tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55103040456712833382024-03-15T20:10:44.749-05:00the BlogCaravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-76413568259530797192024-01-22T15:39:00.006-06:002024-01-22T15:48:29.163-06:00<p> </p><div class="BL3dva" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); align-items: center; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: raleway, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding-inline-end: var(--postPageHorizontalPadding); padding-inline-start: var(--postPageHorizontalPadding); padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 938px;"><div class="OSxNQL" style="--postpagewidth: 740px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: var(--postPageWidth);"><div class="OFA52E" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="cD_92h UitnHM" data-hook="post-title" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 27px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" tabindex="-1"><h1 class="UbhFJ7 nkqC0Q blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color blog-text-color post-title blog-hover-container-element-color FG3qXk blog-post-page-title-font" data-hook="post-title" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: var(--post-titleFont-size, 40px); line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-decoration: var(--post-titleFont-text-decoration); vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span class="post-title__text blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: var(--post-titleFont-size, 28px); line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: var(--post-titleFont-text-decoration); vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Jump Pilot Interview? Some Things to Ask</span></span></h1><div><span class="post-title__text blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: var(--post-titleFont-text-decoration); vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">by Ed Scott</span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="nLG8d5" data-hook="post-description" style="--postpagewidth: 740px; --ricosfullwidthpadding: 0; --ricosnormalpadding: calc((100% - var(--postPageWidth)) / 2); --ricosquotemargininlinestart: 0; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; 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text-align: center;"><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiH5t9nTT5qrE_G3OXgDuFelt_d6-bCZgMxO6V1yc5yjTRDbm2E4yndc4J7YlR9DC5uMsYQXwN3y6A3r-Vr9JvQ7hgPJFblID8dXP8HVVVrE7XqnZYBv1OL2V58nIJIG3831tpsx1fgcs30IzKUxbRXL2D4s6zDDv6lcVS5jvQBEr0KUYTig5HPTRtXC0/s806/jpi-806x604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="806" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiH5t9nTT5qrE_G3OXgDuFelt_d6-bCZgMxO6V1yc5yjTRDbm2E4yndc4J7YlR9DC5uMsYQXwN3y6A3r-Vr9JvQ7hgPJFblID8dXP8HVVVrE7XqnZYBv1OL2V58nIJIG3831tpsx1fgcs30IzKUxbRXL2D4s6zDDv6lcVS5jvQBEr0KUYTig5HPTRtXC0/w640-h480/jpi-806x604.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In the past couple of weeks, several DZs have indicated their need for Cessna 182 jump pilots. Various aviation segments, from the airlines to charter, photogrammetry to pipeline patrol, are in hiring mode, causing jump pilots who have accumulated flight time to move on, creating vacancies at DZs. So, keep submitting those resumes. Here are some things you need to ask when get an interview.</span></span><p></p></div><div data-hook="rcv-block1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-text-color,#212121); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" type="paragraph"></div><div data-breakout="normal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-text-color,#212121); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding-inline-end: var(--ricos-breakout-normal-padding-end,0); padding-inline-start: var(--ricos-breakout-normal-padding-start,0); padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ul class="xErDo AnCKd" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset); direction: ltr; font-family: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family,unset); font-size: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-size,unset); font-style: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-style,unset); font-weight: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-weight,unset); line-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-line-height,unset); list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="_04hd2 IjV6v" dir="auto" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin-inline-start: 3em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="-Zro6 -ZADH IjV6v AnCKd _57WYp" id="viewer-9cnig" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset); direction: ltr; font-family: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family,unset); font-size: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-size,unset); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-style,unset); font-variant: inherit; font-weight: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-weight,unset); line-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-line-height,unset); margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin-inline-start: 0.35em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Is the airplane airworthy and on a 100-hour inspection interval by an FAA-certified mechanic? (The answer needs to be “yes.”)</span></span></p></div></li><li class="_04hd2 IjV6v" dir="auto" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin-inline-start: 3em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="-Zro6 -ZADH IjV6v AnCKd _57WYp" id="viewer-a78c9" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset); direction: ltr; font-family: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family,unset); font-size: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-size,unset); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-style,unset); font-variant: inherit; font-weight: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-weight,unset); line-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-line-height,unset); margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin-inline-start: 0.35em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What is the DZ’s season? Do they close in late fall, like many in the north, or do they operate year-round?</span></span></p></div></li><li class="_04hd2 IjV6v" dir="auto" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin-inline-start: 3em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="-Zro6 -ZADH IjV6v AnCKd _57WYp" id="viewer-5hap6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset); direction: ltr; font-family: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family,unset); font-size: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-size,unset); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-style,unset); font-variant: inherit; font-weight: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-weight,unset); line-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-line-height,unset); margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin-inline-start: 0.35em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Is it at a municipal airport or a private airport? Are the runway length and condition, and approaches, adequate for a fully loaded 182?</span></span></p></div></li><li class="_04hd2 IjV6v" dir="auto" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin-inline-start: 3em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="-Zro6 -ZADH IjV6v AnCKd _57WYp" id="viewer-fmb8m" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset); direction: ltr; font-family: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family,unset); font-size: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-size,unset); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-style,unset); font-variant: inherit; font-weight: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-weight,unset); line-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-line-height,unset); margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin-inline-start: 0.35em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What days of the week are they open? Weekends only (Sat-Sun)? Long weekends (Fri-Sun)? Weekends and some weekdays? Are the weekdays full days or partial days, e.g., noon to 5 pm?</span></span></p></div></li><li class="_04hd2 IjV6v" dir="auto" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin-inline-start: 3em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="-Zro6 -ZADH IjV6v AnCKd _57WYp" id="viewer-56r1b" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset); direction: ltr; font-family: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family,unset); font-size: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-size,unset); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-style,unset); font-variant: inherit; font-weight: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-weight,unset); line-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-line-height,unset); margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin-inline-start: 0.35em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What is the pay rate? $15 to $20 per load ($20 per load is becoming the norm)? Or different rates depending on whether the load is tandem students or experienced skydivers? Is there a daily minimum or “show up” fee so you get some compensation in case the weather interferes? (Those can range from $50 to $100, which may cover the first few loads, after which a per-load rates kicks back in.)</span></span></p></div></li><li class="_04hd2 IjV6v" dir="auto" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin-inline-start: 3em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="-Zro6 -ZADH IjV6v AnCKd _57WYp" id="viewer-6fa0n" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset); direction: ltr; font-family: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family,unset); font-size: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-size,unset); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-style,unset); font-variant: inherit; font-weight: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-weight,unset); line-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-line-height,unset); margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin-inline-start: 0.35em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Are you paid at the end of each day? Each week? Bi-monthly or monthly? Do you receive cash or a paycheck? Are you considered an employee, with taxes withheld? Or are you considered a contractor; in which case you should establish your own LLC?</span></span></p></div></li><li class="_04hd2 IjV6v" dir="auto" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin-inline-start: 3em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="-Zro6 -ZADH IjV6v AnCKd _57WYp" id="viewer-bcn6h" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset); direction: ltr; font-family: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family,unset); font-size: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-size,unset); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-style,unset); font-variant: inherit; font-weight: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-weight,unset); line-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-line-height,unset); margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin-inline-start: 0.35em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Are there additional responsibilities for the job? Are you required to wash or ferry the airplane? Or perform other DZ duties when not flying?</span></span></p></div></li><li class="_04hd2 IjV6v" dir="auto" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin-inline-start: 3em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="-Zro6 -ZADH IjV6v AnCKd _57WYp" id="viewer-ec8je" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset); direction: ltr; font-family: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family,unset); font-size: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-size,unset); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-style,unset); font-variant: inherit; font-weight: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-weight,unset); line-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-line-height,unset); margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin-inline-start: 0.35em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Are living accommodations provided or subsidized? If so, is it indeed livable or instead, is it more like a cot in a hangar or a shared bunkhouse without hot water and no kitchen? </span></span></p></div></li><li class="_04hd2 IjV6v" dir="auto" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: inherit; margin-inline-start: 3em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="-Zro6 -ZADH IjV6v AnCKd _57WYp" id="viewer-1kotm" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset); direction: ltr; font-family: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family,unset); font-size: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-size,unset); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-style,unset); font-variant: inherit; font-weight: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-weight,unset); line-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-line-height,unset); margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin-inline-start: 0.35em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Finally, is the DZ owner willing to reimburse your travel expense to arrive onsite for the initial greeting and, hopefully, orientation flights? Including the return trip should things not work out?</span></span></p></div></li></ul></div><div data-hook="rcv-block2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-text-color,#212121); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" type="bulleted_list"></div><div data-breakout="normal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-text-color,#212121); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding-inline-end: var(--ricos-breakout-normal-padding-end,0); padding-inline-start: var(--ricos-breakout-normal-padding-start,0); padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="-Zro6 -ZADH IjV6v AnCKd _57WYp" id="viewer-aq4e6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset); direction: ltr; font-family: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family,unset); font-size: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-size,unset); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-style,unset); font-variant: inherit; font-weight: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-weight,unset); line-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-line-height,unset); margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Try to speak to any other pilots or DZs staff to get a feel for their level of motivation and satisfaction.</span></span></p></div><div data-hook="rcv-block3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-text-color,#212121); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" type="paragraph"></div><div data-breakout="normal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-text-color,#212121); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding-inline-end: var(--ricos-breakout-normal-padding-end,0); padding-inline-start: var(--ricos-breakout-normal-padding-start,0); padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="-Zro6 -ZADH IjV6v _57WYp" id="viewer-4j20c" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset); font-family: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family,unset); font-size: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-size,unset); font-style: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-style,unset); font-weight: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-weight,unset); line-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-line-height,unset); margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><br role="presentation" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></div></div><div data-hook="rcv-block4" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--ricos-text-color,#212121); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" type="empty-line"></div><div data-breakout="normal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding-inline-end: var(--ricos-breakout-normal-padding-end,0); padding-inline-start: var(--ricos-breakout-normal-padding-start,0); padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="-Zro6 -ZADH IjV6v AnCKd _57WYp" id="viewer-5blbr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-family: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family,unset); font-size: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-size,unset); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-style,unset); font-variant: inherit; font-weight: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-weight,unset); line-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-line-height,unset); margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="d0767" color="var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset)" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Carefully weigh the answers. There is rarely a gold-plated job with the best of all options. But if the aircraft and the operation are safe and the compensation and activity level seem adequate for you, you’ll be on your way to a steady, paid flying job and an ever-growing logbook. Good luck!</span></span><span class="d0767" color="var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset)" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span><span class="d0767" color="var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset)" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span><span class="d0767" color="var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset)" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span><span class="d0767" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://SkydiverDriver.com">SkydiverDriver.com</a></span></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></article></div>Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-49566980752258428442023-07-18T14:08:00.001-05:002023-07-18T14:08:30.826-05:00Caravan Crash at Skydive Warszawa in Poland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsxOxkAjdHa3Gu34IgCJPNNB2ickXckvrcWZROgYq8rtVlwewgTApAX-zqXYVmklNEYPMJt3Mf3Yl10JKQI5iYRfrQOGzQVnoctNcOpW3fi-ZUk6thDgUmt3hvKmx4SZJZvhJtLCFOyBNiNV-auU69X_nTaCDr790dQMIs3NSdJb2VvTtoG9FBENKTmQ6/s1125/received_1626148471129270.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1125" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsxOxkAjdHa3Gu34IgCJPNNB2ickXckvrcWZROgYq8rtVlwewgTApAX-zqXYVmklNEYPMJt3Mf3Yl10JKQI5iYRfrQOGzQVnoctNcOpW3fi-ZUk6thDgUmt3hvKmx4SZJZvhJtLCFOyBNiNV-auU69X_nTaCDr790dQMIs3NSdJb2VvTtoG9FBENKTmQ6/w400-h389/received_1626148471129270.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">As reported by AP</span> </p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px;">WARSAW, Poland -- </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px;">Five people were killed and eight others were injured Monday when a Cessna 208 plane crashed into a hangar at a sky diving center during bad weather, authorities said.</span></p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk TjIX aGjv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The plane's pilot and four people sheltering in the hangar from stormy weather died in the afternoon crash in Chrcynno in central Poland, firefighters spokesperson Monika Nowakowska-Brynda said.</p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk TjIX aGjv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">An additional eight people were injured, two of them seriously, police said. A child was among the injured, the provincial governor, Sylwester Dabrowski, said.</p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk TjIX aGjv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Chrcynno is about 45 kilometers (28 miles) northwest of Warsaw.</p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk TjIX aGjv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Firefighters and airborne ambulances took the injured to hospitals in the Nowy Dwor Mazowiecki area.</p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk TjIX aGjv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Rescuers were still checking the hangar for additional victims, said Katarzyna Urbanowska, another spokesperson for local firefighters.</p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk TjIX aGjv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Prosecutors and police were investigating the cause of the accident.</p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It was the worst accident related to sky diving in Poland since 2014, when 11 people were killed in a crash of a small plane in Topolow, near the southern city of Czestochowa.</p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbRq0V8mkmXuX1tIeAsPQRe5l_LsxsReVP-y_WWu9XNsFuOpk07qK2686ytJCa8j1V9pzkC2vPPvNHfiqjVY2-LnFj005-S_QV8aZS2NlPLbs3Gnpnozo77QXlEJ1SM27eneLnBwLgr4zCVwC75KM756JC5bEAxrBIuxTOTIQ_48CxMSXm8jsT4eb0g2e/s1920/received_2017433408595670.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="1920" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbRq0V8mkmXuX1tIeAsPQRe5l_LsxsReVP-y_WWu9XNsFuOpk07qK2686ytJCa8j1V9pzkC2vPPvNHfiqjVY2-LnFj005-S_QV8aZS2NlPLbs3Gnpnozo77QXlEJ1SM27eneLnBwLgr4zCVwC75KM756JC5bEAxrBIuxTOTIQ_48CxMSXm8jsT4eb0g2e/w640-h253/received_2017433408595670.