flhrci
Final Approach
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Yesterday was my first day of taking loads up in the 182, solo. It has taken 6 weeks of waiting for slots to open up to do and complete my jump pilot training. Yes, my DZ has a training program. Very rare.
Anyway, I took up 5 loads, 4 of which the DZ owner was taking a tandem student. Each flight was a chance for him to guide me and coach me and make me nervous. He is a commercial pilot as well as tandem master btw. I improved each and every flight on spotting and airspeed control. I was relieved by the next shift at 2pm having the first flight just after 8:00AM.
I was so exhausted and stressed at the end of the day. I even went to bed before 10pm. Exhausted! Thankfully right now it is one or two half days a weekend or less so I have time to get used to it and not get burned out.
I have not had to work this hard at flying since I did my instrument and CFI ratings years ago. No one warned me this type of flying was so mentally intense. I even confused ATC once yesterday to! LOL The last load I flew I had to protect all of us. The 206 was 1000 feet or so above us and I had to go out of my way to stay out of the DZ while getting back towards it on the jump run. Very stressful and made me nervous, but safety is very important. I want to take care of the people on my plane.
In a week or two once I fly a few more loads and get a little more comfy, I plan to get my currency jumps done and start jumping again.
It is pretty cool to be on both sides of the sport.
David [/FONT][/FONT]
Anyway, I took up 5 loads, 4 of which the DZ owner was taking a tandem student. Each flight was a chance for him to guide me and coach me and make me nervous. He is a commercial pilot as well as tandem master btw. I improved each and every flight on spotting and airspeed control. I was relieved by the next shift at 2pm having the first flight just after 8:00AM.
I was so exhausted and stressed at the end of the day. I even went to bed before 10pm. Exhausted! Thankfully right now it is one or two half days a weekend or less so I have time to get used to it and not get burned out.
I have not had to work this hard at flying since I did my instrument and CFI ratings years ago. No one warned me this type of flying was so mentally intense. I even confused ATC once yesterday to! LOL The last load I flew I had to protect all of us. The 206 was 1000 feet or so above us and I had to go out of my way to stay out of the DZ while getting back towards it on the jump run. Very stressful and made me nervous, but safety is very important. I want to take care of the people on my plane.
In a week or two once I fly a few more loads and get a little more comfy, I plan to get my currency jumps done and start jumping again.
It is pretty cool to be on both sides of the sport.
David [/FONT][/FONT]