AcesHigh

As the title states, finally got to fly my first load as a commercial pilot and jump pilot today out of KFWN in Northern NJ. It's pretty neat because this is my hometown and the odd's of getting an aviation job in rural Sussex County, NJ and in my hometown airport is pretty darn cool.

Takeoff was pretty uneventful, did my climbout. Had some transponder issues but NY APP was very helpful and I had let her know this was my first (yes first I said it, i know i must buy beer :P) run as a jump pilot and she was very kinda throughout the whole process.

Had to do a little hole searching, as I didn't want to bust any FAA regs due to cloud clearance it took a little longer than usual when it came to do the actual do the jumprun.

I wasn't nervous until it came time to do the jump run, and boy the feeling is kinda weird when you just see the people that were with you just let go of the a/c and it's just you in the plane. Mind you it's pretty cold at 10,5 with the door wide open...About that door.

Everything went without a hitch besides me getting the door closed (Cessna 182) I tried to swing it over nothing. I tried closing it with armstrength, nothing... I did a combo of both, nothing.. So I eventually said, I need to get down and left the bloody door open. (Any jump pilots looking at this if you have any tips or advice to do it easier feel free to chime in!)

Although I've been a member of this site for a short period of time, thanks to the members for the insight, knowledge, and advice given along the way. Happy flying and blue skies to all of you!

DirectTo

Getting the door closed, if it's like every other 182 jump plane, is just a matter of getting the door out of the airflow by slipping it. Done properly, the door will swing down and right into your hand, where you can latch it right up. If your skydiving place didn't cover this in training, you got screwed.

AcesHigh

No I did not get screwed. I was trained, but under further review I just didn't put in enough left rudder. Problem solved. This was my first, minor things are bound to happen, and I understand I won't be perfect of the bat.

We all make mistakes, I wasn't at an airspeed where the door would've ripped off, so I proceeded to fly the aircraft, and decend accordingly as I was taught to do. I was near a feeder route with aircraft coming in to JFK,EWR, and LGA, plus clouds, looking for canopies opening, and radio calls, so I prioritized my time accordingly. When I got lower I did manage to get it down and latched.

Thanks for the tip though Direct.

2nd best pilot

When you hold that left rudder, add some right aileron too. Always helped to close the stubborn doors.

cubbies4life

this.............

jrutt

congrats have a fun summer

TheSultanofScud

Couldn't have said it better.

I concur with this technique. Every top-hinged door I've seen on the Cessna jump planes I flew could be easily and gently closed with this technique. It becomes fairly instinctive after a few loads.

I hope you enjoy your time flying jumpers. Some of my fondest memories are from skydiving and flying in support of the sport.

FlyJSH

I want to hear a bit more about this part!

tlove482

Just make sure you always strap your seatbelt on. You can overlook it if your jumping in and out of the plane on a not so busy day. "A friend of mine" for got and almost fell out as he reached over to latch the door. :P

DirectTo

We typically had one person sitting facing reverse next to the pilot. Normally the camera guy, but depending on load a solo guy or a tandem rider sometimes. More than once I had somebody lean their head back, knock the mixture in, and my amusement as they threw the door and all bailed out. No way in hell those guys are going down with you.