Warbird Information Exchange

I had a problem getting an FAA ferry permit to fly my Bonanza on a short flight to the engine overhaul shop. The local FSDO flatly refused to issue a ferry permit as my Continental TSIO 520 has a small crack in the crankcase. I would like to fly it about 30 minutes from Col Springs up to Loveland to a top overhaul shop. Both the Bonanza expert and the overhaul shop agree this flight would be safe, don't need to go over any mountains or populated areas. The fed says in his 20 year experience they have never issued such a permit for any crack. He claims you can't see inside the engine. Of course you can't see inside any other engine either. I am told by another source that Feds have changed their policies on Ferry flight within the last 6 months or so. I'm sure they aren't all liek this, but I think I understand why a major Warbird pilot used to refer to the Feds as "snakes". Thanks. Bill

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Bill, I signed off on a ferry permit about 30 years ago and all it involved was a form from the FAA that I filled out stating it was airworthy for a ferry flight from here to there and a log book sign off. I think all you need is an A&P to do it.

I've been involved in retrieving numerous crashed aircraft using ferry permits. Latest was a nasty gear-up, a few months ago.

On some, the damage was considerable, but we patched them up, hung a new prop, and flew them to a repair facility.

Don't recall ever having a problem doing the ferry permit paperwork.

I'll ask a few questions and get some answers for you.

I've been told if the local FSDO won't do it- ask another! Also, as usual in situations like this, be judicial in what you tell them- do not lie, do not obfuscate or hide the facts, but only answer what needs to be answered, with a minimum of verbage...

Robbie

Depite the temptation to fly up to the overhaul shop without the permit, I followed the rules. The shop that does the annuals removed the engine and shipped it to the OH shop. It was found to have a big crack in a vulnerable place behind the alternator. So I bought low time Special Edition engine and had it shipped to the first shop. It is in and flying and just had my first oil change.
So and this is hard to write, MAYBE IN THE END THE FAA WAS RIGHT, those #@##***sob**&##@ snakes.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Bill, you never know what to think when it comes to engines and will it make it. Like our Diesel Burner, we always plan for a single engine, but sometimes they both work....

Lynn