Our journey to Keflavik, Iceland began yesterday morning in Goose Bay, Canada. We started our adventure after having breakfast at the local restaurant.
While being driven to the desolate Goose Bay Airport I said to the driver, “Looks like snow clouds.” He said back, “Nope, no snow reported today.” I said, “Ah, what does a guy from Los Angeles know about snow clouds anyway?” We laughed and ten minutes later Miss Behavin’ was covered in about 2” of soft snow. 
We received our weather report; Don said we were good to go. This was my first take off into snow…quite fun.
Once we were at altitude I unzipped the top of my immersion suit and I was loving the air hose I had Art rig for air conditioning in my mighty hot dry suit. Don had the heat on because he was cold in the minus 19 degree Celsius temperature and this caused my feet to be burning hot…so I turned on my hose rig and cooled off my feet. Don and I had quite a few chuckles about my hose. And that’s all I’ll say about that.
It was a smooth clear ride at 11,000’ straight to Greenland. When we were about an hour out from Greenland we started to see icebergs and they grew larger the closer we got to the coast. What a beautifully wondrous country and topography in Greenland. I’ve got some still photos to show you if I ever get a good Internet connection.
Greenland was the toughest landing I have made to date. We entered a gorge and had to make a very tight base leg turn at about 45-50 degrees of bank to miss the mountains. Then I had to put down on a runway that had half of it closed for repair. We had 2700’ downhill and that was it. Don commented that this is the toughest runway he ever lands on.
We stayed long enough to fuel up 64 gallons at $1245.00 US, get our weather and head over to Keflavik, Iceland.
Well I thought Greenland would be my toughest landing ever…NOT!
First, we encountered about 2.7 hours of Instrument Meteorological Conditions on the crossing…and then Sigmets for severe wind starting coming through for Iceland of 40-50 knot winds…oh boy. As if the dusting of rime icing we were being subjected to wasn’t enough.
I had an hour or so to be concerned about landing in 40 knot plus crosswinds. Don assured me these were some big wide runways and that I could do it.
I shot for a one left wheel landing on the center line but we were blown all the way over to inches of the runway lights on the right. I thought we might actually be blown onto the grass to the side of the runway. It was so windy we almost couldn’t get out of the plane and tying her down was unbelievable. The big jets were having quite a time of landing as well.
This morning we awoke to even stronger winds. Even the German Air Force guys flying a C160 cargo plane decided not to take off. Don and I sat in Miss Behavin’ for a few minutes to check out our Garmin navigation system and we were registering a 38 knot airspeed from the wind.
Needless to say, I’m back at the hotel writing this in hopes of a better day tomorrow to fly off to Prestwick, Scotland and then on to Leeds, England for a repair on my Garmin 1000 navigational data.
More later…
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 7:28
WOW!!!Jeff, that sounded like an intense experience…I was feeling nervous and my heart rate was speeding up just reading what you wrote. A situation I am sure that you will never forget. I am happy to know that everything worked out in the end and that both you and Don are safe in Iceland. I will check in with you again soon. Love Lisa
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 7:33
Jeff,
The journey thus far truly sounds amazing…take lots of pictures! I’m glad you guys are safe, your landing should make for some interesting footage! Have a pint in Leeds for me.
PS Spooky say “meaowr…!”
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 11:28
Hey Jeff — wow, sounds fantastic! No spidertracks but nice satelite pic of where you are currently parked. Mary
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 13:34
Jeff,
Great update! We’re excited for you and I can’t wait to see the pictures. Sounds amazing.
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 17:47
Hi uncle Jeff, I’m sorry to hear that you are stuck in Iceland right now but it still must be a pretty cool place to be. I guess it’s better to wait for the weather to clear up so that you will be safe for take off to Scotland. Be sure to take lots of pictures to post up! I will check the spidertracks tomorrow to find out if you are headed to Scotland. Hope to see you up in the air . Love Samantha
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 21:28
Amazing!! Can’t wait for some pics.
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 22:36
I’m glad you were nervous Lisa…it gives you a taste of the journey. No I will never forget that landing and it has taught me immensely.
Love,
Jeff
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 22:38
Hey Kenny,
I’m starting to take lots of stills, we’re not having the best luck with the approach videos. Don will try hand holding the camera on our next landing in Prestwick, Scotland. Thanks a lot for taking care or my buddy Spooky, I miss him.
A pint it is!
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 22:40
Hi Mary,
I don’t know why you are missing the spidertracks??? But it indeed has been fantastic. Last night we had an incredible fresh Icelandic seafood dinner.
Quite lovely…thanks for following…I’m glad you are enjoying yourself.
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 22:41
Thanks Noah,
You’ll like the pics indeed…hopefully I won’t need an Arc
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 22:45
Hi Samantha,
It’s a very cool place to be. And being stuck by weather was an expected problem, we just didn’t know which country would hold us up. We enjoyed a great Icelandic fish dinner last night. These are very nice and quiet people. Unlike me!
Love,
Jeff
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 22:46
Hey Eugene,
I’ve got some great stills in Greenland…we’re getting our picture taking down. Computer issues, now that’s another problem.
Eugene, Don’s going to want to set up Wordpress on his site…I told him all about you.
Thanks for following…talk to you soon.