Pipeline / Powerline patrol

[momalley81]

You can get away with your steep turns close to the ground for a long time, perhaps. You may even become complacent and think it's not a big deal. You may feel yourself ten feet tall and bullet proof. Chances are that if you're doing this job and don't own the business, you're doing it because you're inexperienced and don't know better, like the previous poster in this thread. It's still no excuse.

You're not ten feet tall, and you're not bullet proof.

+1

Used to maneuver like that all the time when I towed banners; did my best to minimize time between drop and pickup, as it was off the clock. Could be 10-15 banners a day, if I could shave 60 seconds, that was an extra 15 minutes of pay in my pocket. From 30' and 50 knots, we'd hit the release, go full power, and make a 60-70 degree banked climbing turn to downwind.

Did it all the time, thought I was a real badass, too.

Then a friend of mine's engine coughed in a Pawnee while in that turn. 70 degrees of bank, less than 100 feet and low airspeed. I think I mentioned this story on another board; he managed to get the wings level before he hit, but came down hard, nose low. Not enough energy to flare. He pulled himself out of the wreckage, but was in the hospital for more than a few months with severe burns.

Shook me up a bit; could have been any one of us; we were all painting ourselves into that corner. Lesson learned, bank angles were kept more reasonable, and we started waiting until we had sufficient energy to maneuver.

 

[WestHouston]

Ok. I see what you both are saying. I really wasn't trying to troll, it's just that the guy thats going to be training me was banking 60-90 degrees on the ride-along I did. Being 300'-500' agl; I think it's dangerous enough, and I definitely don't want to increase the danger level by doing anything unnecessary like a 90 bank if I don't have to. I appreciate everyone's insight and I assure you my wife does to!

 

[670X]

Westhouston hit me with a PM. I will help you out.

 

[dhawk41]

I did pipline for a year out of midland. It was a blast. I would highly suggest doing it just keep an eye out for those 299ft towers (no lights)

 

[avbug]

I will help you out.

Given your attitude and previous comments, that's an unlikely thing to happen.

Drag someone down the wrong path might be a better choice of words.