Here come the summer 182 gigs
 

Dropzone.com has listing for 182 pilot for duenberry ny, just whoever applys be CAREFUL this is one of the worst jumper gigs

How so? What's so bad about this? Aircraft? Management? Airspace?
Just curious

Some is here say but I heard they don't insure the plane, it only pays $5 per load, its a very old beatup 182, and this guy got in trouble for flying loads on his pvt, the owner, and letting observer rides in which the observer killed themselves.

Aint that the truth, just picked up a 182 gig in TX flying divers near Austin while I wait on my military flying career to start.

Look forward to the new experiences.

at temple?? I work with one of there old pilots out in cali, hes taking over for me since im back to nj in 2 weeks

Is it at skydive salado? I'm from temple

Do you know Chris from temple, hes flying out here in Cali now at skydive sac, hes taking over full time, i just came out to cover for a winter gig, im back to reality come early april, been loving all the jumping though.

Actually it's with the DZ in Lexington, TX

I know several Chris's from temple but none have anything to do with aviation.... I'd like to do some jumper dumping at some point. is the operation there everyday or just a weekend gig? is the pay any good?

Hate to say it, but you about exactly described most of the DZ's I've seen, including the one I worked for.

I mean they don't even put liability on the plane, let alone hull....I am lucky to have always at least had liability on what I have flown, and I am pretty sure my main gig has hull. Good 182 gigs pay 10-15, such as skydivesac in lincoln ca, and long island skydiving a 182 tandem factor in long island. Even Temple pays 10 a load. I also have never been around a DZ the owner flys jumpers on a PVT. And I have always flown at places that will maintain their aircraft to keep them safe.

Now I am not very anal, I can deal with minor defects, like a leaking break that has to get bled for a weekend till it can get fixed, or a small oil leak, or things like that, but I never have got in a plane that I think was seriously in bad shape.

The airplane was airworthy, I made sure of that. The owner had a PPL and flew loads- I made sure that he knew it was illegal, but that's all I could do... he's a grown man. The plane had no insurance, and it was $5 a load. I haven't found anywhere in the area that pays more than $5 a load, in fact, some paid less ( :eek: ). I did my time and got the hell out back when I was <500 hours, and I learned a lot from it.

I think this thread is taking down the skydiving community a bit too hastily. There are reputable places that fly by the numbers. Quite a few. I know because I'm a longtime jump pilot and I have both seen and flown at these places.

You have to do your homework...If you don't want to fly for disreputable people, then you should ask about their practices and expectations when you interview.

If you aren't willing to ask the company hard questions about safety and legality because you are afraid of the answer, then you don't have integrity consistent with your personal minimums.

I'm not trying to cut anyone down here, but I'm saying from experience that you won't regret losing that flight time after you find out that some other guy that takes the job has to live with the consequences of pranging an unairworthy 182.


Ask around when you apply to a dropzone. Ask the DZOs the tough questions about safety before, during, and/or after the interview. And use other pilots as a resource.

<<Diverdriver.com>>

If you are doing this kind of flying, seek the experience of those that have been there.

I agree with sultan; there are a lot of places that will let anyone fly their planes. Can be a good way to get some hours but think about it. An unisured plane, if you're PIC you're on the hook if anything happens and you don't have any backup. Lots of good operators out there though as well.

I was not saying it was all jump places, I have never flown for someone without liability, and I am pretty sure my main gig we have hull. But there are places out there, like a certain gig in upstate ny. Meet the DZO and talk about it is the best advice. I love my jumper gig I get a good weekly salary, and I love skydiving, and I get to jump when the turbine is running, and eventually instead of jumping I will start getting time in it when I have the time for the insurance. It is some really awesome flying that is for sure!

Have you flown outta here yet? It's nice and tight 2200x30ft ... good stuff!

It sure is good flying. Grass runways in the winter are fun to work with too. A person really gets landings completely nailed down in a short time. Like rick said, ask questions. That really goes for any job, not just skydiving stuff.

I have been enjoying a daily crosswind of exactly '14mph' (that would be the max xwind comp. for a 182..) for about 3 weeks now, on a 3500 ft runway, but man they have been blowing a hard 14mph, sure has gotten my landings down quick.

We've been gusting a good bit lately... 'nother story when it's comin through the valley - all kinds of weird wind stuff going on...

runway here is only 25-30' wide, random people/jumpers/vehicles/turkey/clowns/bicycles crossing the runway at any given time... develop some 'interesting' techniques.

Yep, flying in Florida was just way too easy...

haha come see Sussex NJ, no gate around the airport, we get everything on the runway, my favorite is black bear, or tractors getting free hay, last year on takeoff i cleared one by a c hair on takeoff by dumping two notches of flaps, u would think someone in a tractor would look before crossing a runway

Ryan,

Are you all open out on the island, shoot me a pm on how things are going man, and if u got aim ur aim sn. Ya your getting the same winds we are getting out here at sussex, when ur in the air try contacting me on 131.42 just say hey rick at sussex r u working, its our manifest freq.

Today it was a boat on a trailer on the far end... just parked on the runway...

PM sent! :eek:....

Ours isn't quite as excitng; most I get on the runway is the occasional student jumper, deer, the odd airplane without a radio that sits about 400' from one end warming up his engine. Although I did almost smoke a turkey that was on takeoff (run?) while landing. Luckily we have a grill on site so that wouldn't have been all bad ;)

I'll play. I almost hit a llama yesterday. Fun times at the DZ!

Where was this?

Lexington, TX

I almost hit a deer on the runway in that area a month ago

which area?

Really? they are that bad?? Thats pretty intense. 5 bucks a load?? you got to be kidding me.