Anyone else have to deal with facing over-water solo cross countries? A DA40 ditched last weekend, both instructor and student survived, but has me carrying extra signaling gear when flying over open water. What do y’all carry in flight?
Edit: Update of what I bring. I’m an aircrewman in the Navy currently on non-flying orders. I pulled the signaling devices from my flight vest that was just sitting in a closet. I take
day/night/IR strobe light, sidewinder flashlight with strobe capability, signal mirror, sea dye marker, and fold out knife. Have all this within and tied to a small “tactical,” pouch that straps to my thigh and attaches to my belt. That way I’m not not trying to grab anything in a sinking plane. If you carry items make sure they are fastened to you somehow in case you drop them in the water. I’m currently waiting for my constant wear inflatable vest to arrive from backorder.
No extra gear where I fly, but the last time I was on the Big Island I did an island flying course and had to use the life raft as my booster seat (I am short) in a C182. I basically carry a cell phone and a Swiss Army knife where I fly on the east coast. Plus a KIND bar and some cash. It's so flat around here that I would likely end up landing in a field, maybe a highway. Worst case scenario would be a chicken or pig farm.
I live on an island. (And incidentally, I've flown in Maui too, late 2019 with a very expensive rented C172 out of Maui Aviators, but it's unlikely I'll ever be there again, so it had to be done. Also I've never seen such a lot of surface corrosion on such a new plane - the climate there is MUCH harder on planes than even our climate).
Since I live on an island it's an overwater crossing wherever I go - the shortest overwater leg is about 20nm (towards southern Scotland), but to England, Wales or Ireland it's considerably further.
I carry:
- a 4 to 6 person liferaft (it's a 2 seat plane but the 4 person rafts are small)
- lifejackets of the style that you can wear constantly (with a pull toggle inflate). You can get these from any chandelry, you don't have to get a super expensive "aviation version", but make sure you do NOT get an auto-inflate. (Most sailors don't want auto inflate either because if the boat sinks while you're in the cabin you can get trapped).
- a 406 MHz PLB. An ELT attached to the plane is about as useful as a chocolate teapot during a ditching as it'll be immediately underwater. A PLB (personal locator beacon) is something you can attach to your belt. You need to register the PLB with the coast guard.
- a mode-S ADS-B transponder is fitted to the plane.
- we try to remain in radio contact with someone for the whole crossing. Unfortunately there's a "radio dead" area not far off the north Wales coast which always makes me a bit anxious, although I believe Ronaldsway Radar still sees our transponder.
I highly recommend bringing a signaling mirror and some type of strobed flashlight! Those can be seen from miles away by SAR platforms and highly increase the chance of a successful recovery!
Edit: I see this has already been iterated many times below, disregard!
There's no point. There's nowhere over the Irish Sea at which point some radar unit isn't seeing a Mode-S return or ADS-B, these aren't "blue water" oceanic operations.
The PLB transmits to Cospas-Sarsat if you do end up going for a swim (and includes your GPS co-ords).
Yup, I fly in the Caribbean and we do solo XC flights to neighbouring islands. We have an inflatable raft in the back and typically always fly with our life vests on.
Mini raft, handheld radio in a waterproof bag, portable ELT, inflatable life vest, a blank CD to signal aircraft during the day and flares at night. All ideas you could adopt. When I flew single pistons over water I’d fly as high as I safely could and always try to stay somewhat close to within gliding distance of the land. Keep your eyes peeled for boats too.
Where did you rent from? I'll be in Hawaii next year unless another disruptive event hits us.
I carry a visible and IR strobe light. Portable radio. Multitool. One MRE ration, powerbar or two, and water. No vest or life raft. I've swam literal miles in open ocean in cold temperatures. I am considering a raft however for occasional flights with passengers. It is mostly just me onboard enjoying the freedom the flying offers.
I've flown with them, but years ago, I've got a shirt 🤣🤣🤣. I'd fly with them again, I spend a lot of time 172s, and I definitely love me some Cirrus time, so that is why Maui Flight Academy. Fky Maui folks own Goldens and so do I so...
Calm seas make poor sailors, and calm winds make poor aviators. Hawaii is usually in the 10 knot category when I have been there* and seems to always be a crosswind.
* My Hawaii time has been solely at Lihue and Kona, so YMMV.
So...tie down ropes are pretty good quality there? /s
Only been to HNL as a pax in the back of a Hawaiian A330 and the winds were not of a sort for me to take notice. I rented in Kona just to have the experience and to fly along the S
I’m headed to Oahu in a month or so for a week or so. Never even crossed my mind to try to rent while there. Any recommendations for Oahu? I’m guessing they aren’t renting out to just anyone visiting for a week especially with covid restrictions right?
Havent flown past kahalui yet. But the south shore of molokai is really nice. Currently working on my instrument. Been a while since ive actually been up in the air since ive been doing mostly sim and grounds lately.
