Ferrying an aircraft Los Angeles to Oz
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: amongst the grapes
Age: 53
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ferrying an aircraft Los Angeles to Oz
Is there a website where you can find all the details of ferrying an aircraft (In this case a Kingair200) USA to Oz via the Pacific Islands?
Common routes, best places to stop, ordering charts, etc etc
cheers
Common routes, best places to stop, ordering charts, etc etc
cheers
From west coast USA to Hawaii you will need to tank it.
Thereafter, there are possible routes without ferry tanks, but having installed them, it is better to leave them in for the whole trip to keep more options open.
If you are serious and not just fishing, PM me and I will put you in contact with the best guy in the business, who can tank it, fly it and de tank it on arrival. He can also fit a temporary HF if the aircraft does not have one already.
He will treat the aeroplane like his personal baby. Really knows his King Airs. So far, he has never ditched one, or otherwise failed to deliver and his prices are very competitive. Of course he has all the charts and knows where to get the best handling and fuel for the money.
Whatever you do, do NOT VH register before you arrive, as the ferry permit then becomes more difficult, as you are no longer dealing with the FAA but with our beloved CASA.
Thereafter, there are possible routes without ferry tanks, but having installed them, it is better to leave them in for the whole trip to keep more options open.
If you are serious and not just fishing, PM me and I will put you in contact with the best guy in the business, who can tank it, fly it and de tank it on arrival. He can also fit a temporary HF if the aircraft does not have one already.
He will treat the aeroplane like his personal baby. Really knows his King Airs. So far, he has never ditched one, or otherwise failed to deliver and his prices are very competitive. Of course he has all the charts and knows where to get the best handling and fuel for the money.
Whatever you do, do NOT VH register before you arrive, as the ferry permit then becomes more difficult, as you are no longer dealing with the FAA but with our beloved CASA.
Sprucegoose
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hughes Point, where life is great! Was also resident on page 13, but now I'm lost in Cyberspace....
Age: 59
Posts: 3,485
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Pay someone to do it and go along for the ride. I can put you in touch with the guys Beech use if you are interested.
By the way East bound is much less hassle and probably cheaper in the long run without having to hire/plumb ferry tanks!
By the way East bound is much less hassle and probably cheaper in the long run without having to hire/plumb ferry tanks!
I wish you success if you decide to buy and ferry.
Having done two East bound I can tell you it is not worth the effort.
All is fine until you hit Egyptian Airspace until you arrive in Broome or Darwin.
The Middle East and Asia all have one thing in common. They all believe in corruption and you are fair game.
Expect a handling fee of $US1000 per landing, then pay thru the nose for fuel, then parking charges then landing charges etc etc. All have nothing on Bankstown Airport charging just multiply by 10.
Machevelli is correct, get a professional ferry company to do it, go along if you feel the need for long distance ferrying.
I have another Aero Commander 685 in the states and have decided if it comes out to Australia then it will go across the Pacific.
Having done two East bound I can tell you it is not worth the effort.
All is fine until you hit Egyptian Airspace until you arrive in Broome or Darwin.
The Middle East and Asia all have one thing in common. They all believe in corruption and you are fair game.
Expect a handling fee of $US1000 per landing, then pay thru the nose for fuel, then parking charges then landing charges etc etc. All have nothing on Bankstown Airport charging just multiply by 10.
Machevelli is correct, get a professional ferry company to do it, go along if you feel the need for long distance ferrying.
I have another Aero Commander 685 in the states and have decided if it comes out to Australia then it will go across the Pacific.
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Far, far away
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Mach E Avelli
Whatever you do, do NOT VH register before you arrive, as the ferry permit then becomes more difficult, as you are no longer dealing with the FAA but with our beloved CASA.
Instead it sat around waiting for work, but that's another story.
Originally Posted by dhavillandpilot
Having done two East bound I can tell you it is not worth the effort.
All is fine until you hit Egyptian Airspace until you arrive in Broome or Darwin.
The Middle East and Asia all have one thing in common. They all believe in corruption and you are fair game.
Expect a handling fee of $US1000 per landing, then pay thru the nose for fuel, then parking charges then landing charges etc etc. All have nothing on Bankstown Airport charging just multiply by 10.
Fueled in India from portable drums, with a watering can and funnel. It took a while.
And the higher than expected charges occurred all the way into south east Asia.
Arrival in Australia was no drama at all.
