Awesome thing at work

[aceflyley]

Haven't posted on here in a really long time (still visit almost every day), but I thought I'd share something cool that I got to do at work the other day:

I'm a ramp supervisor for SkyWest in Denver, and due to the heavy traffic we get and the lack of parking spots, we have to reposition our aircraft over to the hanger quite often. A lot of the time the mechanics need one of us to ride in the right seat to watch out the window. I've always wanted to ride along, but I've never had the chance before last tuesday. Anyway, one of our older CR7's (I think it was 701SK) had some mechanical issues and needed to be moved over to the United hanger. I had just helped off-load the plane, so I was over there when the mechanic pulled up. He walked over and asked a couple of us if anybody could ride over with him. Of course, I volunteered.

Anyway, after I got all situated in the right seat, the mechanic asked me if I had taxied a plane before, I said "yes, cessnas" and he said "you want to taxi over to the hanger?" Uhhh, yeah! As he was starting up all the computers he explained each step to me and what each button was doing. Finally, after we were pushed back onto the taxi way he let me take over (under his EXTREMELY close supervision of course). First I started up both engines (you can hardly hear them up front) and then throttled up the number 2 engine to make a tight left turn. Then it was off to the hanger using both engines. For those of you that are familiar with DIA, its quite a drive over to the big United hanger, so there were lots of turns and plenty of room to pick up some speed. He let me slow down with the thrust reversers and with the brakes, so I got try out almost everything (relating to taxing that is). Anyway... needless to say it was an awesome experience, he really made my day. For a low-hour student pilot like myself to taxi a $30 mil plane like a CR7 is a once in a lifetime experience. Hopefully I'll get to do it again

[mrivc211]

Thats cool man! I'm thinking about transitioning to the RJ in either DEN or SLC in Jan/Feb.

[aceflyley]

Right on! I would definitely choose DEN over SLC, but thats just me Getting sick of the Brasilia already?? I was asking the mechanic on the way back about taxing the EMB-120 and he said it was a lot more complex. Well, good luck with whatever you choose.

[kellwolf]

So, did he let you sit in the left seat, or did you use the rudder pedals to steer instead of the tiller?

[aceflyley]

No, I was in the right seat and I used the rudder pedals. He used the tiller when we made the sharp, almost 360 degree turn after we were pushed back. He said that you can't make really sharp turns with just the pedals.

Excuse my ignorance, but do pilots of planes like that just use the tiller and not the pedals? It's probably easier...

[mrivc211]

every plane is different. We use both on the bro. The few times that I've steered I noticed its hard to make sharp turns with just using the pedals. We have to hit a button (forget the name) (steering pedal disconnect?) that lets us use the pedals to steer for an angle greater than a certain amount. Shows how much I remember from August!

[Cheechako]

I use the tiller for the tight turns and the pedals to keep me centered when going straight. The tiller on some of the airplanes is pretty sensitive and it kind of jerks you around making small corrections. I'm all about a smooth ride for those in back!

Omar, you gotta come to COS so we can fly together! The DEN crew lounge is a dungeon- you don't want to go there! We're first class all the way here in the Springs! SLC has a nice setup as well.

[mrivc211]

<------------------As long as he can ride up front with us!

I actually looked at COS for literally one minute. I'm just figuring SLC and DEN would be an easier commute. I guess I could also do COS. I remember throwing bags in LAX and flights going directly there. How's the commute?

[moxiepilot]

awesome fun...woo hoo