US to Europe via Greenland in helicopter?
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US to Europe via Greenland in helicopter?
A guy who considers to buy a helo in US, asked to gain some information about possibility to ferry a piston helo (R44) - not from (big grin) cash issues, just to have an adventure (he is not crazy, just likes good adventures, and he realizes that polar isn't easy trip). Anybody here had such experience recently? I wonder what is the most reliable route with shortest legs over open waters and is it possible not to fly over IceCap but moving along south coast.
Any inputs are greatly etc. etc, IOW - thanks in advance
Alex
Any inputs are greatly etc. etc, IOW - thanks in advance
Alex
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Re: US to Europe via Greenland in helicopter?
You need to talk with a chap called Quentin Smith at Heli Air Denham +44 1895 835899. He has flown this route at least 3 times. You're probably going to need an STC'd bag tank on the back seats.
And a porta-potty.
And a porta-potty.
Re: US to Europe via Greenland in helicopter?
Some folks just ferried a Bell 222/230 to Ireland as well....there was a thread about it some time ago. From West to East ought to work...but East to West would be a hard...hard...trip.
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Re: US to Europe via Greenland in helicopter?
Very interesting, thanks. Looks like forum search doesn't work
Could you at least point me to what was the tread title?
headsethair : thanks for the info about Quentin, will try to contact him. I've read about that lady flying round the world but didn't mention it was Quentin assisting her. Actually I believe somebody here in Moscow knows him - I've heard the name.
Could you at least point me to what was the tread title?
headsethair : thanks for the info about Quentin, will try to contact him. I've read about that lady flying round the world but didn't mention it was Quentin assisting her. Actually I believe somebody here in Moscow knows him - I've heard the name.
Last edited by twistair; 3rd Jan 2006 at 21:05.
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Re: US to Europe via Greenland in helicopter?
Quentin taught Jennifer Murray to fly, flew alongside her for the first RTW and piloted the support R44 for the 2nd RTW. He also flew the R44 that landed successfully at the North Pole a couple of years ago. He also finally made it to the South Pole a year ago after ditching on the first attempt - his experience will be invaluable to you.
Last edited by headsethair; 3rd Jan 2006 at 22:16.
Re: US to Europe via Greenland in helicopter?
I have done atlantic crossings several times from Greenland to Europe and back. Though in twin IFR capable helicopters.
This is not a very suitable time to do the crossing in VFR helicopter. The day´s are very short and weather is very unreliable and unstable. I would recommned waiting until june.
However you can cross from New Foundland via Cape York, it´s short trip about 200Nm to Sisimiut Greenland if I remember right, then you can follow the coast via Nuuk (BGGH) to Narsassuaq (BGBW) and then the hard part begins.. the trip to Kulusuk BGKK is about 330Nm (from memory??) over absolutely uninhabited country where no one lives except polar bears. Before departure check and make sure that Avgas 100LL is available in BGKK, else it has to be flown in with F-50 from Iceland! VERY expensive! They may or may not have Avgas, do not trust AIP saying they have fuel you have to call the airport manager Benny Mouzinsky for verification.
Then from BGKK to Reykjavik BIRK you have about 360Nm trip over ice waters. The ocean closer to Iceland is usually ice free due to warm water currents, but where the Ice meets the ocean you´ll usually have a layer of fog which may extend up to 1000 or 2000´ or 10 to 20.000 feet, difficult to say, the met office can only give you a a wild guess, they don´t get much weather information for that area unless the fishing trawlers are in the area.
From Reykjavik you fly across Iceland to BIHN Hornafjordur to refuel, you will have no problem getting fuel in Iceland. From BIHN it´s off to Vagar EKVG Faroye Islands about 256 Nm then to Shetland Islands and then to Stavanger if you´re headed east for Russia.
My recommendation. DON´T DO IT! At least buy a better helicopter or wait until summer.
This is not a very suitable time to do the crossing in VFR helicopter. The day´s are very short and weather is very unreliable and unstable. I would recommned waiting until june.
However you can cross from New Foundland via Cape York, it´s short trip about 200Nm to Sisimiut Greenland if I remember right, then you can follow the coast via Nuuk (BGGH) to Narsassuaq (BGBW) and then the hard part begins.. the trip to Kulusuk BGKK is about 330Nm (from memory??) over absolutely uninhabited country where no one lives except polar bears. Before departure check and make sure that Avgas 100LL is available in BGKK, else it has to be flown in with F-50 from Iceland! VERY expensive! They may or may not have Avgas, do not trust AIP saying they have fuel you have to call the airport manager Benny Mouzinsky for verification.
