A clear day in May and a Diamond Katana: a promising combination. Gmunden was the starting point, Lienz the first stop and Asiago the Italian objective.
On the map, a line. In practice, a day with considerably better catering.
Lienz, then a change of language
Lienz was a friendly pause for fuel and practicalities. The airfield cat also contributed, presumably in a supervisory capacity.
Then Asiago: the plateau, the approach and the satisfaction of parking a small aircraft somewhere that feels properly elsewhere.
Bicycles, coffee and cheese followed on my visit. You can discuss flying performance for hours. An Italian coffee sometimes explains the appeal more efficiently.
The Alps provide the finale
The return brought the Großglockner and Pasterze into view. Magnificent scenery, accompanied by the responsibilities that mountain flying always involves.
Current weather, aircraft performance, procedures and airfield requirements decide what is suitable. This memory is not a route briefing.
What I remember is the scale of the day: a familiar departure, a different country, a good pause and the Alps on the way home.
Not a round-the-world expedition. Quite a generous helping of world, nevertheless.
Personal aviation writing, not a flight briefing. Use current official information and the applicable aircraft flight manual.