USPA Safety Day 2014

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 8th.  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.  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 year. 

Various people will speak, including the DZO, DZM, S&TA and Jump Pilot.  If that happens to be you, be sure and write down at least an outline of what you want to speak about.  As pilots we are taught that safety is #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, I usually talk about Weight & Balance, Safety Belts, Emergency Procedures (ie. departure/en route climb engine out) and Prop Awareness during hot fueling, to name a few.

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 every month.

Hilarious video of camera falling out of airplane and landing in a pigpen.

If you want a good laugh today, check out this hilarious video of a GoPro camera falling out of an airplane and landing in a pigpen. The best part is the pig trying to eat the camera lol

Will Smith goes skydiving at Skydive Dubai

Will Smith and his two sons, Jaden and Trey, recently went skydiving at Skydive Dubai. His youngest son is only 15 years old, which would have been an issue at any U.S. drop zone. 

Although the U.S. government doesn't care how old a skydiver is, the state governments will not allow a parent to sign away the rights of a minor to sue. The USPA requires its member drop zones to only allow skydivers 18 years or older to jump. Now, considering that he is one of the most popular actors on the planet, I'm sure that more than a few drop zones in the U.S. would have surely risked getting sued in exchange for all of the publicity.  However, Mr. Smith decided to jump at Skydive Dubai instead.  Not a bad choice, considering that it is one of the largest, newest and most respected drop zones in the world.

Before skydiving with his sons and to feel more comfortable with his decision to let them jump, The Fresh Prince went skydiving a week prior with his old co-star Alfonso Riberio. He also got some wind tunnel time with the Crown Prince of Dubai.

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.

Expose Yourself!

If you're a Jump Pilot or if you're planning on becoming one, you will get the opportunity to travel. You will more than likely have to relocate to another state or country when you get hired and/or the airplane that you fly will be leased by various drop zones around the country that you will have the privilege to travel to. 

When that happens, after you get settled in, I believe that it is important to expose yourself to your new surroundings. Taste the local food, visit local attractions and really get to know the local people.  You'll learn a lot, not just about them, but about yourself as well.

I've flown at 6 different drop zones around the U.S. in 6 years as a contract Jump Pilot and Ferry Pilot and I have always made it a point to do as much exploring as I could of my host state. 

While flying for Capitol Skydiving, I explored some huge local caves and learned why Austin is the "Live Music Capitol of the U.S.". While flying for Skydive Sacramento I snowboarded at nearby Lake Tahoe and explored the beautiful Northern California coast. I have learned so much about this country that I would have never been exposed to if it wasn't for this cool job of mine.  I have also learned that the more I travel, the more I want to travel.

Above are a couple of pictures of Renee and I at Oak Alley Plantation near New Orleans, Louisiana.  Those are 300 year old Oak trees in front of the plantation house. You might recognize this mansion from the movie Interview with a Vampire.

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.

Extreme air for professional snowboarders Jamie Anderson and Ty Walker at Skydive Lake Wanaka NZ!

Professional snowboarders Jamie Anderson and Ty Walker recently caught some extreme air after jumping out of Skydive Lake Wanaka's infamous Orange PAC!  

Jamie Anderson is one of the best snowboarders in the world and has won more X-Games medals than I can count and Ty Walker is about to become the youngest member on the U.S. Olympic Snowboarding Team in Sochi Russia.  Start watching and cheering for our team starting February 7, 2014 on NBC and their affiliates.

Should December be Aviation Month?

December is a significant month in aviation history.  On December 17th, 110 years ago, the "Wright Flyer" became the first heavier than air powered machine to achieve controlled sustained flight at Kitty Hawk North Carolina USA.  

On the 5th day in December 1879 an aviation pioneer Clyde Cessna was born in Iowa USA.  

Also, on December 22nd 1964 the "Blackbird" prototype SR-71A-LO first flew from Air Force Plant 42 Palmdale California USA at more than 1000 miles per hour up to higher than 45,000 feet and landed at Edwards Air Force Base.  

Yet again in December, and for all my Caravan C208 fans, don't forget that the first Caravan prototype (N208LP) flight happened on December 9th 1982! This is a short list of numerous milestones that occurred in the 12th month and my reason for nominating December, even though it normally does not have good flying weather, as Aviation Month.

Quest Kodiak about to start its life as a Jump Plane

On a ferry flight to Dekalb Illinois, I parked the airplane that I had just delivered next to this beautiful red Quest Kodiak.  It was about to be converted into a Jump Plane. 

There's not all that many of these aircraft in the air compared to its competition, however that fact is changing quickly with every year that goes by.  These aircraft are very comparable to the industry's beloved Cessna Caravan, one of the most popular and reliable Jump Planes in the world.


SkyDiverDriver.com

Red Bull Air Race Returns for 2014

The Red Bull Air Race is returning to the skies starting February 28 - March 1 2014 in Abu Dhabi UAE.  I haven't personally seen them since 2007 in San Diego, a stop that has been removed from the schedule for 2014.  I will catch up to them in Las Vegas in October.  You can purchase tickets on the Red Bull Air Race site now.  General admission tickets are only $39 and Reserved seat tickets are $59 and include a Hangar Pass.  I hope to see some of you there!

Blue Angels announce 2014 airshow schedule

The Blue Angels have just announced their 2014 airshow schedule! They will be flying from March through November. I'm going to try and make the San Francisco CA or Houston TX show. Hopefully I'll see you there!

Diving Porter at Skydive Dubai

A new season at Skydive Dubai started September 2nd!  If you're on the other side of the globe, be sure and check them out.  One of the nicest, if not THE nicest drop zones in the world!

Reno Air Races 50th year 2013

This Saturday and Sunday is the 50th year of the world famous Reno Air Races! I wish I could be there. "Keep 'em flying!"

All Hail the Pratt & Whitney PT6 Turboprop Engine!

All Hail the Pratt & Whitney PT6!

Below you will see one of the first photos of the infamous Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprop aircraft engine and its designers. This engine is THE rockstar of the turboprop engine world! 

Important Dates:

• 1958 - Design started
• 1960 Feb. - First ran
• 1961 May - First flew
• 1964 - Entered service
• 2011 - 50th Anniversary 

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.

The original designers of the PT6

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.

TBO (time between overhauls) ranges between 3600 to 9000 hours and hot section inspections are done between 1800 and 2000 hours.

The PT6-114A in the Cessna Caravan only weighs 350lbs and yet puts out almost 700hp! This 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!

Be sure and check out our friends at pt6nation.com


CaravanNation.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

Don't miss the 39th Annual Sun 'n Fun International Fly In & Expo 2013

If you're anywhere near Florida April 9-14 , try and make it out to the 39th Annual Sun 'n Fun International Fly In and Expo in Lakeland Florida!  It's the second biggest "fly in" in the country. If I'm not flying skydivers that weekend I will be there!

Fueling up the Twin Otter aka "Shark One"

A funny picture of Heather teasing me while I was refueling the Twin Otter aka "Shark One" in between flying loads of skydivers at Skydive Taft in Southern California.  The DHC-6 Twin Otter is the most common twin turbine jump airplane in North America. It holds up to 23 skydivers. They love it for its large exit door and high wings that make "spotting" easier. This aircraft was leased by us from Skydive Perris.

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.

Louisiana Rainbow

I caught a picture of a nice rainbow over Louisiana after throwing out some skydivers in the Grand Caravan.  Constant beautiful views, yet another perk to my job!

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!