Helicopter ferry flight - australia to africa

[DOUBLE BOGEY]

Hi All,
I am looking for some advice on ferrying a helicopter from Australia to Africa from people who have planned and executed something similar.

Optimum Routes
Hazardous States
Delays
Planning software and tips
Along with anything else that might help.

Thanks.

[atakacs]

Probably not the answer you are looking for but the few I know have traveled in a container...

[Same again]

I remember once helping to research a similar very long distance inter-continental ferry and after all was considered (duration, risks, costs, etc) it was decided to transport the helicopter by fixed-wing transport - Antonov I believe. More expensive but far less risky and if time is a factor for start of contract then it is not a difficult decision. Having flown a few long distance ferry flights myself in the more remote and 'problematic' parts of the world one thing I can say without doubt is however long you think it will take - double it. I won't even mention brown envelopes as no one does that kind of thing anymore of course.....

[DOUBLE BOGEY]

Thanks for the help so far. Much appreciated.

[gulliBell]

PPRuNer Dick Smith would be the guy to ask.......

[SASless]

I have been involved in some ferry flights....last one I was tasked to do was a Bell 412 from Turkey to Nigeria....fortunately the flight was given to someone else.

Can it or put it on a RORO ship....or fly it on an airplane.....you would be more assured of a successful delivery.

If you fly it yourself....take lots od Dosh, Chocolates, Dosh, Spirits, Dosh, Give Aways, Dosh.....every Hand will be outstretched palm upwards at every stop.

Then think about the daylight hours....you have to deal with Customs, Immigration fellers, transport to/from lodging....etc. All that eats into your flying time.

Employ a handling agent if you can find one to pre-arrange each stop....and understand if you divert for weather you are on your own.

Likewise....if you have a breakdown of some sort on the aircraft....how are you going to get it repaired?

If you go....take some Humble Pills with you....along with some Downers...as at some point you will get cranky....and homicidal.

It does make for a great Logbook entry....and keep a Journal of your experiences and thoughts at the time.

Just took a look at the Map....carefully consider the places along your route where there is civil war, revolution, terrorism, and mayhem....if you are married...buy a very large sum Term Life Insurance policy naming your Wife/Kids/Mistress as beneficiaries.

[JerryG]

You crack me up SASLESS, but your advice is always right on the money!

[gulliBell]

Well, the wife would probably be upset if she had to share the insurance with the mistress :{

[212man]

Also, without stating the obvious, Africa is a pretty big place and the final destination will also inform the ferry decision having determined the point of entry. North, East, Central and West Africa all have a number of places you don’t really want to be flying over or stopping in. Some routes that were fine even 10 years ago are not now.

[NumptyAussie]

If you really want to fly the machine, try White Rose Aviation.
if time is not an issue, put it on a mafi trailer and send it by ro-ro.

[SASless]

212Man can attest to the outstretched hands comment I made.....on one occasion it was mine seeking money from him as he passed through Accra on a 155 Ferry flight to Lagos.:oh:

[helimutt]

White Rose Aviation well worth contacting. Doing a CHC ferry flight once through Europe and Africa, we weren't allowed to give out 'dosh'. The days of money smoothing the way was stopped. We did have lots of bars of soap which diminished as the flight continued though. :)

[Self loading bear]

Ferry is highly recommended, as long as you share the photos here!

[havick]

ITPS international trip planning service has been helpful for handling international trips, customs etc

[Sarpywun]

Try Geko Agencies Limited. They have a lot of experience organising this sort of adventure. Used them in the past and Gae was excellent.

[bb in ca]

Long and complicated ferry trips are fun and brutal at the same time.

It’s not the time in the air that will test you it’s the time on the ground. Get the biggest auxiliary tank(s) that’s certified for your aircraft. If you don’t end up capable of 400+NM legs then I’d check around to see what other options are available that can be certified for no passenger flight only. If maximum gross weight is an issue then request permission (No technical objection) from the OEM to fly above internal gross weights but within external gross weights for the ferry trip.

Use a handler for every stop outside of Oz. Don’t expect the handler’s bill to be big, expect it to be huge!

If you have limited experience on the route then bringing someone along with experience may help tremendously.

I’ve flown all of the countries between Oz and Pakistan, several in the Middle East and another dozen in west and South Africa. If you are in need of an expensive solution then PM me.

Cheers,
BB

[havick]

Long and complicated ferry trips are fun and brutal at the same time.

It’s not the time in the air that will test you it’s the time on the ground. Get the biggest auxiliary tank(s) that’s certified for your aircraft. If you don’t end up capable of 400+NM legs then I’d check around to see what other options are available that can be certified for no passenger flight only. If maximum gross weight is an issue then request permission (No technical objection) from the OEM to fly above internal gross weights but within external gross weights for the ferry trip.

Use a handler for every stop outside of Oz. Don’t expect the handler’s bill to be big, expect it to be huge!

If you have limited experience on the route then bringing someone along with experience may help tremendously.

I’ve flown all of the countries between Oz and Pakistan, several in the Middle East and another dozen in west and South Africa. If you are in need of an expensive solution then PM me.

Cheers,
BB

this is your solution. Expensive ones upfront work out cheaper in the end.

[DOUBLE BOGEY]

Once again thank you for all the informed advice and guidance. SAS, as always invaluable. We are evaluating options and I am pretty sure that flying the machine will ultimately not be one of them for all the reasons most of you allude to above.

Thanks again.

DB

[gulliBell]

That to me sounds like a good decision....

[Same again]

Try Geko Agencies Limited. They have a lot of experience organising this sort of adventure. Used them in the past and Gae was excellent.

I believe that Gae was employed by Bristow and then went off on her own. Bristow International used Geko for all ferry flights and there were lots of them. Gae is excellent and is very experienced at organising everything to do with the ferry.

[finalchecksplease]

I believe that Gae was employed by Bristow and then went off on her own. Bristow International used Geko for all ferry flights and there were lots of them. Gae is excellent and is very experienced at organising everything to do with the ferry.

Thats correct, Gae used to work for Bristow and now runs Geko.

She organised all the permits, handling agents, hotels, etc for all the ferry trips I have done and she was magnificent, I highly recommend her services because you will have loads on your plate already doing the ferry flight. All her contacts and experience are invaluable and as somebody else already said: "Expensive ones upfront work out cheaper in the end."

[Impress to inflate]

DB, what aircraft type?

[P2bleed]

Yes highly recommend Gae. We had a seamless trip from Oz to the UK a few years ago with every detailed covered.

[212man]

Second the Gae recommendations. She supported 4 of my trips and being a fluent French speaker helped her sort the details in the Francophone countries. She used to be the Ops lady for the BHL charter S76 and company HS125.