Grade 3 user here. I am planning to embark on a challenging undertaking: circumnavigating the globe along the Equator! Aircraft of choice is the Boeing 777-200LR with the Boeing livery - callsign N917 Heavy. BOLO for me!
Route will begin at SEQM (Cargo Apron Stand 85) using Runway 36, and end at the same airport and cargo stand. After departure, the route will resume heading WNW above Pedernales, Ecuador. At that point, the route will continue due west along the Equator.
The flight will begin with an initial cruise to FL320. After 6 hours of flight , the climb will increase to FL350, and later to FL370 for the remainder of the cruise.
According to Microsoft Copilot, the mission is BARELY possible. Below is the recommended plan:
- Start heavy: FL310–FL320
- Mid‑weight: FL340–FL350
- Light: FL360–FL380
- Final hours: FL390 only if fuel margin is good
Seasoned IF veterans: let me know if you think this is something you’d try, or if it is designed to fail! Either way, I plan to give it my best shot. Stay tuned for more!
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Use AP+ and you’ll make it with ease.
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Good luck, that’s all I have to say
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Big mistake traveling west. About 1 hour West of the Galapagos Islands right now and the numbers look terrible. Likely will divert to Port Moresby and try again heading east if things don’t improve.
heading - 265, Fuel remaining - 260,300 lbs, Fuel flow - 10,900 lbs/hr, ETE - 43:27 - Groundspeed - 474 kts - Alttitude - FL300, Airspeed - Mach .81, wind - 285 @ 19 kts, throttle - 65%
Mission aborted… same plan, justheading east. Numbers look good so far!
Please tell me your cargo and pax were nearly empty…
Probably I will use the A359 (should be more fuel efficient but never really tested) also going East is the way, also try to make a route that pass near airports, particularly over the Pacifc.
And yes, make pax and Cargo as little as possible (I would say max 100 pax)
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Since this is a test flight and highly risky, I have no cargo and no passengers. Still looking good. fuel flow is still not ideal, but it will decrease as I get lighter. ETE is 34:53 hours and I have 63% fuel remaining. About to cross into Gabon. Will reevaluate when I get close to the Indian Ocean.
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After much trial and error determining the best speed and altitude combo, I’ve been cruising at FL320 at Mach .79 and it is giving some favorable results. Trim set at 35%. I tried decreasing it a few times, but I was burning more fuel even after leveling out than I was burning at 35%. Still no where close to where I need to be as far as the other numbers are concerned, but as fuel flow decreases, the potential outcome should continue to improve. Still have over 15k nm to go. If I go for a third attempt, I’ll let it ride at FL320 @ Mach .79 and let AP+ do its thing…
Mission failed. Made it to Papua New Guinea and had to make the tough call to divert. About 10 hours short on fuel.
I’d recommend following winds. Usually if you head south, you can catch tailwinds around Chile.
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Yes. There’s just not enough range in any IF aircraft to pull it off.
l the fabled glitched AP+ fuel burn
i have something that will help you do it easy
Are you flying the tailwinds?
