FERRYING AND AIRCRAFT FROM THE USA
Thread Starter
Next segment UTOPAH to Broome
Last time I left the readers having to remove the de ice boots in Thailand.
UTOPAH . SELETAR (Singapore)
After take off from UTOPAH we heading across the Gulf of Siam, where MH307 was flying. The controllers we excellent and we headed off in clear weather at FL120.
The route we took entailed crossing the Malay peninsula along the main airways route and down the western edge.
Overhead Kuala Lumpur was a breeze with controllers being very professional. But the weather now began to change. It went from clear skies to overcast to rain to heavy tropical rain.
As we neared Singapore from the north, it was just like flying around the USA with radar vectoring.
Finally in the circuit at SELETAR between a CL601 in front and B757 behind, that really keeps you on your game.
After landing our handling agent didn't show so we did our own thing, extremely easy and no fuss.
The only problem with SELETAR is it is quiet a way from the main city so getting a taxi tends to be hard. Eventually we got to a hotel and settled in for beer and steak.
Next day since our handling agent hadn't turned up I did it myself, saving around $US500, again if you know what to customs immigration is straight forward.
Next was the fuel, and what a pleasure to finally find a fuelling agent that not only knew his stuff but actually took a carnet card. Fuel cost $US3 per litre.
SELETAR . BALI (Indonesia)
Take off was early with an Easy SID, to FL 130.
As we flew along the coast we now encountered Indonesian control, now as proficient as Malaysian or Singapore, but they virtually left us alone. That was until we approached Bali.
On track are a series of Volcanoes that go to 13500 so the controllers wanted us to go to FL160, but with limited pressurisation and not wanting to go onto oxygen we elected to revert to VFR and go east out to sea.
Once over the Island of Bali, the controllers were really good, approaching the airport was the biggest CB I'd seen I'd seen in along time.
These controllers were excellent and vectored us around the weather for a straight in approach. Once on the ground the heavens opened up with torrential rain.
Handling in Bali is now done by Execujet, with a brand new facility. Handling cast was $US400 and the service first rate. Fuel was $2.80 per litre.
BALI . BALI
how to become a chicken.
We took off relatively early to fly across the Timor sea into Broome. However after about an hour the right hand engine began to show low boost, couple this with a line of CBs and it was a 180 degree turn and back to Bali.
Upon landing Craig the engineer discovered a sticking valve in the FCU was the cause. So rather than venture out again we over nighted in Bali
BALI . BROOME
Finally we had decent weather and took off for Australia at Fl130
This time the weather was excellent and the feeling when we transferred to an Australian controller was sheer relief .
After landing we were in the hands of Australian Customs and AQUIS. Customs were great, but AQUIS, doing their job had us sitting in the aircraft gasping while we sprayed for bugs. After 10 minutes we were allowed out and finally set foot on Australian soil. All I had to do was pay the GST before we could move the aircraft.
I WILL DO THE FINAL PART IN ABOUT TWO DAYS, WITH A COMPLETE SUMMARY OF EACH COUNTRY.
ANY OF YOU CONTEMPLATING A FERRY FLIGHT I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER YOU QUESTIONS AND GIVE YOU SOME TIPS ON WHO TO TALK TO.
Last time I left the readers having to remove the de ice boots in Thailand.
UTOPAH . SELETAR (Singapore)
After take off from UTOPAH we heading across the Gulf of Siam, where MH307 was flying. The controllers we excellent and we headed off in clear weather at FL120.
The route we took entailed crossing the Malay peninsula along the main airways route and down the western edge.
Overhead Kuala Lumpur was a breeze with controllers being very professional. But the weather now began to change. It went from clear skies to overcast to rain to heavy tropical rain.
As we neared Singapore from the north, it was just like flying around the USA with radar vectoring.
Finally in the circuit at SELETAR between a CL601 in front and B757 behind, that really keeps you on your game.
After landing our handling agent didn't show so we did our own thing, extremely easy and no fuss.
