Originally Posted by
Cubdriver
The introduction of laypeople people to flight is something I do a lot of in my glider towing and skydive-driving hobbies. Watching people return from the drop zone after a first dive or get out of the glider as they return from one of these flights is truly gratifying. It serves as a reminder to me of what I got into aviation for.
I recently flew with a RP on his FFAM-101 - which is the very first flight in the airplane. After all the ground school, and all the simulators, and the anticipation - seeing the big smile on the kid's face after the flight and the unbridled excitement of which he has just embarked always reminds me of the joy of flying and the life as a whole. It is also nice to see that 1+ hr debrief of goods and others doesn't dampen his spirit
Last night some skydivers wanted to do a night hop so I dropped them out at 10,000 feet over the airport. All they could see were the runway lights down there, but the divers all managed to land in the drop zone as though it were a normal daylight hop. Everyone had a great time. I think it is important to see new people getting their introduction to flight because it makes the routine work of being a pilot worth all the attention to detail and safety.
I never flew night time jumpers. I didn't do it for long and only flew the free fall jumpers from 12,000', but that short term job stills gives me some good memories. It was an interesting way to make a few bucks over the weekend. They offered free jump lessons too - but I didn't want to risk injury just months before training.
USMCFLYR