Ferrying a Plane

c172captain

c172captain

Well-Known Member
So, unless something beyond my control stops me... I'm ferrying a plane from Van Nuys, CA to Miami, FL :)

Since this will be my first ferry, I'm looking to those more experienced pilots for some advice.

Pretty much is there anything that I should bring/do/not do/be careful of while on my little trip? Estimates should be about 2-3 day trip.

Thanks
 
I've never done it before, so I don't have any real advice other than be extra careful since it's not your plane :laff: ....eh well That sounds like a lot of fun though, enjoy it, let us know how it goes.
 
Bring a small set of tools, extra batteries, and some duct tape.

Other than that just have a good time of it. A flight like that is the trip of a lifetime.
 
I've done Kentucky to CA in a day. You could probably do CA to FL in two but you'd have to fly sunrise till sunset. Bring an ipod. Everyone should do a coast to coast at least once in their flying career just to say they've done it.
 
c172captain said:
So, unless something beyond my control stops me... I'm ferrying a plane from Van Nuys, CA to Miami, FL :)

Since this will be my first ferry, I'm looking to those more experienced pilots for some advice.

Pretty much is there anything that I should bring/do/not do/be careful of while on my little trip? Estimates should be about 2-3 day trip.

Thanks
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Now THAT'S a x-country! Don't forget your camera.:rawk:
 
c172captain said:
BE-19
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Nuts (sunflower seeds are fun and can take a time to go through them, peanuts, cashews, etc.), gum, water and a big lipped gatorade bottle (or two).

If I haven't flown a plane before, my personal preference is to pick a short leg first. Maybe two hours. Give yourself an hour of cruise, time for taxi, etc. Land and fill 'er back up. Then you'll know what the fuel burn REALLY is.

Other than that, avoid the weather, go around the big rocks and have fun!

-mini
 
Yeah this is my first time flying the aircraft. I'll try to go on a short familiarization flight, like maybe once in the pattern, before I go, but don't expect it to happen. I'll probably stay out of most all the weather, I'm not going to be flying through any T-storms for anyone. The occasional overcast layer if the guy isn't too cheap to buy approach plates for the entire souther portion of the U.S. :panic:
 
Well I ferry bigger planes as part of my job, but I did fly my Cheetah to a buyer from WA to FL a few years ago. Try to maintain VFR as much as possible, especially inlight of that you don't know the condition of the plane, don't press it, make sure that you write in your contract "ferry flight under VMC conditions" which should give you leeway if there is a delay.
 
Pack a good survival kit. I almost needed one on my first cross country trip and didn't have one. It could make the difference between life and death if something were to happen. Try not to stop at any airports with no maintainence facilities. Almost all of the ferry trips I have done involved getting work done on the airplane somewhere along the way. If you can, pick some cool places to stop. Maybe Aspen if you go through the middle part of CO or Sedona, AZ if you go the southern route. It will probally be the coolest trip of your career, make sure you enjoy it!

Alex.
 
mjg407 said:
Well I ferry bigger planes as part of my job, but I did fly my Cheetah to a buyer from WA to FL a few years ago. Try to maintain VFR as much as possible, especially inlight of that you don't know the condition of the plane, don't press it, make sure that you write in your contract "ferry flight under VMC conditions" which should give you leeway if there is a delay.
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Contract? I dont think we're going to have one. Am I making a pretty big mistake without one? I just figured it'd be a quick and easy 2-3 day trip no problems. But, in retrospect, when aren't problems present :rolleyes:
 
Citationkid said:
Pack a good survival kit. I almost needed one on my first cross country trip and didn't have one. It could make the difference between life and death if something were to happen. Try not to stop at any airports with no maintainence facilities. Almost all of the ferry trips I have done involved getting work done on the airplane somewhere along the way. If you can, pick some cool places to stop. Maybe Aspen if you go through the middle part of CO or Sedona, AZ if you go the southern route. It will probally be the coolest trip of your career, make sure you enjoy it!

Alex.
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Thanks for the words of wisdom. I'll go online to see what prices are for a decent survival kit
 
c172captain said:
Yeah this is my first time flying the aircraft. I'll try to go on a short familiarization flight, like maybe once in the pattern, before I go, but don't expect it to happen. I'll probably stay out of most all the weather, I'm not going to be flying through any T-storms for anyone. The occasional overcast layer if the guy isn't too cheap to buy approach plates for the entire souther portion of the U.S. :panic:
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You know, I've been thinking about this the past few days.

Sure, I'm qualified in SEL and MEL craft. Now, I'm not necessarily the type of guy that is going to take the keys, start any ol SEL/MEL up and LIFT OFF!

That being said, I am slowly tipping my feet into the ferry market here in the southeast. But, I'm focusing on planes I'm familiar with and have at least some time in type.

Sorry for the long comment, but, do you have ANY time in BE-19 aircraft or none in type at all, just going to get a couple laps in the pattern before you head on out?
 
I actually have 0 time in a BE19. I completely agree with you on the fact that even though I'm qualified in any SEL/MEL aircraft that doesn't require a type rating, I may not be competent to fly it. That being said the BE19 appears to be a very simple aircraft on the same level as a piper warrior (correct me if I'm wrong). The only thing that I'd really have to do to become competent to fly it would be to review the POH and see what the systems have to offer.

If this was a glass cockpit aircraft with all the newest GPS's and navigational systems I'd have to turn it down because I have no clue how to use a glass. I also would have to turn down a ferry flight that was for something like C210 because that kind of performance (even though it's probably nothing all too complicated for most) is something I've never had to deal with and I'd probably get more than a few hours of intro for that aircraft before taking it.

EDIT: As for the flight characteristics of the airplane with regards to stall characteristics and crosswind characteristics, etc. I cannot give you a straight and honest answer because I probably won't be able to have the opportunity to stall the plane before I take it out flying...
 
I gotcha. It'll be a great opportunity and enjoy it, be safe.

By the time you get to Miami, you'll be extremely familiar with the plane.
 
I'd recommend that on your first leg (the short one), you do a few stalls. Flaps up, approach and down. All power off. Just to get an idea of what's going on.

-mini
 
minitour said:
I'd recommend that on your first leg (the short one), you do a few stalls. Flaps up, approach and down. All power off. Just to get an idea of what's going on.

-mini
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If that's all that's needed to land a couple ferry pilot gigs. . .man. . .I'm doing it all wrong. ;)

(I keed)
 
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