The only problem with SELETAR is it is quiet a way from the main city so getting a taxi tends to be hard. Eventually we got to a hotel and settled in for beer and steak.
Next day since our handling agent hadn't turned up I did it myself, saving around $US500, again if you know what to customs immigration is straight forward.
Next was the fuel, and what a pleasure to finally find a fuelling agent that not only knew his stuff but actually took a carnet card. Fuel cost $US3 per litre.
SELETAR . BALI (Indonesia)
Take off was early with an Easy SID, to FL 130.
As we flew along the coast we now encountered Indonesian control, now as proficient as Malaysian or Singapore, but they virtually left us alone. That was until we approached Bali.
On track are a series of Volcanoes that go to 13500 so the controllers wanted us to go to FL160, but with limited pressurisation and not wanting to go onto oxygen we elected to revert to VFR and go east out to sea.
Once over the Island of Bali, the controllers were really good, approaching the airport was the biggest CB I'd seen I'd seen in along time.
These controllers were excellent and vectored us around the weather for a straight in approach. Once on the ground the heavens opened up with torrential rain.
Handling in Bali is now done by Execujet, with a brand new facility. Handling cast was $US400 and the service first rate. Fuel was $2.80 per litre.
BALI . BALI
how to become a chicken.
We took off relatively early to fly across the Timor sea into Broome. However after about an hour the right hand engine began to show low boost, couple this with a line of CBs and it was a 180 degree turn and back to Bali.
Upon landing Craig the engineer discovered a sticking valve in the FCU was the cause. So rather than venture out again we over nighted in Bali
BALI . BROOME
Finally we had decent weather and took off for Australia at Fl130
This time the weather was excellent and the feeling when we transferred to an Australian controller was sheer relief .
After landing we were in the hands of Australian Customs and AQUIS. Customs were great, but AQUIS, doing their job had us sitting in the aircraft gasping while we sprayed for bugs. After 10 minutes we were allowed out and finally set foot on Australian soil. All I had to do was pay the GST before we could move the aircraft.
I WILL DO THE FINAL PART IN ABOUT TWO DAYS, WITH A COMPLETE SUMMARY OF EACH COUNTRY.
ANY OF YOU CONTEMPLATING A FERRY FLIGHT I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER YOU QUESTIONS AND GIVE YOU SOME TIPS ON WHO TO TALK TO.
LAST EPISODE WILL BE THE FINAL FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA, AND NOT QUIET GETTING HOME. PLUS AN SUMMARY OF EACH COUNTRY, THE PLUS'S AND MINUS'S OF EACH. AND FOR THOSE PUNDITS WHO KEEP SAYING WHY DIDNT YOU CROSS THE PACIFIC -THE ANSWER
The Pacific would be my preferred choice from a logistical/political point of view. Pretty well all aircraft that have arrived from the US into NZ that didn't arrive in a container have come across the Pacific. I would imagine it's the same for OZ.
Going your way is certainly more interesting..... In more ways than one.
I'm just curious (as someone with absolutely no experience in buying/ferrying aircraft) how much it ended up costing you total from picking up the keys to shut-down at your final destination? It sounds horrendous and makes me wonder if there was any possible way of shipping it with the wings still on that may have ended up cheaper (large cargo aircraft etc?).
Great story so far!
Great story so far!
Thread Starter
Just joined the search
The basic aircraft with export c of a and HF radio fit was 150k, without any extras landed cost would have been 250k plus import c of a. BUT you need to remember one thing I bought the aircraft as a distressed sale from a bank foreclosure
Couldn't containerise it as the wings are permently fixed to the fuselage at manufacture.
I will give all the readers a full break down of costs later.
The basic aircraft with export c of a and HF radio fit was 150k, without any extras landed cost would have been 250k plus import c of a. BUT you need to remember one thing I bought the aircraft as a distressed sale from a bank foreclosure
Couldn't containerise it as the wings are permently fixed to the fuselage at manufacture.
I will give all the readers a full break down of costs later.