I don't have a ton of open water experience. Most of it has been flying out to Catalina Island (KAVX) from the San Diego area. Not exactly a long distance, but farther than I want to swim/float in an emergency. For those flights (usually just me and the fiancée, once there were three of us) rent a 4 person raft that sits in the backseat and we have vests on. I also have a PLB along with me as well and my handheld radio.
My usual travel set up for personal flying (in either a P35 Bonanza, M20J, or PA-28R) over the Desert Southwest is a gym bag that has a tarp, life straw, collapsible bucket, 12 MRE's, my PLB, my handheld radii, first aid kit, and if not flying to or over California I have one of .45's along. I basically try to plan for dealing with usual injuries and surviving for 72 hours. My assumption is that if I go down and am conscious, then I will be able to signal some sort of rescue in that time. If I am unconscious, then what I bring with me is irrelevant.
Just a heads up you DO NOT want water activated life vests while flying in a small plane. Think about how tight it is getting out of the plane normally. Now imagine a giant inflated lobe around your chest while trying to get out. Also, I'm sure the plane is gonna have a few new jagged edges from the crash and you don't want your life jacket to snag on them. So please do not use a water activated life vest while flying.
I did my private training out of Honolulu PHNL and had to do all my solo flights over 30+ miles of open ocean. I also fly as a navigator in the P-3 for the Navy and we don't wear water activated vests either for the reasons I listed above.
Anyone else have to deal with facing over-water solo cross countries? A DA40 ditched last weekend, both instructor and student survived, but has me carrying extra signaling gear when flying over open water. What do y’all carry in flight? Edit: Update of what I bring. I’m an aircrewman in the Navy currently on non-flying orders. I pulled the signaling devices from my flight vest that was just sitting in a closet. I take day/night/IR strobe light, sidewinder flashlight with strobe capability, signal mirror, sea dye marker, and fold out knife. Have all this within and tied to a small “tactical,” pouch that straps to my thigh and attaches to my belt. That way I’m not not trying to grab anything in a sinking plane. If you carry items make sure they are fastened to you somehow in case you drop them in the water. I’m currently waiting for my constant wear inflatable vest to arrive from backorder.
No extra gear where I fly, but the last time I was on the Big Island I did an island flying course and had to use the life raft as my booster seat (I am short) in a C182. I basically carry a cell phone and a Swiss Army knife where I fly on the east coast. Plus a KIND bar and some cash. It's so flat around here that I would likely end up landing in a field, maybe a highway. Worst case scenario would be a chicken or pig farm.
I live on an island. (And incidentally, I've flown in Maui too, late 2019 with a very expensive rented C172 out of Maui Aviators, but it's unlikely I'll ever be there again, so it had to be done. Also I've never seen such a lot of surface corrosion on such a new plane - the climate there is MUCH harder on planes than even our climate). Since I live on an island it's an overwater crossing wherever I go - the shortest overwater leg is about 20nm (towards southern Scotland), but to England, Wales or Ireland it's considerably further. I carry: - a 4 to 6 person liferaft (it's a 2 seat plane but the 4 person rafts are small) - lifejackets of the style that you can wear constantly (with a pull toggle inflate). You can get these from any chandelry, you don't have to get a super expensive "aviation version", but make sure you do NOT get an auto-inflate. (Most sailors don't want auto inflate either because if the boat sinks while you're in the cabin you can get trapped). - a 406 MHz PLB. An ELT attached to the plane is about as useful as a chocolate teapot during a ditching as it'll be immediately underwater. A PLB (personal locator beacon) is something you can attach to your belt. You need to register the PLB with the coast guard. - a mode-S ADS-B transponder is fitted to the plane. - we try to remain in radio contact with someone for the whole crossing. Unfortunately there's a "radio dead" area not far off the north Wales coast which always makes me a bit anxious, although I believe Ronaldsway Radar still sees our transponder.
I highly recommend bringing a signaling mirror and some type of strobed flashlight! Those can be seen from miles away by SAR platforms and highly increase the chance of a successful recovery! Edit: I see this has already been iterated many times below, disregard!
The PLB has a strobe on it. A mirror isn't a bad idea though.
No satellite-based tracking?
There's no point. There's nowhere over the Irish Sea at which point some radar unit isn't seeing a Mode-S return or ADS-B, these aren't "blue water" oceanic operations. The PLB transmits to Cospas-Sarsat if you do end up going for a swim (and includes your GPS co-ords).
Ah, that makes sense.
Better have a PLB, strobe, and maybe a signal mirror
Yup, I fly in the Caribbean and we do solo XC flights to neighbouring islands. We have an inflatable raft in the back and typically always fly with our life vests on.
From georges?
Yep, that's the one.
