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International Ferry
Flight Cost Example
The
cost of a Trans-Atlantic ferry flight depends on a few very important
variables. Mostly it depends on the ever changing fees and fuel costs
at the airports along the way.
Length of
the trip is also a factor. This depends greatly on the weather, winds
and of course, the capabilities of the aircraft. A trip from Europe to
the USA in a Cessna 172 or Piper Cherokee will take longer than the
same trip done in a Cirrus or a twin engine airplane like the Diamond
Twin-Star or Piper Seminole.
Unlike on domestic trips, there are no delay fees. Just a fixed price
ferry fee. The fee will vary based on distance to be flown and type of
aircraft.
Below I have
compiled an example of a ferry flight that I completed from Germany to
Canada so that you can get a feel for how much your flight might cost*.
All values in
the example below are based on a real ferry that I completed.
Please keep in mind
that in order to combat fatigue, I allow myself 10 hours of flight per
day. I also schedule a rest period of 60-90 minutes between legs. This
ensures that I am rested and sharp while I transport your airplane.
* Costs WILL
vary. The cost of your individual ferry flight will vary due to many
factors such as weather, mechanical status of the aircraft and other
unknowns. The example to the right had perfect weather and a
mechanically sound aircraft.
Total Costs:
These
numbers are not estimates,
these are the exact numbers (rounded to the nearest dollar) from a real
ferry from Germany to Canada in a Glasair done in July of 2010.
Fuel Prices as of July, 2010:
Wick, Scotland:
$10.32 per gallon
Reckyavick,
Iceland: $9.84 per gallon
Narsasuaq,
Greenland: $15.84 per gallon
Goose Bay,
Canada: $7.20 per gallon
Sept Isle,
Canada: $6.04 per gallon
Fuel
Costs: $2,209
Misc. Airport Fees: $519
Airline
Tickets: $1,700
Ferry Pilot Fee : $2,500
(Fixed
Rate, NO DELAY FEES!)
Hotel: $551
Total cost of the trip: $6,979
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Ferry Flight
Germany to Canada
Aircraft: Glasair II
Day 1
The first day normally consists of travel to the aircrafts pick-up
location. If the point of origin is within the USA or Canada and the
conditions permit, I will begin to transport the aircraft the same day
that I get to it.
Day 2
The second day will include an assesment of the aircraft, loading and
departure. If the aircraft requires ferry tanking, the plane will be
transported to a location where the ferry tank can be installed.
On this particular flight we did not need a ferry tank, however we
discovered an issue with the landing gear position indicators and we
took the aircraft to be repaired
Day 3
I departed Germany to Wick, Scotland for refueling and then
ultimately to Rekyavick, Iceland for the night.
Day 4
Day 5
I departed Greenland to Canada with my final
destination planned to be Burlington, Ontario. Unfortunately, a weather
front produced a line of thunderstorms and I was forced to spend the
night in Sept Isles in Quebec.
Day 6
I departed Sept Isle, Quebec in the morning
and delivered the aircraft to its owner around noon. Afterwards I
returned commercially to my home base in Maryland USA.
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