Best single for a long flight?
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 970
Likes: 54
From: uk
In my experience of long flights the Percival Prentice was quite good; rumbled along on cruise RPM/moderate boost, very stable, all the way LGW to Sharjah, quite a long time ago. Some downsides, like the occasional quietness when the engine stopped in cloud because it didn't like dampness or caught fire, bit slow, drank fuel, but in general not a bad aircraft on a cold day. There's one at Coventry.
Mind you, that's my only experience of a long flight in a light aircraft. A grown-up spamcan could be boring, I think. What about one of the "microlights"? Now that would be fun. 450Kg for you, fuel and the aircraft. Should be enough. Mogas, too, I think, on a Rotax?
Think outside the box!
Mind you, that's my only experience of a long flight in a light aircraft. A grown-up spamcan could be boring, I think. What about one of the "microlights"? Now that would be fun. 450Kg for you, fuel and the aircraft. Should be enough. Mogas, too, I think, on a Rotax?
Think outside the box!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 0
From: Amsterdam
If refueling en-route might be a problem, you can always just do the whole distance in one go, taking off with all the fuel on-board that you need.
However, the only single engine that I know of that's capable of flying those distances and beyond is now on permanent static display at the Smithsonian.
Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
However, the only single engine that I know of that's capable of flying those distances and beyond is now on permanent static display at the Smithsonian.
Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
172driver
A cross-Africa flight.
West side including across the Sahara.
A cross-Africa flight.
West side including across the Sahara.
!)Now, Africa, west side, you'll run into the Avgas issue. However, this is doable with some planning. If you can lay your hand on one, I'd suggest a C210 with the tip tanks (endurance AFAIK +/- 10 hours) and pre-positioned fuel. You'll be fine into mid/southern Morocco, then you'll need to organize the drums. Mate of mine did just that - PM me for his details. Avgas is avail again from Namibia on, possibly (need to check) Cameroon. Also, in a 210 you can land pretty much anywhere, and there are maintenance shops along the way that can fix things.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: 55 degrees north ish.
Quest Kodiak.
Questaircraft.com | Quest Aircraft Company
A friend just flew one back from the states to the Fatherland, and loves it.
Questaircraft.com | Quest Aircraft Company
A friend just flew one back from the states to the Fatherland, and loves it.
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
From: Maders UK
The Mooney Ovation 2 GX.
2400nm range - 160kts at 10gph.
Svc celing FL200
192kts max cruise if you're in a hurry.
Unbeatable range and economy, you would only have to stop twice on your 6000nm trip.
Just make sure you take a large pee container.
Nothing else comes close
SB
2400nm range - 160kts at 10gph.
Svc celing FL200
192kts max cruise if you're in a hurry.
Unbeatable range and economy, you would only have to stop twice on your 6000nm trip.
Just make sure you take a large pee container.
Nothing else comes close
SB
Joined: Oct 2005
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 665
Likes: 145
From: UK/Philippines/Italy
Personal choice for the trip described: Helio Stallion.
1000 mile range with standard tanks; very useful payload, 175knts cruise and the ability to land on a postage stamp.
If budget an issue get an old Courier
1000 mile range with standard tanks; very useful payload, 175knts cruise and the ability to land on a postage stamp.
If budget an issue get an old Courier
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
Would love to know how you squeeze 2400nm out of an Ovation
"QUOTE: The Mooney Ovation 2 GX.
2400nm range - 160kts at 10gph.
Svc celing FL200
192kts max cruise if you're in a hurry.
Unbeatable range and economy, you would only have to stop twice on your 6000nm trip.
Just make sure you take a large pee container.
Nothing else comes close
SB"
"QUOTE: The Mooney Ovation 2 GX.
2400nm range - 160kts at 10gph.
Svc celing FL200
192kts max cruise if you're in a hurry.
Unbeatable range and economy, you would only have to stop twice on your 6000nm trip.
Just make sure you take a large pee container.
Nothing else comes close
SB"
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
From: EuroGA.org
With a ferry tank you can have all the range you want, but you need a permission for every flight because the plane has a special mod and is probably loaded outside its CofA. Not very practical.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: East Anglia
Take a STEMME S10vt and you could glide most of the way.(50-1 ratio)
Just kidding, though it would be a unique way of doing it.
Just kidding, though it would be a unique way of doing it.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/com...icle663616.ece
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: london uk
According to the mooney web site, the ovation 2gx has optional tanks with a 128 usg capacity. They do quote 2400nm range. But at 10usg/hr that means 150 usg to dry tanks? 8usg/hr for 15 hrs + 45 mins reserve would be the numbers given the info on the site. Mooney - Specifications/Performance
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Germany
The Quest Kodiak
I flew 005 back from the states recently. The only one in Europe. We did several legs over 5 hours (at a typical cruise of 160kias) one of which was over 6 hours non stop and all of it on internal tanks. No ferry tanks required. Ok so we were up at 25,000 for most of it but its still not bad........