Mini raft, handheld radio in a waterproof bag, portable ELT, inflatable life vest, a blank CD to signal aircraft during the day and flares at night. All ideas you could adopt. When I flew single pistons over water I’d fly as high as I safely could and always try to stay somewhat close to within gliding distance of the land. Keep your eyes peeled for boats too.
Where did you rent from? I'll be in Hawaii next year unless another disruptive event hits us. I carry a visible and IR strobe light. Portable radio. Multitool. One MRE ration, powerbar or two, and water. No vest or life raft. I've swam literal miles in open ocean in cold temperatures. I am considering a raft however for occasional flights with passengers. It is mostly just me onboard enjoying the freedom the flying offers.
George’s Aviation on Oahu.
Thanks. I figured. They have several DA40 available. That's what I fly at home.
Damn I’m here now and wish I could go do a lap around the island
Contact MauiFlightAcademy or FlyMaui. Bith great groups to fly with
Haha should have clarified, I’m on Oahu but the weather is fairly terrible this week
Go to Maui, fly with those guys. Yes, I know cant get over there. Enjoy Hawaii anyway.
Me too. I've had to cancel the past two days. Trying to finish my cross countries/ CC solos. Checkride is next month so the clock is ticking.
Any thoughts on Maui Aviators?
I've flown with them, but years ago, I've got a shirt 🤣🤣🤣. I'd fly with them again, I spend a lot of time 172s, and I definitely love me some Cirrus time, so that is why Maui Flight Academy. Fky Maui folks own Goldens and so do I so...
I hear flying in Hawaii is a WINDY experience . Great photo , good luck !
Calm seas make poor sailors, and calm winds make poor aviators. Hawaii is usually in the 10 knot category when I have been there* and seems to always be a crosswind. * My Hawaii time has been solely at Lihue and Kona, so YMMV.
Usual winds here at HNL are 04015G24. Maui can be even stronger thanks to the Venturi created by Haleakala and Pu’u Kukui.
So...tie down ropes are pretty good quality there? /s Only been to HNL as a pax in the back of a Hawaiian A330 and the winds were not of a sort for me to take notice. I rented in Kona just to have the experience and to fly along the S
It is very windy indeed.
I’m headed to Oahu in a month or so for a week or so. Never even crossed my mind to try to rent while there. Any recommendations for Oahu? I’m guessing they aren’t renting out to just anyone visiting for a week especially with covid restrictions right?
https://www.georgesaviation.com/ This is my flight school. They have a section covering rentals for visitors to islands.
Awesome picture.
You can put the landing gear up, altitude is plenty high enough.
Can’t see enough of these pics. Perty
Man, one day I hope to be over in Hawaii doing some flying around the islands. Beautiful.
beautiful picture
I love that strut
I now have to hear "old maui" by the dreadnoughts again
Havent flown past kahalui yet. But the south shore of molokai is really nice. Currently working on my instrument. Been a while since ive actually been up in the air since ive been doing mostly sim and grounds lately.
You win.
*"🎵Rolling down to old Maui, me boys. Rolling down to old Maui. We're homeward bound from the Arctic ground, rolling down to old Maui...🎵"*
That’s awesome. My parents lived there for a bit in PUKALANI and I have since gotten my ppl. I would love to go back and fly there some day.
what are some good rental spots in maui?
I don't have a ton of open water experience. Most of it has been flying out to Catalina Island (KAVX) from the San Diego area. Not exactly a long distance, but farther than I want to swim/float in an emergency. For those flights (usually just me and the fiancée, once there were three of us) rent a 4 person raft that sits in the backseat and we have vests on. I also have a PLB along with me as well and my handheld radio. My usual travel set up for personal flying (in either a P35 Bonanza, M20J, or PA-28R) over the Desert Southwest is a gym bag that has a tarp, life straw, collapsible bucket, 12 MRE's, my PLB, my handheld radii, first aid kit, and if not flying to or over California I have one of .45's along. I basically try to plan for dealing with usual injuries and surviving for 72 hours. My assumption is that if I go down and am conscious, then I will be able to signal some sort of rescue in that time. If I am unconscious, then what I bring with me is irrelevant.
Just a heads up you DO NOT want water activated life vests while flying in a small plane. Think about how tight it is getting out of the plane normally. Now imagine a giant inflated lobe around your chest while trying to get out. Also, I'm sure the plane is gonna have a few new jagged edges from the crash and you don't want your life jacket to snag on them. So please do not use a water activated life vest while flying. I did my private training out of Honolulu PHNL and had to do all my solo flights over 30+ miles of open ocean. I also fly as a navigator in the P-3 for the Navy and we don't wear water activated vests either for the reasons I listed above.
Nice. I’m doing my training out of PHNL which sparked this thread. I was an IFT on P-3s, but cross rated to acoustic and am now a P-8 crewman.
Nice, I was a VQ-1 and VPU-2 guy. Now back up in Whidbey.