Crazy Ferry Pilots !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Flyin Tony]

Back in 1959 a guy named Max Conrad made some historic long range flights to promote the Comanche for the Piper. Max flew a 180 about 7000 miles and a 250 about 7700 miles across the Atlantic. He was well over twice the gross weight of his aircraft. And I have also read about a guy flying a 250 comanche from Long Beach CA, to Japan non stop.

 

[Hugh Johnson]

Hey tri-jet, how many years ago and who did you do it for and who tanked it? Where did you leave out of? Cheers?

 

[Hugh Johnson]

If all you're worried about is fuel burn better get skiis or floats. Actually, Canpass will never let you leave anyway. Cheers...

 

[bocefus]

crazy ferry pilots

There is some outdated and inaccurate info being posted on this thread.
The Canadian CAA no longer inspects every aircraft being ferried outbound from Canada and discontinued the mandatory inspection several years ago. They do inspect on a random, "ramp check" type basis so you had still better be well equipped and prepared. CANPASS has absolutely nothing to do with this process at all. The few underwriters that do insure light aircraft for NAT crossings are continually rasing the bar for pilot qualifications. It is highly doubtful that a pilot will find coverage for a solo crossing without previous crossing experience.

 

[Old Crow]

I would rig for the Gander to Iceland leg. When I was doing it in the mid 90's the fuel price in Greenland would justify having a ferry tank installed. Eventhough quite beautiful, you should bypass Greenland if you can. It's a nonforgiving place.

Just grab your balls and go! or go buy some tampons and keep reading about it.

 

[bocefus]

Only the Avgas is expensive in Greenland, Turbine fuel is not so bad, But you are absolutely correct that it is a unforgiving place and instrument approach(s).
Better be real sharp on NDB. In the past, tanking was the preferred way to go however, recent changes in the regs and how ICAO countries interpret them have put a new spin on this. Avoid tanking if at all possible, there are major hassles and additional expenese involved now,

 

[bigboeings]

North Atlantic

What a coincidence. Last week over the North Atlantic I heard this guy in a Cherokee asking for a relay to Shanwick. I talked to him on 123.45 and it must have been the same one you guys mentioned. He had left St. Johns going to Shannon. A 16 hr. flight by himself, there was another guy just behind him too.
Lots of Red Bull on that flight!

 

[nikoz1200]

Hey BigBoeings,

Just by chance, were you flying a "Reach xx" aircracft when you were talking to this guy? Also, did you mention to him that he must have lots of Red Bull with him? I've got some more trivia for you too.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

speaking of ferrying aircraft...

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Oct/05/br/br06p.html

 

[U of I Tweak]

My dad's done the trip across the Atlantic three times round trip in a 210. I was pretty young for the first two times, but just about to start my training for the third time. Going from Goose Bay to Narsarsauq, then to Reykajavic, and then on to vairous points. Our 210 has wing tip tanks installed for a total fuel capacity of 121 gallons. We also added a 55 gallon tank that went in place of the rear two seats. That gave us plenty of fuel for the 700nm over water legs and then three or more hours of gas. The last trip we made Chicago to Goose Bay non-stop (1317 nm or so). It took something like 8h, 10min into head winds. That's about twice what any of the over water legs was. We chose to go to Greenland if for no other reason than my dad loves mountains and we had great weather. Back when we went, we had to get inspected, however after two trips we got a waiver. Craziest thing I remember was on our return leg, descending into Narsarsauq....we're talking to the tower and trying to arrange for fuel....and we're racing a Traumahawk!!! I cannot believe that anyone would try one of those across the pond....but to each his own.

 

[SCT]

"....and we're racing a Traumahawk!!! "

It's funny you mention a T-hawk over the Atlantic. In the early 90s, I ferried airplanes for a dealer out of OH. He sold a Piper Tomahawk to a flight school in Greece. He arranged for a retired airline pilot to ferry it over seas. The guy came to OH to pick up the plane and fly it to Bangor for "tanking". The guy showed up and went out to the back ramp by himself to check out the plane. He had never flown a T-hawk before that day. About 45 minutes later, the guy calls on the unicom freq. into the FBO, for someone to walk out to the airplane....... He couldn't open up the door! The guy didn't know about the overhead lock for the doors.

He did fly it over the pond with no problems.