Ferry Flight Creates Educational Opportunity

As long as I've been flying I've always enjoyed having the opportunity to fly new planes and experience new places. Matter of fact, one of my favorite services to provide as a professional pilot is ferrying aircraft.

When the opportunity came up this fall to reposition a 2019 Kitfox Series 7 from Chandler, Arizona, (KCHD) to my home airport of Chandler Field, Alexandria, Minnesota, (KAXN) I couldn't pass it up.

This trip was my third long-distance delivery of 2021, with trips to New Hampshire and Idaho occurring in the spring.

While some other trips have presented themselves this year, I've found just as much enjoyment in providing these opportunities to some of my fellow commercial pilots that hang around the local airport.

When approached about writing a story on my experiences, I felt like it was a great opportunity to share some lessons with the readers of the Minnesota Flyer.

After all, the definition of learning is a change of behavior based off of experience. If I can provide those experiences to help make more informed, skilled, and well-disciplined pilots, then I feel as if I'm serving my purpose.

Route Planning

On long cross countries through mountainous terrain, I'm a big proponent of flying IFR. And no, not the IFR you'rethinking of. I Follow Roads! It's a tip from the golden days of aviation, but it still holds true today. Why would I follow roads?

The primary reason is that cars, trucks and most importantly people exist on roads! Why is that important? It means civilization! If you thought North Dakota was full of nothing, well jeez ... do I have a surprise for you!

The high country of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming are incredibly desolate. God forbid you have an engine failure, at least a road provides a place to land and a location where the authorities can locate you easily.

In the Midwest, we are so accustomed to going "direct" to wherever we please – that method of flight planning can get you in deep trouble in less forgiving terrain should the worst occur.

For my flight I left Chandler, Arizona, (KCHD) then picked up U.S. Highway 60 which I followed northeast to Show Low, Arizona, and continued weaving my way on state and U.S. highways until I popped out in Albuquerque.

After putting in a whole 17 gallons after 3.5 hours of flying (yes, you read that right) I departed Albuquerque, then picked up Interstate 40 followed by Highway 54.

My next stop was in Dalhart, Texas. After picking up fuel in a gusty Dalhart, I employed my Midwestern techniques and went direct to Dodge City, Kansas, for the night.

Fuel Stops

The age of the internet is great, isn't it? We can buy anything we want online, we have access to unlimited amounts of entertainment, oh... and we can see every airport's fuel price on that fancy ForeFlight app! As I'm sure many of you are, I am also one to strategically land at one of those airports offering a sub-$4 fuel price on my intrastate and regional cross countries. However, when it comes to long cross-countries I encourage you to not get lured by those "green" fuel rates you see on your flight planning app.

Often times an airport that offers a tempting fuel price also offers, well...not much else. I've seen all too many times people land at an airport for fuel and get a flat tire, dead battery, bad starter, or busted cylinder.

Play it safe: Go to the airport with a full-service FBO, mechanic on site, and a heated or air conditioned terminal building. You'll be thankful you did when that left main goes flat. I use a combination of ForeFlight, AirNav, and other sites to verify which airports have FBOs – even to the point of calling and confirming hours.

During this trip, I made a few new stops because I enjoy visiting different places. It was my first time in Albuquerque for fuel, Dodge City, Kansas, for an overnight, then a final stop in Norfolk, Nebraska, for fuel. My stop in Dalhart, Texas was my third visit there.

No IFR, Night Flying

The next couple lessons get to be a bit more ferry pilot specific. Generally, I try to avoid flying at night or flying IFR when on ferries. The primary reason is I'm often flying an airplane older than myself, through or around unfamiliar terrain.

If that's not enough reason to proceed cautiously, why would you throw in additional risks? I wouldn't say to never do either of those things, but if you do – be confident in your airplane and geographic area.

Besides, enjoy the journey. Spend some time outside the cockpit. Go visit a local restaurant in wherever your stop for the night, take in an activity if you have time...you never know what memories you'll make!

Study The Airplane

Yes, I know a Cessna 172 is a Cessna 172 is a Cessna 172, but when that call comes in for a ferry in an unfamiliar type of aircraft, how will you prepare yourself? Sometimes it isn't possible to get a checkout from an experienced flight instructor prior to the pickup. Get yourself a copy of the Pilot's Operating Handbook, reach out to any pilots or owners with experience in the type, and peruse the type club forums online.

Even Facebook seems to have an owner's group for every type of general aviation aircraft nowadays. Spend the time on your commercial flight studying the POH.

I usually try and arrive in the afternoon so I have a chance to meet the seller, perform a thorough preflight of the aircraft, ask the seller any questions I might have, and then prepare the plane for a sunrise departure.

The days are getting shorter, temperatures are getting colder, and flying season is all but over. Perhaps you can use something in this article as you sit around the fireplace planning your flying adventures for summer of 2022!

(Editor's Note: Kreg Anderson is airport manager for Alexandria Municipal Airport (KAXN). He is also involved at the field FBO, Alexandria Aviation, performing flight instruction, pilot services, and charter services. Now 27, Kreg received his private pilot license in a Piper Tomahawk at age 17, then went to school at the University of North Dakota where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.