Different jobs and pilot skills requirements

[Big Duke Six]

Cat Driver:


I beg to differ with you on the feet issue in an Airbus.

You ever try to slow down and stop one of those things with the electric brakes? Neck braces should be given out to all pax riding on IOE flights.

 

[TurboS7]

I agree with you CAT but I have one more to add. Flying a large 121 Carrier type aircraft out of a very short runway. This includes flying a DC-6 fully loaded with fish out of a place like Quinihawk(sp) and other great places. I know during football season we fly fully loaded 738's and 727's out of some really short runways loaded to the gills with 173 people plus equipment, landing the same. Pretty demanding overall. Otherwise I would agree with your lineup. Nothing like pulling up to a little FBO with a 737-800 next to a 2000 gallon fuel truck and say "fill her up". We have flown in and out of runways where they didn't have any Jet-A, just pull up to the FBO, drop the stairs and get off and go use the restroom-that is always fun.

 

[Grumman guy]

You can take any tanker or ag pilot and turn them into and airline pilot but you cant take any airline pilot and turn them into an ag pilot or tanker pilot. I have seen it many times before. This doesnt take anything away from airline pilots who have alot of responsability and a diffrent skills set that they must remain proficient at, and if they dont lots of people die, not just one or two.

 

[TurboS7]

Wait, wait let's not forget the 20 series learjet, especially the 23, very demanding in light of the fact that 90% of the autopilots don't work along with everything else. I would say in all my flying, I was pushed the hardest flying the 20 series Lears, and I have a lot of bush flying experience.

If you want to fly the bush, fly it. The experience you get will last a lifetime and it is great. I would still be doing it but I had to raise a large family and that is very hard to do of a bush pilot's income. If you want to fly bush get your Airframe and Powerplant and your IA while your at it. It will help you in more ways than you can imagine. Stay away from regionals unless that is what you want to do, once you are locked in that tends to be where you will stay. If you are lucky you will go down the next notch to the 121's where the exciting thing is getting in an airplane and going somewhere.

 

[Goose Egg]

Ok, so we've got Airbuses, Metro freight dogs, and 20 series Learjets in the lineup for "serious" stick and rudder demands. That sounds an awful lot like "airliners and corporate jets."

...Which is exactly my point: Each flying job has it's own unique demands, and I think it'd be foolish to categorically state that one is more difficult than another in stick and rudder skills or any other area.

We all rock, we all suck. Happy?

-Goose

 

[Cat Driver]

" and I think it'd be foolish to categorically state that one is more difficult than another in stick and rudder skills or any other area. "

Goose Egg, so you feel that an aerial application pilot flying say an Agcat spraying crops in small fields surrounded by trees and wires doing runs every minute or so does not require better hands and feet skills than a lear driver doing say several approaches and landings a day from a stabilized approach?

 

[NookyBooky]

My vote for number one goes to anyone who flies a 40-50 year old radial engined beast at GW just above stall speed in narrow canyons during a firestorm. That rules out Lears and Airbuses Ag pilots are up there too.

No. two goes to anyone who lands on a boat.

 

[low-n-slow]

" and I think it'd be foolish to categorically state that one is more difficult than another in stick and rudder skills or any other area. "

Goose Egg, so you feel that an aerial application pilot flying say an Agcat spraying crops in small fields surrounded by trees and wires doing runs every minute or so does not require better hands and feet skills than a lear driver doing say several approaches and landings a day from a stabilized approach?

Actually a slow, bi-winged Ag-Cat would be a piece of cake in that environment. Doing it at 140-160 mph in an AT-502, 602 or 802 is a different story! I wouldn't change it for nothing though.

This thread has really raised my eyebrows.

I've always had the impression that we ag pilots were considered to be the bottom of the pond as far as the world of aviation goes, which has always been quite fine with me. As a rule we are considered to be dumb and incompetant, ('Farkken Ag Pilot' thread) gypsies, and 'outlaws' to the rule. After having been on both sides of the fence, I must say this side ain't so bad. I remember years ago flying freight and Part 135 in whatever airplane I happened to get thrown my way I often thought 'there must be a better way'...

Years later I am enjoying life and am quite content with my abilities, I wouldn't change a thing.

Everything is relevant, do what you want to do and do it to the best of your abilities, rewards will follow suit regardless of the path. I believe.

 

[TurboS7]

I have a friend that worked AG, he made 120K a year and only worked for six months. A lot of work, he only quit because he was worried about the long term effect on his body with all the chems.

 

[TurboS7]

As for the 20 series Lear short body it never was stabilized, you had to work at it all the way down to the ground.

 

[Cat Driver]

Lo -n - Slo :

For me after fifty two years of flying in many different kinds of aircraft and job descriptions I'm still a Crop Duster at heart. Maybe because it was my first job as a commercial pilot.

I listed aerial fire suppression after Ag work only from my own feelings and experience in both fields, 7 years Ag work and 15 years heavy water scooper Captain....

...however as Av Bug said its all subjective.

When Hugh Jorgan comes back maybe we could discuss the best sex we have experienced?

Cat Driver.

 

[low-n-slow]

Lo -n - Slo :

For me after fifty two years of flying in many different kinds of aircraft and job descriptions I'm still a Crop Duster at heart. Maybe because it was my first job as a commercial pilot.

I listed aerial fire suppression after Ag work only from my own feelings and experience in both fields, 7 years Ag work and 15 years heavy water scooper Captain....

...however as Av Bug said its all subjective.

When Hugh Jorgan comes back maybe we could discuss the best sex we have experienced?

Cat Driver.

Cat said...FIFTY TWO YEARS, Man, I salute you!

Unlike some others, I hold a very high regard for you high timers. Folks like you is what gave me the ambition to fly in the first place Cat...thanks!

I believe each and every one of us has a little bit of 'cropduster' in us...some of us more than others, that's all! I've always tried to be humble and thankful of where I am, looking around this messed up world we live in, it could have been much worse!

 

[Cat Driver]

yup, fifty two years and still flying for a living.

For entertainment I'm going to take a crack at the unlimited aerobatics contests in Europe.

The airplane I using is PH-PEP a Pitts S2B...now there is a fun SOB to land in a x/wind.

Go here.

www.wingsoverholland.nl

I'm thinking of slowing down and maybe retiring in about ten years...

 

[low-n-slow]

yup, fifty two years and still flying for a living.

For entertainment I'm going to take a crack at the unlimited aerobatics contests in Europe.

The airplane I using is PH-PEP a Pitts S2B...now there is a fun SOB to land in a x/wind.

Go here.

www.wingsoverholland.nl

I'm thinking of slowing down and maybe retiring in about ten years...

That's absolutely amazing Cat! Only hopefully will I have half of your ambition whenever I attain that many years or hours. I flew a Pitts several years ago, was fun and you are right regarding the landing in a crosswind, it certainly keeps you awake!

The site is really cool.

 

[Grumman guy]

My dad hauled 23 loads of fire retardant out of Colombia CA, on a 105 degree day in a round engine S-2. No a/c, no flight attendant bringing him cokes. Just the take offs and landings would kill most people ,never mind the fact that they were dropping on a forrest fire in the bottom of the American river canyon. He poured himself out of the airplane at the end of the day.

Yeah, there is a difference!