Bermuda?

Ernie Martin · #1 05-14-10, 02:04 PM

If there's avgas, then this is a piece of cake of a trip in a twin -- provided you follow the proper precautions as set forth in my Ditching page.

Don't know about the radios (my guess is not).

Based on how far it extends over the Caribbean, I would guess XM Weather does not reach all the way out, but call the FBO and they should know. But who cares? You DON'T want to make this trip in anything other than severe clear, especially if it's the first trip of this type for you. And the navigation/GPS part of the 530 and 396 should work fine.

Sounds like an AWESOME trip! Need an additional pilot with lots of over-water experience?

Ernie

jchronic · #2 05-14-10, 02:45 PM

I looked over the recommendations on Ernie's web site, and they're comprehensive and excellent. The only thing I'd add is to give the family (or other passengers) a thorough briefing on what to expect, and detailed instruction on their expected actions - what to do as well as what not to do.

On our low-altitude overwater aerial surveys, I hold a complete ditch briefing before every flight, even though the crew compliment changes very little. I break our procedure into three phases:

1. Preparatory - formally announced by "Prepare to ditch."
2. Landing - announced by "Brace, Brace, Brace" at 100' (yelled loudly,
since headphones should be off at that point)
3. In Water - where everyone has a prior-assigned exit (if useable), and
is responsible for a piece of survival gear to take out with them.

Another thing we stress (Ernie hit it) is not to get hung up inside the cabin trying to help someone who may be disabled - maybe a big thing when a family member is involved. The drill is to get yourself out with the gear you're responsible for, then render assistance from outside the airplane.

Re radios, I concur with Ernie's recommendations - the marine radio could be especially important. Many years ago, I took a flight of Navy fighters from Norfolk to Bermuda and we were out of comm (UHF) range for close to an hour; VHF coverage may be much better now. If not, I wouldn't think it's worth getting wrapped up in HF comms. You can rent a satphone as a good backup for a not-unreasonable rate.

I agree - it sounds like a fun trip, and Bermuda is a beautiful place!

Ahab

Ernie Martin · #3 05-14-10, 04:10 PM

I agree about the briefing, and I've modified the Ditching page to include it.

Ernie

tropical · #4 05-14-10, 06:25 PM

Flying to Bermuda takes very careful preflight planning. Recheck your distance, it is further than 3 hours in a Skymaster.

You also need to figure "point of no return", the point along the route you make the decision to continue to Bermuda or turn around and return to the mainland in the event of a problem. Depending upon winds it's not necessarily at the half way point.

rhurt · #5 05-15-10, 12:30 AM

572 nm from Billy Mitchell, so it is more like 3:45. That leaves 2:15 reserve with standard tanks and puts the point of no return that much closer. It had been a while since I checked the numbers and my memory was optimistic.

That feels a little different than 3 out of 6.

Ernie Martin · #6 05-15-10, 01:12 AM

If you have confidence in your aircraft and take the proper precautions, it's still a piece of cake. Go for it.

Ernie

tropical · #7 05-15-10, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhurt

572 nm from Billy Mitchell, so it is more like 3:45. That leaves 2:15 reserve with standard tanks and puts the point of no return that much closer. It had been a while since I checked the numbers and my memory was optimistic.

That feels a little different than 3 out of 6.

And that's no wind. Place the proper contingencies for wind change and now the equation get's tighter. The PNR can get dicey if not computed correctly. For extended overwater trips you must continually be monitoring your conditions and updating contingencies as needed.

Also remember you will be out of VHF range for communications.

The Bermuda trip is interesting because there is nothing between here and there, so no diversion points. Even when I was flying for the airline we had special considerations for flying out to Bermuda.

Guy Paris · #8 05-15-10, 10:10 AM

Back in the 1970's I did a few Bermuda trips as co-pilot on the B727. Back then we used the ADF off of ACK then there was a dead area both nav and comm until we could pick up something at Bermuda. As I recall we carried enough fuel for the trip plus enough to return to the main land in the event that we could not land be it wx or runway closure. Gosh how did we do it without Loran or GPS!
Guy, the old 72 driver....