Gallery - One very expensive front float step!

Staying busy in the off season filming a PGA tournament. When is opening day? #crush2016 #skydivechicago #HD

A photo posted by Skydive Chicago (@skydivechicago) on Feb 1, 2016 at 5:39pm PST

Review - Engine Failure Immediately After Takeoff - C208B (675 SHP)

A year ago today the Grand Caravan pictured above operated by Grant Aviation crashed during its takeoff phase of flight in Alaska. Although N208SM did not experience an engine failure, I thought that today would be as good a day as any to review the Emergency Procedures for Engine Failure Immediately After Takeoff  for Cessna Model 208B (675 SHP). 

Us as pilots know, the worst time to experience an engine failure is during the takeoff phase of flight. This situation is also when pilots can have the least amount of time to react and usually seem to make the worst decisions. Including making the ill-advised decision to turn back towards the airport when they are too low to the ground. Forgetting simple Private Pilot 101 lessons of Aerodynamic Forces in Flight Maneuvers. Their fear induced large bank angle, to get them back to the airport, results in a large reduction in airspeed further resulting in a stall and crash.

Another reason that I would like to review this emergency procedure is because as a Skydive Pilot I realize that at this time of year there are a lot of new Caravan Pilots. Skydivers jump year round in most parts of the world, however a considerably larger amount of skydiving is done during the Summer months. A new season usually equals new Caravan pilots. As you might have read in some of my past articles, most of the Jump Pilot hiring is done during the month of April (in the Northern Hemisphere) and that is done to get them ready for the busy Summer months.

Please remember that these Emergency Procedures found below are for the Cessna Model 208B (675 SHP) and no others. If you are flying a different model Caravan, please review your aircraft's FAA approved Abbreviated Checklist or Airplane Flight Manual for that specific model.

As stated in the Pilots' Abbreviated Checklist published by Cessna, here are the procedures for:  

Engine Failure Immediately After Takeoff 

1.  Airspeed - 85 KIAS with 20 DEGREES FLAPS
2.  Propeller - FEATHER
3.  Wing Flaps - FULL DOWN
4.  Fuel Condition Lever - CUTOFF
5.  Fuel Shutoff - OFF (pull out)
6.  Fuel Tank Selectors - OFF (warning horn will sound)
7.  Battery - OFF    

If you have finished the above procedures and have double checked them all and you still have altitude (time) you should proceed with the Emergency Landing Without Engine Power procedures found in your aircraft's FAA approved Abbreviated Checklist or Airplane Flight Manual.

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

Meet our Featured Jump Pilot - Mia with Skydive Jurien Bay

Meet our Featured Jump Pilot Mia, a Caravan pilot with Skydive Jurien Bay. A drop zone on the beautiful Turquoise Coast of Western Australia. Mia is a pilot and skydiver and is passionate about both!

Age: 27

From: Victoria, Australia

Total Time: 900 hours

Company: Skydive Jurien Bay

Location: Jurien Bay, Western Australia

Years Flying Skydivers: 3

What do you like most about flying skydivers?

I show up to work every day and get to fly an awesome aircraft and hang out with a bunch of amazing and inspirational people. I can hardly call what I do a job. I really love the variables that my day brings me – which keeps me on my toes. The Caravan is such a versatile and reliable aircraft and is an absolute joy to fly. I particularly enjoy the responsibility of being able to haul up to 17 passengers up to FL150! I couldn’t possibly pick only one thing that I like most about flying skydivers in the Caravan – I love every aspect of what I do!

What are your career goals?

Currently I am very happy flying the Caravan at Skydive Jurien Bay. In the future I hope to open my own skydiving business with my partner. In addition to flying, business management is another passion of mine, and I’m keen to put my management degree to good use.  If that falls through, I’m still hoping NASA needs  a Caravan pilots to go to space ;)  

What is your advice for younger pilots?

I've learned that the road to making your flying dreams come true isn’t always easy! My advice for younger pilots is to persevere and take any opportunity that is offered to them.  Also, it is easy to get too focused on achieving the end result or landing that dream job in the airlines. Enjoy the journey and remember to have fun while making your flying dreams come true :D

Feel free to visit the Skydive Jurien Bay site skydivejurienbay.com

Chasing the Sun in the Caravan!

I took this photo of the sun going down while ferrying a Caravan from Illinois to Colorado.  I was flying over Iowa at 8,500 feet at the time.  Had to fight a headwind the entire 5 hour flight.

But the aircraft was successfully delivered! Another happy customer in the books! #pilotperks

CaravanNation.com

Ferrying a Caravan from Georgia to Illinois

I flew this C208 Caravan on a ferry flight from warm Atlanta Georgia to the snowy Chicago Illinois area. It will be undergoing modifications so that it can start its new life as a jump aircraft.

Keeping an eye on the kids!

Here's a photo of me at "work" at Skydive Houston awhile ago.  I have a small mirror that I use to keep an eye on those crazy guys behind me...lol  If you look carefully you will count 11 skydivers back there, a larger load for a "Mini Van" (smaller Caravan) during the Summer time.

Caravan Captain!

I made Captain of the beloved C208 Caravan, the most popular single engine turbo prop jump plane in the world!  To give you an idea of how large those blades are... I'm 6'3".  Thank you Richard and Eddie!

Caravan at Sunset in Lompoc CA

Here I am sitting in the jump door of the Caravan.  Relaxing after a long day of flying skydivers in Lompoc, CA @ Skydive Santa Barbara.  I had always heard that the Caravan flys like a C172 on steroids and it is absolutely true. And it's easier to fly than any turbo 206 that I've flown. There is less to do and less to worry about while flying a turbine powered Caravan.