Ferrying a single across the Atlantic
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Ferrying a single across the Atlantic
Does anybody have any recommendations (or dire adverse warnings) about Ferry Pilots or specialist companies willing and able to fit ferry tank and fly a Cessna 172 to the UK.
Life's too short for ironing
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Was doing a search for a company I spoke with last year, and came across this website - http://www.ufly.com/acf/ferrying.html Some useful info there.
I think the last comment the writer makes is very important - "If you ever run into a ferry job where the owner seems to care more about his machines than about your life, there is only one solution. Run -- fast! "
I think the last comment the writer makes is very important - "If you ever run into a ferry job where the owner seems to care more about his machines than about your life, there is only one solution. Run -- fast! "
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Hi Turniphead
I used to position singles in the United States for trans Atlantic ferry, and and went across in a few twins with that pilot. Thus I have a little experience over the ocean. With this little experience, and a lot of experience flying 172's, my advice tends toward the dire side. Hire a container, put it on a ship.
It can be done, but just. The 172 does not have the capacity to allow comfortable range and choice in alternates. Suitable landing areas across the Atlantic are too few and far between for lonely 172's. It also takes a lot of emergency equipment and knowledge to satisfy Transport Canada (who regulate these flights). Look here: (602.39) http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Re...602.htm#602_39
You will find pilots willing to undertake this flight, but that is not an assurance that it is an ideal way to get the plane across the pond.
There is guidance material available for ferry tank installations if the pilot is insistant on this kind of flight.
Think it over carefully,
Cheers, Pilot DAR
I used to position singles in the United States for trans Atlantic ferry, and and went across in a few twins with that pilot. Thus I have a little experience over the ocean. With this little experience, and a lot of experience flying 172's, my advice tends toward the dire side. Hire a container, put it on a ship.
It can be done, but just. The 172 does not have the capacity to allow comfortable range and choice in alternates. Suitable landing areas across the Atlantic are too few and far between for lonely 172's. It also takes a lot of emergency equipment and knowledge to satisfy Transport Canada (who regulate these flights). Look here: (602.39) http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Re...602.htm#602_39
You will find pilots willing to undertake this flight, but that is not an assurance that it is an ideal way to get the plane across the pond.
There is guidance material available for ferry tank installations if the pilot is insistant on this kind of flight.
Think it over carefully,
Cheers, Pilot DAR
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Wings of Eagles International Aircraft Delivery.
One of their pilots, Stuart Mills, is very experienced. See some of his work here.
One of their pilots, Stuart Mills, is very experienced. See some of his work here.
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Fritz Schoder / FERRY FLIGHTS INTERNATIONAL FL-USA +(561)242-0574 + (401)777-1477
http://www.ferryflights.org
Fritz flew our aircraft over last year via Denmark. did the last leg with him to UK. Very experienced ferry pilot.
http://www.ferryflights.org
Fritz flew our aircraft over last year via Denmark. did the last leg with him to UK. Very experienced ferry pilot.
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Twizzle
That is very good info. I think Fritz will be the man and i might join him in Goose Bay or Reykjavik.
Presume you did the Danish VAT EU Import route.???
I think more SEP a/c get here by ferry rather than by container.
I go with the view that Engine Failure is an unavoidabe risk but acceptable with survival aids.
All other disasters are usually avoidable such as fuel and icing and nav failures with good planning and refusal to be rushed. Sit it out till favourable winds and weather prevail!
TH
That is very good info. I think Fritz will be the man and i might join him in Goose Bay or Reykjavik.
Presume you did the Danish VAT EU Import route.???
I think more SEP a/c get here by ferry rather than by container.
I go with the view that Engine Failure is an unavoidabe risk but acceptable with survival aids.
All other disasters are usually avoidable such as fuel and icing and nav failures with good planning and refusal to be rushed. Sit it out till favourable winds and weather prevail!
TH
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Obviously there are risks but, if you're prepared to accept those, it's an experience of a lifetime.
Joining him in Reykjavik would mean missing out on the best part of the flight.
Join him at Goose and route via Greenland.
I guarantee the memories of flying low level over the ice-cap and close-up views of stunningly beautiful icebergs floating around the coast will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Go for it!
It's a rare opportunity and you'll regret it if you don't.
FL
(Edit)
I'd recommend joining him before Goose so that you see more of Canada from the air.
If free time is a factor, you could always fly home schedule from Reykjavik. There's nothing but water between Iceland and Scotland, and you'll have seen lots of that.
i might join him in Goose Bay or Reykjavik
Join him at Goose and route via Greenland.
I guarantee the memories of flying low level over the ice-cap and close-up views of stunningly beautiful icebergs floating around the coast will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Go for it!
It's a rare opportunity and you'll regret it if you don't.
FL
(Edit)
I'd recommend joining him before Goose so that you see more of Canada from the air.
If free time is a factor, you could always fly home schedule from Reykjavik. There's nothing but water between Iceland and Scotland, and you'll have seen lots of that.
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 9th Jan 2007 at 18:54.
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Forgot to say ...
Re Reykjavik
Icelandic food is an acquired taste (I assume
), but I can recommend a restaurant called Jonathan Livingstone Seagull. Good food and good atmosphere.
I went there years ago, but I'm told it's still there
Re Reykjavik
Icelandic food is an acquired taste (I assume
), but I can recommend a restaurant called Jonathan Livingstone Seagull. Good food and good atmosphere. I went there years ago, but I'm told it's still there
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I agree aeroplanes should be flown, not taken apart and put in boxes.
