Ferrying a Plane from USA to Sydney - Any tips?!
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Aus, or USA, or UK or EU, or possibly somehwere in Asia.
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Hope for the best but consider/prepare for the worst:
Get a Quality life vest I use switlik HV35 with pockets for survival gear\have you done 20:11 with time ex jackets at the local pool? you will be amazed how crap the cheapies are.
Quality life raft, there are lots of crap ones out there that won't stay up the right way in any real waves, you will be horrified by the cost and weight of the good ones.
locate raft so as to readily accessible when needed but not an danger during ditching/impact
Survival gear, water, space blanket, sun hat (dayglo Orange with chinstrap), sun screen, whistle, heliograph, 406 epirb with GPS, HH VHF, strobe light in pockets of jacket, - there are flares and stuff in the raft if its TSO'd
Wear a helmet
know escape procedure, have an 'exit strategy'
Survival rates are very high for ditching if you are prepared, very bad otherwise, blue water ferry the lowest.
Take low GI snack food - dried fruit, nuts, some types of 'muesliu' bars that aren't just full fo 6 types of suger are best, cheese and bikkies, avoid lollies/high sugar snacks. red bull (small can) works as a cup of coffee from time too often, every 3- 4 hrs or so if you want. it makes you pee.
Relief bags (expect the worst) and 1/2 a roll of poo-vouchers, plastic baggies. - watch what you eat prior to departure, easier in the US than asia of course
Walkman
Blue tack
establish a routine - do regular checks, rotate an hour of music with an hour of reading, have small sips of water evry hour and a small snack.
keep an eye and ear on the Big Picture - Nav/GPS/sun/waves/wind clouds/radio and met reps
scrounge the best maps and charts that you can, jepp will do a trip kit for you - for a small fee of course.
A couple of novels - if you are not a big reader and like books with lots of big, bright colourful pictures, disregard all of the above and take a fishing rod and a folding chair
Shipping is much cheaper and safer and the insurance is less. spend your money on petrol when it gets here.
WM2 - getting older does not make anyone smarter neccessarily, it can make you more set in your ways of course. Growing older is mandatory, growing up is optional. how come you are so keen on twins? they're only about 40% less likely to crash than a single, but you are more likely to die if they do, Howard Hughes (the Other howard hughes) had a better idea eight engines mate, that's GOT to the best for overwater, and it was briefly.
Get a Quality life vest I use switlik HV35 with pockets for survival gear\have you done 20:11 with time ex jackets at the local pool? you will be amazed how crap the cheapies are.
Quality life raft, there are lots of crap ones out there that won't stay up the right way in any real waves, you will be horrified by the cost and weight of the good ones.
locate raft so as to readily accessible when needed but not an danger during ditching/impact
Survival gear, water, space blanket, sun hat (dayglo Orange with chinstrap), sun screen, whistle, heliograph, 406 epirb with GPS, HH VHF, strobe light in pockets of jacket, - there are flares and stuff in the raft if its TSO'd
Wear a helmet
know escape procedure, have an 'exit strategy'
Survival rates are very high for ditching if you are prepared, very bad otherwise, blue water ferry the lowest.
Take low GI snack food - dried fruit, nuts, some types of 'muesliu' bars that aren't just full fo 6 types of suger are best, cheese and bikkies, avoid lollies/high sugar snacks. red bull (small can) works as a cup of coffee from time too often, every 3- 4 hrs or so if you want. it makes you pee.
Relief bags (expect the worst) and 1/2 a roll of poo-vouchers, plastic baggies. - watch what you eat prior to departure, easier in the US than asia of course
Walkman
Blue tack
establish a routine - do regular checks, rotate an hour of music with an hour of reading, have small sips of water evry hour and a small snack.
keep an eye and ear on the Big Picture - Nav/GPS/sun/waves/wind clouds/radio and met reps
scrounge the best maps and charts that you can, jepp will do a trip kit for you - for a small fee of course.
A couple of novels - if you are not a big reader and like books with lots of big, bright colourful pictures, disregard all of the above and take a fishing rod and a folding chair
Shipping is much cheaper and safer and the insurance is less. spend your money on petrol when it gets here.
WM2 - getting older does not make anyone smarter neccessarily, it can make you more set in your ways of course. Growing older is mandatory, growing up is optional. how come you are so keen on twins? they're only about 40% less likely to crash than a single, but you are more likely to die if they do, Howard Hughes (the Other howard hughes) had a better idea eight engines mate, that's GOT to the best for overwater, and it was briefly.
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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I can't help but think that the chap in the photo probably isn't a great advertisement for long over-water flights in single engined aircraft ie.there's a Lockheed Altair on the bottom of the Bay of Bengal somewhere as I recall. Multi-engine seemed to work a little more successfully for him however!
