Best plane for mission: South FL to MGMM Flores, Guatemala

FancyG

FancyG

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FancyG
excluding Delta 1st class.....

600-700# full fuel useful load >800nm range and only need 2 comfortable seats for 6' adults.

Looking for ideas - prefer fast single. Piston or TP. Not afraid of an experimental or certificated conversion.

Bonus points for low acquisition/operating costs.

Also please describe which model Bo with engine and fuel capacity. :fingerwag:

Can't justify expense of PC12/Meridian/Cirrus Jet/King Air. Not flying overland down Mexico.



Thanks!
 
Malibu would do the job well but I'm guessing many would be on the light end of the requested full fuel useful load.
 
skier said:
Long EZ
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That's fascinating, actually. MGMM is 500' msl but MGGT Guatemala City is 5000' msl in the middle of the city. Is 5000' msl a problem? 9800' runway.
 
Radar Contact said:
Single = Ovation

Preference = 310

I do love a 310. Not sure I'd be thrilled with mx or insurance.
How realistic is it to fly for two hours with an engine out?

That’s a lot of water
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Depending on how much fuel you have, is how long it’ll fly on one engine. Single engine service ceiling on a NA one is around 7000. A Turbo one is much higher.

It’ll go a lot further than all the singles mention after losing one. :)
 
There was a time in my life when that long of a leg in a single would not have bothered me. Now there is no way I would do that trip in a single engine airplane. It would be a lot easier to get me out there in a twin turbine but would do it in a piston twin if I was familiar with its provenance.
 
MooneyDriver78 said:
Not all do, I removed the vacuum system, CD player, and some other old avionics that reduced my empty weight.
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We ditched the AM/FM/CD and the ADF last round, this coming round we are removing the vacuum system and the brick like KNS80.
 
Bill said:
We ditched the AM/FM/CD and the ADF last round, this coming round we are removing the vacuum system and the brick like KNS80.
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IIRC, my vacuum system that included electric backup was 20lbs, the KNS80 was 6, my WX10 was 10.
 
At say 650ish nm (looking at Key West) this really isn't all that difficult of a mission. Cuba really isn't too big of a deal and on that route, you're never all that far from land. I've flown similar routes (to Mexico and Belize) a number of times. I would certainly prefer to do it in a twin (and always have) but you should have a raft, and doing that in a single isn't really too awful.
 
Ted said:
At say 650ish nm (looking at Key West) this really isn't all that difficult of a mission. Cuba really isn't too big of a deal and on that route, you're never all that far from land. I've flown similar routes (to Mexico and Belize) a number of times. I would certainly prefer to do it in a twin (and always have) but you should have a raft, and doing that in a single isn't really too awful.
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Cancun then Flores looks to make the most sense. Is it possible to stop for fuel and not officially enter Mexico?

I'm expecting covid tests to be a thing for some time going forward, so that's another time-critical factor with going GA.
 
FancyG said:
Cancun then Flores looks to make the most sense. Is it possible to stop for fuel and not officially enter Mexico?

I'm expecting covid tests to be a thing for some time going forward, so that's another time-critical factor with going GA.
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Using Mexico as a fuel stop is best avoided in my experience. Best thing you can do is have something that will do the trip non-stop. Overflight permits/fees are something that will need to be dealt with as appropriate. Mexico doesn't require overflight permits, but you do need to pay their airspace fees.
 
Ted said:
Using Mexico as a fuel stop is best avoided in my experience. Best thing you can do is have something that will do the trip non-stop. Overflight permits/fees are something that will need to be dealt with as appropriate. Mexico doesn't require overflight permits, but you do need to pay their airspace fees.
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Thanks for the heads up on Mexico.
This may not be an effective GA mission over the gulf and would take several days overland.
 
I'm confused - you mention 800nm distance, but then talk about full fuel carrying capacity. You will rule out several planes with big tanks because of this. A Columbia 300 or 350 could do this with less-than-full tanks, as could my 400.
 
MonkeyClaw said:
I'm confused - you mention 800nm distance, but then talk about full fuel carrying capacity. You will rule out several planes with big tanks because of this. A Columbia 300 or 350 could do this with less-than-full tanks, as could my 400.
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Sorrrryyyy- F33 Bonanza is the correct answer.

What are these wondrous new airplanes of which you speak? A new type of Bonanza perhaps?