Plus it will be the experience of a lifetime.
Go for it
As a regular North Atlantic Pilot I have seen some amazing views like the ones below that I have taken on past trips.
The top two pictures are Iceland & the Approcah to Reykjavik. The next two are at Kulusuk in Eastern Greenland. Third row is over the Ice Cap in Greenland. The last is the capital of Greenland Nuuk where you can just see the runway above and to the right of the town.
CB-76
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Totally agree with the others - a real trip of the life time. Acted as engineer/co-pilot taking a Navajo from UK to Barbados via Wick, Reykjavik (all the ugly people seem to have been exported out of Iceland!), Narsasuaq (Greenland), Goose Bay (Canada), Bangor (Maine), Richmond (Virginia), Freeport (Grand Bahamas), Turks & Caicos Is, Antigua, Barbados followed by a week of R&R in the owners hotel...
We flew across in May (41 hrs over 8 days) and had excellent weather once leaving a gloomy Scotland and Iceland.
Very brave people in the singles crossing the water but what a great trip!
We flew across in May (41 hrs over 8 days) and had excellent weather once leaving a gloomy Scotland and Iceland.
Very brave people in the singles crossing the water but what a great trip!
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What wonderful photos.
I am much stimulated by the prospects and will go for it as soon as negotiations over purchase, sorting out a N reg trustees company, working out the Danish VAT system and waiting for better weather.Should therefore be about March time which ought to be OK.
All viewpoiints much appreciated and many thanks to all.
T.Head
I am much stimulated by the prospects and will go for it as soon as negotiations over purchase, sorting out a N reg trustees company, working out the Danish VAT system and waiting for better weather.Should therefore be about March time which ought to be OK.
All viewpoiints much appreciated and many thanks to all.
T.Head
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Landfall Greenland, direct Kevflivik-Narsarasuq.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...worth/pic3.jpg
Arrival Narsarasuq.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...yflight118.jpg
Great trip in good weather............
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...worth/pic3.jpg
Arrival Narsarasuq.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...yflight118.jpg
Great trip in good weather............
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smarthawke
Our engine only stopped once (embarrassingly, our fault) and didn't start again immediately (again, our fault). Too busy to be scared at the time, but we did heave a sigh of relief when it fired up again - and then had time to think about what might have been. 
I share your admiration for the ferry pilots who regularly cross in singles. We were chatting to a pilot shortly after we arrived at Goose - still thrilled (and a little pleased with ourselves) at having "done it!" He was en route home to the UK in a C172.
Is this your first time? (Trying to sound casual)
No, I've done it a few times.
Really. How many?
Oh, let me think. 1, 2, 3, 4 ............... 8 times ....
(That was enough to bring us floating gently down to earth, but he brought us down completely when he continued)
"..... this year".
He'd been ferrying for 15 years - put our effort into perspective.
turniphead
While you're thinking and planning, I recommend trying to get hold of a book called 'Ocean Flying' by Louise Scacci, an exceptionally experienced ferry pilot. It's out of print but you'll probably find one on the internet. It's pre-GPS (as was out flight) but still worth reading IMHO. She crossed the Atlantic so many times they named a road in Gander after her.
cjboy
I can only assume traditional Icelandic food is an acquired taste - I'm told you have to be born there to acquire it.
The fish was good at the JLS.
Chuck
You've probably done it more times than you can remember, but I vividly remember flying up the fjord to Narsarsuaq for the first (and for me only)time. It was reassuring when we could (just) make out the famous sunken freighter - confirming we'd chosen the right fjord. Then, flying around a corner and seeing the airfield - with a large iceberg on approach. Wonderful!
Great pics by Cowboy & Chuck.
Mine are pre-digital. I'll have to dig them out and have digital versions made one day.
(Edit)
In the meantime, here's a picture of the aircraft.
This thread makes me want to do it again.
FL
Very brave people in the singles crossing the water but what a great trip!
I share your admiration for the ferry pilots who regularly cross in singles. We were chatting to a pilot shortly after we arrived at Goose - still thrilled (and a little pleased with ourselves) at having "done it!" He was en route home to the UK in a C172.
Is this your first time? (Trying to sound casual)
No, I've done it a few times.
Really. How many?
Oh, let me think. 1, 2, 3, 4 ............... 8 times ....
(That was enough to bring us floating gently down to earth, but he brought us down completely when he continued)
"..... this year".
He'd been ferrying for 15 years - put our effort into perspective.
turniphead
While you're thinking and planning, I recommend trying to get hold of a book called 'Ocean Flying' by Louise Scacci, an exceptionally experienced ferry pilot. It's out of print but you'll probably find one on the internet. It's pre-GPS (as was out flight) but still worth reading IMHO. She crossed the Atlantic so many times they named a road in Gander after her.
cjboy
I can only assume traditional Icelandic food is an acquired taste - I'm told you have to be born there to acquire it.
The fish was good at the JLS.
Chuck
You've probably done it more times than you can remember, but I vividly remember flying up the fjord to Narsarsuaq for the first (and for me only)time. It was reassuring when we could (just) make out the famous sunken freighter - confirming we'd chosen the right fjord. Then, flying around a corner and seeing the airfield - with a large iceberg on approach. Wonderful!
Great pics by Cowboy & Chuck.
Mine are pre-digital. I'll have to dig them out and have digital versions made one day.
(Edit)
In the meantime, here's a picture of the aircraft.
This thread makes me want to do it again.
FL
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 13th Jan 2007 at 13:02.
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