Thread Starter
The final sectors
After arriving and clearing customs we were introduced back to The Australian hospitality industry. What a shock, cheap second rate rooms at top dollar. It is no wonder people opt to go to Asia for holidays instead of our own country.
BROOME . ALICE SPRINGS.
Back in the land of anything goes. A nice easy flight at FL115 into Alice Springs where the temperature was around 35 C.
ALICE SPRINGS . DUBBO . WOLLONGONG
Again an easy flight at FL115 into Dubbo to refuel before heading to Sydbey Bankstown.
After refuelling we headed off along the airways, weather reasonable but a wall of cloud approaching Katoomba. As we did not have radar and CBs were forecasted I had elected to go VFR. Looking at the BOM weather all I could now see was a wall of heavy rain and imbedded TS, just what I needed to finish off the ferry.
Taking the view of live coward is better Han dead hero we turned south until level with Nowra then cross to the coast and into Wollongong. So close and yet so far.
WOLLONGONG . BANKSTOWN
If ever the hardest sector this would have to be it. A US registered aircraft VFR and only IFR charts, just wonderful. Thank goodness for GPS's with the red warning flashes if you are about to enter CTA or restricted zones.
Finally established into Bankstown CTA and home. After landing the final joke was fro. The friendly Bankstown ground controller, when he asked if I needed guidance - my answer was a friendly no thanks after 40 years of Bankstown I knew my way around.
SUMMARY OF EACH COUNTRY
USA
As many people will attest, the USA is the easiest and most friendly country to fly around. Virtually every where is direct radar vectoring for tracking. Service on the ground from the FBO's is great, and if you buy sufficient fuel at no charge.
Overall cost of doing business is cheaper than Australia, even with their local state taxes.
But overall the best summary is their friendliness and willing to assist.
CANADA
Similar comments to the of the USA except you do pay for handling. If any of you are heading north in Canada it is worth planning to pick up more fuel in the North as it is cheaper due to different taxes.
Can recommend Frobisher Bay as a stop over.
GREENLAND
Very European, good service but expensive for accommodation and meals. We went via the northern route which is slightly longer than South, but due to a lack of Avgas down south there was little choice.
You definitely need to check fuel supplies before choosing your Greenland destination. You should also carry enough fuel to divert not just to one location but two if possible.
As we were in a high performance pressurised twin our choices were better than most. But if we had had a Piper Chieftain I would suggest carrying liable oxygen and getting up high to cross the ice cap.
Out of all my flying experience the flight into and out of Greenland would have to be one of the highlights of my career.
ICELAND
Again very European, professional and friendly.
TRANS ATLANTIC CROSSING
Before embarking I had researched heavily the details and there are a number of good sites on the web with adequate information.
My one regret was spending money having a HF set fitted in the USA. At FL150 with a track slightly north towards the Farroe Islands you don't need HF as the VHF coverage is excellent. Basically spent 20K for nothing.
SCOTLAND/ENGLAND
For a small island country with crowded airways routes, ustalia could learn something about operations. The controllers were professional, treated everybody well irrespective of wether you were a B747, B737 or Piper, all revolved around the category you elected to fly under.
Even crossing the busiest part of London CTA
But, like everything there is a down side and it is cost.
I can thoroughly recommend going into Biggin Hill, London. And if ever you need airraft servicing Falcon Air Services gets my vote.
FRANCE
What can one say, when you land the the sweetest young French girl comes Long to take your landing fees.
As a region France was easy and the services excellent.
MALTA
This was my favourite country to visit. Easy well serviced and aviation orientated.
GREECE
Dis organised, expensive for a European country and disappointing
EGYPT
A country to avoid if possible whe. Ferrying aircraft. expensive and at the moment very dangerous. Would suggest as an alternate use Acaba in Jordon and then along the Emirate states.
SAUDI ARABIA
Similar to Egypt, except much safer, but use Jordon.