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">According to ASN:</p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p><table style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-collapse: collapse; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, "Sans Serif"; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tbody style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="caption" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Operator:</td><td class="desc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aviation-safety.net/database/operators/10778" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Skydive Warsaw</a></td></tr><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="caption" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Registration:</td><td class="desc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">SP-WAW</td></tr><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="caption" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MSN:</td><td class="desc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">208B0854</td></tr><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="caption" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">First flight:</td><td class="desc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">2000</td></tr><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="caption" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Engines:</td><td class="desc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1 <a href="https://aviation-safety.net/database/engine/PW-PT6" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A</a></td></tr><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="caption" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Crew:</td><td class="desc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 3</td></tr><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="caption" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Passengers:</td><td class="desc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0</td></tr><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="caption" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Total:</td><td class="desc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 3</td></tr><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="caption" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ground casualties:</td><td class="desc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fatalities: 4</td></tr><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="caption" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Aircraft damage:</td><td class="desc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Damaged beyond repair</td></tr><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="caption" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Location:</td><td class="desc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Chrcynno Airfield (<img height="\"11\"" src="https://aviation-safety.net/database/country/flags_15/SP.gif" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="\"16\"" /> <a href="https://aviation-safety.net/database/countries/SP" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Poland</a>)</td></tr><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="caption" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Phase:</td><td class="desc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Initial climb (ICL)</td></tr><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="caption" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Nature:</td><td class="desc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Training</td></tr><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="caption" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Departure airport:</td><td class="desc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aviation-safety.net/database/airports/EPNC" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Chrcynno Airfield (EPNC)</a>, Poland</td></tr><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td class="caption" style="font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><nobr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Destination airport:</nobr></td><td class="desc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aviation-safety.net/database/airports/EPNC" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Chrcynno Airfield (EPNC)</a>, Poland</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="caption" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, "Sans Serif"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Narrative:</span><br style="color: #663300; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, "Sans Serif"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, "Sans Serif"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan skydiving plane crashed into a hangar while performing touch-and-goes as part of a training flight. Gusty conditions were reportedly present at the time of the accident.</span></p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, "Sans Serif"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Witnesses spoke of a thunderstorm that had passed over the area and strong winds. Many people who were around the airfield were seeking shelter in the hangar. One of the three pilots sustained fatal injuries and the fire service confirmed a total of five fatalities and five injuries.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The accident occurred around 17:00-18:00 UTC. Weather reported at the Modlin Airport, 18 km SW of Chrcynno:<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />EPMO 171800Z 17012G22KT 140V210 9999 SCT035CB 21/18 Q1014 RETS<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />EPMO 171730Z 25013KT 9999 VCTS SCT056CB 30/11 Q1013<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />EPMO 171700Z 27011KT 9999 FEW048CB SCT055TCU 30/11 Q1013<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />EPMO 171630Z 24011KT 9999 FEW055TCU 30/13 Q1013</span></p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, "Sans Serif"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr1XcU55GTm-YOXSd5ryjuGw7pNC83wGLv01uPyaGqMXmC7iRhvaDe1Z__IZt1bp_woE95JcTtIGXnsPHf0JizAOAaLiv4GrMZwQSfoYJ2wa_RhA4ORSFJjaFRSKWPtazHrLdsGTLuNw4qFwjGOs5T4hXFujkUzuAi0SLBQiiUU44OpxilvgGThtZNJOL/s2048/received_993153375053086.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr1XcU55GTm-YOXSd5ryjuGw7pNC83wGLv01uPyaGqMXmC7iRhvaDe1Z__IZt1bp_woE95JcTtIGXnsPHf0JizAOAaLiv4GrMZwQSfoYJ2wa_RhA4ORSFJjaFRSKWPtazHrLdsGTLuNw4qFwjGOs5T4hXFujkUzuAi0SLBQiiUU44OpxilvgGThtZNJOL/w400-h225/received_993153375053086.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, "Sans Serif"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, "Sans Serif"; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://SkydiverDriver.com"><span style="font-size: large;">SkydiverDriver.com</span></a></span></p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="Ekqk yuUa lqtk eTIW sUzS" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TiemposText; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-body-lastChild-marginBottom,0); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">An Air Nation Group website</span></p>Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-34328350248763149532023-01-27T16:49:00.001-06:002023-01-27T16:49:07.610-06:00How to Properly Fly Skydivers in the Cessna 182<p> </p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b74af443-7fff-d071-b38f-fd53548ddd42"><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 20pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 23pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How to Properly Fly Skydivers in the Cessna 182</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Chris Rosenfelt</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 332px; overflow: hidden; width: 472px;"><img height="332" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9PCujGHVsYerbSdwa1SYoO3Ijplfeyojh4rsN4CI02w4GwsSHFtirLW4iq0pjo_FsxyxVJPDFV5P6oTcg0hlYW3L7kKTsh5WEMifQ6KgcDSVnJynmjlUS_UkDm7X9dPu8-35vBVb4RY8iInX2ffRrwt4tNyUsVy_Vyxn_HvQdILwlIBGnahJ4YPdsltXCA" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="472" /></span></span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 20pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ntroduced in 1956 and built in the U.S., France and Argentina, it is by far the most common jump plane in the world. It is the second most common Cessna that is still in production. The average C-182 is powered by the Continental 230hp O-470 engine (models A-R, years 1956-95) and can take 4 skydivers to 10,000ft in about 20 mins. They usually have a modified exit door that swings up like a garage door instead of forward like a car door. They also usually have a small platform or step over the right main landing gear. Operators love the relatively low operating cost and skydivers like the high wing design.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6d9eeb; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Numbers</span><span style="color: #3c78d8; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Models A-R)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Skydiver Capacity</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: 4 skydivers</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Empty Weight</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: 1610 lbs - 1734 lbs.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maximum Take Off Weight</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C-182A-D - 2650 lbs.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C-182E-M - 2800 lbs.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C-182N-Q - 2950 lbs.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C-182R - 3100 lbs.</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Many C-182A-M models have been modified with Wing-X wing extensions which increase the MTOW for those models to 2950 lbs.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Useful Load</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Varies based on empty wt, gross wt, fuel wt.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fuel Capacity</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: 65 gallons (390 lbs) - 80 gallons (480 lbs)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Powerplant</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Continental O-470-L, R, S or U (230hp)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TBO</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: 1500 hrs.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Time to Climb</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Approx. 20 mins.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The numbers above are the most common, but there are 23 different Cessna 182 models. Always refer to your aircraft POH for the most accurate information. When you are hired at a drop zone, ask them for their aircraft checklist and for the weight and balance sheet for that specific airplane and ALWAYS verify their numbers. If they do not have checklists or W&B sheets available, download them from our website.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While drinking your coffee in the morning, always check the Aviation Weather site, including the Winds Aloft forecast, and keep checking that throughout the day. When determining your Jump Run direction and distance, don’t forget to convert from AGL to MSL. Also, most jump plane accidents were caused by the pilot not having enough fuel onboard. Stick the tanks before the start of the day and before and after EVERY refueling.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6d9eeb; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before Take-Off</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flying skydivers is very challenging and weight and balance is one of the most challenging parts of it. You should already know not to take-off with an airplane that is heavier than its maximum take-off weight limit. Most drop zones want you to fuel for 3 loads, some prefer 2 loads worth plus 30 minutes of reserve during the day.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cessna 182 jump planes have all of the seats removed except for the pilot’s seat. The arrangement of how the skydivers sit on the floor is dependent on which STC your airplane has, which determines where the seatbelt anchors are located. In ALL types a TI will sit with their back (rig) up against the passenger panel (Always verify that their rig did not get snagged on the lip of the panel etc) with a student between their legs facing the rear of the airplane. In ALL types a TI will be sitting with their back against the back of the pilot’s seat. The variance is where the second student sits. Depending on which STC your airplane has (location of seatbelts), they will either sit facing the rear of the airplane in between the TI’s legs that have their back against the seat or they will sit with their back against the rear bulkhead facing forward.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You will normally have two tandem instructors and two tandem students on every load. Whenever I had a larger than average instructor or student, I had them sit in the most forward slot. Periodically check to make sure that no one has accidentally bumped the fuel tank selector knob. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every person on-board needs to be seat belted for taxi and take-off. Always keep a hook-knife on you and another stored in the airplane within easy reach. There have been many instances when a skydiver jumped or fell out of the airplane with the seat belt still attached to their leg strap or a part of their rig or suit got caught on the step or main landing gear. If that were to happen, someone, if not you will need to try to cut them free. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A couple more important reminders are to never get caught up in a “rush mode”, that can lead to you forgetting important items on your checklist. Which segues to my next important reminder, ALWAYS double check that the trim is set to “take-off”. I remember, right after I started flying skydivers in 2008 I heard about a C182 jump pilot that forgot to set the trim to “takeoff” from nose-up and right after rotation the airplane nosed up sharply, stalled and crashed. No one survived. AGAIN… DON’T RUSH! READ and DO WHAT’S ON YOUR CHECKLISTS! </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6d9eeb; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Takeoff and Climb</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If it’s the first load of the day, be sure and do a run-up and systems check. Add 10 degrees of flaps for takeoff and make sure that your cowl flaps are open. Make the appropriate call on CTAF. Takeoff with full power. Remember that if you lose your engine soon after takeoff and are fully loaded, you are to land straight ahead, do not attempt to turn back to the airport if you are below 500 ft AGL. Climb at 2500 RPM and 25 inches MP, with an airspeed of 85-90 initially. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Check in with ATC as soon as practical. Lower the nose to keep the CHTs below 390. Start leaning between 4000 - 5000 feet. Always stay within gliding distance to the DZ, in case you lose an engine. This can be done by flying a racetrack or spiral climbing pattern, using shallow banking, that gets wider as you climb.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6d9eeb; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jump Run</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Get to jump altitude about 2 miles before the jump spot. Your settings for jump run should be 15 inches MP, 2200 RPM and 80-85 knots airspeed. (Do NOT flirt with the stall speed! Stalling with skydivers on the step or in the door is one of the worst case scenarios.) Close the cowl flaps. Your jump run direction and length will be determined by the Winds Aloft forecast for your area. Spotting will take some practice, but you will learn it quickly. ATC will usually want you to give them a “2 minutes until jumpers away” call. Also give a “Jumpers away in 1 minute over XYZ airport” call on CTAF. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Depending on what the winds are doing, you will call “Door” at the appropriate time. Remember that they require some time to get into position to jump and even longer if they have a nervous student jumper. Also, when calculating your jump run direction and distance, remember to give more “weight” or consideration for the wind direction and speeds at altitudes when the skydivers will be under canopy, because they will be at those altitudes longer and sometimes the canopy can act as a sail if the wind is strong enough. Most TI’s deploy around 5000 Feet, Fun Jumpers around 3000 feet and Student Skydivers much higher. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You will notice that the airplane will require a lot of left aileron because of the weight shift and drag caused by the skydivers being outside of the airplane on the step and/or hanging onto the wing strut.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6d9eeb; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Descent</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We Jump Pilots are basically doing an emergency descent on every flight. As soon as the skydivers drop away, it’s neutral control wheel and full left rudder to get the door to drop down enough for you to grab and latch it. Tell ATC, "Jumpers away" and make a “Skydivers over XYZ airport 10,000 feet and below” call, while simultaneously raising the wing flaps, closing the cowl flaps and adding carb heat. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your engine settings should be the same on descent, 15 inches MP and 2200 RPM. Put the airplane in a left bank, keep an eye on the skydivers as long as you can to see if anyone deployed high. If they did, ATC needs to know this information so that they can keep air traffic above that altitude. Also, keep your circle wide in case you did not see that someone deployed their parachute high.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keep the airspeed within the yellow arc only if in smooth air. As you get lower and closer to the airfield, turn your landing light on and keep your eyes on the skydivers while scanning for other traffic, especially if it is a very windy day and/or you had an AFF (Accelerated Free Fall) skydiver on that load. I’ve had them float across my final or land right on my touchdown zone MANY times. Continuously scan for skydivers from the beginning of descent until parking. Do not fly near the skydiver's landing pattern. Also, don't forget to tell ATC, "Jumpers on the ground", they usually appreciate that. Do them favors whenever you can, they help us every single day and I believe that most pilots take them for granted.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6d9eeb; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Conclusion</span></p><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are a newly hired Jump Pilot, get familiar with the FARs that govern skydiving, you will find them listed on our </span><a href="https://skydiverdriver.com/resources.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resources page</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Ask your DZO if they have a Training Syllabus, if they do not, you can find that as well on our </span><a href="https://skydiverdriver.com/resources.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0c57bf; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resources Page</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. While on that page, be sure and watch the video "Flying for Skydiving Operations". Also, be sure and join our Jump Pilot group on Facebook </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/diverdriver" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0c57bf; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It's another great resource. Finally, if you have ANY questions at all feel free to email us. We love helping our fellow pilots. Like I always say, Remember to… </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Never Stop Learning</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Review Often</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fly Safe</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, so that you can continue to… </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have Fun</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">!</span></span><div><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://SkydiverDriver.com">SkydiverDriver.com</a></span></span></div>Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-5080636917358930592022-03-11T12:47:00.001-06:002022-03-11T12:55:13.396-06:00USPA Saftey Day is March 12th<p> <span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;">The United States Parachute Association (USPA) designates the second Saturday in March of every year to be its Safety Day and this year that happens to be on March 12th. </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;">Many of the skydivers are a little rusty from not jumping much (if at all) during the Winter months and is why it is held at this time of the year. </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;">Started in 1997, it is the day that all of the USPA drop zones around the country gather up their employees and skydivers to review safety issues in a group setting.</span></p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15.84px;"></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjA13099Upq6Z1uNcBxLRBF-Jw33s2Vzpa4_NhyEDzQx4SKfTgpDegy7Cyk_ZK0d3WWHS-K0E3OBF1koapnVzPetFwY1LYbUKHLfLY2dSXLkqt-fx2nego4i3SQqG904nCwOZMk9EGWEnZH5h1bR3meSDLRbLXtMoccWgpLZ2Cpr8JABbYqeVznjZjITA=s2156" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1767" data-original-width="2156" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjA13099Upq6Z1uNcBxLRBF-Jw33s2Vzpa4_NhyEDzQx4SKfTgpDegy7Cyk_ZK0d3WWHS-K0E3OBF1koapnVzPetFwY1LYbUKHLfLY2dSXLkqt-fx2nego4i3SQqG904nCwOZMk9EGWEnZH5h1bR3meSDLRbLXtMoccWgpLZ2Cpr8JABbYqeVznjZjITA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px; text-align: center;"></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;">If this will be your first Safety Day at your DZ as a Jump Pilot, be sure and ask your DZO if it will be okay if you can speak at the general meeting. B</span><span class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;">e sure and write down at least an outline of </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;">items that you want to speak about. Things that you want your Skydivers, Manifest and Ground Crew to know or be reminded of.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;"> </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;">As pilots we are taught that safety is priority #1, so do not simply stand up and say a couple words. Take advantage of the fact that you have everyone's attention on the topic of safety. Personally, the main topics that I always talk about are: Weight & Balance, Safety Belts, Emergency Procedures and Prop Awareness during hot fueling, just to name a few.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;">Remind the skydivers of the various emergencies than can happen IN an airplane. Explain what your actions as PIC will be in response to each emergency and what you want them to do (or not to do) ie. If there is an engine failure at 500ft AGL, they are not to be tapping you on the shoulder asking if they can jump out. Also, insure that the Aircraft Emergency Procedures are posted at your DZ so that all skydivers are aware of them.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;">The only problem with Safety Day is that it's only one day a year. If I owned a Drop Zone we would have safety meetings once a month. Even if it was a 15 minute safety review on a Saturday morning. But I don't plan on owning a DZ... I'm not a good babysitter ;)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;">My fellow Jump Pilots, please remember to review often and fly safe, so that you can continue to have fun!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;">For more information about Safety Day from the USPA's own site, visit their designated page on that topic here.