Zürich to Bad Ragaz

The brave, powerful and reliable Mooney HBDGL back home at the airstrip of Bad Ragaz.

Here we were welcomed by family member and collaborators of the AO Research Institute, Davos. They displayed the guiding theme that applies to research and flying alike (in a more polite setting): Following the flock may be misleading.

The crew of the legs from Vancouver to Zürich: Heinz and Stephan…

and their wives. Together with Claudia the wife of Nicolas they have been great supporters.

The small flying Ferrari suspended in the hangar, thanks a lot, great job.

Recovering at the home resort of Zermatt with a beautiful view of the Matterhorn.

A button, which I found in San Francisco, states the key-note in a blunt but none the less straight way for general application. In research questioning generally accepted theorems allows and unlashes creativity.
In flying obvious and generally accepted opinions would have asked for a twin engine aircraft. Selecting a single engine aircraft was based on reducing the probability of failure with generally better maintained single engines and it helped to reduce the costs of the undertaking. We also considered the fact that a small twin
loaded to ferry conditions would with one operating engine only not be able to maintain altitude and delay but not avoid forced landing or ditching. A single engine condition of a twin would also have critically reduced the range.
To achieve good speed and range cabin space was the trade-off.

Summary of data: The total distance of the 48 legs covered was 28’791 Nm (53’378 Km)
the average speed was about 156 Kts (289 Km/h) in 184:48 hours.
Fuel used was 1970 USG (7457L) or 15Nm/USG (14L/100Km).

Maximum ground speed in level flight (tailwind) was 235 Kts or 435 Km-h
Nicolas was crew member during 38 legs with 152 hours 23738NM (44’010Km) distance,
Heinz contributed as crew member during 10 legs with 32 hours and 5053Nm (9368Km).