VFR over water?
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Regarding the concern about engines over open water, I read long ago that many engine problems arise when something is changed so I have always adjusted settings and made whatever checks I thought appropriate before coasting out and then tried to fly a steady course to my landfall. So far so good.
'Automatic rough' over water is, of course, nonsense but I have found that the air tends to be relatively smooth and non-turbulent on sea crossings so perhaps the engine note may be more apparent in the relative calm, giving rise to the idea but mostly I think it's nervousness from being out of one's comfort zone.
The channel short crossing to Cap Gris Nez, which I imagine would be your initiation to the business, is relatively short and is probably quite busy with sea traffic. There are longer sea crossings available within the UK much less frequented by shipping below and they can feel quite lonely.
'Automatic rough' over water is, of course, nonsense but I have found that the air tends to be relatively smooth and non-turbulent on sea crossings so perhaps the engine note may be more apparent in the relative calm, giving rise to the idea but mostly I think it's nervousness from being out of one's comfort zone.
The channel short crossing to Cap Gris Nez, which I imagine would be your initiation to the business, is relatively short and is probably quite busy with sea traffic. There are longer sea crossings available within the UK much less frequented by shipping below and they can feel quite lonely.
However, some long distance flyers routinely and deliberately empty tanks in order to use all the contents, and when they do so the silence must be deafening!
I'm currently flying back-forth about 5 times a month - it's all very easy. I try to go at around 6000ft which means that there is only an extremely short period during which I cannot glide to some sort of strip on one side or the other...
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Ditching & Sea Survival Seminar
GASCo is running a Ditching & Sea Survival Seminar at the RNLI College on Tuesday 21st March 2017 starting at 1000 hours and finishing by 1700 hours. There are some places left so if you would like to join us please get in touch asap to register. Full details and application form can be found at:
ditching & sea survival seminar
There are presentations about pre-flight preparation and considerations on how to handle a ditching emergency together with many practical tips; advice on surviving a ditching; sea survival and choice of survival aids. The theory sessions are followed by a practical session in the state-of-the-art facilities of the RNLIs integrated Sea Survival Centre, where real-life conditions and rescue operations will be simulated to give you essential practical experience in sea safety and survival techniques using typical GA lifesaving equipment and realistic water conditions. Participants are closely supervised throughout by the in-water team of highly competent RNLI trainers and lifesavers.
The seminar will reinforce the excellent points made by all the posters here especially The Old Fat Man whose advice is right on the money. All equipment is provided but you are encouraged to bring your own survival suits, lifejackets and dinghies if you wish to try them out in representative conditions.
GASCo is a charity and the seminar is not run for profit so I trust that I am not breaching PPRUNE advertising rules by promoting the seminar here.
ditching & sea survival seminar
There are presentations about pre-flight preparation and considerations on how to handle a ditching emergency together with many practical tips; advice on surviving a ditching; sea survival and choice of survival aids. The theory sessions are followed by a practical session in the state-of-the-art facilities of the RNLIs integrated Sea Survival Centre, where real-life conditions and rescue operations will be simulated to give you essential practical experience in sea safety and survival techniques using typical GA lifesaving equipment and realistic water conditions. Participants are closely supervised throughout by the in-water team of highly competent RNLI trainers and lifesavers.
The seminar will reinforce the excellent points made by all the posters here especially The Old Fat Man whose advice is right on the money. All equipment is provided but you are encouraged to bring your own survival suits, lifejackets and dinghies if you wish to try them out in representative conditions.
GASCo is a charity and the seminar is not run for profit so I trust that I am not breaching PPRUNE advertising rules by promoting the seminar here.
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Having been to a similar course in the Netherlands a few years ago, I can highly recommend this. Heck, if I lived any closer I would've gone to this one as a refresher - especially since they offer the opportunity to try out your own gear.
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That depends on your instructor. He or she may say that estimating height by eye is harder over water (ask a display pilot) and that much of the object of the exercise is navigation by map reading with reference to the ground and a map. It is almost a pity to waste the opportunity.
Last edited by Downwind Lander; 15th Mar 2017 at 17:29. Reason: Rectifying an imperfection.
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Join Date: Jul 2012
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Don't know what all the fuss is about.
Yes, you have to take precautions - for me that means life jacket, a raft and a personal PLB.
Always amuses me when I hear of pilots saying "I now have 200 hours and think I'm ready for Lydd to Le Touquet" you can see the French runway from 4,000ft over Lydd on a clear day!
95% of my flying is over the ocean (I'm a PPL and live in Barbados) we have no helicopters to come get us and yup, sharks!
My first post check ride cross country was New Jersey to Barbados - longest over water leg Antigua to Barbados about 350 miles - if the engine keeps running no problems so one needs to have a adequately maintained machine.