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;">As always, if you have any questions or comments about this topic or any others relating to flying skydivers and/or our sites, please email me <a href="mailto:chris@caravannation.com">chris@caravannation.com</a> and please visit our sites <a href="http://skydiverdriver.com">skydiverdriver.com</a> and <a href="http://caravannation.com">caravannation.com</a></span></div>Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-57980485871348218532021-11-16T12:25:00.003-06:002021-11-16T20:35:38.038-06:00Application Advice for Pilots<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>When Applying for a Pilot Job</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">By Steve Alsobrook</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YJgB1kUe-yrd6eRZxXk3uhxiMt6Lt2l0_r53OWSLNdm3NUWIHChhexpBco1oqUJqF2uz8wBfYCEXqAi3gqeH8LrwdPsgoTT4m3MEaZJYgYy72D-TM7irTnhTE9Ric9HWbPI7hG_qDk11/s451/Top-Resume-Keywords-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="451" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YJgB1kUe-yrd6eRZxXk3uhxiMt6Lt2l0_r53OWSLNdm3NUWIHChhexpBco1oqUJqF2uz8wBfYCEXqAi3gqeH8LrwdPsgoTT4m3MEaZJYgYy72D-TM7irTnhTE9Ric9HWbPI7hG_qDk11/s320/Top-Resume-Keywords-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This was originally posted in our Jump Pilot group on Facebook. Occasionally I will post a statement or conversation from one of our social media pages or groups here that I think will help some of our readers. </p><p>One of our contributors Steve Alsobrook has been a pilot for 50 years. He started his flying career as a Jump Pilot for the Auburn University Skydiving Club in the 1980s at Tuskegee airport. He then went on to be a Corporate and Fractional pilot, attaining many Type Ratings including BE400, CE-500, CE-680, LR-Jet, LR-60 and ATR 42/72. Steve will be ending his flying career the way it started, flying skydivers. He is currently the Chief Pilot for Skydive Key West in the Lower Florida Keys.</p><p>To our readers Steve says: I am a crusty old guy that’s been around the block a few times and I’d like to pass on a little advice to up and coming pilots.</p><p>We receive inquiries from pilots often inquiring about job openings, which is great! However, most don’t seem to know how to properly ask about a job or write a resume. We get things like “ Hey I am a pilot, y’all hiring?” No resume, no information about qualifications.</p><p>Then, we get resumes that don’t focus on aviation experience. Looking at the resume, you can’t tell if they are applying for a truck driver job or a car parts salesman.</p><p>These are some general guidelines.</p><p>Please, develop an aviation oriented resume! State the job you are pursuing near the top, just after your full contact information. Then list the aircraft you have flown. List all your hours. Show how you got those hours.</p><p>List all flight schools and flight training you have received and dates you received training. Any education you have received such as high school or college is generally appropriate.</p><p>Don’t include inappropriate personal information, such as, “In my spare time I enjoy sampling beers from around the world“. Please use some common sense in this department.</p><p>Early on in my flying career I found a professional aviation resume I liked and used it and expanded on it as the years went by. I encourage you to do the same. I have about 50 years of aviation experience, many years working in flight department management. I started my career flying skydivers and that’s the way I am finishing it up.</p><p>One day back in the 1980s I was flying skydivers at a small dropzone. A corporate Falcon Jet landed at our field. The Captain graciously gave me a tour of the plane. I told him it was really awesome!</p><p>He said, "To me, flying for a living is one of the finest professions someone can have“</p><p>It was certainly true for me.</p><p><br /></p><p>Good Luck to you all!</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://SkydiverDriver.com">SkydiverDriver.com</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">An Air Nation Group website</span></p>Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-78808570638460829242021-05-09T19:12:00.001-05:002021-05-09T19:12:20.306-05:00Are Electric Airplanes the Destiny of Skydiving?<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Are Electric Airplanes the Destiny of Skydiving?</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">By Augusto Bartelle </p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arapey, serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;"><br /></h2><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arapey, serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="img-wrap text-center" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="https://e4t2t9z4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/electric-airplane-skydiving.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></div><div class="rst-inner-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">As reported on <a href="http://augustobartelle.com">augustobartelle.com</a></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Over the years, there have been teams working to create electric powered airplanes. Eco-friendly initiatives are present in many facets of our daily lives. Having the opportunity to choose energy sustainable options is becoming more and more popular. And for a good reason! Many of us are aware of our unique carbon footprint. If given the choice of more energy sustainable options, we can take the responsibility onto ourselves to make more environmentally friendly decisions.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Electric airplanes are the next significant movement in eco-friendly transportation options. Although not quite around the corner, this initiative is progressing along. So what can this mean for the skydiving industry? Can we use electric airplanes in skydiving?</span></p></div></span></h3><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: Arapey, serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Environmental Impact of Aviation</span></h2><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arapey, serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="rst-inner-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">I never really thought about the impact of an airplane on our environment. Skydiving for me was about fun</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> until I watched Pete Allum and Roei Ganzarski discussing the Electric Caravan.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> All regular aircraft emit greenhouse gases in different stages of flight. It creates a unique form of distribution of those gases directly into the higher levels of the atmosphere. These gases contribute to climate change.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Noise is also a form of pollution. All unwanted sound is considered noise pollution. If the noise is causing any adverse human reaction, we can consider it noise pollution. We can find noise impact analysis on areas close to airports and drop zones</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">. Average noise level maps are known as noise counter maps.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The air quality is another point that we can think about when talking about the difference that an electric airplane has over the ordinary plane we use today. Airports have different obligations for monitoring and reporting air quality. The primary pollutants monitored are Nitrogen Dioxide (No2), Nitric Oxides (NOx), and Particulate Matter (PM). Heathrow airport has an air quality dedicated resource</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> to allow us to access data on local air quality.</span></p><figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2426" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_2426" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; margin: 5px auto; max-width: 96%; padding: 5px 3px 10px; text-align: center; width: 700px;"><img alt="airplane twin otter skydivers clouds blue sky carbon free" class="wp-image-2426 jetpack-lazy-image jetpack-lazy-image--handled" data-lazy-loaded="1" data-recalc-dims="1" height="359" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.augustobartelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/TFX-e1597396335452.jpg?resize=700%2C359&ssl=1" srcset="https://i2.wp.com/www.augustobartelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/TFX-e1597396335452.jpg?w=960&ssl=1 960w, https://i2.wp.com/www.augustobartelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/TFX-e1597396335452.jpg?resize=300%2C154&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/www.augustobartelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/TFX-e1597396335452.jpg?resize=768%2C394&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/www.augustobartelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/TFX-e1597396335452.jpg?resize=600%2C308&ssl=1 600w, https://i2.wp.com/www.augustobartelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/TFX-e1597396335452.jpg?resize=650%2C333&ssl=1 650w" style="border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 98.5%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" title="carbon free, eco-friendly airplane " width="700" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-2426" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Skydive Empuriabrava – The Land of the Sky – has Carbon Footprint Compensation</figcaption></figure></div></span></h3><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: Arapey, serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Eco-friendly airplanes and skydiving</span></h2><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arapey, serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="rst-inner-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">As skydivers, we may or may not be aware of our skydiving activity’s impact on the environment. Each time the skydiving plane brings a load up, there are emissions released into the environment. In fact, some have figured out the math. Depending on the skydiving aircraft, they can calculate each jumper’s carbon emissions for that individual jump. When I heard this, I felt some guilt</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> for my impact on the environment due to my skydiving. Although this knowledge does not mean that we need to stop jumping.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">This is where eco-friendly airplanes come in. Electric planes help reduce carbon emissions. Now it seems the future of our sport may be a place with more eco-friendly options. Electric airplanes can be clean, low-cost choices of skydiving aircraft.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> And so in regards to skydiving, the idea is that electric airplanes would end up saving drop zone</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> money in fuel costs. As a result, jump tickets could potentially be cheaper.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> As well as the aircraft would produce less noise, less vibration, and no fuel smell.</span></p><figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2831" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_2831" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; margin: 5px auto; max-width: 96%; padding: 5px 3px 10px; text-align: center; width: 702px;"><img alt="Roei Ganzarski and the first electric airplane for skydiving carbon free" class="wp-image-2831 jetpack-lazy-image jetpack-lazy-image--handled" data-lazy-loaded="1" data-recalc-dims="1" height="415" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 702px) 100vw, 702px" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.augustobartelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Roei_Ganzarski_first_electric_airplane.jpg?resize=702%2C415&ssl=1" srcset="https://i1.wp.com/www.augustobartelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Roei_Ganzarski_first_electric_airplane.jpg?resize=1024%2C606&ssl=1 1024w, https://i1.wp.com/www.augustobartelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Roei_Ganzarski_first_electric_airplane.jpg?resize=300%2C178&ssl=1 300w, https://i1.wp.com/www.augustobartelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Roei_Ganzarski_first_electric_airplane.jpg?resize=768%2C455&ssl=1 768w, https://i1.wp.com/www.augustobartelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Roei_Ganzarski_first_electric_airplane.jpg?resize=600%2C355&ssl=1 600w, https://i1.wp.com/www.augustobartelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Roei_Ganzarski_first_electric_airplane.jpg?resize=1536%2C909&ssl=1 1536w, https://i1.wp.com/www.augustobartelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Roei_Ganzarski_first_electric_airplane.jpg?resize=650%2C385&ssl=1 650w, https://i1.wp.com/www.augustobartelle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Roei_Ganzarski_first_electric_airplane.jpg?w=1759&ssl=1 1759w" style="border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 98.5%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" title="all-electric airplane, Roei Ganzarski, electric aircraft, battery airplane, carbon free plane" width="702" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-2831" style="box-sizing: border-box;">MagniX and AeroTEC put all-electric Cessna airplane into the air.</figcaption></figure></div></span></h3><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arapey, serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Transformation Carbon by C-Quest Capital</span></h2><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arapey, serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arimo, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Transformation Carbon has been established by C-Quest Capital, a social impact project developer, to make it easy for anyone, and any entity, to neutralize the climate impact of their lifestyle while helping families in the most impoverished communities the world live healthier happier lives.</span></p></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arapey, serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">What is a Carbon Footprint?</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arimo, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Carbon Footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases emitted due to fossil fuels’ consumption by a particular person, group, or activity. A Twin Otter aircraft consumes -86 gallons of jet fuel/hr. One gallon of burned jet fuel emits -19 lbs CO2 into the atmosphere. Using 20 minutes as an approximate flight time for one load of skydivers, one load would emit -545lbs CO2.</span></p><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arapey, serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">What is a Carbon Offset Package?</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arimo, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">A Carbon Offset package is a way to compensate for your greenhouse gas emissions by funding equivalent carbon dioxide savings elsewhere. It both helps to combat global climate change as well as to care for local communities around the world. Whatever your carbon footprint is, you can offset it by supporting projects anywhere in the world that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arimo, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">To offset your carbon footprint, your carbon offsets’ purchase is supporting our Transformation Carbon project portfolio and not one specific project. You can find more about Transformation Carbon and how to buy a Carbon Offset Package at </span><a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://transformationcarbon.com/collections/sports/products/80-jump-package-0-10-per-skydive" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #019e28; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.5s ease-out 0s;" target="_blank">transformationcarbon.com</a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arimo, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arimo, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arimo, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://SkydiverDriver.com">SkydiverDriver.com</a></span></p>Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-44673723167369332772020-11-28T18:18:00.002-06:002020-11-29T15:27:19.921-06:00The DC-9 at Skydive Perris will take to the skies!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYXUrdDuoY4yjoy5TUgjX_N7Uau3hOUpjCNnv0aZ3EwNCiEKfyotADhbzdsDutmoZr9JIZwqtXwtciXslU5CLbdnXS-gPVrV14ydMZrYFCLGWfN-ftiEwxtu5rkxCD9Gtdt5S7OYWPCYU/s696/AAY-DC9-127NK-4-1200edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="696" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYXUrdDuoY4yjoy5TUgjX_N7Uau3hOUpjCNnv0aZ3EwNCiEKfyotADhbzdsDutmoZr9JIZwqtXwtciXslU5CLbdnXS-gPVrV14ydMZrYFCLGWfN-ftiEwxtu5rkxCD9Gtdt5S7OYWPCYU/w640-h429/AAY-DC9-127NK-4-1200edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 26px;"><div style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; width: 360px;"><div style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; width: 320px;"><div style="float: none; min-height: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; width: 320px;"><div dir="auto" style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 1.74; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 16px;"><p style="margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The DC-9 at Skydive Perris will take to the skies!</p><div style="margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">As reported by Airways Magazine</span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Perris, California is a small town just 71 miles from Los Angeles. Many residents of the metroplex move there for the additional space and the relaxed atmosphere.</div><p style="font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">However, it is well-known as a city famous for its skydiving operations. Skydive Perris is the main skydive company in the area, using their own airport, Perris Valley Airport (L65), for their jumps. With its proximity to Hollywood, Skydive Perris has had a number of celebrity clients, like Tom Cruise, James Corden, magician David Blaine, and Daniel Craig as James Bond in <em>Quantum of Solace</em>.</p><p style="font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">Skydive Perris has many aircraft in its fleet, including traditional jump planes, like the Cessna 182 and DeHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otter. They also have the rare Shorts SC7 Skyvan (only 149 ever made) as well as a Douglas DC-3.</p><p style="font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">All of these aircraft are used throughout the world for skydiving operations, but there is one aircraft that is extremely unique to Skydive Perris: the McDonnell Douglas DC-9-21. The aircraft, N127NK, has been with Skydive Perris since 2003, but it has not flown since 2013. However, it is now being prepared to be returned to regular service.</p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><img alt="" style="display: block; max-width: 100%;" /></span><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-width: initial; font-size: 15px; margin: auto; width: 0px;"><img alt="" class="CToWUd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEisEI2Hi7q5W1t86ozTxJV5sNJYT-cInixeH09hUtylNKSpiUHr7LH8OeOa_gALSCrJIcj-rgQbogrSahsULd4o1lFcjSWpggKFAtc2IDmH5T5oFWCPZHKoYxUKoTp869hZFlTtZ_hpLv6BX7uu2_FAnVRceRZDp1k6f8jmVsEQa_9hbvAoZzu0d7RGRphUAHIVM58NZxavkIjc6_PoZDvdaC4oebLIlLA-ZxJEUMTXO-PANHHLIYEKU4jf=s0-d-e1-ft&ssl=1" style="border: none; display: block; height: 0px; margin: auto; max-height: 100%; max-width: 100%; min-height: 100%; min-width: 100%; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" /><span face="roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #111111; font-size: 22px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">A Historic Past</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtdBc5Zm4WXMopTEcy_26QJQRIVUBrntql6QX9aaetzVKVYJc93EgpwVE9VHXaTVl3vonqdriD4Stkt9I3X75IA-8nyzXqJWG3quzUXZwS42nZgcNcZvnKNWBmpmw6wjRAWU937UR7OmA/s696/SAS_DC-9-21_in_Zurich-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="696" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtdBc5Zm4WXMopTEcy_26QJQRIVUBrntql6QX9aaetzVKVYJc93EgpwVE9VHXaTVl3vonqdriD4Stkt9I3X75IA-8nyzXqJWG3quzUXZwS42nZgcNcZvnKNWBmpmw6wjRAWU937UR7OmA/w400-h263/SAS_DC-9-21_in_Zurich-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">The DC-9-21 was initially requested by Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) for use on short runways in Northern Europe. The -21 model combined the large wing and slats from the -30 with the small body of the -10. The order was only for 10 aircraft, but McDonnell Douglas obliged in its creation.</p><p style="font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">The final DC-9-21, line number 488, rolled out of the McDonnell Douglas factory in Long Beach, CA in April of 1969, registered as SE-DBO. It made its first flight on April 15<span style="font-size: 15.4688px; line-height: 0; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span> and flew east to Stockholm, Sweden on May 1 to begin its career with SAS with the name “Siger Viking” SAS had its first 3 DC-9-21s registered in Denmark with “OY” registration prefixes, its next 3 in Norway with “LN” registration prefixes, and its final 4 in Sweden with “SE” registration prefixes.</p><p style="font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">The aircraft spent 26 years flying throughout northern Europe. In October 1990, all of SAS’s DC-9-21s were re-registered as aircraft based in Denmark. The registration of SE-DBO was changed to OY-KIC. However, while the rest remained in Denmark, this aircraft was taken back to Sweden and re-registered back to SE-DBO in June of 1991.</p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><img alt="" style="display: block; max-width: 100%;" /></span><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-width: initial; font-size: 15px; margin: auto; width: 0px;"><img alt="" class="CToWUd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgd1nu4kzHpXsMlWS1_Ho-T9fpFfvAVd-hRDkP8MY1n5aduMwlt8lWVGdGyZosbuWPTpMyLvHUWcOsaNmjT5JCl2i6merrWWJUDDa1GmGHHFSGWF-b78O1079jl9m9CF7ZSJAhquFt1OdwIAefw8t3iHe5EWsTbyrkr8RWUabIiWQCHdRnHUPr5EWUrguaKwvuu_6TlpoRU6zzOzBQn4QWZz_4o3zJfEdTguFTmRSjBDwnXIZ6_WSFcKtpfZL8sVX21OY6rLcdAIpCVlX-seoCM_w=s0-d-e1-ft&ssl=1" style="border: none; display: block; height: 0px; margin: auto; max-height: 100%; max-width: 100%; min-height: 100%; min-width: 100%; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" /></span><p style="font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">This was in anticipation of it being wet-leased to the Swedish start-up charter airline, Nordic East Airlines, based in Stockholm. The aircraft flew with Nordic East from August of 1991 to May of 1992, when it was replaced with MD-82s, also wet-leased from SAS.</p><p style="font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">SE-DBO continued its journey with SAS until March of 1995, when it was retired from its fleet. Shortly after, it was acquired by Spirit Airlines in May of 1995, and flown to its new base in Detroit (DTW). Two other DC-9-21s from SAS also joined Spirit at the same time. Once the aircraft came to the US, it was re-registered as N127NK, the same one which it wears today. It flew passengers from Detroit to various destinations Florida and the northeast for just six months, when it was sold to ValuJet Airlines out of Atlanta (ATL) in December of 1995 along with Spirit’s other two DC-9-21s.</p><p style="font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">ValuJet connected ATL and Orlando (MCO) with the entire Eastern Coast of the USA. From 1995, ValuJet had been the focus of many FAA investigations into aircraft safety. Many accused the airline of not properly maintaining their aircraft, including the Atlanta FAA office, when they sent an official report to their headquarters to force the airline to recertify themselves as an airline. They had 57 emergency landings in both 1995 and 1996, a scaled rate that was 14x more than legacy airlines of the time. This all built up to the famous ValuJet 592 crash on May 11, 1996. The investigation into the crash revealed many safety issues with the fleet that were not being addressed.