EMIRATES
We were able to avoid these, but if you needed would suggest Sharjah as it tends to be smaller and easier to deal with. And for those who ae aviation tragics they have a beat museum, with one of my old air rat I. It.
OMAN
Cannot recommend highly enough this as a transit stop, we'll serviced at reasonable costs and a more European attitude to life - probably the British influence.
PAKISTAN
Similar to Egypt, but most aircaft cannot make the distance without stopping here. Felt decidedly unsafe.
INDIA
India has greatly improved since my last ferry, but Avgas is a problem. It is expensive but reasonable service. Nagpur is a quick easy transit spot,
Calcutta should have been my choice but as we did not have visas it was not possible.
FOR EVERYONE GOING TO INDIA GET CREW VISAS PRIOR TO DEPARTING IT IS. NO LONGER POSSIBLE TO GE THE. ON ARRIVAL EVEN FOR AIRCREW.
BANGLADESH
Ferry crew should Void this at all costs. It is expensive and although some of the Bangladeshis you deal with are honest and friendly the unfortunate part is the ones who deal with General aviation will see you as a cash cow to take as much money as possible.
THAILAND
A country with a good general aviation sector. but avoid Dom Maung at all costs. You are better going into the smaller International regional airports to clear customs.
SINGAPORE
Easy efficient, and it is possible to do your own handling, if you pre plan aNd have all the required documents.
INDONESIA
relatively easy but you cannot get Way without a handling age t, it is just their way of life.
AUSTRALIA
entering Australia, even for me a citizen required pre planning. You need to advise IMmigateion and customs as well as AQUIS don't rely on just flig planning and the. Turning up- it won't work.
Also pre arrange a customs broker to enter the aircraft for imPort and pre pay the GST. It will save you a great deal of time.
OVERALL
1. Get a good clearance handling company. You don't need anyone thru the USA Canada and Europe but everywhere else is a must. we used Mike Gray fro. White rose in the UK and I couldn't speak more highly of him
2. Preplan everything
3. Charts I elected to go with Jepperson hard copy charts, but I'm a ludite. Next to e I'm going to opt for the IPad charts and the. Just print off the one needed.
4. Cash take plenty of US and Euros. Break them down into groups of 2000, and the. Disperse the. Around the aircraft. we hid these packets behind fuselage and wing panels. BUT do declare all the currency you are carrying if required. It is not worth the risk.
5. FUEL you have to either pre arrange or pre pay for a fuel thru the Middle East and Asia if you require Avgas. DON'T ASSUME IT WILL BE AVAILABLE. Your clearance company should be able to do the for you.
6. Business cards, get the. Made up with the title Captain I front of your name. Called visiting cards in India and Bangladesh, they open. Numbers of doors.
7. ID if Australian get a proper CASA ID not an Avid card. I found everywhere I went my I'd was accepted
8 Uniform. Wear a uniform, not jeans and a white shirt, BUT uniform shirt with epaulettes (3 bars) blue or black trousers and black POLISHED shoes with you ID around your neck. Wings do help. You might say what a "wank" but third world countries put great store in appreance
9 Don't stint on cheap accommodation remember you will be flying long sectors and need decent rest.
10 Careful what you eat on the ground
11 Even more careful what you eat and drink when flying.
12 Take a large container that you can use for the call of nature. IT WILL HAPPEN
13 Have I the cockpit a set of spanners and screw drivers including very small ones. They will become your godsend when you need to do a running repair in flight.
14 have a Sat phone. Great items that allow you to call the world from any where
15 The final advise would be to chill out. Just remember you aRe travelling thru other people's countries with their traditions. Just take a deep breath and look at their side of the coin.This doesn't mean you have to accept being cheated and robbed just because you Re perceived to be wealth.
SO IF YOU GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO A FERRY TAKE IT AS THE EXPERIENCE IS GREAT.
AND THE FINAL PART WHY PICK THE CHOSEN ROUTE
I looked at the Pacific and did the costing. By the time you tank the aircraft and get all the approvals, it works out at around the same cost as the route I finally chose, including accommodation.
