Ferrying a C-337 to Thailand

[Spooky 2]

Took a PN-68 (Partenavia) from OAK to HNL years ago, it was over 14 hours.

The guy that I went with owns a ferrying business (SWA Captain, some of you may know him). He had in the past took C-182s and stuff all the way to BKK.

Not sure what is the next stop after HNL but I believe they go the same way as Continental Airlines fly their "island hopper" route. One of the stop will involve Guam, then Manilia.

I personally would NOT recommend anyone flying to Asia by way of the NOPAC with landing in Shemya or Petropavlok like someone else suggested. Conditions are just too harsh up there and you don't want to deal with crossing over Russian airspace and fees.

I don't think there is any fees to cross over the mid-pacific, another plus is you're talking to Oakland Oceanic the whole time, until around Manila I guess.

Good luck.

Certainly would agree with regards to the No Pac routes. Not any place for a small aircraft. Scenic yes, smart no. To much weather and other factors to make this an option.

 

[(o) (o)]

Hi Spooky,

I have been flying the NOPAC for about 3 years now on regular basis and I have not seen a thing except clouds down there!!

Is it really scenic?? (serious question)

Thanks

 

[BobbyBiplane]

Pistl:

I have ferried both directions numerous times. I make the following suggestions:

1. Find someone to ferry with you who has experience with the route (or most of it). It may cost you some money but worth it in the end.
2. Use a well establish handling company to assist with the notifications and to assist with any unusual occurrances. If you use ferry tanks you will also (generally) need overflight permits for every country whose airspace you pass (ie: Denmark for Greenland, the Faroe Islands, etc.). I strongly recommend Universal Weather. They have never let me down.
3. Have fun.

The people that you will meet in the arctic and remote islands are some of the friendlist and most helpful people you will meet anywhere. It is a great experience.

Bob

 

[Pistlpetet]

Thanks for the input Bob

 

[Simon Says]

I am surprised not to find NW Pilot posting on this thread. In fact I was looking for it to enjoy some flame baiting.

Anyways, the trip sounds like one heck of an adventure. Keep us posted on when you do it and post the tales that may come from it. Who knows, it may turn out like the "Big Chill" thread.

 

[Spooky 2]

Hi Spooky,

I have been flying the NOPAC for about 3 years now on regular basis and I have not seen a thing except clouds down there!!

Is it really scenic?? (serious question)

Thanks

Agree that it is mostly cloudy, but occasionally you will have one of those Blue Bird days and it is spectacular. Volcanos, deep fiords and bays and green mountains with good size rivers. Again, no place for the pilot who has not been indoctrinated to that part of the world. I always wanted to put down on some of these remote WW11 airfields and scout around but probably will never get the chance now. Good book to read is called The 1000 Mile War. Covers a lot of history from the tip of the Aleutian Islands to Kodiak Island during WW11. BTW if you are a NWA pilot there is also a great story about a NWA crew putting a DC4 into Dutch Harbor during the Korean War. Unbelieveable airmanship.

 

[Golden Falcon]

this time of year the east india, bangladesh, bay of bengal area is ripe with monsoon thunderstorms...fall or winter time the weather is brilliant and some very nice views...

 

[jbDC9]

I am surprised not to find NW Pilot posting on this thread. In fact I was looking for it to enjoy some flame baiting.

Yep, same here... I'm wondering when he'll chime in and say "Looks easy, I'll do it. I'm a ferry pilot. It'll be neat-o!"

 

[Dave Benjamin]

It might be cheaper to pull the wings off and place the aircraft in a shipping container.

 

[ultrarunner]

It might be cheaper to pull the wings off and place the aircraft in a shipping container.

I was thinking the same thing.