Dropping meat missiles

[jrh]

I just scored a gig flying skydivers for a local dropzone on the weekends. They operate a Cessna 182. Training/work for me starts at 9:00 a.m. this Sunday.

I'm looking forward to it...haven't done much outside of teaching, and it'll be fun flying a "big" plane for a change. And by "big" I mean "can carry more than two people."

Any tips or pieces of advice for a newbie jump pilot?

[Milesar]

Congrats on the job, should be interesting having passengers that jump out.

slushie used to drop people off mid-flight all the time, he may have some advice for ya.

[Cptnchia]

Originally Posted by jrh

Any tips or pieces of advice for a newbie jump pilot?

Used to fly them all the time. Watch your speed on jump run, you don't want to stall, but you don't want to be too fast either. If you're on speed, the jumpers can get a clean launch. Also, NEVER admit to doing something for the first time. If you do, it'll cost you a case of beer.

[jrh]

Originally Posted by Cptnchia

Also, NEVER admit to doing something for the first time. If you do, it'll cost you a case of beer.

Hahaha...I think that advice applies to ALL areas of flying!

[Crockrocket94]

Congrats on the side job!!

[dc3flyer]

Congrads!!!!!!!!

[falconvalley]

and remember that your job is playtime for them.

Some skydivers would board a burning airplane...

Airplane is receiving annual- "When can we jump?"

Airplane JUST went down for servicing like 2 minutes ago because one sides brakes are not effective- "We can go w/o left brakes, can't we? The right side still works..." Me- "NO." Them- "When can we jump again?"

The sun has set and they don't have the proper equipment for a night jump- "One more!" Me- "NO." Them- "It's still light out!!" Me- "The hours of sunset are posted on the entrance door to the club for a reason. Besides, I can't see the path out to the airplane anymore and there's no moon. I don't want you to break a limb..."

It's overcast 800, visibility 3/4. "Can we take a look?" Me- "NO." Them- "But we drove all the way out here!" Me- "So did I. Btw, I really need to start charging you for me to show up."

It's really cold out and they want to jump naked, which they probably will and want you to fly naked.

BE CAREFUL. Flying skydivers is very dangerous if you're not. You're often max weight, aft cg, and low on fuel when it's hot out!

Have tons of fun!

Don't fly naked!

[jrh]

Originally Posted by falconvalley

and remember that your job is playtime for them.

Some skydivers would board a burning airplane...

...

BE CAREFUL. Flying skydivers is very dangerous if you're not. You're often max weight, aft cg, and low on fuel when it's hot out!

Great advice, thanks!

Originally Posted by falconvalley

Don't fly naked!

Why not? Sounds like fun

[Cptnchia]

Originally Posted by jrh

Great advice, thanks!



Why not? Sounds like fun

Spoken like a man who's never had a parachute harness on while butt naked! You'll only do that once.

[scramjet]

Originally Posted by Cptnchia

Spoken like a man who's never had a parachute harness on while butt naked! You'll only do that once.

there's a story behind this somewhere...

[slushie]

A 182 is definitely not a "big" plane when it has 2 tandems on board.
In fact, I have felt more comfortable flying the C150 Jesus planes over ABQ/FLG.

Don't do anything that could take your life or your pocket-sized picture of Orville and Wilbur.

On your first day, bring in a case or two of beer, and you just might get a raise.

Q: "Do you do weight and balance for every flight?"
A: "Yes."

Incorporate any boobies into your scan. But "fixation" is hazardous.

[Cruise]

Originally Posted by Cptnchia

Spoken like a man who's never had a parachute harness on while butt naked! You'll only do that once.

Originally Posted by scramjet

there's a story behind this somewhere...

I'm thinking.....definitely! Do tell chia!

Originally Posted by slushie

Incorporate any boobies into your scan. But "fixation" is hazardous.

Woo Hoo.....Boobies!

[jrh]

Hey guys,

I just got back from doing my company checkout. I'm definitely going to have a good time working here! The whole atmosphere is very chill...all the regulars introduced themselves, lots of couches to lounge on in the hangar, big BBQs and bonfires every weekend, just a really friendly place in general.

The owner is an awesome guy who's been jumping for 37 years and flew as a jump pilot himself for many years before losing his medical. He did a good job of explaining what their operation is like, how they want the plane to be flown, etc. He also has a great attitude towards safety and professionalism. He encouraged me to be efficient for the sake of the company (fly tight patterns, taxi fast, etc.) but completely backs me up if I make a decision about safety. He said the same things that have been said here on JC about being careful with fuel management, CG, and of course not letting the jumpers boss me around too much.

For my checkout he strapped a chute on and knelt next to me in the cockpit. We went around the pattern three times, then climbed to 5000 AGL and practiced the procedures for opening and closing the door. After I felt comfortable closing the door on my own, we dropped down to 3000 AGL, set up for a jump run over the airport, and out he went! I guess I must not have sucked too bad if he was willing to leave me alone up there!

During the debrief he said I'd done well and he was happy to have me fly for them as much as I want.

I was going to fly some revenue flights for them right after my checkout, but the wind started gusting to 25 knots so the whole day got scratched. At least I have something to look forward to next weekend.

[moxiepilot]

come on you can handle a little wind bud.

Glad to hear youre branching out into another area and it sounds like a good gig which arent always easy to find.

i suspect it means free jumps for you every now and then eh?

[jrh]

Originally Posted by moxiepilot

come on you can handle a little wind bud.

Haha...I can handle 25 knots of wind without even thinking about it, but have you ever tried to steer a parachute in that kind of wind?

It was the jumpers who called off the day, not me.

Originally Posted by moxiepilot

i suspect it means free jumps for you every now and then eh?

Indeed it does. One free jump every 25 tach hours that I fly. Can be tandem or static line, my choice. I think I'll do static line...tandem jumps are probably more fun, but aren't as useful when it comes to getting certified as a skydiver. One of the jumpmasters explained the whole process to me, but I've forgotten half of it. Something about doing 5 static line jumps, then doing a very short (literally two second) free fall, then working my way up to longer free fall lengths.

Sounds like a lot of fun if I fly for this company for a while.

[FiveO]

Congrats man. It really sounds like a lot of fun and a cool place to work at.

[Cptnchia]

Originally Posted by scramjet

there's a story behind this somewhere...

All skydiving stories are good ones! Keep in mind that I was a skydiver before I was a pilot, so I definitely understand what goes on in a jumper's mind. Let's just say that on jumprun in January, when the door comes open and it's a naked jump load, it can get pretty uncomfortable for certain body parts. Not much of a story there, but the "Naked Beacon Rides" afterwards at the post jump parties really are. THAT will cost some frosty beverages though!

On a positive note, even with my background, I was able to get by the shrink at DAL, and he even asked me if I had a death wish for being a skydiver. I asked him the same question because he is a hangglider fanatic.

[GSMPilot]

jrh,

Flying jumpers was the best flying I've done thus far. Have fun!!!