Jump Pilots

Propilot said:
Sorry, not true. Back when I took Aviation Law we went over a case study of a pilot who was violated because of this. The pilots logged hours were considered compensation. I'm sure you can find some local POI to say otherwise, but when the **** hits the fan, its the Administrative Law Judge who will decide your fate, no one else.
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If I own a plane (which I do), and I have skydiver friends (which I do), who want to jump out of my plane, it's completely legal. That's all I'm saying.

Now, how to safely exit a C-140, that's the question...

Propilot said:
Also, the FAA is cracking down on parachute ops. You can expect more ramp checks in the future. The USPA has published an updated guide on how to comply with federal regulations and it is available on its website, www.uspa.org. This is an attempt to pre-empt drastic reg changes/restrictions due to the high number of parachute plane accidents in recent years.
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I know. Our rival drop zone just balled up a 182 a few weeks ago (poorly trained pilot + overloaded aircraft + short grass strip = crash). It's a miracle nobody was killed.

The skydiver in me hopes the USPA is successful and continues to self-regulate the industry in order to keep the sport cheaper and easier to enter while maintaining adequate safety. The pilot in me wouldn't mind if the the feds tightened everything down. I'm not really surprised by how many accidents happen. The industry is full of mediocre pilots flying mediocre aircraft. It's really amazing what some DZs get away with.
 
jrh said:
If I own a plane (which I do), and I have skydiver friends (which I do), who want to jump out of my plane, it's completely legal. That's all I'm saying.

Now, how to safely exit a C-140, that's the question...



I know. Our rival drop zone just balled up a 182 a few weeks ago (poorly trained pilot + overloaded aircraft + short grass strip = crash). It's a miracle nobody was killed.

The skydiver in me hopes the USPA is successful and continues to self-regulate the industry in order to keep the sport cheaper and easier to enter while maintaining adequate safety. The pilot in me wouldn't mind if the the feds tightened everything down. I'm not really surprised by how many accidents happen. The industry is full of mediocre pilots flying mediocre aircraft. It's really amazing what some DZs get away with.
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On an unrelated note, a buddy of mine just bought a 140 and is looking to replace the wheels that are on it (apparently they flex or something, like a B-52 the way he described it). Know anyone with parts to spare?
 
Murdoughnut said:
On an unrelated note, a buddy of mine just bought a 140 and is looking to replace the wheels that are on it (apparently they flex or something, like a B-52 the way he described it). Know anyone with parts to spare?
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I don't know anyone personally, but send your friend to the 120-140 Association. It's the aircraft's type club. They're extremely helpful and can find just about anything. Saved me more than once.

http://www.cessna120-140.org/
 
Did it for one summer, flying a Cessna 182 "Super"
(New Engine, ported etc) Me plus 5 jumpers getting 1200FPM off the ground, never less than 500 FPM all the way to 10.5K

Kinda miss it.
 
Anyone have any info on central michigan skydiving? They offerend me a job about a month ago which I turned down because I dont want to go up there with the season almost over but they asked about next year. Just wondering how busy they are and if they are a good operation?
 
im going to start working at a DZ flying 182s hopefully this march here in Oregon. From March till Sept the weather should be decent enough for jumping. Don't know how much I'll make but expect to have 500TT at the end of the season. Im at 300 right now. How many hours were you guys getting per month/season/year? ever make connections with guys that fly caravans/otters to get some time in that? I would love to fly a caravan.
 
jergar999 said:
I'd tell everyone here to jump, but once you have jumped it makes the flying boring and tedious.
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I totally disagree.

disclaimer: I LOVE flying so my opinion is probably very biased.

I have done both (Army Paratrooper, and civilian jump pilot). The jumping part was okay, but all the prejump stuff took HOURS and was very tedious, boring, and sometimes even painful to some degree. It was hours and hours of boring, tediousness for just a couple of minutes under a big round canopy. I was always thankful when we FINALLY got to exit the birds.

My experience of flying/piloting a C182 jump plane however, was great! Taking off/landing from a grass strip surrounded by corn taller than me, taking jumpers to altitude, and watching facial expressions and body language when the door opened was always so much fun. Holding the airplane while they climbed out to jump off was cool, then watching them turn into a dot as they plummeted toward terra firma was very cool too. I also always counted 'chutes to make sure everyone was good to go.

By the time I landed, another group was usually ready to load. It was nonstop action all day long and it seemed that every load was different than the last. About the only sitting around I did was when I needed fuel or when we broke for lunch. I made great friends, had lots of fun, and (here's the best part) I got to fly all - day - long. Not boring or tedious at all, it was totally f'kn ultra-cool!
 
