Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: Premature end of data (mysqlnd_wireprotocol.c:553) in /usr/www/users/sr20/stories/database.php3 on line 8

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: OK packet 1 bytes shorter than expected in /usr/www/users/sr20/stories/database.php3 on line 8

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/www/users/sr20/stories/database.php3 on line 8

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/www/users/sr20/stories/database.php3:8) in /usr/www/users/sr20/stories/n142cd-ferry.php3 on line 25
N142CD ferry to Australia

Ferry flight from Duluth to Australia

N142CD left Duluth on 12th May, 2000 en-route to Brisbane, Australia.



The ferry pilot, New Zealander Robin Leach, was accompanied by Bill Marvel for the first leg of the journey. Bill wrote about the trip to Duluth, the factory tour, and the trip to Hayward CA.

After a couple of weeks delay in Hayward (see below) Rob Leach departed Oakland for Honolulu on the morning of Sunday, June 18. He arrived in Honolulu about 14 hours later. The flight was uneventful except for the rear (#2) alternator failing.

The compression was checked in Honolulu and found to be excellent. The alternator was checked and found to be OK - the fault is apparently some intermittent fault or adjustment required in the master control unit. This will be investigated later. For now, cycling the alternator seems to fix it.

Rob flew Honolulu to Christmas Island on Wednesday. The flight was long, 8 hours, but uneventful. Next leg is to Pago Pago.

On 25th June, 2000, N142CD landed at Archerfield airport, at around 4pm local time. A crowd of about 30 people were waiting, and champagne was broken out to celebrate.

The ferry route:



Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: Premature end of data (mysqlnd_wireprotocol.c:553) in /usr/www/users/sr20/stories/database.php3 on line 8

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: OK packet 1 bytes shorter than expected in /usr/www/users/sr20/stories/database.php3 on line 8

Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: mysqlnd cannot connect to MySQL 4.1+ using the old insecure authentication. Please use an administration tool to reset your password with the command SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('your_existing_password'). This will store a new, and more secure, hash value in mysql.user. If this user is used in other scripts executed by PHP 5.2 or earlier you might need to remove the old-passwords flag from your my.cnf file in /usr/www/users/sr20/stories/database.php3 on line 8

Warning: mysql() [function.mysql]: [2002] No such file or directory (trying to connect via unix:///tmp/mysql.sock) in /usr/www/users/sr20/stories/n142cd-ferry.php3 on line 90

Warning: mysql() [function.mysql]: No such file or directory in /usr/www/users/sr20/stories/n142cd-ferry.php3 on line 90

Warning: mysql() [function.mysql]: A link to the server could not be established in /usr/www/users/sr20/stories/n142cd-ferry.php3 on line 90

Warning: mysql_fetch_row() expects parameter 1 to be resource, boolean given in /usr/www/users/sr20/stories/n142cd-ferry.php3 on line 94

Problems

The aircraft was delayed in Hayward for several reasons; tanking (as first of type) took longer than expected, an FAA paperwork shuffle ensued (due to the plane being owned by an Australian corporation, flown by a New Zealand pilot but on an American registration).

The major delay was due to engine problems; a compression check revealed 4 cylinders with low compression (3 with very low). Three cylinders were removed and sent to Teledyne Continental Motors for inspection. They reported that the cylinders were undamaged, but had fuel deposits in the valve seats. They authorized fitting three new cylinders.

Unhappy with this result, we arranged for inspection of the other three cylinders by a third party. This showed that the cylinders had been overheated and the valves burnt. TCM then, with Cirrus Design's encouragement and assistance, provided a new engine. This was fitted, then inspected by a Cirrus Design technician, and test flown by a Cirrus factory pilot, with very satisfactory results (all cylinders show excellent compression).

The exact cause of the engine problems is not yet clear, except that at some point in its (short) history, it appears to have been operated at high power and lean mixture. No possible explanation has yet been identified.