Tubroprop and other Prop Flyers

[avbug]

On the jumper thing: this summer I was based quite a bit at a field that wasn't very far from an active drop zone. I started doing some work at night in exchange for some jumps. However, I couldn't jump during the day, because we were required to sit under the wing, or be close by, ready to go. I got permission to hang out by the DZ nearby, instead of sitting under the wing in the heat.

I determined that I could get in some hop n' pop jumps and be back on the ground very quickly if we did get dispatched, so I arranged to be first-out on some of their flights. The idea was that the airplane (a caravan) would take off, make a right turn onto the downwind, and then cross midfield crosswind and kick me out.

These flights usually had several tandem jumpers on board, with photographers. One was creative, and always tried to come up with something to make the video memorable for the tandem rider. On one of these flights, he got up in my face and started screaming, and pushing me. He had someone else holding his helmet with the camera. The students on board had no idea what to think when he started yelling he was sick of looking at my face, and to just get off the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** airplane right now.

He opened the door, and we began struggling. He shoved me at the door, then gave me a kick, and out I went. By this time, the students eye's were as wide as saucers. He closed the door and then turned to glare at them.

"Now, who else isn't going to tip me today??"

As I recall, he did pretty well on tips. We did that a few more times...it seemed to go over pretty well with the passengers once they realized I probably survived.

 

[Freight Dog]

ROFLMAO avbug

 

[DCitrus9]

My favorite response to a passenger's smart a$$ comments was made by a 1900 captain at some podunk essential air service city.

The passenger, upset at the size of the 1900, quipped "when are you going to stop flying these sh!tty little planes into our town?"
The CA response: " When you stop having a sh!tty little town!"

 

[velvetjo]

Avbug & SPBrian,

Any tips on how to get into flying jumpers? I'm just finishing my private, probably moving on to instrument training soon at a local FBO. Guess I'd have to get a commercial ticket as well.

I jump (C license) pretty regularly, and wouldn't mind if the two hobbies intersected at some point. Not looking for much in the way of income, just a fun way to be able to fly more. One of my primary motivations for getting licensed was to be able to fly to the DZ instead of drive.

Anyhow, if there are things you'd recommend or discourage along the way, I'd appreciate any help. Thanks,

Lance

 

[filejw]

Why does somebody always muckup the thread.

 

[velvetjo]

Yeah, sorry I got off topic. How about this:

"Geez, this skyvan is freakin' huge! And I thought the Porter was roomy."

 

[avbug]

Sitting on the transient ramp at Kirtland AFB in the middle of the night, working on the #2 engine of a PB4Y-2. A group of security police wonder by to check out the airplane.

"This thing looks old fashioned." (that's funny, it looked new in 1944, you dunce).

"How come it's got propellers?" (how come your humvee has wheels?).

"When you gonna put turbines on it?" (Next week. We're holding a bake sale to pay for the engines. Next?).

"How come the tires are so big?" (Cause we couldn't afford to spring for the body lift, and nobody made a suspension kit big enough. Anyway, you know what they say about the size of a pilot's tires, right?).

"No guns?" (here, kid. Have the last of the candy).

"Where do you scoop the water?" (we don't. We hire large groups of illegal aliens to piss in the bomb bays when we stop for fuel).

"How come it's dripping so much oil." (We don't have dipsticks for the oil tanks. When it quits dripping, we know it's out of oil). (It's also a white-shirt detector).

"Ever scoop up skin divers by mistake?" (We don't scoop. We load after landing. We do it through a three inch hose. How many skin divers can you fit in a three inch hose?)

"My grand dad got hit in the head by a flashlight that somebody dropped in the tank on one of these things, years ago." (You must be related to the 2,500 other people that told us the exact same thing this year. What a coincidence).

"I heard these things aren't very safe." (I heard the same thing, too. Who'd you hear it from?).

"How come it don't smell like jet fuel?" (cause we don't got no jets, dontcha know?)

"This thing belongs in a museum." (Gadzooks, you're right! It completely slipped my mind. I was supposed to have it back, hours ago. Where ever does the time go?)

"Can you imagine when the air force was flying these?" (This was a little before the USAF, son. Can you imagine that?)

"It doesn't look very fast." (Oh, you'd be surprised. Sometimes, just after takeoff, we'll give her the coals, and on a good day if you listen really close, you can hear it emit a supersonic pop.)

"You guys are gone how long? Where does your family stay?" (I keep them locked up in a small box under the floorboards, just aft of the bomb bay. Wanna have a look?)

"Did you ever crash one of these?" (Twice, I was killed the second time. You?)

"So, are you doing this so you can fly for the airlines some day?" (Hysterical laughter while rolling on the floor, followed by convulsive spasms until the SP's get bored and leave). (Compadre just looks a little embarassed, and says, Well, no. That would be sort of...a...step...down.").


On flying jumpers, it's a matter of checking with your local DZ. If they operate something you're qualified to fly, then they might consider it. You can sometimes find ads in Parachutist or other industry rags, or web sites. You'll probably find that you may get used as a backup pilot, but don't count on it to pay the bills right away.

 

[ShawnC]

Sitting on the transient ramp at Kirtland AFB in the middle of the night, working on the #2 engine of a PB4Y-2. A group of security police wonder by to check out the airplane.

"This thing looks old fashioned." (that's funny, it looked new in 1944, you dunce).

Porbally the best quote I have seen in a while.

 

[SPBRIAN]

As AVBUG said, the best way is to look around. Most likely the larger drop zone you go to won't use you due to the insurance requirements on turbines. Look for one of those ma and pa's that run a few 182's or 206's... Also this could be considered a fast way to go broke, but definatelly if you can put up with it and you go to the ma and pa that stays busy with the 182's you can easily wrack up some hours. Since you skydive it makes it even easier, good luck.

-Brian

 

[velvetjo]

Thanks, avbug & Brian. That's kinda what I figured, but it's good to hear it confirmed. The insurance requirements seem to be one of the biggest sticking points, understandably so. Blue skies,

Lance

 

[Skyliner]

...and the tower floats, too

A year or so ago, I was chatting with the ticket agent at Kenmore Air's Lake Union seaplane base. She had a story of how one day a female passenger came into the building with her bags and sat down in the flight waiting area. After about 20 minutes, the passenger came up to the counter and asked, "Um, excuse me, where is the runway?"

The agent gestured behind her towards the lake, "Right there."

The passenger stood there for a moment, with a puzzled look on her face, then quietly turned around and went back to her seat.