There is the added problem of flying an overloaded aircraft for take offs. The commander would have been 20% over weight out of California. You are supposed to only be 10%.
I have survived aviation for over 40 years by not taking risks, I certainly didn't want to this time.
The northern pacific route is not possible as their is little or no Avgas over much of this route. plus Russia would have been a nightmare.
I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED SHARING MY ADVENTURE. I HAVE ONE MORE OF THESE COMMANDERS IN THE STATES THAT I HAVE TO FERRY OUT NEXT YEAR. HOPEFULLY THIS ONE WILL BE EASIER.
DHAVILLANDPILOT
BROOME . ALICE SPRINGS.
Back in the land of anything goes. A nice easy flight at FL115 into Alice Springs where the temperature was around 35 C.
ALICE SPRINGS . DUBBO . WOLLONGONG
Again an easy flight at FL115 into Dubbo to refuel before heading to Sydbey Bankstown.
After refuelling we headed off along the airways, weather reasonable but a wall of cloud approaching Katoomba. As we did not have radar and CBs were forecasted I had elected to go VFR. Looking at the BOM weather all I could now see was a wall of heavy rain and imbedded TS, just what I needed to finish off the ferry.
Taking the view of live coward is better Han dead hero we turned south until level with Nowra then cross to the coast and into Wollongong. So close and yet so far.
WOLLONGONG . BANKSTOWN
If ever the hardest sector this would have to be it. A US registered aircraft VFR and only IFR charts, just wonderful. Thank goodness for GPS's with the red warning flashes if you are about to enter CTA or restricted zones.
Finally established into Bankstown CTA and home. After landing the final joke was fro. The friendly Bankstown ground controller, when he asked if I needed guidance - my answer was a friendly no thanks after 40 years of Bankstown I knew my way around.
SUMMARY OF EACH COUNTRY
USA
As many people will attest, the USA is the easiest and most friendly country to fly around. Virtually every where is direct radar vectoring for tracking. Service on the ground from the FBO's is great, and if you buy sufficient fuel at no charge.
Overall cost of doing business is cheaper than Australia, even with their local state taxes.
But overall the best summary is their friendliness and willing to assist.
CANADA
Similar comments to the of the USA except you do pay for handling. If any of you are heading north in Canada it is worth planning to pick up more fuel in the North as it is cheaper due to different taxes.
Can recommend Frobisher Bay as a stop over.
GREENLAND
Very European, good service but expensive for accommodation and meals. We went via the northern route which is slightly longer than South, but due to a lack of Avgas down south there was little choice.
You definitely need to check fuel supplies before choosing your Greenland destination. You should also carry enough fuel to divert not just to one location but two if possible.
As we were in a high performance pressurised twin our choices were better than most. But if we had had a Piper Chieftain I would suggest carrying liable oxygen and getting up high to cross the ice cap.
Out of all my flying experience the flight into and out of Greenland would have to be one of the highlights of my career.
ICELAND
Again very European, professional and friendly.
TRANS ATLANTIC CROSSING
Before embarking I had researched heavily the details and there are a number of good sites on the web with adequate information.
My one regret was spending money having a HF set fitted in the USA. At FL150 with a track slightly north towards the Farroe Islands you don't need HF as the VHF coverage is excellent. Basically spent 20K for nothing.
SCOTLAND/ENGLAND
For a small island country with crowded airways routes, ustalia could learn something about operations. The controllers were professional, treated everybody well irrespective of wether you were a B747, B737 or Piper, all revolved around the category you elected to fly under.
Even crossing the busiest part of London CTA
But, like everything there is a down side and it is cost.
I can thoroughly recommend going into Biggin Hill, London. And if ever you need airraft servicing Falcon Air Services gets my vote.
FRANCE
What can one say, when you land the the sweetest young French girl comes Long to take your landing fees.
As a region France was easy and the services excellent.
MALTA
This was my favourite country to visit. Easy well serviced and aviation orientated.
