Funky,
All good advice - mingling and showing your face (and enthusiasm) is definitely the way to go. As already noted on this thread, sub 500hrs will probably cost the operator a lot extra in insurance premiums. Some may offset this by asking you to put a bit of cash towards your ticket (BPA certified skydive pilot permit).
Skydive piloting is a fairly ballsy thing to do. Running in at 80kts at FL100, trying to hold a straight line and control pitch while you have guys shifting around in the back is interesting to say the least. Weather wise - there may be a nice blue sky hole over the DZ, but all around might be multiple cloud layers, summer CU etc...punching through some of that in a small GA aircraft can concentrate the mind. A few DZ's tend to operate off fairly small grass strips too. Lots of pressure to get the job done (safely of course) so great experience if not challenging at times.
Best of luck and fly safe.