</p><p style="font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">A month after the crash, the FAA grounded the entire airline. At this time, N127NK was stored in Lake City, FL and never flew again for ValuJet. The airline later merged with AirTran Airways, but ValuJet’s CEO, Maurice Gallagher, left to build a new airline, Allegiant Air, out of Las Vegas (LAS).</p><p style="font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">The airline only had two scheduled routes, from Fresno (FAT) and Colorado Springs (COS) to LAS, but was regularly doing casino charters to LAS and various other cities like Reno (RNO), South Lake Tahoe (TVL), and Laughlin (IFP). N127NK was the first aircraft in Allegiant’s fleet, and flew with them until the end of 2002, when it was stored in Victorville (VCV). It spent one year in VCV before Skydive Perris’ owner Ben Conaster had a wild idea. He wanted to use a commercial jetliner for skydiving.</p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><img alt="" style="display: block; max-width: 100%;" /></span><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-width: initial; font-size: 15px; margin: auto; width: 0px;"><img alt="" class="CToWUd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg5jWpVQpu_AUfME21mg0v5536SNsm0cxtyWS1KXRHbCA00PIREqj0ZmwKddomIcx_OFa5eEdCB_D5LASPZGzNDqnK5u3He-7HxNnfDkd0eRS4-bqaC2lJNndKoRsihe9mTp6pCdgW3ptjlPtPJbYGU63QDTvEI0pH7rM9w9QIpSWwCVWZBHEnkvA9MqvcF2s22VSKeVwuKTcuqQA8b4Fcnq7qjWjcN51bNuGfJDfxM89YzNY37c4Ok79-ICGF6ELS785RedrSSaQ1HWIIZknlcGbQkiw=s0-d-e1-ft&ssl=1" style="border: none; display: block; height: 0px; margin: auto; max-height: 100%; max-width: 100%; min-height: 100%; min-width: 100%; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" /><span face="roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #111111; font-size: 22px; text-align: center;">Skydiving from an Airliner</span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.74; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 16px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bq8NtqenY4cFlM0bIjaoplH2zBrjY0KK388zPZHkT3K-bHHlhaSwk_szTDtiOCzs0mAnuK4i_5v1TFYRGz7CjDbp732wk7NJdoPCbwkGhncFEYCkfgf8yIEKWxj8tFhpGwDTF_p7rnbH/s875/DC9-Takeoff.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="875" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bq8NtqenY4cFlM0bIjaoplH2zBrjY0KK388zPZHkT3K-bHHlhaSwk_szTDtiOCzs0mAnuK4i_5v1TFYRGz7CjDbp732wk7NJdoPCbwkGhncFEYCkfgf8yIEKWxj8tFhpGwDTF_p7rnbH/w400-h266/DC9-Takeoff.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">Jumping from large aircraft isn’t necessarily a new idea. The military has been deploying paratroopers for many years. However, the most famous case of this happened on November 24, 1971, when a man going by the alias “D.B. Cooper” boarded a Northwest Orient Airlines Boeing 727-100 from Portland (PDX) to Seattle (SEA). He demanded that he receive $200,000 upon landing in SEA, and that he would like to flee to Mexico City via Reno (RNO).</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">He also requested that the aircraft remain at 10,000 ft. with the landing gear down, the flaps set at 15°, and the cabin to remain unpressurized. D.B. Cooper jumped from the aircraft via the rear airstairs commonly found on large T-tail aircraft while the they flew over the Washington-Oregon border. The case was never solved, but not for a lack of trying. Now, Skydive Perris is giving the everyday person the opportunity to experience the same thrill that D.B. Cooper had, without the large payout.</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">The DC-9-21 was destined for the scrapper when it was purchased in 2003 for just $50,000. It took three years to get the aircraft back to flying conditions and get it prepared for skydiving operations. The FAA made Skydive Perris go through many legal and safety-oriented hurdles to make sure that the aircraft would be fit for its new missions. While they were waiting for approval, the aircraft carried supplies to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and evacuated people to Houston as well.</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">Finally, on December 30, 2006, N127NK took to the skies to drop people from the rear air-stairs, thus becoming the only former commercial jet certified for skydiving operations in the world, a title it still holds today. It can carry divers up to 13,000 ft. in just four minutes, a quarter of the time needed for a Twin Otter to do it. To accommodate the large aircraft, Perris Valley Airport’s runway was lengthened from 3,000 ft. to 5,100 ft. Of all commercial jets, the DC-9-21 is likely to be the best possible one due to its short field performance and the ability to jump out of a pre-existing rear door on the back of the aircraft.</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">Skydive Perris operated the DC-9 from 2006 to 2013. However, they had issues with its reliability and the ability to find spare parts. This was especially trying with the largest DC-9 operator in the world, Delta Air Lines, retiring their fleet in early 2013. The DC-9 sat derelict with hope for it to take to the skies again, but without a clear-cut plan.</p><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px;"><img alt="" style="display: block; max-width: 100%;" /></span><span face="verdana, geneva, sans-serif" style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-width: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 15px; margin: auto; width: 0px;"><img alt="" class="CToWUd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiCCEfOyUoC9jzR7JO-wp2I__B0EVfYtl3a5nP2phUX1ySp7erCVOauHFR0fh_-myx5ONwkN-ZDugHbOBPOZxRsVpiQ_fpK8K7ow4AdUHQl8iJ04uK4JsOCk87GWSJCKvg_n2oqEJA-pT_EYj2Kn7wvIVgj3cPIDkNCzH3Fj9DKRU9uxeyw-UK5iF7H0srptD-eXm9AEO9XIwl7fAgvqUEKN28Skvm5_0mhTe-Bof5QPmyrM3vaKY0ZjBaPplKR4KKAJvJE_g=s0-d-e1-ft&ssl=1" style="border: none; display: block; height: 0px; margin: auto; max-height: 100%; max-width: 100%; min-height: 100%; min-width: 100%; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6eZkH5Q5oY1eDRZzODf4xyoA62yl7eo2vRsC2mc_qRPTaCP6HyItk04G4owbfhJS5TNQv734zTI6BZ6uIwtF9ZlJOwwYTbGME3sKJndkYE6I7gjKrPALJ0EeKK-PaRe-pB413iILPivA/s696/Perris-DC-9.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="696" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6eZkH5Q5oY1eDRZzODf4xyoA62yl7eo2vRsC2mc_qRPTaCP6HyItk04G4owbfhJS5TNQv734zTI6BZ6uIwtF9ZlJOwwYTbGME3sKJndkYE6I7gjKrPALJ0EeKK-PaRe-pB413iILPivA/w400-h300/Perris-DC-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 1.74; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 16px;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">However, in September, after seven years, Skydive Perris announced that the aircraft was undergoing its final repairs, and would take to the skies once again. Engine checks have been completed, and the aircraft has even done taxing tests at L65. Earlier this week, Skydive Perris opened up a job opportunity for some lucky pilots to have the chance to fly the aircraft for them, truly marking the fact that the aircraft will soon take to the skies.</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">The DC-9 was a stalwart in the aviation industry for many years, but has now been almost completely removed from passenger operations. Only 35 of the 976 DC-9s that have been produced are currently flying, with just one aircraft still flying civilian passengers.</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;">Enthusiasts have requested that Skydive Perris offer flights to aviation enthusiasts without requiring them to jump out of the aircraft. The company has not been accepting to such an idea in the past, but do seem to be a bit more open to the idea this time around. This would truly be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience a small part of history, whether you land on the DC-9 or you jump out of it during the flight. Either way, it will be great to see this old bird fly once again.</p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://SkydiverDriver.com">SkydiverDriver.com</a></p></div></div></div></div></div>Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-86529862295738711742020-08-15T23:04:00.001-05:002020-08-15T23:06:10.465-05:00New AD Proposal for Continental Engines<h2 id="h-28" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 1.3; margin: 20px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dd7KwX-YDxSE77oBp1OT4IpMok1JDlI8i4IQYcaWl2Y7CFrhvUNWWyp3FPuwcISSd_aMY6dRuzhpUflHcuX2hBroeN8aTS3uF4nf5e3xiu4jbVFcdS2HZ1P0QfmmpWX28QX8CfFmB0vn/s400/continental.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="400" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dd7KwX-YDxSE77oBp1OT4IpMok1JDlI8i4IQYcaWl2Y7CFrhvUNWWyp3FPuwcISSd_aMY6dRuzhpUflHcuX2hBroeN8aTS3uF4nf5e3xiu4jbVFcdS2HZ1P0QfmmpWX28QX8CfFmB0vn/w500-h238/continental.jpg" width="500" /></a></div></span></h2><h2 id="h-28" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 1.3; margin: 20px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">New AD Proposal for Continental Engines</span></span></h2><h2 id="h-28" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 1.3; margin: 20px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></h2><h2 id="h-28" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 1.3; margin: 20px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. model GTSIO-520-C, GTSIO-520-D, GTSIO-520-H, GTSIO-520-K, GTSIO-520-L, GTSIO-520-M, GTSIO-520-N, IO-550-G, IO-550-N, IO-550-P, IO-550-R, IOF-550-N, IOF-550-P, IOF-550-R, TSIO-520-BE, TSIO-550-A, TSIO-550-B, TSIO-550-C, TSIO-550-E, TSIO-550-G, TSIO-550-K, TSIO-550-N, TSIOF-550-D, TSIOF-550-J, TSIOF-550-K, and TSIOF-550-P reciprocating aviation gasoline (AvGas) engines with a certain cross-flow cylinder assembly installed. </span></span></h2><h2 id="h-28" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 1.3; margin: 20px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This proposed AD was prompted by reports of in-flight engine failures due to fractured cross-flow cylinder assemblies. This proposed AD would require visual inspection and, depending on the results of the inspection, modification or replacement of the cross-flow cylinder assembly. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.</span></span></h2><h2 id="h-28" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px; line-height: 1.3; margin: 20px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"><u>Required Actions</u></span></h2><p class="" data-page="21338" id="p-41" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em -30px; outline: 0px; overflow: visible; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 10px !important; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">If the engine has fewer than 500 engine operating hours on the effective date of this AD, no later than the next scheduled 100-hour/annual inspection after the effective date of this AD, perform a visual inspection of the cross-flow cylinder assembly in accordance with paragraphs III.1 through III.3, Action Required, of Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 18-08, Revision B, dated January 13, 2020 (“Continental Aerospace Technologies MSB18-08B”).</span></p><p class="" data-page="21338" id="p-42" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em -30px; outline: 0px; overflow: visible; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 10px !important; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">If the radius corner angle of the cross-flow cylinder assembly shows casting flash build-up or a sharp radius edge, modify the cross-flow cylinder assembly in accordance with paragraphs III.4 through III.8, Action Required, of Continental Aerospace Technologies MSB 18-08B; or</span></p><p class="" data-page="21338" id="p-43" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em -30px; outline: 0px; overflow: visible; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 10px !important; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">If a fissure, crack or physical damage is identified, remove the cross-flow cylinder assembly and replace with a part eligible for installation.</span></p><p class="" data-page="21338" id="p-44" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em -30px; outline: 0px; overflow: visible; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 10px !important; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">If the engine has 500 engine operating hours or greater on the effective date of this AD, at the next maintenance event after the effective date of this AD, not to exceed 50 engine operating hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a visual inspection of the cross-flow cylinder assembly in accordance with paragraphs III.1 through III.3, Action Required, of Continental Aerospace Technologies MSB18-08B.</span></p><p class="" data-page="21338" id="p-45" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em -30px; outline: 0px; overflow: visible; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 10px !important; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">If the radius corner angle of the cross-flow cylinder assembly shows casting flash build-up or a sharp radius edge, modify the cross-flow cylinder assembly in accordance with paragraphs III.4 through III.8, Action Required, of Continental Aerospace Technologies MSB 18-08B; or</span></p><p class="" data-page="21338" id="p-46" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em -30px; outline: 0px; overflow: visible; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 10px !important; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">If a fissure, crack or physical damage is identified, remove the cross-flow cylinder assembly and replace with a part eligible for installation.</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">More Information</span></u></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">For more information about this AD, contact Boyce Jones, Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: 404-474-5535; fax: 404-474-5606; email:</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a date="04/17/2020" href="mailto:boyce.jones@faa.gov" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3071a9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">boyce.jones@faa.gov</a>.</em></p><p class="" data-page="21339" id="p-55" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em -30px; outline: 0px; overflow: visible; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 10px !important; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;">For service information identified in this AD, contact Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc., 2039 South Broad Street, Mobile, Alabama, 36615, United States; phone: 251-436-8299; website: <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a date="04/17/2020" href="http://www.continentalmotors.aero/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3071a9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.continentalmotors.aero</a>.</em> You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.</span></p><p class="" data-page="21339" id="p-55" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em -30px; outline: 0px; overflow: visible; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 10px !important; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></p><p class="" data-page="21339" id="p-55" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.7em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em -30px; outline: 0px; overflow: visible; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 10px !important; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://SkydiverDriver.com"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">SkydiverDriver.com</span></a></span></p><div><br /></div><div class="signature" style="background: rgb(241, 241, 241); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div>Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-76542703031238683852020-06-17T23:21:00.001-05:002020-08-15T22:35:19.130-05:00The USPA Professional - Jump Pilot Section<span style="font-size: large;">Starting today we will be re-posting some interesting articles found in the Jump Pilot section of the USPA newsletter titled The USPA Professional. For those of you that have not read any of the articles, we are going to jump back to the March 5th 2020 article titled "Safety Day with Jump Pilots". </span><div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We thought that would be a good place to start because some of you were hired after Safety Day and need to know what's involved with it and the importance of it. As us pilots know, safety is paramount!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-EhWL6J2RX-woiTl1J6K_cTweKe1bAWIl3CgX_vDa6zgu0lgsy6cHGuZaQFi4YClCBK7OR3b-z8ckOE8CdIIbTeVZ5h0_Wea4UlowdbZYgjAh_1HJa6xdTDZO8bFr6FZmn9djrjhcIVQ/s256/safetyday2020.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-EhWL6J2RX-woiTl1J6K_cTweKe1bAWIl3CgX_vDa6zgu0lgsy6cHGuZaQFi4YClCBK7OR3b-z8ckOE8CdIIbTeVZ5h0_Wea4UlowdbZYgjAh_1HJa6xdTDZO8bFr6FZmn9djrjhcIVQ/s0/safetyday2020.png" /></a></div><div><table bgcolor="" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; color: #515151; font-family: roboto, robotodraft, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; width: 100%;"><tbody>
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<span style="color: #fafafa;">Safety Day with Jump Pilots</span></h3>
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Safety Day presents the perfect opportunity to strengthen the relationship between jump pilots and skydivers. Your pilots can participate in DZ safety culture by presenting a “skydiving from a pilot’s perspective” seminar, which will likely include segments on aircraft weight and balance and aircraft emergencies. Most jump pilots have scouted and planned alternate landing areas near the airport that they would use in the event of a forced landing at low altitude. Have them describe what emergencies would require the use of an off-airport landing area.</div>
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Aircraft like the Cessna 182 and Cessna 206 have Federal Aviation Administration approvals that require the jump pilot to wear a pilot emergency parachute while flying skydivers. If your pilot isn’t a skydiver, consider teaching your pilot how to egress and clear the aircraft, then use the parachute. Experienced skydivers and instructors should ensure that the pilot is wearing their parachute properly. Though skydivers seldom ride down with the plane, remind pilots of turbine aircraft that there is a risk of automatic activation device activation during a rapid descent. And have a plan to escort skydivers or observers to the rear of the aircraft, away from propellers, in the event they land with the aircraft.</div>
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Jump pilots and skydivers should communicate prior to beginning a flight. That conversation—or DZ policy—may address minimum exit altitude in emergencies for tandems or for skydivers with low experience. The goal of good dialogue between skydivers and jump pilots is to brief the essentials before action becomes necessary during an in-flight emergency.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/">SkydiverDriver.com</a></span></div>
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Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-86544805128147881922020-02-15T00:17:00.000-06:002020-02-15T14:09:37.852-06:00All Hail the Pratt & Whitney PT6 Turboprop Engine!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><br /></u></span></b><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><br /></u></span></b><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>All Hail the Pratt & Whitney PT6!</u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Below you will see one of the first photos of the famous Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprop aircraft engine and its designers. This engine is THE rockstar of the turboprop engine world! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Important Dates</u>:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">1958 - Design started</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">1960 Feb. - First ran</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">1961 May - First flew</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">1964 - Entered service</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">2011 - 50th Anniversary </span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On its first flight it was mounted as a third engine on the nose of a Beech 18. That would have been an interesting sight! The test aircraft was switched to a Beech King Air in 1980. The first production model was the PT6A-6 and used on the Beech Queen Air.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The original designers of the PT6</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">According to the manufacturer over 51,000 units have been produced (as of 2015) and the engine has flown over 400 million hours! Considering that it only has an in-flight engine shut-down once every 651,126 hours, it is one of the most reliable aircraft engines ever. There have been over 69 different versions built. Not all of the versions have been for aircraft, some variants have been used for helicopters, boats, hovercraft, land vehicles and auxiliary power units.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">TBO (time between overhauls) ranges between 3600 to 9000 hours and hot section inspections are done between 1800 and 2000 hours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The PT6-114A in the Cessna Caravan only weighs 350lbs and yet puts out almost 700hp! The PT6 engine is found in most of the turbo-prop airplanes in the United States, including the Cessna Caravan, de Havilland Twin Otter, Air Tractor, Beech 1900, Beech King Air, Beech 99, PAC 750, Quest Kodiak, Pilatus PC-12, Piaggio Avanti, Shorts 360, AgustaWestland AW139 and many more. ALL great aircraft mainly because of their heart.... the PT6. Keep up the great work Pratt & Whitney!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Be sure and check out our friends at <a href="http://pt6nation.com/" target="_blank">pt6nation.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://caravannation.com/">CaravanNation.com</a></span>Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-1846619459318765842020-01-30T21:13:00.000-06:002020-01-30T21:13:54.557-06:00Review - AIM 3-5-4 Parachute Jump Aircraft Operations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A good Jump Pilot is always reviewing and never gets complacent. I've flown at drop zones that are located at public airports and at some that are located at private airports. Although there may be less air traffic at private airports, that does not mean that there isn't any. At private airport DZs I always had more enroute aircraft nearby, most of which are not talking to ATC. Always <i>look and listen</i> for any traffic that might be in the area. When you do see or hear any traffic, expect them to <b>not</b> pay attention and to make a mistake. The day that you don't expect them to make a mistake, they will!<br />