GREECE
Dis organised, expensive for a European country and disappointing
EGYPT
A country to avoid if possible whe. Ferrying aircraft. expensive and at the moment very dangerous. Would suggest as an alternate use Acaba in Jordon and then along the Emirate states.
SAUDI ARABIA
Similar to Egypt, except much safer, but use Jordon.
EMIRATES
We were able to avoid these, but if you needed would suggest Sharjah as it tends to be smaller and easier to deal with. And for those who ae aviation tragics they have a beat museum, with one of my old air rat I. It.
OMAN
Cannot recommend highly enough this as a transit stop, we'll serviced at reasonable costs and a more European attitude to life - probably the British influence.
PAKISTAN
Similar to Egypt, but most aircaft cannot make the distance without stopping here. Felt decidedly unsafe.
INDIA
India has greatly improved since my last ferry, but Avgas is a problem. It is expensive but reasonable service. Nagpur is a quick easy transit spot,
Calcutta should have been my choice but as we did not have visas it was not possible.
FOR EVERYONE GOING TO INDIA GET CREW VISAS PRIOR TO DEPARTING IT IS. NO LONGER POSSIBLE TO GE THE. ON ARRIVAL EVEN FOR AIRCREW.
BANGLADESH
Ferry crew should Void this at all costs. It is expensive and although some of the Bangladeshis you deal with are honest and friendly the unfortunate part is the ones who deal with General aviation will see you as a cash cow to take as much money as possible.
THAILAND
A country with a good general aviation sector. but avoid Dom Maung at all costs. You are better going into the smaller International regional airports to clear customs.
SINGAPORE
Easy efficient, and it is possible to do your own handling, if you pre plan aNd have all the required documents.
INDONESIA
relatively easy but you cannot get Way without a handling age t, it is just their way of life.
AUSTRALIA
entering Australia, even for me a citizen required pre planning. You need to advise IMmigateion and customs as well as AQUIS don't rely on just flig planning and the. Turning up- it won't work.
Also pre arrange a customs broker to enter the aircraft for imPort and pre pay the GST. It will save you a great deal of time.
OVERALL
1. Get a good clearance handling company. You don't need anyone thru the USA Canada and Europe but everywhere else is a must. we used Mike Gray fro. White rose in the UK and I couldn't speak more highly of him
2. Preplan everything
3. Charts I elected to go with Jepperson hard copy charts, but I'm a ludite. Next to e I'm going to opt for the IPad charts and the. Just print off the one needed.
4. Cash take plenty of US and Euros. Break them down into groups of 2000, and the. Disperse the. Around the aircraft. we hid these packets behind fuselage and wing panels. BUT do declare all the currency you are carrying if required. It is not worth the risk.
5. FUEL you have to either pre arrange or pre pay for a fuel thru the Middle East and Asia if you require Avgas. DON'T ASSUME IT WILL BE AVAILABLE. Your clearance company should be able to do the for you.
6. Business cards, get the. Made up with the title Captain I front of your name. Called visiting cards in India and Bangladesh, they open. Numbers of doors.
7. ID if Australian get a proper CASA ID not an Avid card. I found everywhere I went my I'd was accepted
8 Uniform. Wear a uniform, not jeans and a white shirt, BUT uniform shirt with epaulettes (3 bars) blue or black trousers and black POLISHED shoes with you ID around your neck. Wings do help. You might say what a "wank" but third world countries put great store in appreance
9 Don't stint on cheap accommodation remember you will be flying long sectors and need decent rest.
10 Careful what you eat on the ground
11 Even more careful what you eat and drink when flying.
12 Take a large container that you can use for the call of nature. IT WILL HAPPEN
13 Have I the cockpit a set of spanners and screw drivers including very small ones. They will become your godsend when you need to do a running repair in flight.
14 have a Sat phone. Great items that allow you to call the world from any where
15 The final advise would be to chill out. Just remember you aRe travelling thru other people's countries with their traditions. Just take a deep breath and look at their side of the coin.This doesn't mean you have to accept being cheated and robbed just because you Re perceived to be wealth.
