PA-28 to Hawaii

[jsoceanlord]

i heard about a 747 capt who flew a ce 206 to hawaii. he hit unexpected headwinds and almost didn't get there.

years ago, southern cross was either contemplating , or else they did, tow a glider to australia.

i met a corporate pilot who ferried a ce 150 to australia when he was "young and crazy". apparently they went in a big group.

there's a old book called; OCEAN FLYING

an air new zealnd dc 10 rescued a guy ferrying a crop duster in mid pacific who was lost because the duct tape securing his nav radio's became loose and radio's became screwed up

 

[Scarecrow]

PA-34! to Hawaii

Thank you for the correction. It's been a while since I've flown a Cherokee. Although I do have a little time in a Lance (also a PA-32), most of my Cherokee time was in an Arrow (PA-28).

Old Crow, I've PMed you. whereamI, Hugh Jorgan, and GuppyPuppy -- Cool avitars! jsoceanlord, I'm getting the book -- sounds kind of like an Exupery book, He wrote some great stuff that cought the spirit of early aviation. Try, Night Flight. Also, Last of the Blue Water Hunters by Carlos Eyles. Its not about flying, but if you like to get wet, you'll love the book. WrightAvia, You might want to tone that down just a little before you're next interview.

Guy's, thank you for the comments and advice. If I go, I'll go prepared for the worst. I have all the survival gear. If I don't go, It'll be because of some specific bear-trap that can't be avoided.

Navigation, fuel, paperwork, and emergency plans are the easy parts. What I'm looking are specific things I may not be thinking of. How do you add Oil? Does anyone have experience with the actual flight?

Please don't misinterpret this to mean I don't appreciate any of the opinions expressed. I want the trip. I am leaning towards go. I'm playing devil's advocate and looking for a real reason not to go -- mostly to identify the problems. I wat to make this as boring as possible. However, I am trying to stay objective, and am taking this step by step. If I see a good reason to stand down, I'll stand down -- the owner finds out about the less expensive crate option -- no problem. I've lost friends and family in this business. I don't plan on making things easy for the Grim.

The trip is supposed to go in about two months. If I take it, Ill let you know -- and I'll let you know how it was.

 

[JimNtexas]

A 2000 hour ATP ought to be able to do this flight. I vote go. Things are a lot safer now than they were a few years ago because of gps.

Take good survival gear including a handheld vhf radio, gps, and a 406mhz ELT and you'll be fine.

 

[CaptBuzzard]

I read an article a few years ago in a flying mag about someone who did the trip in a Cherokee Six. With the extra tank and all of his things he took off at about 1000lbs overgross. I don't have time in a six so I am guessing gross weight to be in the 3000 to 3300lb range??? I went OAK-HNL. He had two HF radios which both failed, 3 GPS's which I think didn't work. He had drawn his own charts across the Pacific. He spent a couple of months carefully planning this trip. I think he flew at 5000' MSL the whole way and scared himself several times. I think if this plane is very strong, and you get the proper training and equipment, you should be fine. If you make it, you will have a heck of a great story to tell people too. Take Pictures or a camcorder along.

Old Crow, I agree, the Mai Tai's at Dukes are great. I like the Dukes at Kalapaki Beach on Kauai the best. I can't wait to take another vacation to Hawaii.

 

[TurboS7]

Read the book Ocean Flying it has some great info in it. The PA-32-300 is a great airplane with the IO-540-K1A5 300HP. It has a large two bladed Hartzell. It burns 15GPH at EGT peat +50. You can run it at peak the Lyc is a strong engine. It is about a 2100 mile nautical hike,you would need about 350 gallons of fuel. That would give you about 6.0 hour reserve, don't laugh that is what you need on a long haul like that.

Gross weight 3400lbs

Std E.W. 1285.00

With yourself and all the gear and 350 gallons of fuel you would be about 500 lbs over gross. From a guy who has a lot of time in the airplane as long as you have over 4000 feet of runway you will have no problem. You should get a waiver from the FAA for the ferry. It will be an experimental airplane with the ferry tanks in it anyway, I think that is the way they tank them nowadays.
Have fun and go for it.Loosing your electrical would be the only thing that would be bad, just bring plenty of GPS batteries.

 

[Scarecrow]

Well,

Thank you to everyone for the input. I've met a couple of guys that have done this before and feel comfortable with my prospects for a safe flight. As long as no issues arise with the aircraft and the owner says go, I'm off. It'll be a couple of months yet, but I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[B-J-J Fighter]

The people that ferry singles over oceans must have very big balls. I wouldnt do it.

 

[Rick1128]

Try doing it in a 172. You are required to get a waiver from the FAA for overweight ops and I believe you operate in the Restricted category not experimental.

 

[Idreamtofly]

Switching to bladder tank(s)

The funniest story I ever heard was a guy flying for an extended period of time over water in a single-engine airplane and could not get the fuel in the bladder tank flowing and almost ran out of fuel.

I've flown over water personally for extended periods of time in the southern Atlantic ocean with minimal navigation and it gets extremely lonely, dark and quiet, especially on a moonless night. On a clear night you will wish you had more knowledge of celestial bodies.

Your trip will most likely be uneventful.


When I made my trips over the water, I would find myself looking down on the white caps of the waves wondering if I would be able to successfully time and coordinate a ditching without power as depicted in the FAR/AIM.

My recommendation, if time permits, would be to enlist the help of a seaplane pilot instructor to show you how to make a glassy water landing or a normal landing on water just to familiarize yourself with the technique of water landing.

If you try a water landing, you will want to get your seaplane pilot's rating. I eventually got my rating and it was a blast.

Finally, I cheated on my route. I would plan my flights over islands and along routes that overflew the shipping lanes---kind of a stepping stone flight plan. I know you won't have any islands to fly over but what about shipping lanes? Anything going your way?

Have a great trip!

 

[Vavso]

I wouild not do it unless....

I had a 2nd pilot alot can happen unexpected. Something like a foreign body in the eye , sudden nausea , diarrhea , bloody nose migraine , vertigo or many other things that on the ground are no sweat but over the pacific ocean can spell a disaster. I am far from an ATP but than again I carry 2 backup pairs of eyeglasses when I fly !

 

[TurboS7]

Thank you, restricted operator permit it is.

 

[PiperDriver]

The only thing I can reccomend is that you watch the movie "Cast Away" a few times to study...

 

[avbug]

Wilson.

 

[ATCER]

You would be surpirsed how many small planes fly out over the Atlantic and Pacific... I know I was...

Tip's... all of the big boys out over the ocean monitor guard and very often pass info to one another via it... when they have HF problems they use guard to have other A/C relay messages to ATC. They are always very helpful with assisting other pilots out over the water. Oakland Center (ZOA) controls all ATC over the Pacific. You could always contact the center to speak with a controller about your trip. Remember, as with all oceanic ATC you will be using HF to speak with ArInc who then relays info to ATC. If you feel you need assistance or anything pressing you can request a phone patch with ATC and speak with the controler directly.

Good Luck and have a safe flight !!!

 

[Draginass]

We also monitor 123.45 as oceanic enroute common. I talked to a guy one night over the Atlantic (and cold it was) ferrying a C182 across. I though he was nuts.

I've got one phrase for ferrying light aircraft of unknown condition over vast expanses of water . . . . all balls and no forehead.