The USPA Safety Day is March 11th

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.  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.  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.

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.  Be sure and write down at least an outline of items that you want to speak about. Things that you want your Skydivers, Manifest and Ground Crew to know or be reminded of.  

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.

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.

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.

My fellow Jump Pilots, please remember to review often and fly safe, so that you can continue to have fun!

As always, if you have any questions or comments please email me chris@caravannation.com and please visit our sites  skydiverdriver.com and caravannation.com

~ Chris Rosenfelt

Tip - Stay Sharp this Winter

There's usually not as much flying for us Jump Pilots during this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere. But there IS plenty of other aviation related things that you can do to keep your head in the game.

Here are a few suggestions: 1. Read an aviation textbook that your eyes haven't seen since you were in pilot school. 2. Network with other pilots, online or in person. Networking has helped me numerous times over the years, professionally and personally. 3. Go flying! Split the cost on an airplane rental with a pilot friend. If possible try and plan it to where you get some Actual Instrument and Cross Country time, columns in your logbook that might be getting neglected. 4. Go to a free aviation seminar. A place where you can learn AND meet new pilot friends (see networking above). 

Read a book that your eyes haven't seen since pilot school, network with other pilots, go "split" some time with a pilot friend and add to your Actual Instrument and Cross Country time or go to a free aviation seminar.  Check out some interesting FAA seminar topics such as "Avoiding Winter Weather Hazards" or "Trivia Night". You can find their Events List here. As you may know, AOPA also has some very interesting seminars, find those listed here.

If you personally have any other ideas that you would like to pass along, feel free to share them below in the comments section.

SkyDiverDriver.com

New Jump Pilots, let's have a SAFE and fun 2015!

Most of the Jump Pilot hiring is done between now and the end of April and I have been reminded of that this past week. A lot of emails from newly hired Jump Pilots with tons of questions about their new job and the industry. 

I love helping younger pilots, so keep the emails coming. As I told them, I will repeat here... you will more than likely be pressured to fly a load of skydivers when you know that you should say no. SAY IT! If you don't, it might be more than your license that you lose. 

In my years as a Jump Pilot, I have refused to fly in marginal weather and/or quickly approaching crappy weather. I have refused to start the engine until everyone was seated the correct direction and wearing their safety belts. I have refused to start the engine after noticing that an extra skydiver boarded. They thought it was funny. It is not funny and those silly games can kill us and a respectable DZO will have your back every time. If he/she doesn't back you as a Jump Pilot.... leave. 

Here's to a SAFE and fun 2015!