USA to Africa - Via Russia?

[darkroomsource]

I have been contemplating the possibility of purchasing a plane (Maule) in the US and transporting it to Kenya.

My current thought is to remove the wings, crate it, and ship it there. It seems it won't cost THAT much to do this, and I'll be far more comfortable doing that than flying "over the pond". Sure I could have it flown by an "expert" but where's the fun in that, and for less $$$ it can be shipped in a crate.

However it just occurred to me, that I might be able to fly it with far less "over water" time if I were to go the other way around the world... Kenya is almost exactly half way around the world from Oregon (where I am), so either direction would be about the same distance...

Anyway, I thought this might be an interesting discussion, for any who have done it, or have contemplated doing it.

[Alexander Pichler]

Hi,

well I can tell you that Russia can be nice but also very uncomfortable. Especially now with the winter coming up, the bead weather and low temperatures. AVGAS, more or less, what is that?

Have to be familiar with the metric data flying and clearances and handling can drive you crazy, especially the paperwork because you are doing a ferry flight.

Shipping in that case would really be the best idea, routing via different countries like India and some Arabic countries is no problem, just expensive!

Cheers

[cavortingcheetah]

I'd avoid Russia if I could.
Not sure what's wring with Newfoundland/Gander/Greenland/Iceland and Scotland. Or perhaps fly to east coast and crate there to UK and fly from there?
It's all a matter of logistics except that Russia and snow are handicaps as other men have discovered. Crating is so much easier though and cheaper and safer and where is the real fun in long haul slogging?

[AviatorJack]

Difficult decision to make. Flying there west or east has its risks. Shipping has its equal risks.

Kenya is not too bad for customs but I have known some containers spending a year or more at the port before being released. And the vehicles contained within heavily damaged.

[cavortingcheetah]

I would give a thought to flying to the east coast, hiring a route experienced pilot to accompany one across the oceans to Europe and then fly down yourself to Kenya. That could be a fun trip with the potentially tricky part catered for by means of utilising the experience of others.

[KRONOS]

Ferry

I tend to agree with the cheetah, put it in a box, buy a set of floats, go chase around the Med for a few day's....that is the fun part, then take her South.

K

[avionimc]

Reasons for not putting an aircraft into a container:

1. Container can easily be dropped on a dock while being loaded on/off a ship or truck, potentially causing major damage to the airframe and avionics. You will not be able to prove that container was dropped and insurance will always claim that the aircraft was not properly packaged and will not pay for repairs.
2. Putting the aircraft back together in Africa (or elsewhere) will most likely result in some damage and/or the aircraft not flying straight.
3. Aircraft are meant to fly; not travel into containers.

Among others, I have flown a C-182 into Wilson and a C-206 into H. Kutako, both in winter, via YYR and YYT, great Atlantic crossings. Much better than disassembling and [possibly] reassembling the aircraft.

NB: your container might just get lost at sea, as many are; or the truck carrying your container from Mombasa to Nairobi might get involved in a road accident!

NB: neither the North Pole route, nor the Pacific route make sense!

Good Luck,

[AviatorJack]

Or put the thing ON floats and taxi/paddle across the ocean?

[debiassi]

Routing To Kenya

Avoid Russia, you will really struggle coordinating avgas stops and nav charges make your eyes water.
If your not extending the range, its still possible
to route east via Sept Iles, Iqaluit, Sondrestrom, Kulusuk, Keflavik, Wick, Jersey, Corsica, Kerkyre, Sitia, Luxor, Djibouti and Wilson. The route is pretty standard and has been tried and tested.
If you need any assistance with charts etc I am more than happy to assist
at no cost to yourself.
If you need any assistance with ove flight and landing permits
then contact Mike at white rose aviation.
PM me if you need more help.
D

[keitaidenwa]

You need to speak russian or have a russian navigator if you want to fly to other than international airports in Russia. Atlantic crossing certainly much more sane solution.

[Sam Rutherford]

We can help with both Russia and Africa (and have a Maule ourselves)!

Please send me an email (not a PM preferably) if you'd like to talk through your plan.

Cheers, Sam.

[darkroomsource]

@darkroomsource..... i was looking for a job as a trainee first officer....i have a FAA and an Indian DGCA License with around 450 hours total +dornier type rated.....would sponsor for my future type ratings if and when required.....would very much appreciate if you could help me out here....thanx

And because I asked about shipping a plane you assume that I'm looking to hire someone? How is your having an Indian and FAA license in a dornier going to help the discussion of getting a Maule from Oregon to Kenya?

If I was looking to hire someone, I'd have said that.

The level of intelligence among pilots seems to be dropping rapidly lately.

Sorry, maybe I've had a bad day, but am I the only one seeing this happen?

[darkroomsource]

Thanks for the offer Sam...
and thank you to all of you for your input... even the poor chap I just reamed for thread-jacking...

I think it's interesting that I basically came to the same conclusion prior to thinking about Russia, and that is to crate it and ship it, and insure it, and I think I can get some kind of indemnification with the mechanics on each end, based on other things I've read, so that reduces the impact of damage in transit. It might have been fun to fly it half way around the world though!

Although, having an excuse to lounge around in the Med for a few days (weeks/months/???) ...