SO IF YOU GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO A FERRY TAKE IT AS THE EXPERIENCE IS GREAT.
AND THE FINAL PART WHY PICK THE CHOSEN ROUTE
I looked at the Pacific and did the costing. By the time you tank the aircraft and get all the approvals, it works out at around the same cost as the route I finally chose, including accommodation.
There is the added problem of flying an overloaded aircraft for take offs. The commander would have been 20% over weight out of California. You are supposed to only be 10%.
I have survived aviation for over 40 years by not taking risks, I certainly didn't want to this time.
The northern pacific route is not possible as their is little or no Avgas over much of this route. plus Russia would have been a nightmare.
I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED SHARING MY ADVENTURE. I HAVE ONE MORE OF THESE COMMANDERS IN THE STATES THAT I HAVE TO FERRY OUT NEXT YEAR. HOPEFULLY THIS ONE WILL BE EASIER.
DHAVILLANDPILOT
Thread Starter
Flying ted
Don't be put off I was just unlucky with the engines
With plenty of homework you can get a good deal in the USA
PM your thoughts on what you are interested in and I'll give you some contacts no charge
Don't be put off I was just unlucky with the engines
With plenty of homework you can get a good deal in the USA
PM your thoughts on what you are interested in and I'll give you some contacts no charge
Join Date: May 2004
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After arriving and clearing customs we were introduced back to The Australian hospitality industry. What a shock, cheap second rate rooms at top dollar. It is no wonder people opt to go to Asia for holidays instead of our own country.
DHP,
Your remarkable adventure in your Aero Commander perhaps should be read in conjunction with Andy Hardy and Sam Kidd's "Cherokee Challenge" adventure in G-ATYS, last October and November. They flew from the UK to Bankstown in Andy's 1966 Cherokee C 180 by a generally similar but different route. Both trips contain rather valuable advice for others contemplating flying an aircraft to OZ from overseas...
Your remarkable adventure in your Aero Commander perhaps should be read in conjunction with Andy Hardy and Sam Kidd's "Cherokee Challenge" adventure in G-ATYS, last October and November. They flew from the UK to Bankstown in Andy's 1966 Cherokee C 180 by a generally similar but different route. Both trips contain rather valuable advice for others contemplating flying an aircraft to OZ from overseas...
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Nice gripping read for an old Commander owner, DHP. I just sold my old 520 and the new owners will fly her from California to Siberia next month. I wish them the best of luck. They like old GO-engines over there because they can run on Mogas. No such luck with the GTSIO's.
I almost bought a 685 as an upgrade - I wanted the range and the pressurisation and stay true to Commanders. But in the end it made very little sense for someone who flies mostly alone. I bought an Aerostar instead. But I will always love Commanders. And if someone develops a diesel STC for these sometime in the future, I might just come back to the 685.
Best of luck with the fire breather.
I almost bought a 685 as an upgrade - I wanted the range and the pressurisation and stay true to Commanders. But in the end it made very little sense for someone who flies mostly alone. I bought an Aerostar instead. But I will always love Commanders. And if someone develops a diesel STC for these sometime in the future, I might just come back to the 685.
Best of luck with the fire breather.
I concur with DHP. If you ever get the chance to do a ferry via Europe, go for it.
You missed the AK47 wielding "aircraft guard" at Luxor. Would not let us shut the door until he was paid in US$. I guess he has retired by now.
You missed the AK47 wielding "aircraft guard" at Luxor. Would not let us shut the door until he was paid in US$. I guess he has retired by now.
Thank you, great read.
Like your comment, "Survived 40 years in aviation", you must have a great sence of humor to do that.
I treasure my many hours in the 500S, doing Costal Surveillance (1980 / 81)
Like your comment, "Survived 40 years in aviation", you must have a great sence of humor to do that.
I treasure my many hours in the 500S, doing Costal Surveillance (1980 / 81)
