Saturday, December 31, 2011

Canada and TransAtlantic Flight Complete!!!

Weaver did our last ferry flight as well.  They're the pro's!!!
On the 29th, John, our pilot from Weaver Aero, continued the journey with our Cessna 207.  He made the 4 hour trip from Bangor, Maine (US) to St. Johns, Newfoundland (Canada) landing on runway 2-9 with a crosswind that was gusting up to 40 knots... in the dark!  The tower controller turned the runway lights up to full intensity to assist him in getting lined up and making the approach.

After getting a rest, he spent some time evaluating a questionable looking weather system in his path, over the Atlantic Ocean.  When the time was right, he launched out on the journey at about 9pm, EST.  A colleague of his was passing by on the same route in a Cessna Caravan, so he took the occasion to fly the route just behind him.



Here is how the flight looked for those following on Flight Aware:


Apparently, Flight Aware is able to track private aviation flights outside North America!  I thought they only tracked commercial aviation in those parts of the world.  Either way, we have another tool to use- SPOT satellite tracker.  Here is what that looks like:

Here is the link to SPOT tracking:  CLICK HERE

There is no altitude or speed information, but it is good for remote parts of the world.


John will be departing around 4:30am EST tomorrow, January 01, 2012, for his trip to the Grand Canary Islands.  GO JOHN GO!!!


Thursday, December 29, 2011

Day One Finished- Canada Here We Come!!!

N207FD spent the night in Bangor, Maine after a 9 hour plus flight from Kansas.  

Final approach over Interstate 95 in Bangor, ME


Thanks to the extra tanks in the back seat, our Cessna 207 can remain airborne for 15 hours at a time!


Today's flight is international!  St. Johns, Newfoundland (Canada) is the destination!

Follow the flights live or check out the history of flights when you have time by checking the FLIGHT AWARE website:  CLICK HERE

Here is what today's flight looked at prior to takeoff on the Flight Aware website:

After today's flight, we will switch to a SPOT tracking device website.  More on that in the next post.


Tuesday, December 27, 2011

PREPARE FOR LAUNCH!!!

Our aircraft is getting geared up for the big trip from Kansas (USA) to Gabon.  Here it is in the hangar in Weaver Aero, north of Wichita, KS.

In this photo, you can see the yellow straps holding down the fuel tanks that have been added for the big trip across the "pond".  The trajectory will be Kansas to Bangor, Maine (USA), to St. Johns, Newfoundland (CANADA), to Azores Islands (PORTUGAL), to the Grand Canary Islands (SPAIN), to Ouagadougou (BURKINA FASO), to Libreville (GABON)!


While the aircraft is in radar contact in North America, you can track it at this link:  FLIGHT AWARE


After it leaves N. American airspace, it will, most likely, have another tracking device.  When we get the details of how you might be able to follow this, we'll let you know.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Fuel Barrel Bonanza!

As of today we are at 54 out of 78 barrels sponsored!  Here's what the graphic looks like:



We've heard from some others, and there is potentially some large gifts on the horizon!  Until then, YOU are needed to get involved so we can finish filling our shipping container with fuel barrels.  Get involved!  Help this Christmas gift for central Africa become a reality!   Thanks for the continued support.


What is all this about?  Read more about the FUELING PROGRESS effort:  Click Here