Skydive Pilots Around??

[BritishGuy]

I need a little help. I've just taken on this new gig flying skydivers around. I just stared like 2 days ago and with just one 30min flight I was told I was ready to take people up.

Today 3 people got onto the strut of the C 182 at 13,500'. The aircraft started to roll. The let go before the aircraft went over. The aircraft wasn't coordinated, and the last thing I wanted to do to correct the problem was to put opposite aileron in. Cross control in other words. I came down and was given a battering. Then was taken up and shown how it's done. Then I was told that don't worry it come with time. Have any other skydive pilots has similar problems or any advice that could help me out here?

Thanks

 

[pilotman2105]

Not to sound condescending (sp?), but you may be interested in 14 CFR 105 if you haven't checked it out already. Has some different regs that you may not have thought about.

As for the lashing you got on the ground, doesn't sound like a terribly "reputable" company. Then again, I'm green when it comes to this whole part of aviation.

Just my $0.02. Good luck figuring it out.

Blue skies....

 

[BritishGuy]

i'm sorry i'm having a problem finding this in the FARAIM

 

[pilotman2105]

Part 105 - Parachute Ops

 

[GoingHot]

http://diverdriver.com/

Go to http://diverdriver.com/. You will find answers to most of your questions, and a copy of the reg.

 

[avbug]

I can see where the DZO might have become annoyed. If you're afraid to control the airplane, you don't belong in it.

Who told you that you can't cross control? If you're afraid of crossing your controls, then you should go get some remedial flight instruction. Do you think the aircraft is going to explode, or snap into some wild violent spin that only chuck yeager could salvage?

When people climb outside the airplane, there's a need for rudder. Use it. There's a need for aileron. Use it. There's a need to cut the power. Cut it. You may be descending. You have pitch control. Use it. You don't need to stall; start descending. You don't need to shove the nose over...just fly the airplane. It is NOT rocket science.

 

[7B2]

Today 3 people got onto the strut of the C 182 at 13,500'. The aircraft started to roll

No sh!it.

It's the take-off I worry about, whatever happens after that (=safe altitude) is just fine.

 

[TopGun-MAV]

British guy,

indeed that is good question. a very common occurance among the inexperienced jimp pilots. remember.. co-ordination and keep the wings level. use the rudder and airlerons for control. stay safe up there it can be a dangerous game.

just my 2 cents

 

[avbug]

Dangerous game? Is that like the guy who had the near death experience when he had a little fish tail on the highway?

Lessee...takeoff, climb, open door. Close door. Descend. Land. Sounds critical. Take extra underwear.

There's drag outside with jumpers out. Jumpes don't want to be blasted, so pull the power. Allow the airplane to descend. Use whatever control input is necessary to fly the airplane...just like you were taught as a student pilot.

If you're really British, you may be doing this as a private pilot, unlike US pilots, who require at least a commercial pilot certificate. That may mean you have even less experience, which may be part of the reason for your hesitation. However, the reason that you're afraid to "cross" the controls is clearly lack of training or poor training...like a lot of pilots today.

Have you never done a slip? You have crossed the controls. You didn't die then. You won't die now.

If the airplane starts to roll when everybody climbs out, clearly you haven't put in enough control. Use more.

Getting too slow? You have twelve or fifteen thousand feet of altitude. Use it. Descend slightly, keep your airspeed, keep your control. Fly by feel.

If those stepping outside don't have a jump step over the wheel (many jump 182's don't), then be sure to hold the brake if you don't want a black eye when you get back on the ground.

Pay the money, take a jump course, learn to work your parachute. You have no business carrying skydivers to altitude, and wearing a parachute yourself, if you don't know how to use it. That means coming to an understanding of what can happen if a reserve parachute gets out, and it's importance...as well as the needs of the jumpers on the step.

Spend some time thinking about your engine and how you're going to treat it on the descent, and make a pact between yourself and the skydive Gods that you will NEVER make an idle power descent, or push the limits of yourself, the engine, or the airplane.

For heaven's sake, go get with a flight instructor and get some hands on experience performing cross controlled stalls so that they don't worry you any more.

 

[bugchaser]

Wait till you get a few more out there and have one or two try to climb out to the wingtip. I have actually had so much drag and weight out there that full control inputs would not keep the airplane from trying to roll over. Like Avbug says just do whatever you have to do to keep the airplane upright and keep your airspeed up and don't let yourself stall with jumpers outside. I also agree that you should go through a course and make at least one jump. Also agree that you really need to work on your descents and taking care of the engine. The whole thing is pretty simple once you get the hang of it. Just don't let anyone push you into doing anything that you don't feel comfortable with. Watch your fuel. One last thing, be careful leaving the airport after the beer party that usually happens at the end of the day.