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First non-commercial Crossing South Atlantic solo in a DA42
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 7:17 pm
by wolfvoador
A short video on the challenges and pleasures to cross the South Atlantic: weather, fuel and weight management, oxygen (2 hours at FL180 for weather), wind direction/speed, HF radio (30 ft antenna out the window). DA42NG proved an excellent aircraft for this type of crossing.
To my knowledge, this makes this the first non-commercial (non-ferry) flight by a DA42 over the South Atlantic. Please reply if you know of other pilot/s having done the same. According to Mr. Dries (who saw me off personally in Austria), some of his pilots have delivered DA42s to South America on that route. But the fuel Company in Praia GVNP had never seen a DA42.
Had a great time, navigation, communication, fuel and oxygen kept me busy from take-off to landing, not a dull moment, and great fun too. Don't forget to stretch every 30 mins (feet left/right of rudder, head, shoulders through the space between fron seats, ahhhh!).
Re: First non-commercial Crossing South Atlantic solo in a DA42
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 7:32 pm
by Aart
Fantastic Wolfgang!
So I suppose the DA42's that went to South America where ferried through North America then?
Re: First non-commercial Crossing South Atlantic solo in a DA42
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 7:42 pm
by wolfvoador
Thanks Aaart. According to Diamond Austria, some DA42s have been delivered to Venezuela I believe, via the same route (Cape Verde-Natal). That's why I am NOT claiming to be the "Lindbergh of the South Atlantic" ;-))
Re: First non-commercial Crossing South Atlantic solo in a DA42
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 9:46 pm
by Wilfried
Great video!!! Thanks for sharing. Think a lot of us have this dream, but you made it!
Re: First non-commercial Crossing South Atlantic solo in a DA42
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 5:32 pm
by oamir
Thank you Wolfgang! inspiring.
can you elaborate more on the extra fuel tank? I guess its turtle-pac, how the connections works and ecet.
ofer
Re: First non-commercial Crossing South Atlantic solo in a DA42
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 6:40 pm
by Antoine
Wolfgang, congratulations on your wonderful adventure life. I really loved the video and was frustrated that it ended before the landing! (I guess you were a bit too busy to be filming?)
Re: First non-commercial Crossing South Atlantic solo in a DA42
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 12:36 am
by Colin
I just had the reclining seats installed in my DA42 for better stretching. The guys at the factory said the ferry pilot from Austria claimed he reclines them all the way and goes to sleep. "If I'm going down in the North Atlantic, I don't want to be awake."
Re: First non-commercial Crossing South Atlantic solo in a DA42
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 3:35 pm
by Keith M
That's a nice variation on Woody Allen's “I'm not afraid of death; I just don't want to be there when it happens.”
Re: First non-commercial Crossing South Atlantic solo in a DA42
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 11:45 am
by Kai
Awesome! Thanks for sharing. I liked the antenna of the HF-radio.
Btw, we do have a youtube-sharing function here on this board and I replaced your link so the video pops up immediately.
Re: First non-commercial Crossing South Atlantic solo in a DA42
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 2:00 pm
by wolfvoador
Thanks for your comments/questions! Tank and 2-pump panel (you can see it briefly in the video as I climb back to empty tank) were custom installed .
No landing video - the GoPro battery went dead shortly before arrival. the last 2 clips were made with iPhone, but couldn't hold the phone while landing, need 3 hands ;-). Bought a spare battery in the meantime ....
Next year, am planning round-the-world, via Europe-South/SE Asia-Australia-NZ-Tahiti-Easter-Chile. Challenge is Easter Isl - Chile, 1970nm. Still planning, need tailwinds, power at 50%, ca. 14 hours flying, maybe a couple of 2G containers to refill the Turtle in flight .