Aircraft Ferrying showing on TV

[pasir]

Just to advise there is an interesting light a/c ferrying prog. series on Freeview TV Channel 95 from time to time. Others may know of the times etc and any other channels of same.

[Tony Mabelis]

Nice to see the aircraft, but as a programme, trash!
Tony

[Colibri49]

Although it isn't a "polished" production in which mainly the more scenic and romantic aspects get shown, e.g. Bush Pilots building hours in Botswana, from a professional point of view it is good to be reminded of the realities and risks of ferry flying in remote locations.


To me this program is a breath of fresh air, telling it like it is, warts and all. The pilots reminiscing in the group were being remarkably frank about some of their own mistakes and their interactions shown in the different aircraft have complete authenticity.


Some of the situations presented could be used in CRM training sessions and the repetition of how potentially dangerous it is to be working to a deadline in aviation is something we should all take on board. Andrew Bruce of Far North Aviation at Wick airport, a regular stopping point for the Atlantic ferry flights, hammered this point home.


I'm eager for the next episode!

[Capt Kremmen]

Colibri49


Absolutely endorse your comments ! This program is on Quest (38) every night of the week at 7.0pm. The program illustrates the folly of trying to 'square the circle'. Attempting to reconcile various competing elements; weather, fuel, serviceability, maintenance, red tape, and pressure to complete the job on time.


Quite fascinating. Much like watching a crash start to occur in slow motion.

[jetsetter10]

Ha, I've watched a little bit of it recently. I definitely found the production budget sub-par, but it's still pretty fascinating.

[Sam Rutherford]

What's the name of the programme?

[dont overfil]

What's the name of the programme?
Dangerous Flights.

[Sam Rutherford]

Ah, okay. Cory's programme. Been around a long time. Over-eggs some of the drama but still watchable.

[piperboy84]

Ah, okay. Cory's programme. Been around a long time. Over-eggs some of the drama but still watchable.

Did you see the one where Cory was getting pissed off at the retired airline pilot coz he wouldn't ferry an old Cessna single across the Atlantic with leaky tanks and metal particles in the oil filter.

[gordonquinn]

There has been 2 seasons of the show but I don't know if there will be more as a couple of the crew were killed in an accident in Kenya.

[Capt Kremmen]

I sometimes struggle with the quality of the sound and understanding the language they're using - my wife thinks I need a visit to Deafsavers. I might have misunderstood but, it seems that one or two of the crews aren't too worried about the presence of an autopilot.


I wouldn't go down the length of my local runway without three axis !

[Colibri49]

What I'm curious to know is roughly how much someone would pay to have a simple single engine aircraft e.g. Cessna 206 ferried across the North Atlantic, either from the UK to the US eastern seaboard or the other way. Surely it must cost more than the purchase price of the aircraft, in some cases?


Airline flight tickets for the ferry crew, accommodation and food, fuel, per diems, landing, parking and navigation fees, airport handling charges and probably other items I haven't thought of.


Is it done for a set fee, or will the bill rack up higher due to weather and technical delays? Just curious!

[Sam Rutherford]

Easy, about $10K for a C206.

Different companies do it different ways. We charge a flying day rate, and a non-flying day rate plus all costs at exactly cost.

The day-rate system reduces pilot pressonitis (not good for pilot or client), whilst also encouraging forward movement when safe/possible (he still gets paid more to fly than hang around in a hotel).

The costs protect us from any surprises, and the client only pays what needs to be paid.

So, actually pretty simple. Certainly way below the value of most aircraft, and usually cheaper (and always much, much quicker) than de-winging and shipping.

Also a lot of fun - the trans-atlantic remains one of my favourite ferries.

Safe flights, Sam.

[Colibri49]

Thanks. Is that $10k based on one or two pilot crew?


No offence, but rather you than me with only one engine over the freezing water.

[Sam Rutherford]

One, but having two barely changes the budget...

[Sam Rutherford]

Perhaps of interest:

Incident: Greenland DH8B near Narsarsuaq on Nov 14th 2016, finds and guides private plane to safety (http://avherald.com/h?article=4a0c9e6f&opt=0)

[Capt Kremmen]

Having only read that, it merited an aspirin and a strong cup of tea !

[Sam Rutherford]

The pilots posted in the comments section underneath the article.

Interestingly, they made no attempt to get updated METAR as they flew across - usually fairly easily achieved via airliners (if not satcomm equipped). Paamiut would have been interesting, short (if amazing) strip, and the only bar in 'town' is an utter, utter dive!

[Victorian]

One, but having two barely changes the budget...

As a long distance touring pilot I'm enjoying the show immensely - quite a lot of stuff I didn't know, and quite a lot I did, like ATC in Europe vs USA!!

In the show, they place a lot of emphasis on two crew, or is it two POB? Even when one of the crew is a little erm heavily built to fit in a Cirrus! Is this a policy of the ferry company, or necessary for insurance, or is it just a plot driver for the show? I'm not sure two crew can get much more daily utilisation than a single pilot and having flown quite a few 6 Hr days on my own I wonder if it really justifies the extra expense?

[KelvinD]

Victorian: I get your point about the gentleman who is "heavily built". I find the series interesting in places but seriously aggravating with the constant domestic/human touch parts. The ones that bang on and on about how "I really need to get to the family in the next 30 minutes (or whatever) or how a day's weather delay is going to cause the economy to collapse etc.

[flyingfemme]

Two people in most small singles is a plot driver for the show.........most of the pro ferry pilots I know would much rather take the cojo’s weight in fuel and have the seat available for their kit.

[Sam Rutherford]

It's for TV, the interaction between them is a big part of the viewing attraction...

[B2N2]

I wish Discovery Channel and such would stop over scripting all these “reality shows”.
They’re not professional actors so the forced on drama is just too painful to watch.

[Colibri49]

Only thing is..... it's not forced. I've been in far too many two crew situations and seen many such scenarios relating to low fuel and diversions closing, etc, to consider that those pilots are acting. There was editing at the end of a couple of episodes to "leave you in suspense" haha, but I found most of what they were saying and doing matched reality. Having met and talked to Andrew Bruce at Wick quite often, I am confident about the veracity of the series.