Review - AIM 3-5-4 Parachute Jump Aircraft Operations

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 look and listen for any traffic that might be in the area. When you do see or hear any traffic, expect them to not pay attention and to make a mistake. The day that you don't expect them to make a mistake, they will!

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.

3−5−4. Parachute Jump Aircraft Operations

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.

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


- SkydiverDriver.com

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

Converting your FAA Commercial Certificate to CAA New Zealand License

I have received questions in the past from Jump Pilots wanting to know how to "convert their FAA Commercial Certificate to a CAA (New Zealand) Commercial License". As you will read below, you are not technically "converting" your current FAA Certificate to a CAA License. You will keep your current FAA Certificate, be assessed and then given a CAA License. I thought some of you might want to know how to go about doing this as well. Here is what I found:

"In order to determine that the appropriate recognition requirements are met, all overseas pilots who seek the issue of a NZ Commercial Pilot License (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) are required to have their flight experience and qualifications assessed. These assessments are carried out on behalf of the CAA by Aviation Services Ltd and are completed in accordance with the appropriate requirements prescribed by CAA.

In addition, acting under delegation from the Director of Civil Aviation, Aviation Services Ltd administer all NZ Flight Crew written examinations and initial issue flight tests for the CPL, Flight Instructor Ratings and Instrument Ratings. 

Overseas pilot license holders who seek the issue of a NZ CPL or ATPL, should initially contact ASL at the following address: 

Aviation Services Ltd. 
PO Box 30343 
Lower Hutt 
New Zealand 
Telephone: +64- 4- 913 9812 Fax: +64-4-913 9816 

www.aviation.co.nz 

For assessment purposes, any person seeking the issue of a NZ Flight Crew License will be required to support each application for assessment by producing their pilot logbook(s), current overseas pilot licence, unexpired overseas medical certification and any other evidence that may assist in establishing the applicant’s qualifications and flight experience. Evidence of holding a flight radio telephone operator rating or equivalent will also be required.

Following completion of the assessment, each applicant who meets the eligibility requirements for recognition will be advised in writing as to what they must complete prior to making application for a NZ Flight Crew License. 

When all the appropriate requirements have been completed, each application for the issue of a NZ Flight Crew License should be submitted to: 

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand 
PO Box 3555 
Wellington 6140 
New Zealand 
Telephone: +64-4-560 9400 Fax: +64-4-569 2024

* The information above was found in the 10 page form titled: "Recognition of Overseas Flight Crew Licenses and Ratings" 
Read it in its entirety by visiting this link: www.caa.govt.nz/pilots/For_Australian_pilots.htm

Stay sharp this Winter

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

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.  Find some interesting seminar topics on the AOPA site or the FAA site, find their Events List here.  Most recently they presented a seminar titled "iPad in the cockpit". By the way if you haven't subscribed to Fore Flight, do yourself a favor and look into this super helpful ap.

New FAA Advisory Circular recently released concerning Sport Parachuting

A new year, a new Advisory Circular.  If you're a jump pilot, skydiver, rigger or DZO be sure and read the new AC 105-2E.  This AC cancels AC 105-2D, Sport Parachuting which was dated 5/18/11. I tried searching what has changed but no one has taken the time to write it out so I just compared AC 105-2D to 105-2E side by side. It is mostly slight wording changes. However there are a few paragraphs and subparts that have been removed and/or added. To save you a little time, I can direct you to the major changes: 

Ch. 4 "Background", 4C and 4D. Ch. 5 "Skydiver Safety", 5A-5I. Ch. 6 "Parachute Ops onto Airports", 6C and 6D. Ch. 7 "Jump Aircraft Maint. and Pilots", 7A-7C, Fig. 1 changed. Ch. 8 "Pilot Responsibilities", 8A-8H. Ch.11 reduced to paragraph. Ch.12 "Exhibition Jumps" numerous changes. Ch.13 "Parachute Equip", numerous changes. Ch.15 "Parachute Repairs", 15C(1-4). Hope that helps. Click HERE to read it.

The New Grand Caravan EX!

The new Grand Caravan EX has received FAA type certification. Its new Pratt & Whitney PT6A-140 has improved its rate of climb performance by 38%! That's almost twice as much as its projected 20% increase!

Hypoxia and Aerospace Physiology Training

Hypoxia - a state of oxygen deficiency in the blood, tissues, and cells sufficient to cause an impairment of body functions.  It is one thing to read about Hypoxia in a book and quite another to experience it first hand.  Thanks to a program administered by the FAA, in conjunction with Beale Air Force Base, I was able to experience Hypoxia first hand in a safe environment, and I now know what my specific symptoms are.

First, I felt light-headed, followed soon there after by an inability to concentrate (some might say that I have that problem normally, but that's another story).  This made it extremely difficult to complete the basic math problems that were presented to me by an Air Force instructor.  The final symptom I experienced and the one that encouraged me to reach for the oxygen mask, was tunnel vision.  There is only one word to explain tunnel vision…. Yikes!  I would prefer to never "experience" tunnel vision again, but the experience did serve an important purpose, because now I am aware of my personal hypoxic symptoms.  If I ever experience those symptoms while flying at altitude, I will now know what is happening and I can take immediate corrective action.

The program that I enrolled in is called Aerospace Physiology Training and is available to most civil aviation pilots that hold a valid medical certificate.  The training is conducted at the FAA facility in Oklahoma City, OK and at various Air Force Bases around the country.  The nearest training location to Long Beach, CA (where I live) is Beale Air Force Base (40 miles north of Sacramento) and the cost is only $50.  That includes a full day of interesting instruction on various topics such as Aviation Oxygen Equipment, Respiration/Circulation, Spatial Disorientation and one hour in the altitude chamber.  As a bonus you will see a lot of neat aircraft in action at Beale, plus you could fly there and add to your cross-country time!

To learn more about this program or to register for it, go to FAA.gov and click "Training and Testing" on the upper right side, followed by "Pilot Training" , then click "Airman Education Programs", and finally "Aerospace Physiology Training".  Good luck and happy flying!