As it happens my airplane is up in Florida at the moment (FXE) and I'll be flying it back down in the next couple of weeks after a massive rebuild and refurb (new everything and I mean everything except the basic structure and engine block). I am a lot more worried now than I was when it looked ready for the scrap heap - will I fall foul of the bathtub curve I wonder?
Yes, you have to take precautions - for me that means life jacket, a raft and a personal PLB.
Always amuses me when I hear of pilots saying "I now have 200 hours and think I'm ready for Lydd to Le Touquet" you can see the French runway from 4,000ft over Lydd on a clear day!
95% of my flying is over the ocean (I'm a PPL and live in Barbados) we have no helicopters to come get us and yup, sharks!
My first post check ride cross country was New Jersey to Barbados - longest over water leg Antigua to Barbados about 350 miles - if the engine keeps running no problems so one needs to have a adequately maintained machine.
As it happens my airplane is up in Florida at the moment (FXE) and I'll be flying it back down in the next couple of weeks after a massive rebuild and refurb (new everything and I mean everything except the basic structure and engine block). I am a lot more worried now than I was when it looked ready for the scrap heap - will I fall foul of the bathtub curve I wonder?
One thing I would add to the list of gear is a snorkel. I have one attached to my jacket.
Anyone that spends time bobbing about in the Channel whilst scuba diving will know that in a bit of chop it can be hard to breath without taking on water. Divers use their regs or a snorkel when on the surface for that reason.
Anyone that spends time bobbing about in the Channel whilst scuba diving will know that in a bit of chop it can be hard to breath without taking on water. Divers use their regs or a snorkel when on the surface for that reason.
The English Channel: Having done some 10+ crossings in singles and twins, my advice would be to pick the shortest point, lifejacket on, try and keep an eye down below for shipping, if the prop stops, ditch as near as poss to a ship,smaller the better. When you do ditch, harness tight and be prepared for a sudden stop. Open the door before impact and don't forget it should float for a short while, so don't panic!
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First aid course last week: the instructor (ex RAF) pointed out how essential a spray hood is on a life jacket to avoid inhaling water. Snorkel would do as a mod on a jacket not equipped with a hood I guess.
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Yep.
The water off Florida is low 20's and the coast guard helicopter will come get you - but try that 150 miles SE of Antigua - no helicopter is coming even if they know where you are the cutter won't get to you in under a day so you are spending at least one night out there.
Even at 23C exposure is going to get you.
Channel has more ships etc. crossing and laterally you're going to get picked up.
I have been thinking of investing in a survival suit but the hot and sweaty during the flight (my plane is Ok in the air - but 40C+ during the taxi even with the door open and the air scoop) and it making it cumbersome to exit in the event of a water landing puts me off the idea; I do have a SpareAir though and being a diver know how to use it properly.
The water off Florida is low 20's and the coast guard helicopter will come get you - but try that 150 miles SE of Antigua - no helicopter is coming even if they know where you are the cutter won't get to you in under a day so you are spending at least one night out there.
Even at 23C exposure is going to get you.
Channel has more ships etc. crossing and laterally you're going to get picked up.
I have been thinking of investing in a survival suit but the hot and sweaty during the flight (my plane is Ok in the air - but 40C+ during the taxi even with the door open and the air scoop) and it making it cumbersome to exit in the event of a water landing puts me off the idea; I do have a SpareAir though and being a diver know how to use it properly.
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The English Channel: Having done some 10+ crossings in singles and twins, my advice would be to pick the shortest point, lifejacket on, try and keep an eye down below for shipping, if the prop stops, ditch as near as poss to a ship,smaller the better. When you do ditch, harness tight and be prepared for a sudden stop. Open the door before impact and don't forget it should float for a short while, so don't panic!
We were picked up after 25 mins in the water, all suffering from different degrees of hypothermia and poisoning from the fuel that surrounded us. Yeah, it'll float, but it may be upside down, and if it's a PA28 I doubt it.
Most light FW get their windscreens smashed by the impact on the water and that's what stops you getting the dinghy and the other kit on your freezing, bruised, shocked and terrified way out of the wreck. Your kids are in the back seat? I bet you forget them in the struggle, and stamp on the the wife sitting next to you as you go out of the one small, and awkward door.
I've done at least another 1000 off shore sectors since that. I've flown 19 solo, single engine Atlantic crossings, 200 multi-engine, multi-crew crossings. I respect over water more than most. Survival training is valuable, experience will show you the truth. But no engine knows it's over water. Go do it. If it goes wrong save me a seat on a Gypsy Moth shaped cloud.
There. Is a lot of theory on the web; grab the fact and knowledge while you can.
SND