Columbia's look great, numbers are impressive. Would not expect strong repair options in Latam though, Guatemala specifically. That probably knocks out other composites and less than common aircraft.
 
Velocity v-twin.
Experimental, has capacity and range to spare. Plus twin for over water fears.

If you want single engine, Velocity SUV (the smallest model) should be able to do it.

For certified, besides Bo, the right Mooney can do it, and Cirrus SR22 G3 or later (need the larger tanks). Likely need NA version due to weight.

Or my favorite. An Aerostar.

Tim

Sent from my HD1907 using Tapatalk
 
Were I going to do this more than once I'd tube it. I'd do it once for the adventure. Besides, how many times are you really going to go to Tikal?
 
steingar said:
Were I going to do this more than once I'd tube it. I'd do it once for the adventure. Besides, how many times are you really going to go to Tikal?
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Probably quicker and cheaper than flying first class when you have to buy two tickets and having to deal with security.
 
tspear said:
Velocity v-twin.
Experimental, has capacity and range to spare. Plus twin for over water fears.

If you want single engine, Velocity SUV (the smallest model) should be able to do it.

For certified, besides Bo, the right Mooney can do it, and Cirrus SR22 G3 or later (need the larger tanks). Likely need NA version due to weight.

Or my favorite. An Aerostar.

Tim

Sent from my HD1907 using Tapatalk
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Tim - will look at Velocity specs, though don't see myself building one.

We have the same favorite, though my IA calls them Deathstars and turned me off of the most awesome twin ever made.
 
steingar said:
Were I going to do this more than once I'd tube it. I'd do it once for the adventure. Besides, how many times are you really going to go to Tikal?
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Done Tikal 2x.... Doing Yaxha this time. Rent a place in Santiago Atitlan and am working on some importing with a friend in Chichimula so may rent a place there too if it pans out. Superstol will be ready soon and the perfect transport for Guate, but not necessarily to Guate.

Maybe not, may pick up a ratty 195 and throw some amphibs on and call it good. Radials seem to have a history down here 9F4991F4-F5B6-4720-9470-390DF69E1A55.jpeg
 
EdFred said:
Probably quicker and cheaper than flying first class when you have to buy two tickets and having to deal with security.
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Atl-Gua first class is ~$550 rt with 2 'free' checked bags and sky priority security shortcut. $200-300 parking. Burning 15k a year on tickets really can't justify plane #2. Not sure how plane 1 got justified.
 
FancyG said:
excluding Delta 1st class.....

600-700# full fuel useful load >800nm range and only need 2 comfortable seats for 6' adults.

Looking for ideas - prefer fast single. Piston or TP. Not afraid of an experimental or certificated conversion.

Bonus points for low acquisition/operating costs.

Also please describe which model Bo with engine and fuel capacity. :fingerwag:

Can't justify expense of PC12/Meridian/Cirrus Jet/King Air. Not flying overland down Mexico.



Thanks!
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6 adults with 2 comfortable seats.....??
Putting the women in steerage??
 
You may be able to do Guatemala without crossing other countries, but be careful of taking off airway routings. You may not have the permits to overfly some of those countries. Mexico probably okay.
 
How much cargo do you need to carry?
 
FancyG said:
Tim - will look at Velocity specs, though don't see myself building one.

We have the same favorite, though my IA calls them Deathstars and turned me off of the most awesome twin ever made.
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If you do not need a twin, just look for a Velocity XL on the used market. They are surprisingly affordable.
As for the Aerostar, your IA just dislikes honest planes. I have only flown a dozen or so small types, but nothing comes close to giving you the feedback an Aerostar does. The pilot just has to listen, and fly the plane the way it was meant to be flown.
Like a swept wing jet; nail the numbers.

Tim
 
EdFred said:
Probably quicker and cheaper than flying first class when you have to buy two tickets and having to deal with security.
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Sorry dude, I've priced this. The tube is quicker. If you can fill the plane and everyone pays it may be cheaper, but only if you can do that. Doesn't mean I won't do it. Can't put a price on adventure.
 
steingar said:
Sorry dude, I've priced this. The tube is quicker. If you can fill the plane and everyone pays it may be cheaper, but only if you can do that. Doesn't mean I won't do it. Can't put a price on adventure.
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Not if going first/business class it isn't. $2500 round trip per person next month out of Miami on business class, and it's a 15+ hour ordeal.
 
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