Max Range for a spotter plane

[GAHorn]

The only "ping-pong" bluEldr ever played was with his numerous girlfriends.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Miles you are assuming the 170/172 would be at gross weight and it probably wouldn't be at least most of the time.

As I recall the Mythbusters calculated it would take more ping pong balls to float the boat than it actually did.

[hilltop170]

Don't forget to take into account the buoyancy of the airplane itself in the water, the water that is displaced by the airplane reduces it's weight so not as many ping pong balls are needed. Maybe even the Mythbusters forgot about that.

[cessna170bdriver]

deleted by the author

[wingnut]

Archerfrog, just got off the phone with Zapata Protein guys which fly offshore LA. as fish spotter all day. They are using Cessna 172's and some 182's. On the 172 they have Javelin tanks or long range fuel. They also carry rafts and live vest for survival and have a 3 minutes portable air tank. Just for your info they carry 3-4 man rafts and thinking that another plane would drop a raft to a downed pilot rather than him trying to get a raft out. The comment was flying by yourself --you should carry a single man raft in the right seat and either drop it and land close of carry it out the door with you if you have a problem. The other commet was it doesn't matter whether you are 3 miles or 30 miles you will not glide to land-- have the survival equipment. They have 32 planes available. They have 3 plants and 5 planes out of each plant fly 15- planes in the air and rotate in 4 hrs periods. Sometimes they are all on top of each other at 500' spacing and other times miles apart seaching for fish. Pretty much the 172 does the Job and as Bruce said the cost, insurance, and maintaince would be less. Ron

Hey Ron,
Omega Protein in Abbeville, LA also has 30 something Cessna singles; 182, 182RG, 172 &RG and maybe others, but no twins that I'm aware of. Repaired a couple for them. They use them almost exclusively for spotting fish.
I'm not a pilot, but if I had to choose, I would prefer the RG in case I had to ditch.

[ron74887]

Del, that is who I talked to about it. They used to use 180's and 172's and while updating the fleet they have swithched to exactly what you said. I was just giving Archerfrog and answer that the 172 will do what he needed. I guess you know Travis, he was my instructor and was the one that convinced me to buy the 170 in 1976-7 (one of those years). Yea I know there is a bunch in the Association that have not forgiven him!!!! Bought it from a guy in Center, TX. who was a duplicate of JR Samples on Hee-Haw. (Another story). They only go about 10 miles offshore cause of water depth, causde the fish dive therefore nets have to touch bottom, . An, as you say that is all they use them for. lots of flying time.. Ron

[wingnut]

Yeh, I know Travis well. Great guy, sends a lot of business our way. I was down there in October and visited with him. He told me in all the years, and all the planes, never one forced landing. He is a good maintenance director and has a bunch of good guys working for him.
I didn't recognized the name "Zapata". Have they recently changed the name, or was that a previous name?

[ron74887]

DAMN. Del, Caught me again --They used to be Zapata-- sold/merged and you are RIGHT -- Omega Protein. I keep calling them Zapata old habits are hard to break! I had talked with Dale yesterday when I answered Archerfrog- and never listen when they answer the phone, cause I know who I want to talk to. Another thing, in your answer you said you were not a pilot? If that was ever said I missed it -- time to get on the stick--trade George/Richard for flight time. (HA HA) With all the good things being said about your work don't get the big head like George and keep up the great work and responses. LOOK OUT FOR INCOMING!!! George and I pick on each other if no one has figured that out yet!!! When you come down here you had better stop by. And for some reason I thought you stopped by Petit Jean one flyin?? If it was not you, then some one with a shop did? See I don't pay attention. Ron

[blueldr]

Attaboy Miles!

I knew somebody could figure it out.

[flyguy]

many ping pong balls are needed. Maybe even the Mythbusters forgot about that.

There was a story some while back where a fellow was flying somewhere over the Caribbean. (??) His intent was to make all landings on terra firma but 'just in case" he loaded the aft portion of his fuselage with bags full of ping pong balls. He had engine failure and actually ditched in whatever ocean ? ? He survived but had lots of trouble with the local police etc etc trying to recover his plane. I think the flotation scheme did help with the recovery but most of his stuff was lost. He had videos on YOUTUBE if I remember.

[jrenwick]

I believe you're talking about Maurice Kirk, and the airplane was an L-4. http://kirkflyingvet.com/Default.aspx. My British friends tell me he's not a sterling example of either a pilot or a veterinarian. He's trouble wherever he goes, and that covers a LOT of ground (and ocean). He was trying to complete an around-the-world voyage in the L-4 when he lost it. Quite an amazing exploit, actually.

The flotation material was packing peanuts, not ping pong balls. Story here: http://kirkflyingvet.com/blogs/kirks_bl ... drink.aspx

John