Meet the Ferry Pilot! $486,000 C-172 to Hawaii!

A phone interview with ferry pilot Tom Lopes answeres many of your questions about this amazing 18 hour ferry flight!
"I believe he said he had to go to the bathroom..."

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[blancolirio]

PLEASE WATCH ENTIRE VIDEO BEFORE COMMENTING BELOW!
If you pay attention-your questions will be answered.
The flight departs Merced because that is where Tom's company is based. The difference on a 2500mile flight is nominal.

[bossthefluff]

I would regularly fly the 17-18 hours non-stop Dubai to Auckland as a pilot of the A380. 4 crew. Autopilot. Plenty fuel. Lots of electronics. Proper breaks. First class food. Huge respect for his achievement. Amazing.

[StringPassion.]

Wow. 18 hours of demanding work, with no breaks, in cramped space, and the scenery never changes. This guy is one helluva pilot.

[hallkbrdz]

A 5 hour stint in the SUV without getting out is long enough for me at 55. 18 hours cramped up in a cockpit is nuts. Hats off to Tom!

[Hopeless_and_Forlorn]

Just when I had come to the conclusion that aviation has been totally replaced by button pushing, accounting, and disgruntled passengers, Juan finds a present day example of heroic flight across open ocean. Thank you.

[gritsngranola]

LOL. Tom wasn't wearing just any old shirt but a "flyfishing" shirt!
Your enthusiasm and passion for flying really shows in this video Juan.
THAT'S why I LOVE this channel!

[surebrah]

ATC here, I asked an AAL 777 flight LA - London if Blancolirio was aboard. Was met with confusion by the pilots. Then a bunch of other pilots chimed in they watch your stuff too. Cool moment.

[aaronfields]

Something else that’s worth pointing out in regards to his takeoff weight and fuel consumption during those first few hours.. not only is a relatively lighter aircraft carrying much more fuel for a long trip like that, but it also has to carry the massive balls this man has across the Pacific Ocean. All jokes aside, I’m fascinated that there are pilots out there that are willing to make a trip like this regardless of the compensation. Awesome story

[leifvejby]

He has my greatest respect, 18 hours, and I think that 6 hours non stop in a car is quite a long trip!

[kevincollins]

I don't care what anyone says those ferry pilots are a rare breed.

that's incredible being an old 172 flyer I applaud him. I've had a few cross the content flights in the last 30 years but 3 hours is my normal max I couldn't imagine 18 hours.

[greyjay]

A testimony to Tom's long experience and fortitude, and also to the build quality of that aircraft. That engine ran continuously for
18 hours, much of it at full power, with no issues. I hope Tom had a chance to chat with airliners flying above him. I like to think they kept a protective eye on him. Bravo Tom!

[williamoorejr]

that was fun my dad and friend flew a piper 210 round the world and it was an adventure, included crimped tank vent causing fuel to piddle round the cockpit and pilots side window blowing out and hitting the horizontal stabilizer making a stop at Truck island necessary. finally ending up back at Skymanor airport in New Jersey. Dad always wanted to go round the world as he had gone half way during ww2 as a ferry pilot from Ireland to Cairo. So Hats off to Tom life can get sketchy up there. nice job

[zacharynorman]

I was out in Honolulu last October and actually rented their SR20 for fun. They had a very active operation there. I also really enjoyed the CFI who came along with me (Ian Choe). I never asked how they got that plane across (at the time, the Cirrus was their newest to the fleet). Now I know!

[georgefranklin]

Sitting in a car for 6 hours, with rest stops, is hard enough. Cannot imagine 18 hours. Gives appreciation to Limbe's flight.

[adrianwilliams]

Living in New Zealand at the bottom of the South Pacific, ferry flying of aircraft in this fashion is very common. Agricultural aircraft (such as Air Tractor) are frequently flown from Australia and the agricultural hopper is converted into a ferry ‘tank’ to provide the additional 400-500 gallons of fuel required.

[Pilot-Ali]

I am a 172 pilot, and I would say that, flying for 18 hours consecutively is no joke in this cramped aircraft. I mean maximum certified endurance of this aircraft is not more than 6.5 hours and my cross country navigation is not more than 5 hours. Hats off to this dude.

[pistonburner]

That's not only a ferry flight delivery service, but also quite a thorough run-in for the aircraft!!

[gracelandone]

Juan, your enthusiasm for taking on this type of challenge is only barely concealed throughout the video. The level of joy evident in relating Tom George’s feat is all over your voice and face. I smiled the entire length of the video.

[gmctech]

okay, this is just beyond amazing.... The mental and physical drain it takes to do this is just unimaginable! Tom is a MACHINE!!!