of Lorn.

This is the view at the North East end of Loch Ness.  The line of th Fault is clearly seen as a straight depression in the range of mountains. The Monadhliath Mountains are on the left and the Highlands are to the right.

At the South West end of Loch Ness I can see Loch Oich in the V shapes notch on the horizon.  There is a slight kink in the depression here and some firm ground between the Lochs.

Now we are above the waters of Loch Lochy and in the haze is the view of Loch Linnhe.  At this point it is just a matter of maintaining a safe height and keeping the flight path central along the Loch.  There are a couple of No-Fly zones to avoid, but on the whole it is a straight run.

Passing the end of Loch Linnhe into the Firth of Lorn, I can see Lismore Island and I need to keep left of that to fly over the Lynn of Lorn. Looking left I can see the entrance to Lock Leven.  This whole area has deep valleys, some of which are fault related and some are the results of Glacial ice movement.

Once over the waters of the Lynn of Lorn, it is not long before the destination airport is in sight.  Tine to let ATC know I am on approach to enter the circuit and ask for permission to land. Landing light on.

Check the airspace on the crosswind leg and set first flap position, speed at 80 kts. descend to 500 feet AGL - wheel brakes off. That's just pilot speak for getting ready to land.

Kiss the tarmac at about 60 kts with second flap position selected and gently apply the wheel brakes.  Look for the runway exit point which is on the right, second exit and turn off to the grass parking area.

Parking brake on, Lights off, engine off, switches closed, fuel off.  General walk around to cover up instruments and place chocks and locks. Be aware that I have sufficient fuel to do a return trip, so no need to refuel at this point.

Any flight that you can walk away from is a successful flight.