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It is also a good idea to inform FBOs at nearby airports with a phone call or visit that you are conducting skydiving operations, your location and your normal operating hours. Anytime that I have done this it was much appreciated and even led to a few tandems being sold. Now let's review AIM Chapter 3, Section 5, Paragraph 4, Sub-Chapter C.<br />
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3−5−4. <b>Parachute Jump Aircraft Operations</b><br />
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c. Parachute operations in the vicinity of an airport without an operating control tower − there is no substitute for alertness while in the vicinity of an airport. It is essential that pilots conducting parachute operations be alert, look for other traffic, and exchange traffic information as recommended in paragraph 4−1−9, Traffic Advisory Practices at Airports Without Operating Control Towers. In addition, pilots should avoid releasing parachutes while in an airport traffic pattern when there are other aircraft in that pattern. Pilots should make appropriate broadcasts on the designated Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF), and monitor that CTAF until all parachute activity has terminated or the aircraft has left the area. Prior to commencing a jump operation, the pilot should broadcast the aircraft’s altitude and position in relation to the airport, the approximate relative time when the jump will commence and terminate, and listen to the position reports of other aircraft in the area.<br />
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My fellow Jump Pilots, please remember to <i><b>review often</b> and <b>fly safe</b></i> so that you can continue to <b><i>have fun</i>!</b><br />
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- <a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/">SkydiverDriver.com</a>Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-17372660107655303142019-08-13T17:19:00.000-05:002019-08-13T17:24:52.640-05:00This is Mexico by Dean Ricci<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Roboto; margin-bottom: 30px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is Mexico</span></b></div>
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by Dean Ricci</div>
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I’ve never felt further away from home than I did at that moment. I could feel the pieces of tooth swimming across the left side of my tongue, but it was a distant and almost unimportant sensation. At that instant I was focused on the baseball bats in the hands of the four men surrounding me, but much more so on the pistol aimed right at my chest by the fifth. The tiny little (sixth) guy with the ring that had split my canine tooth in half was still bouncing around in front of me like a madman, and I, well I must have had the most confused look on my face I have ever had in my life.</div>
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Perhaps a bit of a rewind is in order. Cut to my very first solo Otter load flying for Chicagoland Skydiving Center. I had told Doug, the owner and pilot training me to fly her, that I wasn’t sure if his winter trip to Mexico was something I’d want to take on. I’d suggested that perhaps we both find out first if I could handle the Otter there at home before I agreed to fly it off to Mexico. I was climbing through about 8,000’ on my first solo Otter load before I radioed down to manifest to tell Doug that Mexico sounded just fine to me! That’s how much I loved flying that plane.</div>
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Chicago to far southern Mexico is no small trip. Flying your own aircraft internationally is no little deal. Doing it with nothing but a few notes from a jump pilot buddy named Kro, the first flight plan I’d made in more than two years, an outdated GPS database, and non-pilot co-pilot is just, well it’s f*cking stupid.</div>
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Hinckley to Texarkana to Brownsville went off without a hitch. My close long-time friend Mandy kicked back in the co-pilot seat listening to music and enjoying the view, while I sat wondering if the cloud layer we’d been over for the last 200 miles would break before we got to Texas and I’d have to shoot an approach I was completely unprepared to make. Once the Otter was firmly planted on the ground in Brownsville, Texas (through clear skies), and the prevailing weather had been checked (f*cking crap), I let the boss know that I wouldn’t be continuing on to Mexico until the next day (even though Brownsville, Texas was the biggest shithole town I’d ever been in) because the thought of trying to land in some random field in Mexico in the forecasted bad weather ahead scared the living f*ck out of me.</div>
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Two days later … Puebla, Mexico was in sight. It was a pretty straightforward flight, other than the fact that it didn’t appear that Mexico had an air traffic system (that I could identify anyway). I believe after having crossed the International line, I spoke to only one Mexican controller, and he basically told me he didn’t care what I did. Once I was on the ground in Puebla I started their version of clearing customs, which involved spending a lot of money on paperwork I wasn’t told I’d need and going back and forth between two counters filled with people whose apparent jobs were to make the whole experience as difficult as possible. I made contact with the DZO Tony, who told me he was about an hour’s flight south of Puebla, just around the back side of the big f*cking volcano. He said that Pepe, his “guy” on the ground, would be waiting for us.</div>
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Imagine the most rutted-up f*cked up, weed-covered, rock-strewn, pothole-filled back road you’ve ever seen. That was the runway. Place on one side of that runway 50’ tall high-tension power lines. Place on the other side of that runway a rather deep ravine. Space those two very daunting obstacles about 2,000’ apart, angle the runway downhill just a touch and then stick the whole f*cking mess at about 4,500’ above sea level. Now bring in a fully fueled Twin Otter stuffed to the gills with everything from a dozen spare tires and enough spare parts to build a second plane, to a scooter and a six-month stockpile of cleaning supplies. Put in the pilot seat a guy who’s only landed that Otter completely empty and at sea level, and … BAM! Welcome to Mexico!</div>
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Cut to a day and a half later. The plane had been emptied, and was happily parked on a completely different runway that had everything from pavement to a centerline. I was about a million times more secure with my choice than I had been the previous evening, and was starting to think that I might just manage to survive the whole experience for more than a week. My nerves were settled, I once again believed I knew how to fly a plane and was totally ready to get it all started. It was Friday, the beginning of the DZ’s Halloween Boogie, and people were starting to show up for what promised to be quite the party.</div>
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DZO Tony had quite the reputation as a total party animal, and f*ck me, it was true. I was to be a guest at Tony’s house for the first week or so that I was in the country, which, unfortunately for Mandy, Fritz Pfnür, Fritz’s girlfriend, and me, meant we couldn’t get away from the damn music raging at Tony’s house long enough to get any rest. As I began flying on Saturday, it was only the mood of the jumpers that kept me awake.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>[...I watched him taxi the King Air down a hill and hit one of the props on the runway...]</b></span></div>
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Besides the Otter, the DZ had a King Air leased from a drop zone in Colorado that was being flown by a local pilot by the name of Cesar. I’d heard about Cesar from Kro, the pilot who had flown the Mexico gig before me and was warned quite firmly to keep an eye out. At first Cesar didn’t seem to be much of a concern. He didn’t speak English, and didn’t seem to have any desire to get to know the gringo pilot in the flash Otter. I’d almost decided not to give Cesar a second thought—until I watched him taxi the King Air down a hill and hit one of the props on the runway, sending sparks and a few chunks of pavement flying! I was floored almost to inaction by what had happened, but after what I’d seen soaked in, I ran in front of the King Air as the jumpers began loading the plane screaming, “Shut this f*cking thing down! Shut it down!” Not only had Cesar known he had a prop strike, but the f*cker was still gonna fly the load, putting not only himself but everyone onboard at serious risk! There was just no way in hell I was gonna let that happen.</div>
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After I’d finally managed to get the attention of Cesar, as well as Tony, I was able to get the load transferred over to the Otter while they “inspected” the King Air. I didn’t really know what type of inspection they were doing, but as I pulled up to load the third group since the prop strike I saw some really stupid shit … The King Air was chalked on all three tires and completely unattended with both engines running. I can only assume that Cesar must have decided that doing a run-up from a safe distance would be a good idea. The next thing you know … He also decided that taking a quick flight was a good idea as well. A quick flight that involved buzzing the Otter at high speed! I just about lost my f*cking mind.</div>
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Luckily for me, Cesar hadn’t learned English in the two days I’d been in Mexico, so he couldn’t understand the massive string of profanities flowing through my headset—but Pepe on the ground sure as hell could! I was so mad I couldn’t see straight, and ended up glad that I had another two hours of flying before I was able to shut down, giving me a good chance to cool off before I could confront F*ckstick for his actions.</div>
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With Tony interpreting, I told Cesar that he had absolutely no business being a pilot. I made it very clear to him that in no uncertain terms was he to go anywhere near the Otter either in the air OR on the ground, and that he should stay the hell away from me as well. As it turns out, considering I was basically all alone in far southern Mexico right around the time the drug cartels were really getting the hang of killing people and cutting off their heads, calling Cesar out in that way may not have been the wisest of choices.</div>
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It was almost twenty-four hours later that I climbed out of the plane after a beautiful flyby that I found myself approached by the six men I mentioned earlier. I guess it had been a really good day, full of fun jumps and happy people, because the previous day’s excitement wasn’t even remotely in my mind when the first guy walked up and said, “We have a problem.”</div>
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That’s just about the time I swallowed half of my tooth. The little guy, who probably stood no more than about five-foot-five, threw a sucker punch from my blind spot that confused me more than anything else, because my first reaction was to laugh and bark out the word “what??” It wasn’t until he came in for punch number two and I’d shoved him away that I saw the baseball bats. As he came in for number three, I got my first view of the gun barrel pointed straight at my chest, and let the little shit swing away.</div>
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Cesar, being the big man that he was, stood a safe twenty feet back from the action, letting his boys prove how rugged and tough he was. The gang clearly saw that I saw the gun CLEARLY, and slowed the pace a bit, I assume to savor what was to come. “This is MEXICO” came from the mouth of Mr. We Have a Problem. He had clearly been voted the spokesman for the group, and was taking his job quite seriously, using the full weight of the situation to really put some impact behind his words. And then … My savior!</div>
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Mandy had been watching the situation unfold, and according to her, screaming her f*cking head off (although to this day I don’t recall hearing a sound) loud enough to attract the attention of the military on the field. It didn’t appear that the military intended to do a damn thing about the attack, but they did stand up and look our way (I assume to get a better view), which turned out to be just enough to back my new friends off just a touch. The Spokesman looked to the military, then to me and said, in his most ominous tone, “Eeef you are here Saturday, you go home in a box.”</div>
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“Doug, if I’m here on Saturday, the f*ckin’ guy says I go home in a box! So … Either I leave Mexico with the Otter, or I leave without it! Your choice!” To his credit, he handled the news pretty damn well. I mean really, when you consider I had just called him to tell him that I was flushing his entire winter down the toilet because of something that happened to somebody else’s plane, he was a real gent.</div>
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Tony, the DZO, had quickly gone into damage control mode, and was busy telling his entire staff that there had been no gun, and that for some unknown reason I was making the entire story up. It wasn’t until Fritz’s girlfriend stood up and called bullshit that he stopped trying to play everyone. Luckily for me, she had seen the guy with the gun (who turned out to be a f*cking Federale) and told the entire staff right then and there what she had seen. Between her, Mandy, and a staff that wasn’t blind or stupid, everyone got a pretty good picture of what had transpired.</div>
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From then on out, things started to get a bit strange … First, I found myself standing in front of a group of 20 or so staff members, telling them that I was leaving as soon as the sun came up WITH the Otter, then apologizing deeply because I knew that I was ruining their season by doing so. I felt horrible in a way that I never have before, but it was the only choice that was to be made. Once Doug had the chance to get a handle on the situation, he told me flat out to get in the Otter and get the f*ck outta there. To this day I still greatly respect his decision and how hard it must have been to make. Then, the staff, whose entire season I was about to destroy, did something I really never would have expected.</div>
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Each and every one of them went above and beyond, and helped me load thousands of pounds of equipment back into the Otter so that I’d be ready to leave at first light. They actually helped me take money right out of their pockets. Of all the staff, I only knew Buzz from Chicagoland. I don’t know a single one of the other staff members’ names, but I owe them a huge debt of gratitude nonetheless.</div>
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That night Tony took me to meet a Mexican version of the Godfather who told me, through Tony, that I should put the past behind me, and that I should not worry. He told me that I should not speak of that night any further because I was now under his protection, and nobody would touch me. He invited me to stay to finish the season in comfort, knowing that he would be looking out for me. I flew out as soon as the sun hit the horizon the next morning.</div>
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As I crossed the border from Mexico back to the U.S. and Brownsville, Texas, I remember thinking that it was just about the most beautiful place I’d ever seen. If it hadn’t been so damn close to the border, I probably would have settled down there …</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>["So, to the staff of that DZ in Southern Mexico I give my heart-felt thanks."]</b></span></div>
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I lasted a total of four days in Mexico. It was the last time I visited that country, and I still have no plans to return. Ninety nine percent of the people I met there (well, ninety five anyway) were wonderful people. Had it not been for the crazy events that took place there, I truly believe I would have had an amazing experience. The staff at the DZ were kind, full of smiles, apologetic for the events, and were amazingly generous with their help. It is a testament to what I hope is the real spirit of the Mexican people.</div>
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The true test of a choice that you make is simple. Would you make the same choice if you had it to do all over again? Absolutely! Would I change the way I approached f*ckstick Cesar? Sure. I can tell you from experience that having a gun pointed at you sucks! Would I change stopping him from flying a load of jumpers after the prop strike? NEVER! Those were my people! It didn’t matter if I knew them or not, they were skydivers, and I would never be willing to risk their lives under any circumstances, no matter who they were or where they were from. So, to the staff of that DZ in Southern Mexico I give my heart-felt thanks. To Cesar I say, “GO F*CK YOURSELF!” (From a safe distance and an undisclosed location).<br />
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This article was posted on <a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/" target="_blank">SkydiverDriver.com</a> with permission from Dean Ricci and <a href="https://blueskiesmag.com/" target="_blank">Blue Skies Magazine</a></div>
Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-37551580027734179312019-04-14T14:15:00.000-05:002019-08-13T17:25:14.217-05:00The Right Stuff by Dean Ricci<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto; margin-bottom: 30px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Right Stuff</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">by Dean Ricci</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">So, just what makes a good jump pilot? The truth is, there’s no real set answer to that question. As you can imagine, there are as many factors that go into a good jump pilot (some more important than others) as there are factors for a good skydiver, so let’s do it backward and list a few things that make a really shit jump pilot.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">While on the road and flying for a really nice Midwest drop zone, I had the opportunity—or misfortune, if you will—to fly alongside a Caravan flown by the worst jump pilot I have ever met, seen or heard of. The DZ got stuck with this guy we’ll call “Tool,” after their two very accomplished jump pilots had moved on to bluer skies as it were, leaving them in a tight spot.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">Tool had interviewed with the DZOs of this unfortunate operation and told them that outside of what I’m sure he explained was an amazing corporate career, he’d been quite the successful jump pilot as well. He told of his 500+ hours flying jumpers back when you had to spot with your eye, not the GPS, and that with everything available to him in their beautiful aircraft, the job would be as easy as could be. So, as any DZO would, they checked him out in the Caravan, ensured that he knew how to go up and back while keeping the rubber side down, and strapped him in the cockpit with very simple instructions: Go up and down, fast.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">Cut to just under two weeks later, and my arrival. I’d had the chance to fly for this particular DZ the year before in the Chicagoland Otter, and knew the operation pretty well. It’s a drop zone full of great people, very accomplished jumpers, an airport willing to bend over backward to please them and an all around great vibe.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">Perhaps it was because they recognized me from the previous year, perhaps it was because more than a few of them had read my articles in Blue Skies Mag or perhaps it was just my considerable charm and devilish good looks, but for whatever reason, I ended up getting an earful about Tool right away. They all said it in slightly different ways, but in a nutshell, Tool was an asshole that couldn’t spot for shit. I decided that I’d try to have an open mind, keep an eye out, and see for myself throughout the day. It didn’t take long to form my own opinion.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">Strike One: While chatting with Tool on the ground before load one was even manifested, I tried to discuss a discrete radio frequency for us to be on so we could talk between ourselves. His question, without even a hint of sarcasm, was, “Why do we need to talk?” I thought about trying to explain to him that while running a multiple aircraft operation, it’s imperative for the pilots involved to be in constant contact to avoid dropping jumpers on top of each other, aircraft collisions, spotting corrections, jump-run separation, checking out the blonde tandem student with the amazing rack, etc.—but he walked away before I even had the chance to get the dumbass look off my face.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">Strike Two: I was taxiing out for load five and getting ready to depart off runway 23. I heard the Caravan make a two-mile, 3,000’ final approach call for the same runway, so I made my call. “Middletown traffic, 2ST rolling for an intersection departure off 23.” I instantly got an almost panicked response from the Caravan with Tool yelling into the mic, “But I’m coming in HOT, I’M COMING IN HOT!” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud into the mic and respond “You’re in a Caravan that’s two miles away Tool, you’re NOT coming in hot!” Then, just for my own personal satisfaction, after he landed and once he called clear of the runway I announced, “Middletown traffic, 2ST climbing thru three thousand five hundred and WELL CLEAR of inbound HOT traffic”.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">Strike Two and a Half: This strike was for the dozen jumpers that Tool put off the field on a light-wind day with mild jump-run speeds, having done so AFTER the jumpers on board asked him for multiple corrections and after I’d told him what direction jump run was, the distance prior to the field he should turn on the green, and how far he could let the last one exit at. It turns out that his favorite word every time a jumper asked him for anything was “WHY??” Jumpers land off, it’s a fact. Many factors can go into an off landing, but when you have all the information Tool had at his disposal it just shouldn’t happen.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">Strike Two and Three Quarters: This one I didn’t get to see in person because I never flew in the Caravan with him. It turns out that on every single load he was on, he would go out of his way to announce that he’d give extra altitude if any of the girls on board would show him their tits. That’s actually how he did it as well … “I’ll give you more if you show me your tits!” He also attempted to institute a rule that only women were allowed to sit in the co-pilot seat; that way the tits were more accessible. Now don’t get me wrong, BIG fan of tits here, but in my opinion, asking for them is a lot like paying for sex. If you have to do that, you’ve got real problems!