Hawks said:
Any other jump pilots out there? I am creeping up on 500 hours, 2 to go! Getting a lot of up and down time. Wondering what other people's experiences are working for various dropzones. At this point in our flying careers building time is building time. How do future employers look at this?

Any experiences, stories and comments are greatly appreciated!
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I'd love to get into jump piloting once I get enough time for my commercial. I flew into Jean last Sunday for fuel and saw a 206 diver for the first time. :)
 
modernicarus said:
I totally disagree.

disclaimer: I LOVE flying so my opinion is probably very biased.

I have done both (Army Paratrooper, and civilian jump pilot). The jumping part was okay, but all the prejump stuff took HOURS and was very tedious, boring, and sometimes even painful to some degree. It was hours and hours of boring, tediousness for just a couple of minutes under a big round canopy. I was always thankful when we FINALLY got to exit the birds.

My experience of flying/piloting a C182 jump plane however, was great! Taking off/landing from a grass strip surrounded by corn taller than me, taking jumpers to altitude, and watching facial expressions and body language when the door opened was always so much fun. Holding the airplane while they climbed out to jump off was cool, then watching them turn into a dot as they plummeted toward terra firma was very cool too. I also always counted 'chutes to make sure everyone was good to go.

By the time I landed, another group was usually ready to load. It was nonstop action all day long and it seemed that every load was different than the last. About the only sitting around I did was when I needed fuel or when we broke for lunch. I made great friends, had lots of fun, and (here's the best part) I got to fly all - day - long. Not boring or tedious at all, it was totally f'kn ultra-cool!
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There are times when I get excited about the flying, but for me every time I watch a group let go of the strut I wish I was with them. In my opinion military and civilian jumping are two very different things. Our tandem master was in the military for many years as a paratrooper and couldn't stand it any more, but now he loves swooping under his 79 square foot canopy.
 
Someone reactivated an older thread.

I was probably the 206 driver you saw in Jean. At first I enjoyed jump piloting, but now its gettting old...260 hours of up down in the 206. The reason I say this is because the guy I work for is a micro managing prick...now before ya'll call me a inflamer or get worked up about it, check this out...

Most people probably have read my aborted take off in the "Your the Captain" forum.

The nose wheel blew out on me during take off once, I held it together and saved the prop from hitting the deck...got an earful saying I didn't pre-flight my bird...BS! I preflight that thing EVERY day like my life depends on it.

Today, I am caught hell because I flew the pattern! Yes, flew my 45 entry, down wind, base and final... Like come on, don't you have anything else to scream about???

Also caught hell for bringing the skydivers up to 14 MSL, that is about 11ish AGL, AFF students who might need extra altitude, when he flies them to 13MSL it is .7!!! I get them up to 14 and down again in .4-.5!!! We need to save the money he says...I want to tell him go look at the times you wrote down on the log sheet and your telling me this??? Yes I keep my engine temps and in their respective areas of green and operating temperatures both during the accent and decent...

Ah the last thing. I went down to Phoenix to get my tailwheel endorsement, so I could start towing gliders part time..also located here in Jean..we had cleared that with boss man before I went. I get back, and he gives me a long lecture if there is ONE conflict towing gliders to flying skydivers...your fired...

Loosing money by being here, but everyone keeps telling me to stay with it, I am running out of crap to sell so I can pay my rent and eat every month!

Oh yes, I now have 600 TT, if anyone ever says jump piloting was easy, and your lucky to have that job...well they can buy me a beer and we'll talk about it. I feel like calling it a day, and posting one of those "good bye cruel world threads." But nope darnit, this insanity has to be worth it.

yes I am agitated as I write this...
 
Don't get me wrong, I love my job, just not where I work...

And congratulations Robofos for getting a job!

A couple of tips for making a little extra cash around the dropzone.

Learn how to do the video edits of tandems, pack chutes (both tandem and sport rigs) sport jumpers are lazy and like to have their rigs packed, if you have 20 minutes inbetween loads, you can knock out two sport rigs or one tandem, when you develop a raport with fun jumpers you can make decent tips packing their chutes. learn manifest, get a tandem instructor to show you how to gear up students, etc
 
Hawks said:
I have to say I was lucky when I started flying skydivers in the 206, at 315 hours TT. But happening to be a skydiver and a rigger probably helped with that.

Working at dropzones can be an interesting experience. You have to as much as possible stay out of the DZ drama.

