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Light Aircraft Ferrying???

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Light Aircraft Ferrying???

Old 20th Sep 2001, 01:48
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Question Light Aircraft Ferrying???

I recently gained my Irish CPL-ME/IR but like many others I'm sure, I can not see my first break into the industry coming for a long time yet, after last weeks terrible episode in the US. I have taught about ways of getting those hrs up to airline minimums and one thing that came to mind was Light Aircraft Ferrying. Any information out there from ye guys regarding companies specialising in ferrying would be extremely helpful, or am I waisting my time? [email protected]
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Old 20th Sep 2001, 04:58
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Yeah you are mostly wasting your time.

Ferrying on the lucrative routes such as trans-Atlantic is a hugely specialised market. You would need to invest serious time and money to become equipped and proficient.

I know of a French C182 Turbo needing ferrying to the US from Wales and the owners are willing to consider PPL's. However, I would not pass you the details as it would be ridiculously dangerous but very tempting for you.

If you are convinced its the way for you then your strategy should be to buddy up with a veteran and fly several times with him for free. They will usually pay your costs only and not the return flight in return for having someone to do the walkaround in the rain, tune the radio and keep a plog. And laugh at their jokes. And carry their bags.

Then when you have bought your own drysuit, GPS, beacons, life rafts etc you *might* be ready to do one solo.

Halfway to Gander in a single with a problem is not somewhere you want to be without a LOT of training and preparation.

There are easier ways of getting hours and money.

Good luck though - if you survive it'll certainly help make you a great aviator.

WWW
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Old 20th Sep 2001, 17:04
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WWW,
Obviously, the majority of ferry flying is going to be the long haul, trans oceanic type of flying that you mentioned, but is there a demand for more localised ferrying, such as around Europe, or the UK?
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Old 20th Sep 2001, 17:28
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I used to know one. The last time I spoke to him he was in Hospital with two broken legs.

Had a double engine failure in a twin in northern Canada. Ploughed into a forest, and sat in the wreckage for eight hours awaiting for the emergency services to show up. Still, I'd say he was lucky not to be mid ocean.

Not for me thank you.

PS
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Old 20th Sep 2001, 18:26
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Thanks for your comments guys .Diffently a lot of sense in what ye are saying .What kind of a market is there between the UK and South Africa for ferrying? With the SA Rand worth nothing at the moment there must be quite a few aircraft been bought up down there. I think East Africa would be a slightly nicer route than the North Atlantic.
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Old 20th Sep 2001, 21:16
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celticflyer,

WWW is right on about ferrying aircraft. I just wanted to add a few thoughts. Do you want to be flying long distances over water and dangerous landscapes in an aircraft you do not know? I mean an airplane do not know the Maintenance History and most of the time do not have much PIC time in. 90% of the time you are flying routes over areas you do not know and weather information is minimal.

Stay Safe,

Capt. Richard J. Gentil, Pres.
Naples Air Center, Inc.
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Old 21st Sep 2001, 01:33
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Thanks for the advice guys. I do have one other related question though. Apart from ferry pilots, which we have determined is not a good job for young, inexperienced pilots, are there any other ways to cheaply build hours, such as glider towing, and would I be able to do them on a PPL, perhaps with a multi engine rating etc?

WO
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Old 11th Mar 2003, 07:22
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Check out the careers section of www.ferryflight.info , hopefully the text helps to explain a little about the ferry business.

I do not have a need for additional ferry aircrew at present but please send your details and keep them updated for the future.

Good luck !
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Old 11th Mar 2003, 21:35
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When ferry flying is mentioned everybody thinks ATLANTIC.
Start small.

I started ( with a PPL) just making collections and deliveries around the UK and Europe for maintenance companies I was involved with. Many owners don't have the time to deliver and collect their aircraft for maintenance themselves. As you build up a reputation for reliability, you are more likely to get more work, and the insurance will become less of a problem.

ferrybloke's website- career page gives a good overview, and I have attached an excerpt from it:
"If ferrying is still your goal, gain the initial skills and experience by flying good long distances within your own country and more importantly outside of your own country. Try and pick up any maintenance ferry flights or positioning flights at your local airfield."


Another excerpt from ferrybloke's page:
"Ferrying aircraft is a very demanding and difficult occupation. You are expected to fly any type of aircraft through challenging and sometimes extreme conditions whilst sticking to strict cost and time budgets. Home becomes a cramped, cold and uncomfortable cockpit for up to 12 hours at a time. It is not for everyone and the dangers are real."

At the end of the day paid or not, you will do it for the love of it.
The upside:
You will see amazing things you desparately want to share with the rest of the world, but cannot even begin to describe.
Ferrying is often a lot of hassle, especially at the begining, and can be very lonely, but also very exciting and very rewarding. Get any experience you can.

Good luck!

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Old 18th Mar 2003, 06:45
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The flying school I used to fly with in Sydney , Australia are involved with a lot of ferrying, mainly between Australia and the USA & Europe.

One of the 2 Chief Flying Instructors spends most of the time it appears flying around the would flying everything from Cessna 172's to Kingairs for new aircraft owners.

It is always worth e-mailing them and talking to them about what is really involved with Ferrying. I know they are a great bunch and will happily answer any questions you have. Mind you the pilots are in the 20,000 hr region and are extremly experienced.

As the previous people have said it is a very exciting job, yet from talking to the pilots involved, it has been also a very frightening experience at times too. Single Engine over sparse areas, Often Hours from an airfield.

Their website even has a mention of ferrying in it and there is a great diary kept up by the club on a day to day level. With reports from the pilots of where they are and what they are doing. It does read as a great diary of a ferry pilot.

The School is called Clamback & Hennessy.

I am sure they will happily respond to any questions you may ask.

They have been very pilote and very useful to me in the past.
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Old 21st Mar 2003, 08:30
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For an insight into the ferry business have a look at clamback-hennessy.com.au

Click on "Ray's Triathalon" then see if you're still interested!
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Old 21st Mar 2003, 23:36
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clamback-hennessy.com.au ARTICLE

Hi lads,

I checked out that article at clamback-hennessy website and let me tell you it's worth the time.

Anyways, I was wondering if there is someone out there with more information on the ferrying of aircraft, looks like an exciting job! It is a bit more dangerous than normal, but what isn't?

For some people flying is all we want; and as for me, I was made for flying...anything, anywhere, anytime.

Take care lads and fly safe!

rjag
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