Ferry flight PA30 Twin Comanche FALA - Germany

[Cecco]

We are supposed to ferry a PA30 (range: 700NM) from FALA to Germany.
It´s hard to find sufficient airports with AVGAS on the way. Routing on the western coast seems not feasible due to HF being mandatory in Angola and
no AVGAS airports (except: FZAA and FZAB) in DR Congo (source for AVGAS airports: ACUKWIK). My routing: fala-fbke-flnd-httb-hknw-hkkt-haab-hska-hspn-helx-hear-lgko.

However, for hska and hspn, a special arrangement will have to be made to get AVGAS there (1 barrel=1400 USD...). 90 USG=3000 USD.

I´m not really happy with that routing. Any other suggestions???

[Fuzzy Lager]

Cecco

Have you considered tanking the aircraft? I would think you would easily be able to substatially increase the range from your current 700nm allowing for easier routing.

I have flown both the east and west routes and I would choose the eastern route if I was you. Routing as far as Nairobi is easy and once you are past Luxor there is no problem. Its the bit in between thats tough. If you can tank to fly the 1300nm leg then there is no better solution. If not take Kartoum.

[indaloamman]

Be way careful on DRC avgas supply--in Jan there were only 60 drums in Kinshasa, about USD 900/drum.

[172driver]

Why stop at all? This from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piper_PA-30_Twin_Comanche):

In 1994 Jayne and her daughter, Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer won the FAI Gold Medal in what, so far, is the longest race in history at over 21,000 miles flown May 1-24, 1994. With FAA approval the twin carried a total of 252 gallons in 11 tanks and at maximum power went over 2,100 miles non-stop between Marrakech, Morocco and Istanbul, Turkey in 11:19 hours.

;)

[DunePrune]

There is no avgas in Addis. Khartoum advised me last year that they will order it by the drum, three weeks notice required. Price, of course high. FL's suggestion the best advice you are likely to hear.

[Alexander Pichler]

I wrote you a PM, got the right contacts for you!

[jbayfan]

You need to get a ferry tank installed and increase your range to at least 1200NM. I ferried a Piper Seneca I from Copenhagen to Johannesburg around 5 years ago. We exited Europe from Malaga in Spain and flew to Agadir in Morocco. From there we flew to Bamako but I would suggest Dakar in Senegal. From Dakar route to Accra in Ghana and then cut across the ocean to Libreville. From Libreville we flew nonstop to Maun in Botswana, but that was an 11 hour flight which you would be challenged to make in a PA30. We had 2 hours fuel remaining when we landed in Maun but we also had 800 litres of fuel in our ferry tanks plus full wings when we left Libreville. You'll have to find somewhere between Libreville and Maun to stop for Avgas. There may be some in Luanda as I've seen Beechcraft Barons and Cessnas there. I believe Angolan Air Services, if they are still around, have a few piston engine aircraft in their hangar.

You'll obviously be flying a reverse routing but that should give you a good idea of a route.

Good luck.

[beerdrinker]

Check PMs. I flew one to UK from SA a few years ago

[Jim-J]

Collapsible Aircraft Ferry Tanks - Turtlepac (http://www.turtlepac.com/products/collapsible-aircraft-ferry-tanks.html)

[SU-GCM]

There is no AVGAS at Luxor any more ! check NOTAMs

A0136/12 - FUEL AVGAS 100LL NOT AVBL. 30 APR 17:40 2012 UNTIL 31 MAY 12:00 2012 ESTIMATED.
CREATED: 30 APR 17:43 2012

However it can be arranged .. pm for details if you have a flight planned