Overall, the cost of the ferry, higher than expected en-route costs, cost of CofA issue and general hassle factor meant the total project price was roughly similar to buying one already in Australia. And this was when the Australian dollar was much stronger. I wouldn't bother today.
Having said all that, have also brought a light twin in from the US, via Hawaii and Pacific islands, when the Australian dollar was weaker than it is now. This ferry worked out fine and we still have the aircraft.
I did Merced (California) to Hilo, Majuro PKMJ, Coolangatta in a Conquest in July. Legs were 8 hours/8.5/9.0
Everything was organised by Jacko at DBF Aviation and the export side through Tom Lopes at Gareway Air Center.
We struck July 4th delays before departure.
If you need it working on arrival in Aus, try to get all the Aussie certifcation crap done in the US because most of it is done by the FAA to issue the export CofA. Ferry on the N-Reg.
I would echo DeHav's comment, get a pro to do it and go along for the ride.
Everything was organised by Jacko at DBF Aviation and the export side through Tom Lopes at Gareway Air Center.
We struck July 4th delays before departure.
If you need it working on arrival in Aus, try to get all the Aussie certifcation crap done in the US because most of it is done by the FAA to issue the export CofA. Ferry on the N-Reg.
I would echo DeHav's comment, get a pro to do it and go along for the ride.
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Australia
Age: 66
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If it is your first ferry then I would also endorse DeHav's comment, get a pro to organise and go along with you.
Depending on winds and time of year suggest Santa Barbara or Hollister - Hilo - Christmas Island (but check for fuel first) - Pago Pago (Apia also works but fuel can be more expensive) - Nadi - AUS if your destination is not SYD or BNE clearing customs at Lord Howe is real easy.
You can also go Hilo - Majuro or Hilo - Tarawa (check for fuel first). The southern route gives you shorter legs and more divert options.
As for VH vs N rego, I have never had a problem VH, just make sure you have all the paperwork in order. And besides getting as much work done as possible in the US will be cheaper than Australia.
Depending on winds and time of year suggest Santa Barbara or Hollister - Hilo - Christmas Island (but check for fuel first) - Pago Pago (Apia also works but fuel can be more expensive) - Nadi - AUS if your destination is not SYD or BNE clearing customs at Lord Howe is real easy.
You can also go Hilo - Majuro or Hilo - Tarawa (check for fuel first). The southern route gives you shorter legs and more divert options.
As for VH vs N rego, I have never had a problem VH, just make sure you have all the paperwork in order. And besides getting as much work done as possible in the US will be cheaper than Australia.
Having done both N and VH ferry doesn't really matter which you chose. Both have their pluses and minuses.
However I endorse the idea of getting as much work done in the USA, except radios. Avionics in the USA is a nightmare and you will get SCREWED.
But anything else do it in the USA. As an example I got my 5 year undercarriage overhaul done their for $US9,000. The quote from Hawkers in Aust $20,000.
A big thing with all aircraft is to arrive in Australia will ALL inspections and ADs done. Then to have a workshop lined up for a fixed C of A cost.
However I endorse the idea of getting as much work done in the USA, except radios. Avionics in the USA is a nightmare and you will get SCREWED.
But anything else do it in the USA. As an example I got my 5 year undercarriage overhaul done their for $US9,000. The quote from Hawkers in Aust $20,000.
A big thing with all aircraft is to arrive in Australia will ALL inspections and ADs done. Then to have a workshop lined up for a fixed C of A cost.
Sprucegoose
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hughes Point, where life is great! Was also resident on page 13, but now I'm lost in Cyberspace....
Age: 59
Posts: 3,485
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Having done two East bound I can tell you it is not worth the effort.
All is fine until you hit Egyptian Airspace until you arrive in Broome or Darwin.
The Middle East and Asia all have one thing in common. They all believe in corruption and you are fair game.
Expect a handling fee of $US1000 per landing, then pay thru the nose for fuel, then parking charges then landing charges etc etc. All have nothing on Bankstown Airport charging just multiply by 10.
All is fine until you hit Egyptian Airspace until you arrive in Broome or Darwin.
The Middle East and Asia all have one thing in common. They all believe in corruption and you are fair game.
Expect a handling fee of $US1000 per landing, then pay thru the nose for fuel, then parking charges then landing charges etc etc. All have nothing on Bankstown Airport charging just multiply by 10.