Single Engine Over The Great Lakes?

[Cat Driver]

I would rather be a live chicken than a dead duck.

So I do not fly single engine at night outside the circuit, I do not fly single engine IFR in IMC. I do not fly single engine on wheels over water beyond gliding distance of land.

Also I do not fly single pilot IFR.

Cat Driver.

 

[JeffSKDTW]

Living in Michigan I don't have too many choices ~not~ to fly over water without enduring substantial reroutes. Unless I'm heading south, I'm having to cross Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, or Lake St. Clair.

 

[Jedi_Cheese]

I would rather be a live chicken than a dead duck.

So I do not fly single engine at night outside the circuit, I do not fly single engine IFR in IMC. I do not fly single engine on wheels over water beyond gliding distance of land.

Also I do not fly single pilot IFR.

Cat Driver.

Not many guys have the ability to not fly XC's at night or IFR in IMC in a single. Single pilot IFR in IMC is FUN!

Leave yourself at least two ways out (if not more) and give yourself every possible advantage. The money to rent a life perserver and wetsuit rated for the water temp is cheap and money well spent.

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

Gee, this thread died like 2 years ago. I remember this one though. No IMC in a single? Why not? If your flying something descent then who cares. Flying over the lakes in a single isn't that dangerous either man. To each his own.

 

[Cat Driver]

Some thoughts.

I fly long over ocean ferry flights with multi engine aircraft, when looking at the water around Greenland I often wonder how I would feel in a single engine piston banger if it quit ( which they do sometimes ).

So if one quits in those areas what would your chance of survival be?

Cat

 

[Jedi_Cheese]

One guy went down between greenland and iceland during the winter, he was pulled out of the water in under an hour and was only a little cold. Another guy hit the water in a more populated and warmer area, they pulled him out 24+ hrs later.

Guess which one planned in advance?

 

[sky37d]

I tell you my thoughts...

I have flown a c210 from Omaha to Grand Rapids Michicagan a dozen times which has me flying right over the lakes just north of chicago. No biggie....I got a little nervous just wondering what my options where and to be honest there aren't too many.

I never crossed below 10000 ft....not too much of an option in a C172.

I am reminded of the accident which prompted the Lycoming recall, where a Malibu had the crank break at altitude, and tried to glide to BEH. Didn't make it. No survivors.