Around the world in an LSA seaplane.. | FerrariChat

Around the world in an LSA seaplane..

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by alexm, Nov 3, 2015.

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  1. alexm

    alexm F1 Veteran

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  2. vincent355

    vincent355 F1 Veteran Rossa Subscribed

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    very cool
     
  3. Tcar

    Tcar F1 Rookie

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    What is the plane... didn't see any info?
     
  4. alexm

    alexm F1 Veteran

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  5. kylec

    kylec F1 Rookie Silver Subscribed

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    That's cool. He stopped in my home town- where the Searey headquarters is. He has been covering quite a bit of distance.
     
  6. BubblesQuah

    BubblesQuah F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    I want one of those.

    Probably a stupid question - but why is he flying in that direction? Isn't he always flying against the wind?
     
  7. Tcar

    Tcar F1 Rookie

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    Probably doesn't get high enough for that to matter.
     
  8. alexm

    alexm F1 Veteran

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    Yes, looks to be around 6000' ish typically..

    I wonder if the direction is chosen to give max time to get permission transit Russia (which never came and he had to artificially go further out to sea to skirt Russian airspace in the long Aleutians-Japan leg)

    Speaking of which.. anyone know the status of private aviation in Russia and China?

    I'd imagine heavy restrictions on such personal freedoms.. but right/wrong impression?
     
  9. BubblesQuah

    BubblesQuah F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Ah, of course. Didn't think about that.
     
  10. alexm

    alexm F1 Veteran

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    "Around the world at 80 knots".. apt title!

    "Southern Sun: Around the World at 80 knots" - A presentation by pilot Michael Smith | Qantas Founders Museum

    He's giving a talk at the QANTAS Museum, Longreach QLD.. the initial location of QANTAS.

    From there his next stop is tiny town of Rylstone where the Aussie Searey rep is based and also halfway to his home city of Melbourne.

    It's just north of where I fly so am making a road trip and do some flying on way to meet him at BBQ arranged in his honour there..

    Will keep you posted.. hopefully all on schedule for his home legs..
     
  11. alexm

    alexm F1 Veteran

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  12. alexm

    alexm F1 Veteran

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  13. Tcar

    Tcar F1 Rookie

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    Based in Oz?

    U.S. registered it looks like.
     
  14. alexm

    alexm F1 Veteran

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    Yes Melbourne based, not sure the story behind US registration.. will find out!
     
  15. vincent355

    vincent355 F1 Veteran Rossa Subscribed

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    What a journey
     
  16. NürScud

    NürScud F1 Veteran

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    +1

    Agree
     
  17. alexm

    alexm F1 Veteran

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    Bought and flown in US for few years before shipped down under and kept the rego.. despite the overhead of flying certified mechanic out do to servicing and log booking as required to maintain US registration.

    It was explained to me to make rego recognisable and accepted for in and out of many countries.
     
  18. alexm

    alexm F1 Veteran

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  19. dmark1

    dmark1 F1 World Champ BANNED Owner

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    Can someone explain to me how he did this fuel wise? The range of that LSA can't be more than 400 miles....
     
  20. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ Owner Rossa Subscribed

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    Amazing journey!

    As for GA in Russia and China, I don't know what the rules are for locals, but foreigners fly GA airplanes in and through those countries all the time. Not a big deal.
     
  21. Bob Parks

    Bob Parks F1 Veteran Consultant

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    I look at the airplane and wonder why it doesn't have any dihedral. It just doesn't look right and just 2 deg. of dihedral would make it fly better, I think.
     
  22. alexm

    alexm F1 Veteran

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    Several custom fuel bags to give the range necessary well beyond the standard tank.. longest leg was approx 1900 miles Aleutians to Japan and skirting Russian airspace (since unable to gain necessary approvals)..

    I saw the installations and quite cleverly done and plumbed to best use all kinds of spaces and give balance.

    Pilot did not have any fuel bag in pax seat next to him.

    You can see the track on public display, e.g. this 16hr 30m stint to Japan https://go.spidertracks.com/fleetpro/public/southernsun/tracks#date=1446595199999
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2015

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