How has the ramp made you a better pilot?
- Thread starter Gumps
- Start date
Pietrantonio
Well-Known Member
I really don't think being a line guy has made me a better pilot. Rather, I have developed more of an appreciation of what line guys do to help pilots out.
beechpilot
Well-Known Member
Well, I can say it's helped me make better decisions when I fly. I've watched some pilots make some less than steller moves.
roundout
VNAV monitor
i make sure i close all the doors, access panels, and plugs in my airplane before leaving the ramp. i've seen many GPU panels and air conditioning cart hose plugs flapping in the slipstream while i worked ramp.
also you're more apt to be aware of static wicks on planes and glycol dripping from mysterious sources and messing up your clothing if you've worked ramp.
also you're more apt to be aware of static wicks on planes and glycol dripping from mysterious sources and messing up your clothing if you've worked ramp.
n57flyguy
Well-Known Member
Being at a smaller GA airport, I can't say it tought me how to fly, but gave me a better idea of what not to do and more situational awarness in an airport enviornment, that say a regular student pilot might not understand.
Some things I've seen/heard:
-Everyone has been told not to taxi on the tie downs, you don't realize what that means or how it affects an airplane till you hear a prop strike and watch a tire go flying 20ft away.
-There is no active runway, it ain't Class B airspace Piper captain....Instead I can advise a runway for you to use which the winds tell me to. Another words, you won't hear me say "Unicom what is your active (in uncortrolled airspace of course)?"
-The AFD says left hand pattern for a reason, don't fly a right hand pattern because it was the direction you came in at and its "easier".
-Pattern altitude is 1,500msl, not 1,000masl, adjust your altimeter please.
-Just because gliders have priority, doesn't mean you pull out to tow when another aircraft is on short final.
-Don't park in the middle of the ramp, blocking other aircarft from taxiing and parking, you are NOT a King Air Mr. 152 (Peebles King Air is welcome anytime though
), instead, I'm sitting in the office and monitering the unicom for that reason, so just ask.
-Don't heistate to ask anything, I may laugh because it is so common to me, but always, always, always better safe than sorry.
Some things I've seen/heard:
-Everyone has been told not to taxi on the tie downs, you don't realize what that means or how it affects an airplane till you hear a prop strike and watch a tire go flying 20ft away.
-There is no active runway, it ain't Class B airspace Piper captain....Instead I can advise a runway for you to use which the winds tell me to. Another words, you won't hear me say "Unicom what is your active (in uncortrolled airspace of course)?"
-The AFD says left hand pattern for a reason, don't fly a right hand pattern because it was the direction you came in at and its "easier".
-Pattern altitude is 1,500msl, not 1,000masl, adjust your altimeter please.
-Just because gliders have priority, doesn't mean you pull out to tow when another aircraft is on short final.
-Don't park in the middle of the ramp, blocking other aircarft from taxiing and parking, you are NOT a King Air Mr. 152 (Peebles King Air is welcome anytime though
), instead, I'm sitting in the office and monitering the unicom for that reason, so just ask. -Don't heistate to ask anything, I may laugh because it is so common to me, but always, always, always better safe than sorry.
fosters
Well-Known Member
Working the line for almost three years taught me to be really thankful for the job the line guys/gals do.
Does it make you a better pilot? Maybe a little. More so, it makes you a better person. It seems that pilots that have worked the line before seem to be a bit more friendly because they know all the stuff we do.
Does it make you a better pilot? Maybe a little. More so, it makes you a better person. It seems that pilots that have worked the line before seem to be a bit more friendly because they know all the stuff we do.
CoffeeIcePapers
Well-Hung Member
+1
I saw some idiot handprop his plane with no one at the controls and not so much as chock on a wheel. He even had the nerve to leave it running, walk around and talk to someone for about 5 minutes, then hop in and fly.
NEOHIO
Well-Known Member
You guys have covered most of what I learned. Working on the ramp during a regional airline internship was a definite learning experience, and most things were listed above. It was better to show up with the "Bug Sponge" on every CRJ then it was to be asked for it by the pilots!
deek
New Member
I've learned that even pilots are human. Everyone makes errors but working as a team pilot + lineguy, keeps metal from bebding.
I saw a guy start up a conquest and then drive his truck off the ramp to park, no one inside and his dog was leashed to the rear tie down! and when he took off, he left the cabin door open. I had to call tower and have him come back to land to close it.
I've noticed some pilot like lineguys and other could car less if we eat a prop, I prefer the former.
I saw a guy start up a conquest and then drive his truck off the ramp to park, no one inside and his dog was leashed to the rear tie down! and when he took off, he left the cabin door open. I had to call tower and have him come back to land to close it.
I've noticed some pilot like lineguys and other could car less if we eat a prop, I prefer the former.
gomntwins
Well-Known Member
Is hand propping airplanes a service many... if any FBO's provide? I used to handprop airplanes for a friend of mine years ago, and quite honestly don't miss it a bit. I can't imagine doing it on an airplane and with a pilot I didn't trust.
