Skydive Pilot ?

To all you diver drivers....how do you keep track of logable time!? It's my obvious first year doing this and would like to know. Our 182s and 206 don't have hobbs time and tach time is unreliable isn't it?? Any info would help! Don't know an "average" time yet per load and we do statics (out at 3) and tandems (out at 8-10). Cheers!

1.2 * tach.

Or, use a watch. I usually log engine start every takeoff (I tow gliders, not meat missiles, but same thing)

You could use a watch (as stated above) or timer, but honestly after a week or so of doing it your flights will always average .5 on a hobbs meter, unless you're going up 12 or 13K, which would add a tenth or maybe two.

Your watch, a piece of paper and a pencil are your friend....

It is actually more like 1.4 tach towing gliders - you end up idling a lot.

Time it with a watch 2 or 3 days, that will give you a good idea what to multiply the tach by.

Or as a wise man once said, "Fly what you want, log what you need..."

I always just wrote the Tach down in the morning and did the math in the evening when we were done. Unless you're lucky enough to have a hobbs timer or something on board, that's gonna be the best way.

I average out the time it takes for pattern,3k 4k and mile high tow. Now I used that number everytime

Some planes are easier then others, the big turbines are pretty consistent time wise (within a few minutes) the Cessna are a little more challenging but after you get a rhythm it gets easier to predict time based on fuel and number of people. The climb rate in a 182 between 3 and 4 jumpers is certainly noticeable when going all the way up in the summer. I just take the load sheets at the end of the day and do the math.

Besides, if you just take the boss-man on the grounds word on it he will swear you were taking .9 per load

I don't try to make it difficult in any way. I figure how long is the average flight, maybe add a bit on a hot day, and remember how many loads I did. If one was really long for some reason like waiting for traffic, then remember one that day was longer.

I do it the same way I keep track of fuel.. A watch and a piece of paper.

I was distracted by your avatar...what did you say?

hey thanks for all the info guys! much appreciated

What are those numbers if you don't mind sharing?

From my tow log and watch, 1.3something X tach is really close, but I also have a 30 minute taxi for fuel to deal with most days. And I really don't care that much either - I think I already have enough tows to satisfy any insurance company.

I averaged it out over a month last year and on average from full power to 3,000 AGL and back down to the runway was 12 minutes. I can do it faster but we are under a Class Bravo shelf extension now so I will cut the power back a little bit on the climb out after reaching 1000 AGL so that we slow the climb down and I am able to get the gliders outside the shelf. Pattern tows can be done in less than 6 minutes. So when figuring out my times for the day I will take the patterns tows and count them two for one and then add them to the 3000 footers. Then I multiply that number by .2 for entry into logbook. We dont do many tows over 3000 anymore because of the Class Bravo above us now because it would require some manuevering to avoid controlled airspace.

I do the same as the others have stated. I use average time for a load (20 min), and multiply that by how many loads I fly. I add a little for the hot days or when we do special things

Thanks! Had the bright idea of just leaving my data-logging vario on for the day. Would just need to log taxi time then

I believe it was, boobs boobs boobs. Boobs. Blonde. Boobs boobs. Booooobs. At least that's what I got out of it. Your mileage my vary....

I'm curious what you mean by "logable" time? I know that flying jumpers, time at the bar, hitting on DZ chics, taking girls for an "otter ride" and then taking them flying, along with "safety meetings" in the parking lot can be confused as logable... you mean when the motors running for the intent of flight, right? ;-)