ULM North Atlantic Crossing

[cuens]

I have being flying big jets until retirement. Now I would like to do the crossing from Europe to Canada with an ULM.
Any one with this kind of experience or with info. can be of much help. Thanks.

[BackPacker]

There was a documentary on, I think, Discovery Channel a year or so ago about a guy attempting just this. From what I remember from this, Transport Canada did not give him a permit to do so for a variety of (very good) reasons. He then attempted to do this illegally but (strangely enough) he never flight tested his ULM with the alternative (huge) fuel tank filled with fuel, so when, on his first attempt at 5am, with a full fuel tank, he could not get his contraption off the ground, he abandoned the whole attempt. The documentary went straight into the payoff after that, so I don't think he ever succeeded.

If you're serious about this, I suggest you contact Transport Canada for a list of their requirements. After all, they are the ones that are supposed to come and rescue you if things go wrong.

[Whiskey Kilo Wanderer]

Microlights across the Atlantic

The Dutch Restaurateur Eppo Numan flew a flex wing microlight across of the Atlantic in stages between 1989 and 1990, much against the wishes of the authorities. A search via Google or similar will reveal the whole story.

A French couple flew a Rans S6 from France to Oshkosh a few years ago. I’d be interested to hear the story of that adventure, if anyone has a link or other info.

Safe Flying,
Richard W.

[cuens]

Thank you Back Packer for your info.
Yes I´m very serious about this project. The aircraft is going to t be built with my specs. and will have all safety features requiried for this kind of operation. During my young years I use to earn my bread doing bush flying up north of Canada. I still remember some of the do´s and dont´s of the operation but the Atlantic crossing appeals to me as a major project. This is the reason why I try to learn from others
mistakes.

[cuens]

Thank you Back Packer for your info.
Yes I´m very serious about this project.
The A/C is going to be built to my specs. with all the safty equipment that is required for this operation.
During my young years I use to earn my bred flying the north of Canada and still remember some of the do´s and dont´s, but this seems to me a major project and try to learn from some others mistakes.

[xrayalpha]

Hi,

Many people have flown ULMs across the Atlantic - well, at least a dozen!

There are a few that have flown a weightshift ULM. A French chap from Africa to South America and Eppo Neumann from Europe via Iceland.

Next that I know of was Brian Milton on the last leg of his round the world flight (he wrote a book about the trip) and then Colin Bodell (first to fly solo around the world in a microlight.

As for three-axis types, there has been a Spaniard who just got the Royal Aero Club gold medal (I think) and a few others. I am a flexwing pilot!

Write to the British Microlight Aircraft Association and they will be able to give you copies of the articles that have appeared in their magazines, I am sure.

Brian Milton, mentioned above, was the chap who later tried it to "emulate Alcokc and Brown" and managed to get the backs up of Transport Canada. He also wrote a book about that.

The main problem is the cost of a "rescue plane" to accompany you between Greenland and Iceland, if I recall correctly.

Very best wishes,

Colin

[BackPacker]

There's also quite a few microlights, trikes and such on Earthrounders (http://www.earthrounders.com) who successfully went 'round. You might try and contact them.

[cuens]

Thanks Richard (Wiskey Kilo Wanderer) for your info.
I will search for Eppo Numan, for sure he will have a lot to say.
More difficault is going to be to trace the french couple that did it many years ago. I know two germans crossed sucsessfuly the North Atlantic in a CT June 2005. I´m still trying to get hold of them.

[cuens]

Thanks Colin (xrayalfa)
Good suggestions to contact the British Micro. A/C Ass., also the reading of Brian Milton´s book will bring ideas.
About the spaniard you have mentioned, I´m quite sure to know him, we worked together about fifteen years ago. He went from Madrid to Oskosh flying east and the plane was brought back to Madrid in a container.
What puts me down is what you said about the rescue plane, if that applies to three axis plane, the project will be grounded.
Carlos

[cuens]

Thanks very much Back Packer.
Grate web site.
Carlos

[fly-4-ever]

ATLANTIC CROSSING 2015

Hi folks!

I am about to make a trans-atlantic trip with a group of aircrafts & microlights.
Departure is planned for June.
Have a spare seat, anybody interested in sharing expenses with me?

[Mark 1]

I'm curious how you get round Iceland's requirements with a microlight:

Single engine landplanes shall not be flown farther
away from land than a distance it will be able to
reach land gliding. The Icelandic Transport
Authority can issue a special permit for ferry flights
over the ocean and for international flights, and for
general aviation during the period from April to
September provided that:
• The Commander has at least 500 hrs. flight
experience and a valid instrument rating.
• The airplane is registered for IFR flight and
carries a liferaft of an approved type able to
carry all persons on board. The liferaft shall
be equipped with an ELT

That would seem to preclude any microlight as none are registered for IFR flight.

I know Brian Milton and others have done it, but they seem to work on the principle of seeking forgiveness rather than asking permission.

[magpienja]

All of Brian Miltons Videos are free to watch on his web site....inc the Atlantic attempt,

If you have a few hour free...well worth watching....I think its fantastic that there are still guys about will to push the envelop like Brian.

Brian Milton Journalist and Adventurer | Online Videos

[Sam Rutherford]

Hi Mark,


We get permission in advance, it needs effort and time but it is possible.


Safe flights, Sam.

[werewolf]

2010 North Atlantic in Italian microlight helicopter in 9 days :
Matthieu à Oshkosh

[9 lives]

The fact that a small aircraft is capable of flying long remote routes, does not mean it necessarily should. Meeting the minimums of aircraft equipment and survival equipment has got many pilots across - with luck. Other pilots did not have enough of either....

There is no margin for error, or things going wrong on this route. My opinion on this is based on my experience.

Is it really worth the high risk?

You could reach three coasts, and see this - it's beautiful, but it could be impossible to pass over....

[Sam Rutherford]

Hi Step Turn,


I disagree completely that you must be lucky.


I would agree that you are better off not being unlucky (as always).


Good preparations, and waiting for the right weather, put all the pieces in place for a beautiful and fun trip.


Safe flights, Sam.

[9 lives]

I slipped my meaning a little; with only the minimums of aircraft, and safety equipment, the need for luck goes way up. I have crossed four times, and always felt just fine, well equipped in aircraft capable of carrying what was needed.

Two friends took a 182 amphibian across last August. It was major planning to carry the required safety equipment and fuel within the permitted 130% overgross for the aircraft. They did it fine, but I struggle to imagine carrying all of what was needed in an aircraft with much less useful load. I worry that pilots of lesser capacity light aircraft might short themselves safety equipment, and hope for luck instead....

[Sam Rutherford]

Hi Step Turn,


I'd 'massage' your words a little more:


...with only the minimums of aircraft, and safety equipment, the result of bad luck can be (much) more serious.


Careful route planning can make life much easier (keeping all legs as short as absolutely possible for example). But yes, every take-off is a heavy one (lucky they're all at sea level and none are very hot at any time of year!).


Safe flights, Sam.

[Romeo Tango]

Is it really worth the high risk?

Yes definitely. The risks are not that bad as long as you take your time and wait for the weather.

I have been across 5 and a half times in my Robin. Some of the experiences/sights I have had/seen between Stornoway and Baffin Island have been lifetime bests, well worth a slight chance of death.

Bill