AviatorG

BeardedFlyer and Soar2live... Thank you both for your insight... I am in that position right now as a low time pilot flying jumpers in a 182.. Nice to hear that there are some Positive points to doing this to build time and experience within the commercial realm of aviation... Of course I too will be looking for that magic number of 700-1000TT and then moving on from there hopefully into a Turbine job of some kind...

At this point in time is just Fly Fly Fly!! Also working on all my CFI ratings to help boost my value and job possibilities....

Again appreciate you both for your insight...... NOT EVERYBODY wants to fly the majors, and can be happy and content with the lifestyle of flying jumpers or some Part 91 Corporate gig.....

TheSultanofScud

^ THIS.

A skydiving gig does quite a bit for the skills, IMHO.

You get a LOT of repetitions operating the same aircraft at both ends of its performance envelope in varying conditions.

You find yourself developing a high degree of confidence and knowledge of that one type, and the mentality and maturity gained from this experience can really help you later on.

Your mental clock and awareness concerning position in space, ground speed, and the effects of wind will improve many times over in 6 months.

You will—if you take the job seriously—really learn how to fly consistent profiles. You will hone and sharpen your ability to apply the power settings, attitudes, and inputs to achieve positive flying, ŕ la the notion of "control and performance."

You will find yourself making a lot of kinda-sorta tough calls regarding weather, maintenance, and the operations in general. You will gain the confidence to say "No" to many people at once when you determine that it is the correct answer, even if it isn't the popular one by far.

You will definitely learn what fatigue is. 40 takeoffs and landings in one day with only one or two pee-breaks in between will do that for you.

You will get your hands on turbine equipment with far less experience than most civilians. You will get a chance to learn many of the fundamental necessities of turbine engine flying very early on.

You will make a lot of friends and contacts that you can't find in any other part of aviation.

I had more fun while flying jumpers and being a jumper than I have had during any other time of my life.

I would not be as skilled, humble, or consistent as I feel today if I did not have that experience.

Just my .02$, for whatever it's worth. Post script: BeardedFlyer's post is definitely informative and credible as well, in my opinion.

xtownboy

I could not agree more with this statment. I was lucky enough to get a job flying jumpers 2 weeks after my COM SEL check ride and could not have gotten a better job. I was a scared 251 hr pilot and had not even sat in a twin yet and my next ride was right seat in a turbine taildragger. That will teach you to fly real quick, or you wind up in a corn field.

You spend all day flying, and maybe a friend will bring you a burger to eat while you hot fuel. Hot, stinky old airplanes and I loved every minute of it. I have never met a bunch of great people than the groups at drop zones.

If I had to pick one downside of this type of flying, is its 99% day VFR, so your on your own to obtain the other types we still need, x country, IFR etc. I have been flying jumpers for two years and logged about 1147 tt but ouly 45 total ifr. I have an interview with a regional in three weeks, I am excited about it but sad because it means I will not get to hang out at the drop zone as much anymore. I am going to miss it.

So IMHO I would take the the jump pilot job. You will love it.

AviatorG

Great Opinions! Great Knowledge!