On a sidenote, I fly a metro where the GPU plugin is on the side of the engine cowling, a horrible location-only a few feet behind the prop. Do a lot of line guys refuse service like that? If you don't like the location of a GPU plug, etc., is it easy to say no to a crew?
Pietrantonio
Well-Known Member
We don't handprop airplanes. However, we do get in there to unplug the GPU. I've been there to do it for a metro as well at night.( I work the night shift). I've hot fueld a Bell 430 before, but as of now, company will only let a crew member hot fuel a helo. Other than that, we do pretty much everything crew members request.
SY737
Well-Known Member
I haven't hot fueled anything for a while, but I love doing it. As for the GPU Ports, they always seem to be in the most dangerous spot on turboprops like the PC-12, Metros, and Caravans. The only other reason I was ever that close to a spinning prop was a guy in a little Piper who wanted to talk to me through his little window while his engine was still running.
beechpilot
Well-Known Member
That's ridiculous!!!! I've seen some crazy stuff like that. Once, I saw a guy handprop a Baron 55 once. A coworker of mine saw this same pilot handprop his C185 Amphib with his 2 year old boy at the controls.
aviatorrbt
New Member
On the PC12 the GPU port is behind the cargo door underneath the tail... I do not believe that is really dangerous, but that is your opinion.
To the discussion and in addition to what everyone else has said. I do feel me being a lineman has made me a better pilot. Not only have I developed a great respect for pilots, CSR, and the act of being a lineman; being a line man has let me come in contact with many many pilots and knowledge that I may not have learned if I was not a lineman...
I guess actually being a lineman has not made me a better pilot, but I would not trade my contacts and new knowledge for anything.
Gumps
New Member
Great posts from all of you guys. When I started the thread I had these thoughts in mind:
1. Courtesy. (enough said)
2. Procedure/etiquette. Many things like when to hangar, when to refuel, the difference between a cold engine and a dead battery, the limits of de-ice fluid, ramp safety, dealing with passengers, politics when phrasing requests with ATC, the way things work at an FBO in general. I believe the situational awareness on the ramp of pilots who have worked a ramp is superior to those who haven't, and everybody can tell.
1. Courtesy. (enough said)
2. Procedure/etiquette. Many things like when to hangar, when to refuel, the difference between a cold engine and a dead battery, the limits of de-ice fluid, ramp safety, dealing with passengers, politics when phrasing requests with ATC, the way things work at an FBO in general. I believe the situational awareness on the ramp of pilots who have worked a ramp is superior to those who haven't, and everybody can tell.
flyinkibblez
New Member
exactly! being on the service side of things first definitely makes you more aware of all the hard work that goes into what you ask for later on as a pilot. i think its the small things that have made me a better pilot, or i should say just a better person.
before i flew, and did nothing but fuel planes, the small stuff like the pilots actually helping clean the interior of the planes when they were done with the flight, or moving chocks out of the way before they started up instead of just out of the way of the tire so i wouldn't have to go back up and do it after they left, are some small things i always noticed. i am talking more about our company flight dept than transient customers here...
whats funny about it is when a lineman sees that the pilot is trying to help in any way they can, most line personnel will actually go even further out of their way to help you. So helping them out, actually makes your life easier anyways... funny how teamwork works like that huh..
before i flew, and did nothing but fuel planes, the small stuff like the pilots actually helping clean the interior of the planes when they were done with the flight, or moving chocks out of the way before they started up instead of just out of the way of the tire so i wouldn't have to go back up and do it after they left, are some small things i always noticed. i am talking more about our company flight dept than transient customers here...
whats funny about it is when a lineman sees that the pilot is trying to help in any way they can, most line personnel will actually go even further out of their way to help you. So helping them out, actually makes your life easier anyways... funny how teamwork works like that huh..
compilot65
New Member
CAP_Flyer
Well-Known Member
There are some skills that have improved. My comm radio skills and ATC procedures certainly have improved just by sitting next to a scanner for 10 hours a day.
The networking is priceless. When you see corporate/charter pilots come in day in and day out, you get seen and you get your name known. There have been several times now when I've been handed a card and told to give them a call when I get my Commercial ticket.
You certainly get a better understanding of the aircraft you're working with, especially their quirks and perks.
But can I say that this job has improved my landing and takeoff skills? No, not really. But every little bit of experience helps when working around airplanes.
Cheers!
The networking is priceless. When you see corporate/charter pilots come in day in and day out, you get seen and you get your name known. There have been several times now when I've been handed a card and told to give them a call when I get my Commercial ticket.
You certainly get a better understanding of the aircraft you're working with, especially their quirks and perks.
But can I say that this job has improved my landing and takeoff skills? No, not really. But every little bit of experience helps when working around airplanes.
Cheers!
