Mike, James & the Team are flying around the world !!

[WillemG]

A bit late, here is a pic of them departing on Saturday.

[Oddball]

Hi there Morph,

I don't know that there is a set plan; they also have a dingy and PLB's, as well as the constant satellite tracking so that if they had to ditch we would know exactly where they go down. The satellite tracking system also has an alarm/ emergency feature which, if activated, sends out thier position on a more regular basis (its around every 10 minutes at present) and alerts a designated person that there is a problem. Right now that is a very nervous Tim Parsinson, a good friend of James', who is also giving them the most up to date wheather that he can get hold of. Sias Dreyer found us a great site for wind and is getting Tim connected to it now; looks like they will have a tailwind for tonights flight.

In the event of a night emergency over water, or other inhospitable terrain, we put very bright LED lights into each wing tip and then also a 50W spot on one side and a 100W spot on the other, so that they can at least see to try and fly her down. I imagine that it will all depend on the circumstances as to what they will do...

Jay

[DarkHelmet]

I cannot stop pressing reload in Google Earth....

[Morph]

Read Mike and James' log for today here. Awesome insight to the first sector and how they are feeling

http://www.airplanefactory.co.za/world/press.asp

[DarkHelmet]

Read that when I got the Facebook update.

The path is not updating for me in Google Earth.

They should now be airborne at least 1hr49m and well over water but the google earth link is not updating...

Anyone got an updated link? Post a pic please...

[Morph]

It appears that they haven't enabled the tracker.

Use this as the base page for up to date information

http://www.airplanefactory.co.za/world/default.asp

[Peg Leg]

Read Mike and James' log for today here. Awesome insight to the first sector and how they are feeling

http://www.airplanefactory.co.za/world/press.asp

Thanks for the link Morph - outstanding reading - I am late for work this morning cause I could'nt stop browsing - thoughts are with them !!

[Nkwazi]

Glad they're safe in Conakry, Guinea. Good Luck for the crossing guys.

[Smiley]

Excellent News!! Keep up the good work guys!!

[JBurger]

Wonder what the fuel consumtion is on the trip so far.
Good luck to you guys and keep the news coming. I am glued to the PC to follow your adventure.

[Peg Leg]

Wonder what the fuel consumtion is on the trip so far.
Good luck to you guys and keep the news coming. I am glued to the PC to follow your adventure.

Mike wrote on his LOG...............
"So now that we have undertaken 2 fully laden overnight flights we have a much better idea of the performance and endurance. When the Sling is full it weighs about 900 kg, the ground roll is about 400 m at sea level and it climbs at about 250 ft/min. The speed in the first few hours is slow … a true airspeed of about 85 knots but as we burn off fuel we are able to cruise at about 95 Knots which is what we predicted. Fuel burn in the beginning now that we are running a bit leaner is 19 l per hour and during the last part of the flight it goes down to 17 l per hour. So lets see for tomorrows flight to Brazil … 4050 km, average of 90 knots, average of 18 l per hour … that makes 440 L. We have 450 so we are home and dry. Easy as long as the ATC doesn't make us do a circuit. In reality we need tailwinds to reduce our stress levels …"

[cobra]

"... In reality we need tailwinds to reduce our stress levels …"

I believe Mike & James praisers will be answered and the tailwind gods will be with them

I updated the forecast for the best wind profile @ altitude and it seems that they will have an average tailwind of 20kt all the way (cruise 90kts, 19 hours 332 liters @ 18 l/h) see http://www.vfrplanner.org/app/nav/vfrpl ... 6866925644

The only significant wx is the storm approaching from the east, which could be a problem by this afternoon at Conakry, otherwise the Atlantic does not seem to have any major weather patterns.

See animated images by selecting the "6" at the top of the following links:

http://oiswww.eumetsat.org/IPPS/html/MS ... /index.htm

http://oiswww.eumetsat.org/IPPS/html/MS ... G/AMERICA/

[Morph]

So lets see for tomorrows flight to Brazil … 4050 km, average of 90 knots, average of 18 l per hour … that makes 440 L. We have 450 so we are home and dry. Easy as long as the ATC doesn't make us do a circuit. In reality we need tailwinds to reduce our stress levels …

Man that is cutting it fine. Why not follow the alternative route shown below? Is it because they need to land at at International airport?.

[Low Level]

it seems that they will have an average tailwind of 20kt all the way (cruise 90kts, 19 hours 332 liters @ 18 l/h)

Don't know any of the people involved with this expedition, but Saturday to me was quite an emotional experience just standing watching these guys. Mike, Saturday, very busy and involved with all the final preparations for this adventure, had time to speak to all the people hanging around. Greeted everybody and was really friendly. What a gentleman.

I am following this trip with belated breath. I am really and for this ocean crossing.

Some pics, although a bit late.

Jay still can't believe they're doing this with a 912.

The onlookers

Adios

[Oddball]

They plan to leave at 5pm our time today. 702 will boadcast an interview with Mike at around 16h10 today.