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[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=N9F5jlWSx8k[/youtube]

RoyGBiv wrote:http://youtube.com/watch?v=N9F5jlWSx8k

Same video as posted in the original post.

bigity wrote:Roger, Roger.

Huh??

Very impressive. Slowed the rate of descent on that bird an incredible amount. Even a dry-land descent should have been survivable.

Keith B wrote:

RoyGBiv wrote:http://youtube.com/watch?v=N9F5jlWSx8k

Same video as posted in the original post.

Wierd.... I didn't see it in the original post...
And now I don't see it in my post.... but it was there when I posted it.

Settings problem with an ad blocker, I bet.

Sorry for the repost. Not intentional.

anygunanywhere wrote:

bigity wrote:Roger, Roger.

Huh??

Don't call me Shirley!

rotor wrote: I said I may be missing some of the story but part of the preflight does include include manipulating the fuel valve and I would imagine in a ferry tank there would be just an on off position if it were a single tank. Perhaps the handle broke, I don't know. Perhaps a pliers might have saved the day. I don't know. Perhaps an internal part of the valve broke in which case nothing could be done. The pilot though was very fortunate to have a Cirrus with an operational parachute. John Denver's case was definitely pilot error though. All of this of course is interesting and not firearm related but human nature. But I still miss John Denver.

Here's a look at at least one type of ferry tank for a Cirrus:
http://cirrusengineering.blogspot.com/2 ... ation.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A little sketchy, huh?

The ferry tank in the Cirrus is probably gravity feed as it's a low wing plane. Manufacturer pre-flight won't include a ferry tank option - manipulating the main tanks won't affect the ferry tanks.... And even if it did, prior to takeoff you're running with full fuel in the wing tanks, any fill from the ferry tank is likely to result in fuel venting. And what did you prove? That the handle on the ferry tank can turn...

I can't imagine what it's like being over the ocean, riding next to a bunch of fuel, and having to call in because you're about to run dry.

I think the good news with this setup is that the ferry tank fills the main tanks, so likely the pilot knew he had a problem before running out of gas.

I've got mixed feelings on the ballstic parachutes - but I would have pulled in this circumstance, over water, and riding with what is probably 500 lbs of fuel... And the pilot lived, so it's a good outcome. Good advertising for Cirrus.

cb1000rider wrote:A little sketchy, huh?

I took special note of this part:

So because these areas have never been evaluated, a ferry pilot becomes a test pilot on these trips, and needs to fly rather precisely to maintain the airplane within the narrow envelope provided by the ferry permit.

So if I understand correctly, the process consists of these steps:

1. Because you are flying well over gross weight, you have to get a ferry permit from the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)
2. But because the all up weight of the fueled up aircraft with ferry tanks is above certified gross weight, the FSDO has to refer the application to Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) for a special one-off certification for ferry operations.
3. Now you've got your one-off certification and your ferry permit, but you must now be a test pilot too, since nobody has ever flown that aircraft/fuel tank combination over that distance.

I'll fly commercial.

My personal preference when flying was never over open water so I could never be a ferry pilot, never outside the borders of the USA, and never in a balloon or paraglider. I have a basic fear of heights. Most difficult flying- helicopter with no autopilot. Most fun- seaplane. Most boring, Mooney Bravo with George flying. Most get me sick, Super Decathalon. Happiest day, selling the last of them. And there were many.

anygunanywhere wrote:
bigity wrote:
Roger, Roger.


Huh??


Don't call me Shirley!

Give me ham on five, hold the mayo.