But I agree that getting my CFI tickets ASAP would probably be a good idea, so I can start adding in dual given, XC, night flying, etc under my belt.
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I've heard both good and bad things about being a jump pilot. As posted, be cautious about the equipment you're flying. Make sure you are legal and safe. I'm sure the owners know that you're a new pilot and looking to build time, just don't let them take advantage of that fact. I would recommend instructing. While I've had my ups and downs it's been a great experience and made me a better pilot. I'd be more than glad to answer an questions you might have.
 
Hawks said:
Someone reactivated an older thread.

I was probably the 206 driver you saw in Jean. At first I enjoyed jump piloting, but now its gettting old...260 hours of up down in the 206. The reason I say this is because the guy I work for is a micro managing prick...now before ya'll call me a inflamer or get worked up about it, check this out...

Most people probably have read my aborted take off in the "Your the Captain" forum.

The nose wheel blew out on me during take off once, I held it together and saved the prop from hitting the deck...got an earful saying I didn't pre-flight my bird...BS! I preflight that thing EVERY day like my life depends on it.

Today, I am caught hell because I flew the pattern! Yes, flew my 45 entry, down wind, base and final... Like come on, don't you have anything else to scream about???

Also caught hell for bringing the skydivers up to 14 MSL, that is about 11ish AGL, AFF students who might need extra altitude, when he flies them to 13MSL it is .7!!! I get them up to 14 and down again in .4-.5!!! We need to save the money he says...I want to tell him go look at the times you wrote down on the log sheet and your telling me this??? Yes I keep my engine temps and in their respective areas of green and operating temperatures both during the accent and decent...

Ah the last thing. I went down to Phoenix to get my tailwheel endorsement, so I could start towing gliders part time..also located here in Jean..we had cleared that with boss man before I went. I get back, and he gives me a long lecture if there is ONE conflict towing gliders to flying skydivers...your fired...

Loosing money by being here, but everyone keeps telling me to stay with it, I am running out of crap to sell so I can pay my rent and eat every month!

Oh yes, I now have 600 TT, if anyone ever says jump piloting was easy, and your lucky to have that job...well they can buy me a beer and we'll talk about it. I feel like calling it a day, and posting one of those "good bye cruel world threads." But nope darnit, this insanity has to be worth it.

yes I am agitated as I write this...
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Stick with it.........Instructing is just as bad when it comes to pay... I am pretty sure I know what company you work for... Your boss is well known for being a hardass.... Is it true you guys don't land with flaps?
 
I was a little high strung when I wrote that, but it is accurate.

It is true I don't land with flaps. My skill and confidence has increased drastically as a result of flying jumpers.
 
Remember talking to your boss once when he was replacing a tire.... He told us that he makes his pilots land without flaps to make sure they dont balloon or land hard on the nose beacuse its a nose heavy aircraft "206??":rotfl:..... I proceeded to explain to him that using flaps would help lower his gs "touch down speed" which would then help reduce his tire wear...He lectured me and told me I didn't know what I was talking about. Seems like the guy thats always right and its only his way.
 
Giggity said:
Remember talking to your boss once when he was replacing a tire.... He told us that he makes his pilots land without flaps to make sure they dont balloon or land hard on the nose beacuse its a nose heavy aircraft "206??":rotfl:..... I proceeded to explain to him that using flaps would help lower his gs "touch down speed" which would then help reduce his tire wear...He lectured me and told me I didn't know what I was talking about. Seems like the guy thats always right and its only his way.
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Lol, really? If you're forgetting to flare yeah, but seriously?
 
Why no flaps? I am sick of getting an earful for everything little thing I do. Yesterday I caught hell for flying the pattern.

I am actually good at no flap landings, trim set nose high, on final, I hold her in ground effect and I touch down at about 70 mph IAS,I get a nice squeaker, or if the wind is blowing I'll get that nice cushy floaty on air landing.

Yes it his way or the highway. Unless it is an emergency or some unusual circumstances where I have to act accordingly, I fly the airplane to keep his nose out of my business...so I try anyways.
 
Hawks said:
Why no flaps? I am sick of getting an earful for everything little thing I do. Yesterday I caught hell for flying the pattern.
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Whoa, relax buddy. I wasn't criticizing. Just hadn't heard of any benefits to landing without flaps, so I was curious as to what you'd found.

Hawks said:
Yes it his way or the highway. Unless it is an emergency or some unusual circumstances where I have to act accordingly, I fly the airplane to keep his nose out of my business...so I try anyways.
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Good attitude to have. Seriously. For the person signing my paychecks, I'll fly whatever profile they want, no matter how bizarre it might seem. If they don't want flaps used on landing, I'd say, "Aye aye, Cap'n!" and never use flaps. No big deal.
 
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