Overseas Aircraft Moving

[paul330]

OK, so I have only been flying a few months, but when the build takes nearly 9 years, your lifestyle choices change......

I need to move my RV10 to South Africa, probably in the Spring. There was a company that used to advertise in the Mag (Big Misters?), but I believe they have ceased business. Anybody any info on a specialist company that may be able to help?

[SimonPaul]

Hi,

I basically have the same question, need to move an RV-6 from the Netherlands to the UK by road.
Which company would be able to do that. I was looking for the advertisement in the magazine too where an RV-6A was rolled from a container... Can't find it anymore in the last three issues.
Anyone with older issues willing to locate the ad and supply us with the details ?

Thanks !
Simon

[Ian Melville]

Dick Flute is the name that you recall. I don't think that he is operating now, Brian would know.

[Chris Martyr]

Well done Ian , I see that stack of LA mags in your carzy has come to the rescue again !

I believe the haulage co to which you refer was called O.L.G. and if my befuddled memory serves me well, wasn't there an article about said gentleman in LA mag a couple of years back ? It was a very interesting article and had a few anecdotes about hauling aeroplanes and other things all over the UK and Europe . [wish my archiving was as efficient as Ian's] But wasn't that article the pre-cursor to Dick Flute's retirement ? Come on Brian, we know you know.

[Brian Hope]

You're right Ian it was Dick Flute but Chris is also correct in that he has now retired. The chap he sold his lorry to (it was specially designed to move exhibition stuff around, which was Dick's main business) was going to see about continuing with aircraft removals but seems to have disappeared, he never got in touch.
Unfortunately I don't know of anybody else but there are plenty of shippers out there who containerise all manner of things and ship them across the globe. The secret is in packing the aircraft so it is secure and bits and pieces can't flail around doing damage. Plenty of RV guys in particular have shipped aircraft so the RV Squadron would be a good place to ask advice.
Just going to Netherlands I think I'd hire a big enough box van and drive it there myself. I think you can drive up to a seven and a half tonner on a car licence and that's plenty big enough for a well packed dismantled light aircraft.
Happy Christmas and a great new year to everybody. Brian

[Ian Melville]

If I stopped reading the mags, I would get a few more scanned Complimented my collect perfectly.

[mike newall]

You would probably be quicker and safer to get it flown down either with assistance, or by a ferry company.

Best will in the world, RV's are not designed to be taken apart and re assembled that easily, unless you have a 12 !

I'm sure we could do it easily enough

[SimonPaul]

You would probably be quicker and safer to get it flown down either with assistance, or by a ferry company.

Best will in the world, RV's are not designed to be taken apart and re assembled that easily, unless you have a 12 !

I'm sure we could do it easily enough

The RV6 which needs to be moved is not airworthy, still under construction. Wings have not yet been installed. Thanks for all your answers so far. I think the biggest size truck that can be driven with a standard drivers license should probably do the trick.

[paul330]

I had a serious look at flying her down but the cost was truly eye-watering to get a professional company to arrange it. Couple that with the poor security situation in North Africa and I (my wife... ) decided the best option would be to container her (the aeroplane, not my wife!).

Actually, taking apart is not that hard with a dozen bolts on each wing and about 20 on the tail section - all easily accessible. Since it will require an inspection pre-registration, panels etc would need to be off anyway. Also means I can get all my spares and tools in.

Thanks for the advice - looks like I will talk to the people who moved the household stuff.

[johnmichie]

I basically have the same question, need to move an RV-6 from the Netherlands to the UK by road.
Which company would be able to do that. I was looking for the advertisement in the magazine too where an RV-6A was rolled from a container... Can't find it anymore in the last three issues.
Anyone with older issues willing to locate the ad and supply us with the details ?

Hi Simon

I've moved several aircraft in self drive 7.5 tonners, including my RV6A and an unfinished 7. Make sure you get a van with a tail lift, and no tacho (the law changed recently and having a tacho creates problems). You will need ratchet freight straps and rope, and some form of cushioning (old blankets, cushions, etc.) Don't expect good mpg, but it's the cheapest way to transport.

John

[Peter Gorman]

Paul

Why not fly the RV10 to South Africa yourself?? This is not such a big deal, will be a lot of fun, the 10 can do long legs and so help to keep the cost down. It would be a shame to containerise it. Contact Eddie Gould for transits and fuel through Egypt/Sudan, should not be a problem, I understand Egypt's security situation is greatly improved. Once you get to Nairobi it's straightforward thereafter.

For everything RV in South Africa contact Robin Coss in Cape Town. There might be fiscal considerations in importing an aircraft.

Peter

[Chris Martyr]

I certainly don't want to show dis-respect for Peter's post , as I'm sure he knows a bit about this subject, whereas I have never flown a single engine piston a/c over any part of Africa.
I have though had quite a bit of experience doing "flying spanner" duties for my employer in several African locations, including Hassi-Messaoed in the Algerian Sahara , where the Pilot Notes instructed the guys :"Under no circumstances should diversions be made within this country ,unless absolutely necessary". Similarly 'exciting' were the flights into Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Lagos was almost tame by comparison .
It's not the sort of terrain where I would want to fly my pride and joy whilst still in its shake-down period, especially after having spent 9 years in the build . I remember Steve Noujaim's excellent article in the mag, wherein he commented that one would probably only have about a 40% chance of survival from any unplanned landing. I know that a London-CapeTown-London record attempt isn't quite the same, but that particular point probably is.

I'm not trying to turn Paul's original point into a "Fly it/ Don't fly it" type debate as that's not what he asked , but having a nice 20ft shipping container dropped at the aeroplanes base and then securing the a/c down with ratchet straps and a few miles of bubble-wrap is definitely a lot less stressful and also more cost effective than the other option.
Also, if as he says in his signature that the aircraft hasn't been finally painted, then its arrival in SA would be the perfect opportunity to do so, and probably a lot cheaper than here.
A mate from Jo'burg often brings me SA flying mags when he's been home. They're gloriously non-pc and the GA scene out there is really vibrant. Good luck Paul, I'm sure you've made the right decision .

Flying UK to SA is OK if you say it quick , but it's a bit like doing London - LA and then half as much again . Plus the missus going, "are we nearly there yet".