Then from BGKK to Reykjavik BIRK you have about 360Nm trip over ice waters. The ocean closer to Iceland is usually ice free due to warm water currents, but where the Ice meets the ocean you´ll usually have a layer of fog which may extend up to 1000 or 2000´ or 10 to 20.000 feet, difficult to say, the met office can only give you a a wild guess, they don´t get much weather information for that area unless the fishing trawlers are in the area.
From Reykjavik you fly across Iceland to BIHN Hornafjordur to refuel, you will have no problem getting fuel in Iceland. From BIHN it´s off to Vagar EKVG Faroye Islands about 256 Nm then to Shetland Islands and then to Stavanger if you´re headed east for Russia.
My recommendation. DON´T DO IT! At least buy a better helicopter or wait until summer.
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Re: US to Europe via Greenland in helicopter?
Twist,
Pop me e-mail address and I will help you out as much as possible.
Ferried a 332 from Stavanger (NO) to St. John's (CAN) this past summer, we have a whole package here that may help. Designed for a heavy twin legs mind you but still info that will be relevant for any trip.
I would look twice, no actually would not go over the top at all unless you had something fully IFR Twin engine and maybe de-iced............
good luck
AESIR......it spelled NEWFOUNDLAND by'........LOL
Pop me e-mail address and I will help you out as much as possible.
Ferried a 332 from Stavanger (NO) to St. John's (CAN) this past summer, we have a whole package here that may help. Designed for a heavy twin legs mind you but still info that will be relevant for any trip.
I would look twice, no actually would not go over the top at all unless you had something fully IFR Twin engine and maybe de-iced............
good luck
AESIR......it spelled NEWFOUNDLAND by'........LOL
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Re: US to Europe via Greenland in helicopter?
Thanks, guys, things are getting more clear.
Aesir: We never thought of doing this in winter and we do plan to make this ferry in June which looks to be the best time in terms of weather stats.
I couldn't find Cape York airfield yet. Did you mean CYVN Cape Dyer?
Mikila1A: my e-mail is [email protected] , thanks in advance for your help.
Alex
Aesir: We never thought of doing this in winter and we do plan to make this ferry in June which looks to be the best time in terms of weather stats.
I couldn't find Cape York airfield yet. Did you mean CYVN Cape Dyer?
Mikila1A: my e-mail is [email protected] , thanks in advance for your help.
Alex
Re: US to Europe via Greenland in helicopter?
Re The B222 to Ireland, this was completed in Feb 05, we plan to do the same trip in Feb of this year with another B222 and an S76.
Re: US to Europe via Greenland in helicopter?
Did you mean CYVN Cape Dyer?
I´m not sure about the fuel situation at Cape Dyer, it used to be that you could get JET-A if prearranged there but I have no idea about Avgas?Ok it´s a god idea for you to wait until summer, it´s a interesting trip.
PM me if you need any contacts!
Check this page for Greenland airports: http://www.glv.gl/
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Re: US to Europe via Greenland in helicopter?
Done it a few times in Longrangers and Squirrels. Take no pax but fuel instead!!! Jet A1 (or JP4) easy to find - not so sure about Avgas. Call Greenlandair in Nuuk for info. They are the guys who will have to come out to rescue you if you get the maths wrong.
I routed via Toronto, a couple of places NE of there, Kujuak, Iqaluit, Pangnertung, then across to Greenland. Down the coast to Narssasuaq via Nuuk and thence Kulusuk. Kulusuk-Rekjavik is 410nm (are you sure you want to do this?
) then Hofn-Vagar etc.
Buy a good immersion suit and a one man dinghy.
Flight following is easy on VHF because you've got 10 airliners above you at any time! Good luck.
I routed via Toronto, a couple of places NE of there, Kujuak, Iqaluit, Pangnertung, then across to Greenland. Down the coast to Narssasuaq via Nuuk and thence Kulusuk. Kulusuk-Rekjavik is 410nm (are you sure you want to do this?
) then Hofn-Vagar etc.Buy a good immersion suit and a one man dinghy.
Flight following is easy on VHF because you've got 10 airliners above you at any time! Good luck.
