FERRYING AND AIRCRAFT FROM THE USA
I thought I would start a new thread with a description of the trials and tribulations of ferrying and aircraft from the USA to Australia via Europe.
The aircraft in question was an AC685, containerising it was not an option as the wings do not detach so it was either the Pacific or the longer European route.
Having no desire to endure 13 hours at 200kts over water we elected to do the longer flight.
USA
This is the most hospitable country on earth for General Aviation. People actually go out of their way to assist.The exception to this is the TSA or as the Americans call them "Thousands Standing Around".
Although the FAA would rubber stamp our licence and Instrument ratings the TSA takes up to 12 weeks to assess that you are not a terrorist. So to over come the licensing problem of flying a US registered aircraft in US airspace we engaged a young 300 pilot to act nominally as PIC. He sat in the right seat for the whole journey.
General paper work in the USA for the export C of A was easy and the DAR we have was pleasant to deal with.
The day we departed the US was typical of the hospitality of the country. Upon arrival at Burlington Vermont to refuel, the local FBO pulled out the red carpet upon going inside they just handed us the keys to a Prius and said go and have lunch we will look after the aircraft - how much fuel do you require? Now that was service, and the cost ZERO as we had bought 800 litres.
Customs was easy exiting the US, only a cursory glance at our passports, didn't even want to stamp our gen dec.
CANADA
Quebec
Again a pleasant arrival, helpful service, but at a cost around $C200 but no hassles and minimal customs
Inuquit
This is on the Hudson Bay, a gravel runway with a 25kts crosswind as a permanent feature. Drum fuel only and $C3.3 per litre and they took credit card.
Frobisher Bay
Again service excellent and the handling cost $C350. The shock came when we went to the hotel, the rooms were reasonable but dinner for three of us was over $C350
Departing Canada the customs was non existent. Fuel was only $3.00 per litre due to it being a remote area no GST.
GREENLAND
Kangerlussuaq (Sondre Stromfiord)
This is probably the tamest of the Greenland runways, with hills to the north of thruway just 150 metres way towering some 300 above the runway. Luckily the weather was good and a visual approach was available.
Again the formalities were almost non existent and the service excellent. Fuel was only $US2.72per litre.
But accommodation being high season was excessive. Around $US300 per room with cheap Ikea furniture and curtains hat didn't close properly in a region was midnight sun.
Our flight across the Greenland was absolutely amazing at FL150, but it is easy to see how you could get caught with white out here.
ICELAND
Like the journey so far, Iceland is also very hospitable and reasonable. With minimal formalities. Fuel was $US3.20 per litre.
FLIGHT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC
The flight across the Atlantic was not the hassle everyone made out. Probably because we had a high performance twin with 7 hours fuel and 200 kits ground speed. Our only problem was the HF refused to work so we had to use a track slightly north to remain in VHF coverage.
SCOTLAND
This is where things started to get more complicated, upon entering Scottish airspace we were give three choices, basic, medium and premium ATC service, all at different pricing- talk about "do you want fries" type scenario.
Traffic now started to get more numerous and on final into Prestwick we were told to speed up to 150 it's until short final. The reason we had a RAF A330 tanker behind us.
Here again service was excellent and the FBO charges were only $US200. Fuel was $US3.30 per litre
The only problem here was weather, but heck it is Scotland.
ENGLAND
Due to a mechanical problem we had to make a stop over at Biggin Hill to have a
Fuel pump changed. The flight down the United Kingdom, although extremely crowdedness airways was pleasant and interesting. Biggin Hill being to the south of London meant we had to be vectored in the LONDON FIR.
The easy at which this was done left us astounded. If it was Sydney it would have been a hassle, here we virtually flew over the centre of London.
Again service was excellent, the engineering company Falcon Air Services did our work could not have been more helpful,charged a reasonable cost and the Indian owner even drove us to and from the airport.
I'LL DO THE NEXT SEGMENT IN A FEW DAYS. THE NEXT PART IS WHERE LIFE GETS HARD PRICES ARE WHAT THE MARKET WILL BEAR.