Avgas across the Pacific

[Dave Mcelroy]

We are planning a round the world flight in 2014 and looking for feedback / comments as to 100LL availability across the Pacfic. Tentitively planning Brisbane - Noumia New Caledonia - Nausuri Intl Fuji - Pago Pago - Cassidy Intl Kiribati - Honolulu - Hilo - Oakland. Any and all feedback relative to route and fuel availability will be appreciated.

We realise fuel availability is a moving target. Flying a PIper Comanche 180. See Dave McElroy and Chris Elgar Fly Round The World in 80 days in Support of SickKids and Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (http://www.flyrtw80.com).

[mansion]

airnav dot com is a good place to look

[riseagainst]

Pacific Petroleum supply fuel at Nausori airport, Suva and supply with no hassles.

[Saratogapp]

BrizVegas and Noumea are absolutely no problem, 24/7

[Gate_15L]

Give BaseOps or Universal Aviation a call. They can plan and arrange fuel and handling anywhere as well as diplomatic overfly etc. They will charge, but maybe seek sponsorship from them and explain the cause.
It's probably worth the expense saving the hassle.

Passed thru Cassidy awhile back, don't recall seeing AVGAS there at all. Refueller can be hard to get ahold of at times...

Does a route from Nadi to Funufuti NGFU, Tarawa/Bonriki, Majuro, Honolulu work for you? Fairly sure there will be AVGAS at those places but BaseOps/universal can confirm.

[MakeItHappenCaptain]

Cassidy will likely cost around $900/drum IF there is any there. Pago Pago and Hilo will be no drama.

[LeadSled]

Folks,
That's going to be an interesting exercise in a 180, not the greatest performer of all time, as I well recall from many moons ago. Especially the leg Hilo to the mainland. I sure hope the guys really do their homework about this sector, I have personally done two Mayday relays for aircraft that went in the drink on that leg, I have lost count of how many have not made it.
Perhaps they should talk to the principal of "Clamback's Pacific Adventure Tours" for first hand experience.
I don't want to sound like a wet blanket, but with two up, the old Comanche 180 would not have been my first choice, second choice or any choice for this leg. There is a practical limit to overloads.
Tootle pip!!

PS: It's not the Pacific where the fuel problem will be.

[Seagull V]

Dave & Chris,
A noble enterprise gentlemen, but please take the advice of other PPruners re the suitability of the Comanche 180. Seagull also has a deal of Comanche 180 time and can verify their advice and concerns. The 180 might fly OK in the UK, but you are going to have to carry a very big load out of a lot of hot places and fly at very high altitudes where you will need the performance the 180 does not have.
Now the PA24-260 is a difference beast. Read Sheila Scott's book, "I must fly". She was dead set on a Comanche 400 for her round the world trip, but could only get hold of a 260, which annoyed her somewhat. As it turned out the 260 was the best choice and absolutely blitzed around the world with a minimum of fuss. The only trouble she had was with bureaucracy. Horses for courses.

[Dave Mcelroy]

Thanks for your input. We are actually planning for one of us to fly commercially from Hawaii to west coast to lighten load for this one leg only. Using 120 gal Turtlepac collapsible tank. Worst case load of 3100 or 21 percent over gross compared to Max Conrad 5500 lb or 215 percent of gross. We are not rushed for time so don't need to push weather. Appreciate further feedback.

Dave

[Ixixly]

Of course theres always Port Vila, Vanuatu as well, fuel is always available here.

[601]

What is the % increase in range if one flys in ground effect?