[ MSFS2020 | VATSIM ] "Island Cruise Excursions" returns to the northern Caribbean in the DC-3!

A few months ago, we decided to revive our "Island Cruise Excursions" series -- which at one time we had been performing in the Boeing 247D, but had decided now to give a go in the Duckworks mod of the Douglas DC-3. The 247, which is basically one generation older than the Douglas, is also about half its size. The DC-3 clocks in at around 26,000 pounds and seats up to approximately 21. Thus, when we decided to return to the Northern Caribbean and try the DC-3 in places like St. Barth's and Saba, we knew we had our work cut out for us!
Besides taking an oversized plane into tiny and challenging strips, the other thing that made the night extra-interesting was the presence of Juliana Approach all night! This initially added a little stress because it wasn't clear from either the SkyVector map nor the VFR chart on Navigraph how the airspace worked. Any anxiety we had disappeared quickly, however, once we got airborne from St. Maarten (TNCM) and on our way toward St. Barth's (TFFJ) -- as we asked the controller about the confusing airspace boundaries and were explained how his advisory services worked outside of his central zone around Princess Juliana Airport.
On attempt one into St. Barth's we were too high, too, steep, and too fast -- even having allowed ourselves to be more free to adjust the throttles any way we needed, which we generally try to avoid in large radials as not to cause damage from rapidly changing temperatures. We contacted the runway, but carried way too much speed, and elected almost too late to throttle up and go around. The second try was slightly shallower and only marginally slower, but with the same extra velocity on touchdown. We made a valiant effort to get stopped anyway -- but wound up taking a swim.
We respawned on the ramp and headed off to Saba (TNCS) to try our luck there -- a shorter runway, but one without a massive hill on the approach. Still, though, we couldn't come in slow enough even to attempt to stop. We bounced, throttled up, made a second attempt, had the same result, then moved on.
The rest of our itinerary took us to Sint Eustatius (TNCE), then St. Kitts (TKPK), and finally Nevis (TKPN). With each of these runways providing 3,900 feet or more of pavement, the rest of our itinerary was relatively benign. St. Kitts and Nevis were outside of Juliana Approach's control area, so we were on VATSIM's global UNICOM of 122.8 for a bit -- and got a chance to tell a story about a real-world trip to St. Kitts my wife and I took where our tour train was nearly demolished by a cement mixer. Our landings, though, were much less dangerous -- with the exception that we simply could not seem to get the plane to roll out straight after touchdown, all night.
On our return to St. Maarten and having joined the downwind as directed, we found the controller had an airliner departure, an airliner arrival, and us on the downwind -- and it was exciting to think we were giving him something to do on an otherwise peaceful evening. And after we landed, we took a moment to explore the scenery and take a gander at the famous Sunset Beach Club -- which was modeled with surprisingly accurate detail! I even showed a few pictures and videos my wife and I took there on our visit in 2018. Although it's a bit out of our price range just to pop down there anytime a whim strikes us, it sure is nice to be able to visit it virtually and reminisce! -- Watch live at / slantalphaadventures