2018 Transatlantic Flight

My airplane choice is still a Cessna 172 XP, probably a 1977 model with the IO-360-KB engine, but the choice of avionics is separate from the airplane choice. I'll discuss each of  the avionics components that I'd like to have in my plane, then will show an image of them after the text. I want a modern avionics stack in the plane, modern meaning the various components communicate with each other so that they share data. The central component in a small airplane avionics stack is a MFD (Multi-Function Display). I want a currently available MFD with GPS, weather and Nav/Com features. MFD's come in a variety of prices and features. You can find them priced from $5000 to $25000, that are certified for the model of plane I'll buy. But, for an older model Cessna it wouldn't be financially practical to install a $25000 unit because you can only recover a fraction of the cost during a sale. The Garmin GTN-650 is the MFD I'm currently planning on installing. I also...

As it turns out, the Canadian Aviation Regulations require any transoceanic flight departing Canadian airspace to be conducted by a pilot holding an instrument rating, as explained in  CAR 602.39 . You can conduct a transoceanic VFR  (Visual Flight Rules)  flight, but you must hold an instrument rating. Also, after further weather research of the Narsarsuaq Newfoundland to Wick Scotland transatlantic route, and discussing it with people that have made the trip, I've decided the flight will probably be IFR, not VFR as I originally stated in my first post. VFR gives you the freedom to choose a flight path and altitudes that you prefer, where IFR means your flight is fully controlled by Air Traffic Controllers.  It turns out that there is always a high probability for clouds along the route, at altitudes between 6000 - 9000 MSL, during August. So, being proactive and planning it as IFR is the best and safest choice. If I get there and it's a CAVU day, then I may ...

Welcome to my 2018 Transatlantic Flight Blog. Here I will chronicle the prep, planning and execution of my solo VFR flight across the Atlantic to the UK in August 2018. First, I need to do some catch-up for you because the actual idea and prep for the flight started in Apr2017, and today is 02Sep2017.  Starting in April, can't remember date, I got the idea to make the flight. I guess the actual idea started back in 2011 when I read the article " Fear Of Dunking " by ferry pilot Bill Cox. Bill described some of the requirements for an ocean crossing, and some of the dangers. My primary personal attraction to piloting is the planning. I try to plan every flight meticulously, I believe most pilots share this attraction. Flying from Seattle to the UK is an extreme example of flight planning for an average GA pilot, especially flying VFR. I guess doing it at night would be the absolute extreme, but I'm not that crazy. I'm in the Seattle area and it's long b...