I arrived at the Airport at 4:30 AM for a 6 o'clock departure. The weather had turned in our favour and although there were some storms in the area of Honolulu there was going to be a favourable wind up all the way across to California .
The aircraft work had been completed and the FAA issued the required paper work for a ferry flight with temporary fuel system. Nang Fah was ready with a fresh annual inspection, 75 gallons of extra fuel and all systems were GO…..
Sunrise over the Pacific……..
With the airplane 15% over gross I kept the nose wheel on the ground until we reached 72 knots –about seven knots faster than normal rotation speed. She lifted nicely off the runway and climbed at the normal rate. Fifteen minutes, and a few vectors later, we were at 11,000 feet and on our way to California . I had decided to fly at 11,000' as the winds were no more favourable than at higher altitudes. This flight level was more comfortable as it did not require oxygen (although I did put it on from time to time). .
Preparing Nang Fah…….
Ferry tank installed……..
I was transferred from Honolulu approach to San Francisco radio about 200 miles out of Hawaii . Again the Icom H.F. radio worked flawlessly. Clear and undisturbed reception with San Francisco radio all the way to the coast.
Based on the forecast of winds, airspeed and fuel consumption I set the airplane up to burn just over 13 gallons per hour which would give us a TAS of about165 knots in our over gross weight condition. With favourable winds I expected an average ground speed greater than 180knots for the entire trip.
Half Way - 200k @ 12.9gph……go Nang Fah!
Everything progressed smoothly for the first 800 miles; just as planned. I knew there was a chance that we would encounter a weather system, seen on satellite radar, mid way across the Pacific. Its southern most edge would be right along our track. Sure enough it was there. As I approached, there were large cumulus clouds, formed in a NE line. I elected to deviate left of course; which was clearer but contrary to the flow of the system. San Francisco radio and ATC approved a deviation of up to 30 miles north of track. I was able to navigate around clouds but the system kept pushing me farther and farther north. After a second deviation was approved I found myself nearly 50 miles north of my track to California . As I had clearly seen the cloud formations, on the satellite pictures the night before, I knew that I could not continue deviating left. I desperately wanted a break in the clouds to allow me to turn back south and get on track again. It did not happen!!!
Too far off course and it was time to “bite the bullet” and fly through this system. We made a right turn and started navigating back to our track. I knew there were no thunderstorms within this front but as we entered the clouds we encountered heavy rain and moderate turbulence. It took about 1 hour but we eventually broke out of the IMC and saw beautiful blue sky in front of us. That is a lovely feeling 1000 miles from shore after bouncing around in the clouds!
Picking our way though the clouds……..
The solid and stable construction of Mooney aircraft is something you really appreciate when you get into turbulence. I remember thinking, once more, how lucky we were to be flying this aircraft……..
It was then clear sailing all the way to California . About 500 miles from our destination day turned into night and we were engulfed in pure blackness – not a light to be seen. It was so peaceful only cockpit lights and strobes flashing. Like there was no one else in the world for several hours.
Eventually we saw the coastal lights of California and were turned over to Los Angeles Center on VHF. Since we were RNAV equipped we requested and got approval for a direct course to Merced Airport .
It was a beautiful, clear, black, night over California . The lights from the valley were sparkling 100 miles out. We requested the GPS/RNAV approach to runway 12 Merced . When cleared for the approach we pushed the NAV button on the autopilot and Nang Fah did the rest. Turning final, three clicks on the microphone button, and the beautiful runway lights of Merced Airport turned on and welcomed us home. What a feeling!!!!
Tom Lopes and his crew from Gateway Aviation removed the ferry tanks and H.F. radio as required by FAA regulations.
If you require tanking, or any other ferry services for Hawaii and California , I can strongly recommend Tom and his team. Contrary to what many people will tell you, you DO NOT have to buy a ferry tank. Tom will rent you a tank for a Pacific flight. If you need equipment, or ferry pilots, contact Tom Lopes at 209 988 9000 or Fred Sorensen at Aeroplane (at - type @) cox(dot - type .)net
Our average ground speed to for the 2300 nm flight was 184 knots. We burned 170 gallons of Avgas; 13.6 gallons per our and we landed with more than 3 hours reserve.
Today would be our final leg back to our starting point at Boundary Bay airport in Vancouver . It was a beautiful day leaving Merced with extreme high pressure on the west coast.
The weather had been very bad up in Oregon , Washington state and British Columbia for the past 3 days. The forecast for this day, however, indicated that we could expect a comfortable and clear flight. We would be above the clouds, clear of icing, probably encountering some IMC conditions descending into Vancouver . We planned our flight at 10,000 feet for the first 400 miles then climbing to 16,000 for the balance of the trip; to ensure we were above the icing over Oregon . Winds were forecast to be up to 90 knots off the Pacific and abeam of our aircraft.
Northern California and Oregon………….
The conditions turned out to be exactly as expected a wonderful flight all the way north. When we were finally transferred to Victoria approach, then Vancouver , we knew we were home. We were cleared for the VOR approach to Boundary Bay airport, circling to land runway 12, an approach I had done many times before.
Victoria, British Columbia…….
End of Our Rainbow in Vancouver…….
It was with very mixed emotions that we taxied to the terminal realizing that our incredible adventure had come to and end. We were very thankful for a safe trip and being able to walk away with a lifetime of memories. We made so many new friends around the world and now we see the entire planet in a different light.
Lec’s tearful farewell to Nang Fah…
We want to thank all of the people who have followed us on the web site, sent encouraging emails and those great people we had direct contact with and helped us so much in turning our dreams into reality.
Good bye for now. We hope you will all Follow Your Dreams……… .
Hawaii, California to Vancouver
Sunrise over the Pacific…….. 
