Sticky trim,,,Uh,Yeah, that's it!!

T

t-cart

Active Member
After a few year break from ag flying, I am back in the seat this year. Things have gone very smoothly so far with no bent metal or major malfunctions. I haven't pulled any stupid stuff until yesterday.

The day started off good with several jobs that all went off without incident. Ate lunch and then got back in for the afternoon's festivities. Went out and got strapped in and lit her up. Everything's looking good and I pull out on the strip and off we go. During the takeoff run I noticed that the tail came up very quickly and then the plane just leaped off the ground. As soon as I was in the air, I knew what had happened.

I forgot to get my load!!:D

Well, I knew that if I just came back in, the guys were going to really let the new guy have it, so I went over to the field across the road from the airstrip and proceeded to make a few "proving" runs. When I fell in and started going back and forth across the field, they all got on the radio and were telling me I was in the wrong field. " T-CART, YOU'RE IN THE WRONG FIELD"!!!! I was acting like my radio had broken too. I looked over at the loading truck and the guys were jumping up and down waving their shirts at me trying to get my attention.:D The more they jumped, the more I flew.

I had had enough of the fun so I landed and they flogged me wanting to tell me I had just done the wrong field.They couldn't see that I was just acting and I couldn't bring myself to tell them I forgot my load, so I said I was checking the trim lever. The guys didn't know any better but the boss came running over and asked me and I just winked and nodded into the cockpit at the hopper window and he just grinned.

This would be the same as an airline pilot leaving his passengers behind, or a freight pilot leaving his freight behind. Honestly, this is the first time I have ever pulled this one.

The rest of the day went great, I still can't believe I did that!
 
homer-doh.jpg



I need to write that excuse down and save it for future reference...
 
Good job thinking quick. I can imagine the hilarity that ensued on the ground.

Another one I've witnessed is that its tough to taxi off the containment when the tail is still tied down...the knot gets so damn tight!
 
Hahaha, great story:)

Swen said:
Another one I've witnessed is that its tough to taxi off the containment when the tail is still tied down...the knot gets so damn tight!
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Reminds me of a story involving a float plane and a concrete block:p
 
t-cart said:
This would be the same as an airline pilot leaving his passengers behind, or a freight pilot leaving his freight behind. Honestly, this is the first time I have ever pulled this one.

The rest of the day went great, I still can't believe I did that!
Click to expand...

I knew a pilot who did just that! I refuse to tell who but needless to say dispatch, me, and every pilot that found out about it had a great chuckle about it. Come to find out, after he finally got to the airport, that the bathroom tied up more than a few brain cells when he looked at his watch and saw the time.
 
braunpilot said:
Come to find out, after he finally got to the airport, that the bathroom tied up more than a few brain cells when he looked at his watch and saw the time.
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Maybe it's just because I haven't yet had my morning coffee, but can someone please translate that sentence for me?? :confused:
 
I onc...this guy I know once forgot his bag containing all of his personal possessions (cell phone, laptop, etc) at a certain FBO in Chicago. "No, I do not wish to declare an emergency". I'm pretty sure the props were still spinning down after, uh, he sprinted in, got the bag, and strapped back in.
 
Not quite the same as t-cart forgetting his load, or forgetting passengers or freight, but I love to see the look on people's faces when the proverbial "light bulb" turns on and they grasp what you just said. For instance...

Sitting at the airport late one afternoon (well past time to be going home). Had nothing on the board as far as flying that night, just waiting for my Dad to get back in in the AT-301 he was flying that day so we could leave. Kept looking at the clock, listening for the familiar (and unmistakable) sound of that Pratt & Whitney R-1340, thinking to myself... he's just running a bit behind. Then the phone rings. I answer to him telling me to come pick him up. He had lost all electrical in the airplane and that he didn't want to risk the tower not realizing he wanted light gun signals thinking he was just another ag plane out working.

Rolled the Citabria out of the hangar, preflighted and was walking back out of the office getting ready to go when the guy who loaded the ag plane asked where I was going. I told him what was up, that the Air Tractor had lost all electrical and that I was on my way to either pick the pilot up or escort him home. He had this quizzical kind of lost look to his face when he said "Lost electrical, huh?" I couldn't help myself... "Yep, electrical. You know, typical stuff... radio won't work, flaps won't work, gear won't come down, minor stuff." I will never forget the look on his face when he realized the Air Tractor is a fixed gear airplane! :D
 
darrenf said:
Maybe it's just because I haven't yet had my morning coffee, but can someone please translate that sentence for me?? :confused:
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He used up so much brain power on the toilet that he forgot to load the aircraft due to how much time was spent in the bathroom.
 
moxiepilot said:
at least you have a cool boss who didn't care that you blew some cash burning gas :)
Click to expand...

This is back during the hiring boom last summer. I think he got lucky. On a side note, he was able to go back, pick up his cargo and then get back prior to his second flight plan timing out. Still had a good laugh about it.
 
I can sympathize t-cart. Didn't forget the load, but down the canyon, lined up perfectly, lead calls the drop... and nothing happens... oops forgot to arm the tank so when you push the button.... nothing happens. :)
 
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