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">Strike Three: While flying through about 4,000’, I heard the Caravan call two minutes to jumpers away. About four minutes later, as I was calling my two minutes to jumpers, it dawned on me that I hadn’t heard Tool call jumpers away, nor had I heard him communicate with approach that he was dropping. I hopped on the discrete frequency I’d finally gotten him to go on and asked where he was. By the time he answered, I was under one minute and about to give the door light. He explained to me that he was about one minute to the green light and was too busy to talk. The worst of many problems with this situation was that Tool was dropping fun jumpers from 13.5, and I was dropping tandems from 10.5, a fact that both he and I were aware of. When I leaned forward and craned my neck to look up, I’ll be damned if I didn’t get a great look at the belly of the Caravan about three thousand feet directly above me, totally ready to drop right on my head. Even worse than this was the fact that when I explained the whole thing to him later, he didn’t seem to really grasp what the problem was.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">Even if you take the different jump altitudes out of the equation this is still a big deal. Two aircraft dropping at the same time and not talking could potentially put jumpers from different aircraft jumping into each other without even knowing. Imagine a tracking dive out of one aircraft, inadvertently blasting straight toward a tandem from the other aircraft … There are just too many possibilities for death and destruction to list.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">In my personal opinion, and that of many other people I know, the best damn jump pilots out there start out their careers as jumpers. As a skydiver, you should already have a damn good grasp on issues like spotting, jump runs, group separation, wingsuits versus tandems or big ways, etc. The things that jumpers take as basic knowledge, your average general aviation pilot is completely clueless about. I honestly believe that it would be easier to take a non-pilot skydiver and turn them into a jump pilot, than to take an accomplished pilot and do the same thing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">What makes a good jump pilot? A little skill, a little luck, and the realization that your responsibility starts the moment you fire up the engine, and ends when the last jumpers are on the ground, and the aircraft is all tied down. It’s taking and giving corrections when needed, communicating both with other aircraft and air traffic control and with the jumpers. It’s knowing your responsibility not only to the jumpers, but to the operation as well. It’s about protecting the jumpers by giving them the best spots and the most information possible. It’s also about trying your hardest, every damn day, on every damn load to keep from being a complete and total fucking TOOL.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">Lastly, if you’re a Midwest Skydiver wondering how to make sure you don’t end up in Tool’s aircraft, you need not worry. He got canned a few days after my weekend with them! (I’d like to think I was part of the reason why he got tossed.) So take yourself a drive down to Start Skydiving in Middletown, Ohio, and tell ‘em “The Fuckin’ Pilot” said to say hey!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">This article was posted on </span><a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/" style="font-size: 16px;">SkydiverDriver.com</a><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;"> with permission from Dean Ricci and </span><a href="https://blueskiesmag.com/" style="font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">Blue Skies Magazine</a><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">.</span></div>
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Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-4447666819901463082019-02-05T02:17:00.001-06:002019-08-13T17:25:46.002-05:00Pissed Off Pilot? What Your Pilot May be Thinking and Why. By Dean Ricci<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">by Dean Ricci</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">I love this sport. I love the people, the vibe and the job, but that love doesn’t keep certain things from really pissing me off! Before I started flying jumpers, I was a fulltime AFF and tandem instructor. I had close to seven thousand jumps, I’d worked at half a dozen DZs including Cross Keys, which was the busiest DZ in the States at the time. I’d done a lot and seen even more, and I knew everything … right up until I started sitting up front full time. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">As soon as I was behind the stick, I started paying attention to things that had rarely, if ever, crossed my mind as a jumper. I looked back at more than a few of my actions over the years wondering what I’d been thinking and realizing how little I really knew.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">The thing is, I’m a jumper first. My life as I know it started with a parachute on my back almost 16 years ago. As a jump pilot I always try to keep that in mind. On the flip side, most jumpers aren’t pilots and have little or no idea what goes on at the front of the plane and, at bigger drop zones, may not even know who their pilot is.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 16px;">We’re gonna try here to cover some of the things that I, and other jump pilots I know, think about and are concerned with while taking you to altitude. Some of them may seem like old news, but you just might be surprised!</span></div>
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Here’s the spot where my head just about comes off a dozen times a day. My whole reason for existence is fast turns, and as many loads as I can manage. At a medium or large drop zone, there are a whole lot of people who want to jump and only so much daylight; the loading area is where the difference between thirty loads in a day or thirty-five-plus loads is made. It’s also where you the jumper can dictate how many jumps you’re gonna get in.</div>
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Have your dirt dive done BEFORE the plane pulls up to the loading area! As a pilot, there’s nothing worse than watching the clock ticking with props spinning on the ground while jumpers are trying to figure out their slot and first point on a 10-way.</div>
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It is everyone’s responsibility to keep everyone else away from the propellers! A screaming pilot is really hard to hear with the engine running, and he or she can only see and do so much. Even if the engine has not been started, stay away from the spinny, whirly, choppy thing and yell to anyone that heads that way!</div>
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Know your exit order BEFORE you get in the plane—that way when you get to the plane, you can get in and sit the f*ck down!</div>
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If you’re trying to help out the pilot and DZ by loading, pulling the power cart from the A/C, helping an observer on the plane, etc., make sure that what you’re doing is really helping! If you’re not sure what’s going on, either ask or let someone else do it.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hardly a new topic, right? I for one never thought about not putting on a seatbelt in an aircraft and yet, as a jumper and pilot, I see it happen all the time</span><span style="font-family: "abeezee";">. </span><span style="font-family: "roboto";">If you choose not to wear your seatbelt for takeoff or landing in a jump plane, you’re going to appear twice in the FAA report: once as a victim and yet again as the probable cause of death to someone else, more than likely a friend of yours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "roboto";">Hey jackass, that camera helmet should be boned in or worn for the same reasons you should be. The people around you aren’t trying to be dicks by telling you to secure it, they are trying to keep if from taking their fucking heads off! It’s nothing but a really big projectile if that plane stops quickly. The seatbelts come off you and your equipment at the altitude your DZ and pilot want them to, and it’s your responsibility to know what that is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "roboto";">Not nearly as important as putting your seatbelt on, but still important: take it off when you’re supposed to. With your belt on, you create a potential log jam in an emergency situation in which people need to leave quickly and safely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "roboto";">Last but not least, your pilot can receive a violation against his or her license if the FAA observes passengers without seatbelts on, so watch out for him as well! You’re not going to do much jumping without a pilot, and when he’s flying again after getting spanked by the FAA, see how much extra altitude you get.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The Ride to Altitude</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "roboto";">Have fun! That’s what we are here for, and there’s nobody on board who doesn’t know it. The thing is, have responsible fun. No screaming at the top of your lungs to show how much you love skydiving. There’s one particular fool that used to think it was great fun to scream like a B horror movie from takeoff through one-thousand feet, right up until he got thrown out of the plane (you know who you are, asshole!). It’s not only stupid behavior that makes you look like a tool, but it’s dangerous as well. Why would you want your pilot to wonder if there’s something horribly wrong during takeoff?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "roboto";">Keep the shifting around in the plane to a minimum, especially in a mid-sized aircraft. Your pilot probably isn’t worried about weight and balance at this point, but he’s getting pretty tired of trimming out the aircraft ‘cause you’re chatting with the whole load. It may not look like the pilot is doing much, but trust me, he’s busy! Anything to help out on a 12-hour day is greatly appreciated!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "roboto";">Keep your eyes open. You have a view of the aircraft that the pilot doesn’t. If you see something that looks funny or wrong with the plane, the jumpers, etc., say something to the pilot. The life you save may be your own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "roboto";">Try to remember that the pilot is there to do a job, and that job is not only taking you to altitude but also keeping you safe along the way. If you need to speak with him or her, do so, but get to the point! Distracting the pilot too much could result in anything from a bad spot, less altitude, or even him/her not seeing the other plane flying right at you!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3f3535; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Jump Run, Exits and Freefall</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "roboto";">Whether or not your jump plane has jump lights, you undoubtedly have signals for when to open the door and when to leave. These signals are given (or not given) for a reason. If the green light hasn’t come on when you think it should, it may be that the pilot knows there is another aircraft below you that causes a major hazard and is holding you until it’s clear, or that winds have changed drastically. The pilot of your plane is more than likely in constant contact with a controller and has information you don’t have, so whatever the reason may be, don’t do anything before the pilot signals you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "roboto";">Remember how you figured out exit orders BEFORE you got on the plane? Now is the time to put that info to use. Know how much time you should be giving to the group in front of you. Have a good idea how long your climbout is going take and GET ON WITH IT! In the door isn’t the place to chat, and all you’re doing is screwing the spot for those in the back, usually the tandem instructors who already have enough on their plate without having to deal with a bad spot!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "roboto";">Unless you’re at a DZ where the jumpers are responsible for spotting, let the pilot fuck up the spot BEFORE you try to correct him! As a jump pilot, I know how fast we’re going thru the air, how fast we’re going across the ground and EXACTLY how far away from the DZ we are, as well as wind speeds from the ground to exit altitude, so give your pilot a chance to do his job. Then again, if you’ve been on a load with a bad spot, it’s not a bad thing to let the pilot know where you opened up because he may not realize it. Be polite though, or you may be doing a lot of hiking!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "roboto";">If you look down and can’t see the ground because of clouds, tell your pilot! There isn’t a licensed jumper out there that doesn’t know you’re not supposed to punch clouds, regardless of how amazing it may be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "roboto";">Here’s a question for you. If the FAA is on the ground watching jumpers punch clouds, what happens to the jumpers? The answer is: NOTHING. If the FAA is on the ground watching jumpers punch clouds, what happens to the pilot? The answer is: the pilot is f*cked!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "roboto";">Depending on how much of a d!ck the FAA official wants to be, your happy time in a puffy may have just trashed your pilot’s career. This is especially important for you WINGSUIT FLYERS! It doesn’t matter how far you had to travel to hit that cloud, it’s still your pilot’s responsibility, and he or she is the only one that will pay the price for your fun. If you didn’t realize that, now you do—please please please act accordingly! Oh, and there may be another aircraft in that cloud you might hit as well!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "roboto";">Truth be told, I, like most of the jump pilots I know, absolutely love what I do. For the most part, flying jumpers to altitude and diving down like a mad man to get more jumpers is an incredible ride. The people, the vibe, the scene and the sport is what I’ve lived for, and enjoy more than almost anything else. The tips, suggestions and criticisms offered here are things that not only slow down a DZ’s operation, but also pose potential hazards to jumpers and pilots alike. With very few exceptions, every jump pilot I know takes very personal responsibility for everyone onboard the plane they fly. Not only are the people onboard fellow skydivers, but more than likely friends. Most of the things that really piss me off are things that put the people I care about at risk, and that’s something I’m completely willing to get publicly pissed off about. It’s all about having a fucking blast SAFELY, and like it or not, every skydive starts with an aircraft and every aircraft starts with a Fuckin’ Pilot!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">This article was posted on </span><a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">SkydiverDriver.com </a><span style="background-color: transparent;">with permission from Dean Ricci and </span><a href="https://blueskiesmag.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">Blue Skies Magazine</a><span style="background-color: transparent;">.</span></div>
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Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-4885114260770063242019-01-05T16:26:00.000-06:002019-08-13T17:27:12.395-05:00The Way of the Jump Pilot by Dean Ricci<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Roboto; margin-bottom: 30px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The Way of the Jump Pilot</b></span><br />
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By Dean Ricci</div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">F*ckin’ Jump Pilot. It’s not exactly the job title most pilots look for when entering aviation. Indeed, most pilots who find themselves spending any time dropping jumpers usually only do so on their way to bigger things. But for some, it’s not only the most exciting, challenging and rewarding flying they’ve done, it’s the top of the pyramid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Working as a pilot in skydiving offers a number of unique challenges that not everyone in aviation has had experience with, and as such it tends to attract a rather small percentage of commercial pilots. As a six-thousand-hour airline transport pilot, with almost five thousand of those flying skydiving operations, jump aircraft have been my home almost since the beginning of my career. Flying skydivers helped me refine stick and rudder skills, learn to fly an aircraft at its maximum performance, and deal with unique and challenging conditions not found anywhere else in aviation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Nowhere else in flying does a pilot have to learn to deal with a shifting load of crazy jumpers, but passengers who leave halfway through the trip—all while making sure passengers exit in exactly the right spot, at exactly the right altitude and at the perfect speed every single time. Add to that the need to read and understand the effect of winds for jumpers both in freefall and under canopy, then toss in having to land an aircraft literally thousands of times a year, and you end up with a skill set unique to jump pilots. It’s a type of precision flying that isn’t easily understood or mastered. Yet like most pilots, I was lead to believe that flying jumpers was not a goal, but rather a steppingstone to a more fulfilling career, and so I moved on to bigger and better things.</span></div>
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… it became glaringly obvious that the dream job I was after was the one I had walked away from …</div>
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Having spent two years flying for a regional airline in the United States, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the side of flying that most people envision when they think “pilot.” What I discovered may surprise you. Bottom line: IT F*CKING SUCKED! Not only did I spend drastically less time actually flying an aircraft, but while flying, I spent much of my time simply monitoring systems and meeting paperwork requirements rather than actually piloting the craft. Add to that having to play stewardess for the passengers because an Otter is too small to have a true cabin crew, you can imagine what a fucking dream that can be. The whole experience turned out to be much less than I had expected or hoped for, and it became glaringly obvious that the dream job I was after was the one I had walked away from. So when the opportunity to come back to the sport I enjoy and the aircraft I love arose, I jumped at the chance! As it turns out, I’m not the only one.<br />
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Paul started out like many in aviation. Having started working as United States Federal Aviation Administration instructor pilot in Southern New Jersey, he eventually transitioned to jump pilot for a number of reasons.<br />
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“I needed a way to build time flying, and realized pretty quickly that as an instructor I was not only not building a lot of time, but wasn’t even flying the aircraft! When the chance to start flying skydivers in a Cessna 206 came up, it was a pretty simple decision to make. The more I flew jumpers, the more I enjoyed the challenge, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the larger aircraft the DZ had for their operation. And when I started flying the Otter … I was hooked.”<br />
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The de Havilland Twin Otter is widely considered the overall best aircraft in skydiving, and there are a whole lot of reasons why. Originally built for passenger operations and short haul cargo, its reputation as a short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) monster grew quite quickly. Because of the Otter’s short-field and rough-terrain capabilities, skydiving operators quickly recognized how wonderful a fit the aircraft was. Its popularity and reputation in the sport grew to such a degree that a special variant was designed specifically for the United States Air Force Academy, and the 400 Series specifically for the United States Army Parachute Team.<br />
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“The Otter simply does things you would never imagine an aircraft of its size could,” says Paul. “It’s probably the most incredible aircraft I’ll ever fly, and I came back to the sport when I realized that the only real flying I’d ever done was for jumpers. There just isn’t anything more incredible than flying a formation of four or five Otters while jumpers stream out into the sky!”</div>
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Like me, Paul left a career in what most would consider the sought after path in aviation to return to the jump-pilot life on the East Coast of the United States, and the larger-than-life Twin Otter.<br />
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Yet bigger isn’t always better, and doesn’t always fit. Probably the most well-known aircraft type used in skydiving is one that’s been around for ages, and is the daily workhorse for skydiving operations around the world: the venerable Cessna.<br />
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It also happens to be one of Chris’s favorite aircraft. Chris, a U.S. commercial pilot flying just outside of Austin, Texas, has been enjoying his flying career immensely. “I love the challenge of having to eyeball the spot without a GPS. I love having the jumpers right there next to me, and I have to admit that every time the door right next to me opens up, I get one heck of a rush!”<br />
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Cessna Aircraft currently manufactures 10 different models; the C-172, C-182, the C-206, and the larger, widely popular Turbine <a href="http://caravannation.com/" target="_blank">C-208 Caravan and Grand Caravan</a> have arguably taken more jumpers aloft than any other type of jump ship in existence. Nicknamed “Time Machine” by jump pilots, it’s usually the first aircraft most will fly, and with an average load time of 30-plus minutes, a pilot’s logbook can quickly fill up with the hours needed to tackle the larger and more complex aircraft most desire. It’s the same route Brent took. Flying out of Northern California with Skydive Sacramento, Brent knows the sport from both sides, being a tandem instructor as well.</div>
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Having made the transition out of Cessnas, Brent was at one point one of the highest time jump pilots in the aircraft that became his favorite jump ship. Standing out in skydiving as the only aircraft specifically designed from the ground up for parachute operations is the PAC-750XSTOL. Developed from the Cresco, a New Zealand crop dusting aircraft, the PAC took its roots from a heavy hauling yet nimble ship. Its light weight and high lift wing has made it one of the most efficient aircraft in the sport. Its very high power-to-weight ratio makes it possible to reach 12,000’ and return in just over 10 minutes.</div>
