If you're a Jump Pilot or if you're planning on becoming one, you will get the opportunity to travel. You will more than likely have to relocate to another state or country when you get hired and/or the airplane that you fly will be leased by various drop zones around the country that you will have the privilege to travel to.
When that happens, after you get settled in, I believe that it is important to expose yourself to your new surroundings. Taste the local food, visit local attractions and really get to know the local people. You'll learn a lot, not just about them, but about yourself as well.
I've flown at 6 different drop zones around the U.S. in 6 years as a contract Jump Pilot and Ferry Pilot and I have always made it a point to do as much exploring as I could of my host state.
While flying for Capitol Skydiving, I explored some huge local caves and learned why Austin is the "Live Music Capitol of the U.S.". While flying for Skydive Sacramento I snowboarded at nearby Lake Tahoe and explored the beautiful Northern California coast. I have learned so much about this country that I would have never been exposed to if it wasn't for this cool job of mine. I have also learned that the more I travel, the more I want to travel.
Above are a couple of pictures of Renee and I at Oak Alley Plantation near New Orleans, Louisiana. Those are 300 year old Oak trees in front of the plantation house. You might recognize this mansion from the movie Interview with a Vampire.
A new year, a new Advisory Circular. If you're a jump pilot, skydiver, rigger or DZO be sure and read the new AC 105-2E. This AC cancels AC 105-2D, Sport Parachuting which was dated 5/18/11. I tried searching what has changed but no one has taken the time to write it out so I just compared AC 105-2D to 105-2E side by side. It is mostly slight wording changes. However there are a few paragraphs and subparts that have been removed and/or added. To save you a little time, I can direct you to the major changes:
Ch. 4 "Background", 4C and 4D. Ch. 5 "Skydiver Safety", 5A-5I. Ch. 6 "Parachute Ops onto Airports", 6C and 6D. Ch. 7 "Jump Aircraft Maint. and Pilots", 7A-7C, Fig. 1 changed. Ch. 8 "Pilot Responsibilities", 8A-8H. Ch.11 reduced to paragraph. Ch.12 "Exhibition Jumps" numerous changes. Ch.13 "Parachute Equip", numerous changes. Ch.15 "Parachute Repairs", 15C(1-4). Hope that helps. Click HERE to read it.