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Gee Harley D, from what you have written one could be mistaken for thinking that you do this all time time, almost for a living 
For those reading, take note, this Pruner has done this more times than most will in their lifetime!
For those reading, take note, this Pruner has done this more times than most will in their lifetime!
Join Date: Jul 2007
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And take a G296 and make sure its charged up...... never know when theplanes nav system goes on the blink or electrics fail in some way!
Garmin.....Don't Leave Home Without One!
Garmin.....Don't Leave Home Without One!
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If you can believe what is stated here I think I would be putting my new plane in a box also.
Diamond Star DA-40-180 Review
Diamond Star DA-40-180 Review
How about getting a car upholsterer or similar to knock up a vinyl "sleeve" for the raft, with Velcro arms so that it can be fastened "papoose style" to the back of one of the seats (the one nearest the door). The sleeve would be fixed, but the raft would just slide out of the top when you grab it - that way it is both secure, and easily accessible.
Join Date: May 2007
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Of course the ditching case that I failed to mention is the nighttime case where the plane end up upside down and you have to wait while the cabin fills with water until you can open the doors.
You may want to consider taking some 'spare air'
Then if you get out you can look forward to attempting to climb aboard your raft, assuming that it got out and you are holding the lanyard, oops i forgot, turn it up the right way first. This should be easy job in 3 meter waves with a 5 metre swell at night, wearing a life jacket. did i mention to not wear lace up shoes/boots they are so much harder to take off , runners would be ok i suppose. expect to be tipped out of the raft once or twice during the night.
Have you ever been in a 'dunker', or seen a dunker even? then imagine that at night but without the guys with the scuba tanks just outside, in a cold cold ocean a long way from mum and the kids, mind you that just made me think of my ex and I would rather be bobbing in a cold, cold ocean than in the same house as her!!
After a few days (this is unlikely cos if you got out OK you will be picked up relatively quickly) you start to wonder which part of your mate to eat first, sushi style. Did you remeber to include wasabi in the survival kit?
Have fun either way, but given the option.....ship by container, swim in your back yard pool and eat fillet steak.
HD
You may want to consider taking some 'spare air'
Then if you get out you can look forward to attempting to climb aboard your raft, assuming that it got out and you are holding the lanyard, oops i forgot, turn it up the right way first. This should be easy job in 3 meter waves with a 5 metre swell at night, wearing a life jacket. did i mention to not wear lace up shoes/boots they are so much harder to take off , runners would be ok i suppose. expect to be tipped out of the raft once or twice during the night.
Have you ever been in a 'dunker', or seen a dunker even? then imagine that at night but without the guys with the scuba tanks just outside, in a cold cold ocean a long way from mum and the kids, mind you that just made me think of my ex and I would rather be bobbing in a cold, cold ocean than in the same house as her!!
After a few days (this is unlikely cos if you got out OK you will be picked up relatively quickly) you start to wonder which part of your mate to eat first, sushi style. Did you remeber to include wasabi in the survival kit?
Have fun either way, but given the option.....ship by container, swim in your back yard pool and eat fillet steak.
HD
Join Date: May 2002
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Try Jeppesen Flight Planning in the US. They take care of all clearances, weather briefs etc etc. A little costly, but you'll have the peace of mind that all is done legit and all boxes ticked........and bring plenty of US bucks for the bribes along the way 
Join Date: Mar 2002
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I was about to comment that a DA40 ferry across the pacific is not really sane until a mate just pointed out he knows of some ultralights that do the LHI-NF crosssing to NZ...
Have Fun - Good Luck.
Have Fun - Good Luck.
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There have been a number of recent flights to NZ in "ultralight" aircraft that come to my mind without research.
Notable inclusions are:
- Ben Buckley in a 2-stroke 582 Lightwing
- J230 Jab delivery to NZ (on the Jab webpage)
- Pipstrel Sinus 912 delivery
- J230 and J120 Jabirus ferry flight for new school (on the Jab webpage)
- Pioneer 200 / 300 flown almost anually from NZ to Aus to visit Natfly
All via NF and LH except for the 2-stroke with Ben Buckley driving, that went direct non-stop.
Notable inclusions are:
- Ben Buckley in a 2-stroke 582 Lightwing
- J230 Jab delivery to NZ (on the Jab webpage)
- Pipstrel Sinus 912 delivery
- J230 and J120 Jabirus ferry flight for new school (on the Jab webpage)
- Pioneer 200 / 300 flown almost anually from NZ to Aus to visit Natfly
All via NF and LH except for the 2-stroke with Ben Buckley driving, that went direct non-stop.
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Are you planning on Avgas at Christmas? From memory it did not used to be available.
I used to fly the DC8 into Xmas. Runway is good and the highest terrain are the coconut trees so even if weather is bad you should get in. Having said that I never had a wx problem.
