Thanks for all the replies. No, I have never done this before. I am a CFII MEI with 1200 hours TT. Yes, I am single, and 28 years old, and a woman! The only over-water I have done is between guam and saipan in a C172, and that's only a couple of hours.

Dont worry, I don't take offense to anything anyone is saying! I'm really interested to hear from all of you, especially people that have done this.

Yes, the plane has an approved ferry tank. It has a Export Certificate of Airworthiness, Radio Stn License, Flywire Registration, an FAA 337, and the Canadian form for flying a modified aircraft, whatever that is.

With the aux tank it has 175 gallons total of fuel. That's 17.5 hours of flight time, assuming 10 gallons per hour.

OK, so everyone I have talked to has said not to do this. Except for the people that have done it, and they say to do it, cautiously. One of those guys specifically told me a lot of old-timers will try to put you off it, tell you its impossible and not for the faint of heart. But that they are just trying to get the job for themselves.

I am not considering doing this for the money, but for the experience. If I want to be a ferry pilot and have no experience crossing the pond, then how the he## do I get that first bit of experience without doing something like this?? I have ferried within the US before, but every transatlantic flight job I apply for I get told sorry, not enough experience.

Yes, I know the plane is not approved into icing. But who out there has flown a 172 in icing and can tell me about it? I want to base my decision on facts, not just a bunch of people saying "Im not even going to tell you what its like because you shouldnt do it anyway."

I appreciate that opinion as well of course, but I would like to gather as much info from people who have done this as is possible. thanks.

BTW bubi352 I wanted to read that article (?) you sent but the link seems to be broken.

 

He might get by with a special flight permit subject to approval by the FAA. Normally it doesn't exceed 20%. This being said, it's suicidal to do it this time of the year. Looks like Boredwlife found this job posted. There is a reason why experienced ferry pilots are not doing it.

 

And it's not becuase I want the job for myself. I have been furloughed since August, unemployment isn't paying the bills, and I still refused to even look at this job in this time of year.

 

I have flown piston aircraft (PA28, PA34, PA31 series aircraft) in icing conditions (unforcast of course) over mountainous terrain not fun. This of course occured when I was younger/stupid/invinceable I cannot imagine it over the water.

Avanti don't do it you are in over your head.

 

Avanti,

I'm sorry that you value your life so little (or are so desperate for $$$ or experience) that you would be willing to take this job.

Take a step back, take a deep breath, and get some more (expert) advice.

I would recommend calling Cessna, and they may be able to refer you to some people that could answer all of your questions.

Hopefully, once informed, you will choose to wait until the summer.

This flight is not for the inexperienced.

Good Luck and be safe.

Nav.

 

I am not one to try and talk someone out of a job but you said it your self...
Do you think that maybe the reason that you got this job is you're the only one willing to do it this time of year?

 

plan B - ever read "fate is the hunted"? if your making this trip you will enjoy it. It's about a transatlantic flight - it was so fun for these guys that there was a book written about it.. Go for it!

 

How does someone become a ferry pilot? Simple. Fly alongside with a ferry pilot. You would be surprised at how many ferry pilots would take you onboard. You won't be paid and you will have to go through your own expenses. The accepted standard in the industry is 5 crossings before any ferry companies and insurance let you go. You fail to mention one thing. Is the trip insured? I doubt it with your level of experience and again this time of the year. Keep in mind insurance is required as soon as you step foot in Iceland or any other European countries. Fines are heavy.

You reached 1200 total time and it is really good. We all have been there but this is also the point where a lot of pilots feel like they have seen everything aviation can throw at them. The North Atlantic is not a place to learn.

Sorry to be harsh girl but you have to understand and respect the mission. Bottom line, if you are smart, pair up with a ferry pilot and do this trip several times. You will get the same joy out of it. The only difference is you will see everything through the eyes of an experienced ferry pilot who will teach you the do's and don'ts of this trip.

One last note, I am pretty sure you can do this trip with two pilots. You don't need to carry full fuel (175 gallons) with the legs you plan to fly.

 

Read my last post not a 172 but similar in size & power. Have you ever had carb ice? If so you would know just how much available power you lose. Throw into the mix ice on the wings and prop an overloaded aircraft and you will be ditching faster than you can say sat phone.

 

I ferried along route A both directions in a King Air 200. I would have serious reservations about the Azores this time of year given possible cross wind issues. There are some back up fields to the west of Lajes (LPLA)--Jepps offers a pretty good transatlantic kit with info on the fields.

Even though we had great winds with the eastward trip, you need to have perfect weather enroute and in the Azores. We nearly got stuck an extra day in Lajes due to a localized system of intense thunderstorms.

Personally I didn't really like ferrying something as small as a King Air across the pond, twice. There isn't enough money in the world to do it in a C172. Some of these ferry operations are suspect. Last year a 50-something year old woman disappeared off the gulf of guinea on the way to Namibia...ferrying a small single engine plane at 7000 feet, at night, over the ocean....where you have some of the worst weather in the world by the way. Apparently the person in charge of this ferry operation wanted to avoid the "hassle" of overflight clearances.