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“The fact that it has a stick control instead of a yoke control in the cockpit, lots of power and a responsive feel makes it a blast to fly. It’s got all the bells and whistles—including top-of-the-line GPS, which makes spotting a piece of cake—but when you’re flying it, she feels like a dive bomber, she comes down so fast! Watching jumpers that just exited your plane landing while you’re loading the next group is just cool.”<br />
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Yet there is no denying that sometimes the most popular aircraft has nothing to do with speed, efficiency or even comfort. Sometimes you simply want unique and cool! Take Perris Valley Skydiving in Southern California. When their fleet of two Twin Otters, a Skyvan and a few Cessnas didn’t seem to be enough, they added a big brother to the family. Delta Airlines first introduced the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 into passenger airline operations in 1965. Primarily used for passenger and cargo operations, the idea of using such a large jet-powered aircraft for skydiving was an idea that didn’t take shape until Ben Conaster, owner of Perris Valley, took a closer look. After years of research and planning, in 2008 the FAA made it the only airline transport-class jet certified for skydiving operations. It is by far the world’s largest and fastest tailgate jump ship, and the crews that fly her are unique in their field.<br />
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Not all popular and efficient aircraft used in skydiving come with wings though. For many years now, Skydive Cross Keys has operated the very popular Aérospatiale Alouette II helicopter. This ship provides a strong enough platform for jumpers to leap from at over 9,000’ while hovering, essentially allowing a zero-airspeed exit. Using the Alouette for everything from lower-altitude fun-jumper operations to tandem skydives, Cross Keys has thrilled jumpers and non-jumpers for years.<br />
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“For as much of a challenge as flying jumpers in a fixed wing aircraft can be, holding a hover over 2,000 meters up while jumpers hang from the skids is intense!” says Tom, a long-time rotor jump pilot. “It’s the most exciting passenger flying I’ve ever done.”<br />
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Toss into this wonderful aviation mix a wide variety of both fixed wing, rotorcraft and lighter than air, along with all the different pilots that fly them and you’ll find an incredible variety of ways to take to the skies and make a jump. As skydiving and aviation both continue to progress, we can only wonder what ships will be taking jumpers aloft in the future, and what pilots will decide that skydiving is where it’s at.<br />
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This article was posted on <a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/">SkydiverDriver.com</a> with permission from Dean Ricci and <a href="https://blueskiesmag.com/" target="_blank">Blue Skies Magazine</a>.<br />
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Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-77595819564212570792019-01-03T01:51:00.000-06:002019-01-03T01:51:10.458-06:00New for 2019 - Articles by Dean Ricci<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">B</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">ack in 2008 I was flying for Skydive Temple, about 50 miles north of Austin Texas. That is where I met a fellow jump pilot by the name of Dean Ricci aka Princess. He was flying a Twin Otter for Chicagoland Skydiving Center, whom my DZ had leased the Twin Otter from. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Dean and I have remained in contact over the years and he is now flying a Twin Otter for Skydive Dubai. </span><span style="font-size: large;">He has logged over 9000 hours of flight time, 7000 of which is flying skydivers. He is also a tandem instructor with over 10,000 jumps.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since I last saw him he has also started writing articles for <a href="https://blueskiesmag.com/" target="_blank">Blue Skies Magazine</a>. I also wrote an article for that magazine back in January 2015 and I plan on writing more for them in the near future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have read all of Dean's articles over the years and I have found them to be entertaining and informative, and I am happy to announce that n</span><span style="font-size: large;">ew for 2019, and with permission from </span><a href="https://blueskiesmag.com/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Blue Skies Magazine</a><span style="font-size: large;">, we will be featuring Dean's articles here on <a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/">SkydiverDriver.com</a>! We are excited to be adding his flavor to our site and we hope that you all enjoy the articles as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/">SkydiverDriver.com</a></span>Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-76175664955852041002018-09-07T22:47:00.002-05:002018-09-07T22:47:27.612-05:00Featured Jump Pilot - Daniel with Skydive San Marcos<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">M</span>eet our Featured Jump Pilot Daniel, a Caravan pilot with Skydive San Marcos. A drop zone just south of Austin Texas. This is not only a Drop Zone that I use to fly for, but the exact same airplane that I flew while I was there in 2012! Although, they have replaced the standard 675hp Pratt engine with a 900hp Blackhawk Modifications upgrade. I still have yet to fly one of these modified Caravans, but hopefully in the near future!</div>
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<b>Age:</b> 34<u></u></div>
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<b>From:</b> Australia<u></u><u></u></div>
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<b>Total Time:</b> 1350 hours<u></u><u></u></div>
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<b>Company:</b> Skydive San Marcos<u></u></div>
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<b>Location:</b> San Marcos, Texas USA<u></u></div>
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<b>Years Flying Skydivers:</b> 13 months<u></u><u></u></div>
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<b>What do you like most about flying skydivers?</b><span style="color: #222222;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u>Being PIC! Landing and taking off in 100 degree weather with dust devils. Trying to have perfect landings. Perfecting my jump runs. I could go on for an hour! I just love this shit! lol<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What are your career goals?</span></b><u></u><u></u></div>
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Flying bigger and faster aircraft in the most challenging situations I can find. I'm not in it for the money. By the time I'm 45 I would like to think that my experience is as such that I could freelance around the world in November tail numbers. If that doesn't work, then corporate flying.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What is your advice for younger pilots?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hustle, to the point that some will love you for it or some will blatantly tell you to eff off. Never forget how lucky you are to have become a pilot. Most people can only dream of the opportunity. If you can pay for food and shelter while building hours, you are beyond blessed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have any questions for Daniel, please post them below this article on the Skydiver Driver Blog!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Feel free to visit the Skydive San Marcos site <a href="http://skydivesanmarcos.com/">skydivesanmarcos.com</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/">SkydiverDriver.com</a></div>
Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-64960433976050104032018-06-19T04:12:00.001-05:002018-06-20T22:55:39.540-05:00Jump Pilot Academy<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sky Diver Driver announces a partnership with Jump Pilot Academy!</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Mh8PKEG5yZcPmvecXeKX863SVWEuZzfxpqBaYfUmR3lZQUUuDkqbfqx5MlFkE7nmiScCdejHMvrob2Padywd4iSpQLfFX1JMxt-oQMMH9-b2idS_5R-tt0tk-nwYWKGxZxxGdIYCp-Ii/s1600/jumppilotacademy-logo1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="250" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Mh8PKEG5yZcPmvecXeKX863SVWEuZzfxpqBaYfUmR3lZQUUuDkqbfqx5MlFkE7nmiScCdejHMvrob2Padywd4iSpQLfFX1JMxt-oQMMH9-b2idS_5R-tt0tk-nwYWKGxZxxGdIYCp-Ii/s400/jumppilotacademy-logo1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Jump Pilot Academy is specifically established to train new FAA CPL holders with 250 PIC flight hours on how to fly for skydiving operations according to FAA CFR 105 and USPA recommendations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Jump Pilot Academy team consists of some of the most experienced jump pilots in the skydiving industry. They have tens of 1000's of flight hours as jump pilots on various aircraft and are specifically selected to pass on the much needed and valuable training to you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">For more information click <a href="http://jumppilotacademy.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-13961222704918279002018-03-08T22:58:00.001-06:002018-03-08T22:58:47.156-06:00The USPA Safety Day is March 10th<span style="font-size: large;">The United States Parachute Association (USPA) designates the second Saturday in March of every year to be its Safety Day and this year that happens to be on March 10th. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Many of the skydivers are a little rusty from not jumping much (if at all) during the Winter months and is why it is held at this time of the year. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Started in 1997, it is the day that all of the USPA drop zones around the country gather up their employees and skydivers to review safety issues in a group setting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">If this will be your first Safety Day at your DZ as a Jump Pilot, be sure and ask your DZO if it will be okay if you can speak at the general meeting. B</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">e sure and write down at least an outline of </span><span style="font-size: large;">items that you want to speak about. Things that you want your Skydivers, Manifest and Ground Crew to know or be reminded of.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: large;">As pilots we are taught that safety is priority #1, so do not simply stand up and say a couple words. Take advantage of the fact that you have everyone's attention on the topic of safety. Personally, the main topics that I always talk about are: <b>Weight & Balance</b>, <b>Safety Belts</b>, <b>Emergency Procedures</b> and <b>Prop Awareness</b> during hot fueling, just to name a few.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Remind the skydivers of the various emergencies than can happen IN an airplane. Explain what your actions as PIC will be in response to each emergency <u>and</u> what you want them to do (or not to do) ie. If there is an engine failure at 500ft AGL, they are not to be tapping you on the shoulder asking if they can jump out. Also, insure that the <i>Aircraft Emergency Procedures</i> are posted at your DZ so that all skydivers are aware of them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The only problem with Safety Day is that it's only one day a year. If I owned a Drop Zone we would have safety meetings once a month. Even if it was a 15 minute safety review on a Satur</span><span style="font-size: large;">day morning. But I don't plan on owning a DZ... I'm not a good babysitter ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">My fellow Jump Pilots, please remember to <i><b>review often</b></i> and <i><b>fly safe</b></i>, so that you can continue to <i><b>have fun!</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For more information about Safety Day from the USPA's own site, visit their designated page on that topic <a href="https://uspa.org/Safety-Training/Safety-Day" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As always, if you have any questions or comments about this topic or any others relating to flying skydivers and/or our sites, please email me </span><a href="mailto:chris@caravanpilot.com" style="font-size: x-large;">chris@caravannation.com</a><span style="font-size: large;"> and please visit our sites </span><a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/" style="font-size: x-large;">skydiverdriver.com</a><span style="font-size: large;"> and </span><a href="http://caravannation.com/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">caravannation.com</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blue Skies, </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chris Rosenfelt</span>Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-4080506418900287422018-02-16T09:24:00.000-06:002019-08-14T01:15:57.441-05:00Looking for a job flying skydivers?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHzyxu92EmVHNKsJRAGLxESgMAs13atFJlzNHKST7g79qxG1Np5mnNS9IHi5ySqMimkKE7gaXjS5HvKRC1hyphenhyphen0ycAWyf6sDDLa1xjpif6nDD3lymYhCXHXFQ8eS6vwUMw1O5XLtt4hHi_f/s1600/New-Job-Available+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="651" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHzyxu92EmVHNKsJRAGLxESgMAs13atFJlzNHKST7g79qxG1Np5mnNS9IHi5ySqMimkKE7gaXjS5HvKRC1hyphenhyphen0ycAWyf6sDDLa1xjpif6nDD3lymYhCXHXFQ8eS6vwUMw1O5XLtt4hHi_f/s640/New-Job-Available+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pilots, </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are you currently looking for a job flying skydivers? Most of the Jump Pilot hiring is done between now and May. Visit our "Jump Pilot Jobs" page <a href="https://skydiverdriver.blogspot.com/p/current-jump-pilot-jobs-a.html" target="_blank">here</a> and check back often!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">DZOs, looking for pilots? We have literally placed hundreds of pilots with Skydiving companies all over the world. We now have over 100K followers on our various Social Media channels, so your Ad will reach far and wide.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you would like a Job Ad placed on <a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/">SkydiverDriver.com</a> and/or <a href="http://caravannation.com/">CaravanNation.com</a> and linked to our Social Media pages and groups send a request to <a href="mailto:chris@caravannation.com">chris@caravannation.com</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/">SkydiverDriver.com</a>Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-75250928471913126272017-10-13T11:47:00.000-05:002017-10-13T11:47:23.998-05:00Jump Flying, the Rotary Version! by Dan Rose<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"><b>Jump Flying, the Rotary Version!</b></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By Dan Rose</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><b>T</b>his article is in no way a guide to being a jump pilot, this is written to show the rotary side of jump flying for both pilots and jumpers as the helicopter is a rare visitor to the drop zone. In this article I've tried to guide the reader through the various stages of arrangements, phases of the flight and the individual problems and pitfalls of helicopter jump flying. If you want to learn to become a jump pilot go ahead and contact your local parachute authority as they'll have the relevant material to cover for jump pilot training. I hope the below helps both pilots and jumpers understand the principles of helicopter parachute operations as I've found there's a severe lack of resources and training material for the helicopter jump pilot!<br />
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First of all, a little bit about the helicopter and why the appeal to use it as a jump platform? Most fixed wing guys would describe them as 'the dark side of aviation', 'a million bolts flying in lose formation', and I've even been told by the guy who taught me jump flying that by flying rotary I'd be going straight to hell! Joking aside if you ask any rotary pilot they'll explain to you the attraction of the helicopter, the ability to lift vertically, hover and maneuver laterally. But the appeal of the helicopter as a jump platform isn't about what the pilot likes, it's the jumper! From the jumpers point of view it's a toss-up between the appeal of jumping an unusual aircraft, and the unique exit experience a helicopter gives. With the low airspeed on the run-in, this gives the jumper the subterminal exit more commonly experienced from a base jump.<br />
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To make a start we've all heard the saying 'the weight of the paperwork has to match the weight of the aircraft before you can go', this applies just as much here! Before any jumping has even been thought of, it’s important to make sure the relevant paperwork and authorisations are in place before you carry out helicopter parachute operations. What's needed may vary from country to country depending on your Civilian Aviation and Parachute authority. I'd advise researching heavily into what applies to you the pilot, the aircraft and the parachutist before you think about carrying out any kind of drops. For a pilot in the UK he/she must hold the appropriate licence/rating to operate and to be in command of the aircraft, be a BPA approved jump pilot and cleared on the aircraft he/she is going to be operating for the parachuting role. With reference to the helicopter or any aircraft carrying out parachuting it must be approved to carry out such operations, normally in the form of a flight supplement which has been prior approved by your relevant civilian aviation authority. This supplement may state any modifications made to the aircraft, door removals, and thus any airspeed or flight conditions that must be adhered to during the jump role. Finally for the jumper most drop zones put a licence and jump limit on anyone taking part in helicopter jumping, this is quite rightly so due to the complexity and the extra skill needed to carry out a helicopter jump. After the above has been said I'd just like to again emphasise that you must research the exact requirements needed for your particular location and operation, I've deliberately kept away from exact details as this article is more about an insight into helicopter parachute operations rather than definitive rules and regulations.<br />
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One final thing to be said about paperwork is the all-important weight & balance, look closely into the weight limits and envelope of your particular helicopter and any changes that'll occur through all phases of the flight. I'm not suggesting W&B is more important in the rotary world compared to fixed wing as it's vitally important in both roles, but in the rotary role the limits are very much more restricted and envelopes very much smaller. Thus 4 jumpers exiting from a Jet Ranger will have a larger effect on C of G and control forces needed to counter it, than it would in a fixed wing aircraft. The other aspect to think about in rotary operations is lateral C of G, this is where smooth jumper exit and exit order come into play. For example on a B206 with the pilot sat right seat and 2 jumpers exiting on the right side might be within C of G limits but would cause severe control inputs while they're at the door and upon exit, unable to guarantee a smooth and stable jump run. To put simply the helicopter pilot really gets to feel the difference between a light and heavy jumper and the control inputs needed on exit! It's important to sit down prior to jumping and work out suitable exit orders to ensure the safest and most stable way for all jumpers to exit the aircraft, this will vary on type, number of jumpers and pilot judgment. Also with some helicopter types there will be C of G and airspeed limits when the doors are removed. This is due to the way the air flows around the fuselage with the doors off, the rearward C of G, the effect on the directional stability of the airframe, the compensatory effect then needed from the tail rotor and cyclic inputs needed. As a result directional control may not be possible above certain air speeds and at certain C of G positions! With all this said I'd recommend running up w&b schedules for all possible jumper/fuel configurations through the day, this way you'll know what you can and can't do as things will typically change throughout the jumping day.<br />
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With the paperwork in order and your weight and balance figured out, what now? A very important source of information for both the pilot and the jumper is a proper briefing. This is an excellent opportunity to pass your requirements ascertained from your weight & balance calculations as to jumper numbers and types of exit. This is also a chance to run down the all-important safety briefing, what the jumpers do in an emergency may vary greatly between fixed wing and rotary and they must be completely clear as to what they should and shouldn't do. The briefing should include both what to do in an emergency and normal operations, for example how jumpers enter the aircraft during rotors running boarding, sounds simple but it's all too easy to walk into a tail rotor which is conveniently placed at head height! This is also a good opportunity for a question & answer session between the pilot and jumper, you'll more than likely get the typical questions like 'can we hang off this?', 'can we hang off that?', it's essential that you make everybody clear as to what they can and can't do as you don't want questions being asked while the pilots busy on the jump run. Typically with a helicopter a jump light system may not be installed so a system to notify the jumpers as to when they're on the jump run, when to climb out and exit the helicopter needs to be agreed on. With the pilot normally sat in close proximity to the jumpers verbal warnings usually work, but everybody needs to be clear exactly what the verbal warnings will be and when they'll be given to save any confusion once airborne.<br />