I don't think you will need to pay bribes on your planned route but be prepared to pay over the top for landing, etc (same thing really except you will get a receipt).
Good luck
I used to fly the DC8 into Xmas. Runway is good and the highest terrain are the coconut trees so even if weather is bad you should get in. Having said that I never had a wx problem.
I don't think you will need to pay bribes on your planned route but be prepared to pay over the top for landing, etc (same thing really except you will get a receipt).
Good luck
Join Date: Jun 2008
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If you plan on coming thru Honiara at all, you can't always get Avgas there. They run out sometimes - with only one Islander using it on a regular basis, if there is unexpected extra usage, the logistics of ordering in in by ship means there can be a months wait sometimes.. Best to check with South Pacific Oil and Solair in advance a couple of times..
(I see it is not on the planned route however, just apply the same checking to other remote stops)
Make sure you thoroughly check that the ferry tanks switch in and feed properly before setting out. Not nice to have problems with them mid-ocean, - an old instructor of mine T.R. from Melbourne for groundcourses finally got his second Robertson Stol 185 O.K. All he got of the first one were photos to show the class of it sinking, taken from the freighter it had to ditch beside halfway from the mainland to Hawaii.
(I see it is not on the planned route however, just apply the same checking to other remote stops)
Make sure you thoroughly check that the ferry tanks switch in and feed properly before setting out. Not nice to have problems with them mid-ocean, - an old instructor of mine T.R. from Melbourne for groundcourses finally got his second Robertson Stol 185 O.K. All he got of the first one were photos to show the class of it sinking, taken from the freighter it had to ditch beside halfway from the mainland to Hawaii.
Last edited by frigatebird; 25th Nov 2009 at 02:42.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Sydney
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Made It
many thanks for all the advice & helpful tips.
The ferry all went fine, and was a huge amount of fun. I personally learned alot about the aircraft, wx & customs, although my impersonation of a kangaroo when landing at Brisbane international was abit embarrassing
Photos on website below:
www.diamondaviation.com.au
Again, thanks for all help & tips
The ferry all went fine, and was a huge amount of fun. I personally learned alot about the aircraft, wx & customs, although my impersonation of a kangaroo when landing at Brisbane international was abit embarrassing
Photos on website below:
www.diamondaviation.com.au
Again, thanks for all help & tips
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Congrats and nice website buddy. Was on basically the exact same route as your flight about a week after you in a C182T. You're correct when saying the first leg to Hawaii is definitely the longest! All the best.
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Fuel and Endurance
How much fuel did you carry? Standard + extra fuel???
I was looking at ferrying a VANS RV6 from the US or maybe a Rutan, but thought that they would not be able to carry the fuel and have sufficient reserves - even with aux tanks inside the cabin.
Who approves the over MTOW and how much can you get?
I was looking at ferrying a VANS RV6 from the US or maybe a Rutan, but thought that they would not be able to carry the fuel and have sufficient reserves - even with aux tanks inside the cabin.
Who approves the over MTOW and how much can you get?
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Fuel
for the Santa Barabara to Hilo leg, we had 50gals in the wings, RHS seat was replaced witha 38g tank, the rear seats were replaced with 61 & 42 gal tank respectively, so total of 191gals. Landed in Hilo with full wing tanks....FAA have to sign off the change so you get a speciual flight permit. First time a DA40 had done this with NoCal FAA, so took a while for them to issue the SFP. According to the tanking company, possible to get a 30% over MTOW, subject to CofG, and aircraft type. Think we were 24% ow from memory...
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Do it mate. You'll have a great trip. Check Christmas island for fuel payment B4 you go. You'll probably never get to do it again. is the ferry pilot GM ? if so...... you're in very safe hands!!
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saw your post too late,
did that route almost but differed slightly,
KTOA - LAX - SAN MARCUS - KSMX
KSMX - PHTO
PHTO - PLCH
PLCH - NSTU
NSTU - NWWM
NWWM - YBCG
YBCG - YSBK
YSBK - YMIA
YMIA - YWHA - YCDU
YCDU - YCAG
YCAG - YPJT
big trip, i remember xmass island, avgas was $6 a litre. how much did u get it for?? sounds like you did fine :-) I loved doing it but i did min with no autopilot
65hrs in 8 days.....
did that route almost but differed slightly,
KTOA - LAX - SAN MARCUS - KSMX
KSMX - PHTO
PHTO - PLCH
PLCH - NSTU
NSTU - NWWM
NWWM - YBCG
YBCG - YSBK
YSBK - YMIA
YMIA - YWHA - YCDU
YCDU - YCAG
YCAG - YPJT
big trip, i remember xmass island, avgas was $6 a litre. how much did u get it for?? sounds like you did fine :-) I loved doing it but i did min with no autopilot
65hrs in 8 days.....