Hello, I'm a fairly new Jump pilot in a 182. My first question is, what is the fastest, most efficient way and staying safe, to descend a 182? I have heard mixed reviews about slipping and whether or not it is good for the airplane. It sure feels like I'm pulling a lot of G's when I'm slipping. Secondly, if you have a high performance endorsement, do you still need to get checked out in a 182? Lastly, most recently, during start up I saw smoke coming out from under the ignition. To me, it seemed liked the wiring was heating up and causing the smoke. My mechanic doesn't seem to think its a big deal, however my concern is that the mags will fail causing the engine to quit. My question is, if the wiring from the ignition to the magnetos gets melted, will my engine still run? I would hate for the engine to quit on me with people on board. Thanks for any input.
Ok
First off welcome to DZ flying, I flew full time at a busy turbine and piston DZ for 2 years, ended up with my USPA license and another semi expensive hobby, some of the best flying I've done was at the DZ, and the people are great, as is the sport.
Now you need to get on these sites and read up and ask questions.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/diverdriver/
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi
And
http://skydiverdriver.blogspot.com
If you have a HP endorsement there is no checkout needed for the 182, don't pay any training bonds or any other BS, you should also be riding with a experienced jump pilot for minimum a few weeks to learn the trade, how to spot (GPS with a OBS line or just visual) emergency ops, what to let the jumpers do and what not to, etc.
If you're getting charged for "training" or not being heavily trained, find a new DZ.
FYI bottom of the barrel jump pilot pay is $15 a load.
As for the descent question,
First off you didn't mention what engine the 182 has, and what mods were done.
For a U206 with a IO550, you're cowl flaps closed, wing flaps 0, bottom of the green on the MP and RPM, pitch 15-20kts shy of VNE, use your mixture to maintain target EGTs/CHTs, lower MP as you decend to stay bottom of the green.
Don't slip, spiral or any of that crap, just straight lines and gentle turns.
You should have a nice engine analyzer, if not keep the CHTs in the green, no more than cooling a degree every 2 seconds.
As for the wires, F' that, guessing DZO isn't a pilot and is probably running a chit show, tell the DZO what happened and if he doesn't get on it, go to that last site I posted and look for a new job, also get on the facebook group and seek guidance on there.
Next, ALWAYS carry a big hook knife up front with you.
Sounds like elementary questions coming from a C-ASEL certificated pilot. Kinda wonder if you actually hold that level of certificate.
Yeah, not really bud, some of it is elementary, but proper DZ engine management isn't much like anything most non DZ pilots experience.
To the OP, you're really better off asking your questions on one of the sites I posted vs asking a bunch of weekend Bo and Cirrus drivers how to be a new jump pilot.