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Before the jumper gets into a helicopter to do a jump, it's probably a good idea to look over the aircraft while it's on the ground and shutdown. This will give them a chance to appreciate the major differences between rotary and fixed wing. The first thing a jumper may notice is the severe lack of space! Unless you happen to be really lucky and get jump a chinook, you're more than likely to be jumping a 4-5 seat light helicopter, maybe a B206 Jet Ranger or R44. I'd recommend sitting in the helicopter prior to jumping with a rig on to get used to your sitting position and how to operate the seat belts. Once you've figured out the basics think about where the handholds are and how you'll transfer yourself from sat in the door to your exit position, this might sound easy but when the time comes to exit it'll be the difference between a smooth exit and what's technically known as a cluster f**k! Ruining the experience for yourself, your fellow jumpers and not to mention making the pilots job a whole lot harder as you faff about in the door! A very important point to note are the additional snag-up points with a helicopter, door fixings, earthing points, skid supports and skid wheel attaching points are to name but a few! This emphasises the point about looking over the helicopter before the jump, chat with the pilot as he'll be able to point out the most obvious hangup points and the parts of the helicopter you should be looking for and avoid during the exit.<br />
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Once you're familiar with the seating, seatbelt usage and snag points it's time to think about the exit. Once again sit in the helicopter beforehand and plan the exit strategy and order. Will it be a single jumper exit, multiple exits, in what order and what type of exit? This will vary hugely on the type of helicopter you're jumping for reasons I'll explain later. My best advice for this is to speak to the pilot, he'll know the limits of the helicopter type and the preferred exit type and in what order to maintain a balanced and controlled exit for yourself and the aircraft. During the exit for smaller helicopter types it's vitally important jumpers are aware not to 'push-off' from any part of the airframe, it must be a 'fall away' exit. This is due to the fact the helicopters fuselage is supported under the rotor disc just like a pendulum and any outside force pushing on the fuselage will create a swinging motion and control problems for the pilot and an uncomfortable exit for following jumpers. Smooth exits are the order of the day when it comes to helicopter jumping!<br />
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Having dedicated ground crew may also be a good idea as invariably jumper loading will be done rotors running, having someone to guide them on and get them strapped in helps greatly. Due to the smaller fuel capacity and likely weight restrictions hot refuels may be needed, a ground crew will help with this and save valuable turnaround time. Whatever your ground handlers job he/she needs to be briefed just as much as the jumpers, particularly in emergencies and any relevant hand signals used during the ground handling phase.<br />
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Okay, so the paperwork, weight & balance and briefing are all complete and everybody is clear as to what do to and when. Time to start up, as with all jump flying you're more than likely be departing close to the helicopters MTOW. Careful thought needs to be taken as to the type of departure you'll be making depending on the conditions at the time, wind, temp, a/c weight, local obstacles and noise abatement need to be taken account of. Check your flight manual and make sure you're aware of your machines torque/power limits at all phases of flight, this is especially important for the helicopter when lifting/maneuvering at low level on the airfield. This is due to the power required to keep a heavily laden helicopter hovering at slow speed, and the additional power requirements needed to make turns with the tail rotors requirement of engine power. I personally try to ensure the pickup point is into wind and clear of obstacles for a straight out departure, thus easing the workload on the engine and making my job a whole lot easier! For a rotary departure it's important to try and remain clear of certain parts of the Height/Velocity curve. Any helicopter pilot will explain to you that during single engine operations, certain Height and Airspeed combinations will give unfavourable conditions for an autorotation in the event of an engine failure. Remain clear of these combinations as much as you can giving yourself the maximum possible chance to recover in the event of an engine failure, I'd also recommend scouting the airfield surroundings for ideal set down points if you have an engine failure or other technical problems on the departure phase.<br />
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When airborne and climbing it's important to have a predetermined pattern to follow to reach the jump run and exit point, this will hopefully keep you clear of other air traffic and possibly other jump ships and drops running alongside your rotary parachute operations. After all parachutists under canopy and helicopters don't mix! This is best arranged with a prior briefing amongst yourself, your fellow jump pilots and the DZ controller so you all work efficiently together through the day. On the climb-out and the doors off it's tempting for the jumpers to dangle legs, cameras etc out of the door, this should be discourage wherever possible, this is to avoid anything departing the aircraft and hitting the tail rotor with obvious serious consequences such as tail rotor failure! It's also worth mentioning that parachutist line checks must be strictly adhered to before climbing into the helicopter for the very fact doors are open during flight and thus the increased danger of premature canopy deployment and hang ups. Although a premature deployment and hang up is a serious situation in both fixed and rotary I'd argue that it's more likely to lead to an incident when on a helicopter with the additional rotating aerofoils and the proximity to these and the jumpers. In this situation the helicopter then has the reduced ability to maintain aircraft stability compared to fixed wing and should a canopy be cut away you then pose the risk of a main/tail rotor strike and failure. In this event it's important that any remaining jumpers smother the pre-deployed canopy to reduce the chance of any part of the canopy exiting the aircraft, leaving anything hanging outside the aircraft is strongly discouraged for the above mentioned reasons. Simply said with hang ups and premature deployment prevention is better than cure, parachutists check your gear before boarding and pilots ensure everybody is properly briefed on airframe snag hazards!<br />
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As with both fixed and rotary, both types face the chances of an engine failure, this can happen at any phase of flight and the pilot must be happy he can deal with this as per his emergency drills at all times. While most fixed wing pilots might think that when the helicopter experiences an engine failure it just drops out of the sky like a brick.....fortunately for rotary pilots and their passengers this isn't so! While the procedures for engine failure on rotary aircraft differ to fixed wing the basic principles remain the same, maintaining control of the aircraft and find a suitable place to land the aircraft safely. In this fact helicopters have an easier time than fixed wing with the ability to set down in relatively small and confined areas. With an engine failure in a helicopter the procedure is called an Autorotation, a short explanation of this is where the helicopter uses the airflow from the decent to maintain rotor RPM, thus it's the airflow rotating the rotors rather than the engine. This is completed at the end with a flare and a hopeful smooth set down, with the pilot keeping careful control of the rotor RPM throughout all phases of the Autorotation. Another situation unfamiliar to fixed wing pilot is a tail rotor failure, which at some phases of flight can be worse than an engine failure! The purpose of the tail rotor on a helicopter is to counter the engine/rotor torque and give directional control, with this said I'm sure you can understand how serious is can be should it fail. Depending on the phase of flight this can be dealt with in a variety of ways, one of which is to enter an autorotation. All of the above can be complicated even further by the fact you may have jumpers inside/outside of the aircraft so make sure you're comfortable with you emergency procedures.<br />
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Once on the jump run the helicopter needs to be set up ready for the jumpers to climb out and exit, for the rotary pilot this is normally speed and power adjustments as the doors are normally already open/removed and flap configurations don't apply. As with the departure, power limits and requirements need to be carefully monitored due to the helicopter slowing and needing more power to maintain this flight configuration. It's also worth mentioning at this phase of flight pilots need to be aware of the condition known as LTE or Loss of Tail Rotor effectiveness, this occurs when the helicopters tail rotor is unable to counteract the main rotors torque effect, LTE is commonly experienced during low-airspeed high-power conditions which are both experienced during the jump run. As with most aerodynamic effects the chances of LTE will change depending on atmospheric conditions, most helicopter jumps in the UK will be done anywhere between 5000-6000ft AMSL and conditions similar to standard atmospheric conditions. Should you be operating anywhere Hot & High check your flight manual to ensure you're operating within performance limitations. With reference to the run in speed on the helicopter unless you're flying/jumping a large twin turbine you won't be hovering (much to the jumpers disgust!) and this is due to the fact high hovers require large amounts of engine power and should the engine fail at this point it would drastically reduce the chances of recovery. For this reason the run in will be done at a speed suitable for autorotation should the engine fail, with most light singles this is typically around the 50kt mark. I've been told that at 50kts and the combination of the rotor down wash the exit experience is as if you're making a still air exit from a building or as in a hover.<br />
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When the helicopter is configured, stable and you've received the 'clear-drop' from the DZ controller it's time to notify the jumpers it's time to climb out. Hopefully with the practice they've had on the ground and knowing the hand holds the jumpers will climb outside as smoothly as possible, as previously discussed the exit order and movement around the helicopter needs to be carefully rehearsed due to the pendulum effect of having the fuselage hung under the main rotor disc. As the jumpers exit (making sure they 'fall off' rather than 'push off') be prepared for shifts in CofG and the cyclic movements needed to adjust for this, after my first few lifts I soon became able to pre-empt the cyclic inputs needed as the jumpers exit the aircraft. Also be cautious with the sudden reduction in helicopter weight as they exit, unless you're quick with the collective this may lead to a sudden climb and if you're sat just below cloud level a chance of inadvertent IMC. Take your time of the first few jump runs to get used to the feel of the aircraft as they exit, it may also be a good idea to sit with an experienced helicopter jump pilot while doing a light load before you chuck yourself in at the deep end with a 20 lift cycle first time around!<br />
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Once the jumpers have exited the helicopter it's time to descend and pick up the next load, as with all helicopter control inputs try to make this as smooth as possible. On two bladed teetering hinge rotor heads you have to be careful not to cause 'mast bumping', which may occur during the descent or when arresting an inadvertent climb after the jumpers have exited. This is where in low G conditions (typically arising from excessive forward cyclic inputs during a descent) the fuselage and rotor hub exceed angle limits causing the hub hitting the rotor mast resulting in damage and potential main rotor separation! For this reason use the collective to initiate the descent and the cyclic to control pitch and airspeed, this brings me to my next point. With some types you'll have airspeed limitations when the doors have been removed, adhere to these strictly as it's all too easy to forget this when trying to hurry the descent and pick up the next load. Ignoring these airspeed limits can lead to directional control problems as previously mentioned. As with the climb out make sure your descent and airfield joining pattern doesn’t clash with local air traffic, other jump ships on jump runs and jumpers under canopy. Keep the lookout going all the way through the descent as you're more than likely operating with a lot of activity happening in a small amount of airspace. Once you're on finals and positioning to pick up the next load be cautious of ground obstructions and personnel, this is where it's a good idea to have a designated loading area for rotors run refuels and loading jumpers under the safe control of a ground handler.<br />
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With all the above said, helicopter jumps are novel and challenging for both the parachutist and pilot. As with all types of flying, caution and a professional attitude are needed from all parties involved. I’m hoping from the information in this article it’ll allow the fixed wing pilot more information into what a rotary pilot goes through, the rotary pilot more information and a starting point on helicopter jump piloting, and the parachutist an insight as what he/she will experience on a helicopter jump. I encourage any pilot to research the above further before he/she takes up helicopter jump flying as I’m in no means an expert.....but this should give you an idea where to start and what to expect! Fly Safe!!<br />
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*Thanks to John O’Connell & Alex Law for their Technical Input!<br />
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<a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/">SkyDiverDriver.com</a>Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-3075869294942375852017-08-28T22:52:00.000-05:002017-08-28T22:52:38.026-05:0010 Things You (probably) Did Not Know About the Caravan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Cessna Caravan is THE most popular turbine powered Jump Plane in the World. Now and then our readers will share with us interesting facts that we did not know about the Caravan or facts that we do not believe that our average reader would know. This inspired the creation of this article. We hope that you enjoy and share with us any other not-so-commonly known facts that you know about the Caravan!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Accidentally hitting the Start switch will illuminate the "Generator Off" light.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">2. The most common turbo-prop airplane used for skydiving in the world is the Caravan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">3. The Caravan's firewall was tested to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">4. The Cessna logo can be seen in the pattern of rivets in front of the co-pilot's door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">5. The Caravan cruises 10 knots faster and 50nm further without the cargo pod installed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">6. If the Torque gauge fails, you can use the Fuel Flow gauge to set power settings: Climb = 400, Cruise = 300 and Approach = 200</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">7. Single point fuel system is available for the Caravan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">8. You only have 90 seconds of fuel remaining if the red reservoir low light illuminates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">9. Boot activation increases the stall speed by 10 knots.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">10. If you accidentally drop your pen in the hole between the rudder pedal and power column, be sure and get it out because it can cause a rudder jam.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Please share your not-so-commonly known facts about the Caravan with us by sending them to <a href="mailto:chris@caravannation.com">chris@caravannation.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Information compiled for this article is from the archives of <a href="http://caravannation.com/">CaravanNation.com</a> and Caravan: Cessna's Swiss Army Knife with Wings.</span></div>
Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-28266792453795761582017-07-12T14:26:00.000-05:002017-07-12T14:26:09.697-05:00Anderson Cooper Skydives for a Thrill and for a Cause<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As first reported by the Virginian-Pilot - The CNN journalist and author was in town over the weekend and jumped out of a plane high above the Skydive Suffolk facility on Saturday, said Johnny Abbitt, who also went skydiving.</div>
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Abbitt said he talked briefly with the star of “Anderson Cooper 360.”</div>
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“I went up on the plane after his,” Abbitt said. “I was just there and he was there with a group of several people. It was my first time jumping and he said it was his first time.</div>
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“I talked to him and got a picture.”</div>
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Skydive Suffolk co-owner Laura Manthey said Cooper is the place's biggest celebrity since they took over the operation four years ago.</div>
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"This was kind of a big deal for us," she said. "We had one of the back-up singers for Toby Keith once. We try to keep it on the down-low until they've left so that they can enjoy their time.</div>
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"We just love to take people up to our playground."</div>
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Cooper has been in town before for a speaking engagement in Norfolk. He donated his fee from that event to retired SEAL Jimmy Hatch, who runs the Spike’s K9 Fund that has purchased $2,500 ballistic vests for most of South Hampton Roads police dogs.</div>
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A Facebook post for the fund said that Cooper was in town for a Spike’s K9 event and some skydiving.</div>
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<a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/">SkyDiverDriver.com</a></div>
Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-8809218324628082182017-04-14T10:49:00.001-05:002017-04-14T10:49:14.564-05:00History - Jump Pilot George Quick and Skydiver Bert White - May 1930<span style="font-size: large;">If you love history, aviation or skydiving you will appreciate this picture. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a classic picture of Jump Pilot George Quick (left) and Skydiver Bert White standing next to their airplane in California before their altitude record breaking skydive of 24,800ft.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigePyTc85wpR3T1d7iEpSdIMMiBtvxBnaHBNyCpjJ02Mabv26XWagM0xwyjXfYGal_pEomE1BKK5mefbj1eqSWzH42TwJp6Wn5dtjrk3F8TScUgQvRHXnXVgDxvC3jjiR_C-LceOB1UiPg/s1600/SFX0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigePyTc85wpR3T1d7iEpSdIMMiBtvxBnaHBNyCpjJ02Mabv26XWagM0xwyjXfYGal_pEomE1BKK5mefbj1eqSWzH42TwJp6Wn5dtjrk3F8TScUgQvRHXnXVgDxvC3jjiR_C-LceOB1UiPg/s640/SFX0232.JPG" width="505" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The record was successfully made over the Mojave Desert, California USA May 25, 1930.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~ <a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/">skydiverdriver.com</a></span></div>
Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510304045671283338.post-9559013781024635102017-03-11T12:08:00.000-06:002017-03-11T12:08:59.783-06:00The USPA Safety Day is March 11th<span style="font-size: large;">The United States Parachute Association (USPA) designates the second Saturday in March of every year to be its Safety Day and this year that happens to be on March 11th. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Many of the skydivers are a little rusty from not jumping much (if at all) during the Winter months and is why it is held at this time of the year. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Started in 1997, it is the day that all of the USPA drop zones around the country gather up their employees and skydivers to review safety issues in a group setting.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJf7I-4DV5p6zqldWyQpWV4DrHnaqAjzJnJ38HlU2TQYxcNhIYBcM61IoUgca9SZ_MlOZOh-SKoNKhmuUOHRCjSOJ1JxZHdcJt_D6B5q8gJ2BHm3gt7Lmcssqsi8ImIMdHl90idCRF_2a_/s1600/safetyday17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJf7I-4DV5p6zqldWyQpWV4DrHnaqAjzJnJ38HlU2TQYxcNhIYBcM61IoUgca9SZ_MlOZOh-SKoNKhmuUOHRCjSOJ1JxZHdcJt_D6B5q8gJ2BHm3gt7Lmcssqsi8ImIMdHl90idCRF_2a_/s400/safetyday17.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">If this will be your first Safety Day at your DZ as a Jump Pilot, be sure and ask your DZO if it will be okay if you can speak at the general meeting. B</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">e sure and write down at least an outline of </span><span style="font-size: large;">items that you want to speak about. Things that you want your Skydivers, Manifest and Ground Crew to know or be reminded of.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: large;">As pilots we are taught that safety is priority #1, so do not simply stand up and say a couple words. Take advantage of the fact that you have everyone's attention on the topic of safety. Personally, the main topics that I always talk about are: <b>Weight & Balance</b>, <b>Safety Belts</b>, <b>Emergency Procedures</b> and <b>Prop Awareness</b> during hot fueling, just to name a few.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Remind the skydivers of the various emergencies than can happen IN an airplane. Explain what your actions as PIC will be in response to each emergency <u>and</u> what you want them to do (or not to do) ie. If there is an engine failure at 500ft AGL, they are not to be tapping you on the shoulder asking if they can jump out. Also, insure that the <i>Aircraft Emergency Procedures</i> are posted at your DZ so that all skydivers are aware of them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The only problem with Safety Day is that it's only one day a year. If I owned a drop zone, we would have safety meetings once a month. Even if it was simply a 15 minute safety review on a Saturday morning. But I don't plan on owning a DZ.... I'm not a good babysitter.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">My fellow Jump Pilots, please remember to <i><b>review often</b></i> and <i><b>fly safe</b></i>, so that you can continue to <i><b>have fun!</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span style="font-size: large;">As always, if you have any questions or comments please email me <a href="mailto:chris@caravanpilot.com">chris@caravannation.com</a> and please visit our sites <a href="http://skydiverdriver.com/">skydiverdriver.com</a> and <a href="http://caravannation.com/" target="_blank">caravannation.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">~ Chris Rosenfelt</span>Caravan Nationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00406522239832376160noreply@blogger.com0