400 Hrs needed for Para Dropping!!!

[MattDavey23]

I'll be taking the last (hopefully) of my ATPL exams in August and I still need to build quite a few hours before starting the CPL Course.

I gave my local Skysports Centre a call, as I heard they were short of pilots for parachute dropping, and to my amazement they told me I would need a minimum of 400hrs to meet their insurance criteria.

This has taken me a little by surprise. Anyone else with similar experiences.

Matt

PS. Anyone with other novel ways of hour building without the cost? Hey, it's always worth asking!!!

[Whispering Giant]

Matt - this is not uncommen, for glider towing you will need approx 300 hrs total and approx 100hrs of tailwheel experience - again this is due to insurance requirements.

Hang in there - best of luck with yr exams - my last load of exams are in june...

[Go-Around]

Hi,
I got a glider towing job straight after my IR, with 220 odd hours, and no tailwheel rating.
I was also offered a paradropping position but the guy wanted me to pay for my own training so I turned it down.
Look around, not everyone requires hundreds of hours.
Good luck,
GA

[Pin Head]

called experience mate, something that generall money can't directly buy.

[Go-Around]

Pin Head,
I know lots of places where money can buy you as much "experience" as you can afford. They're called flying clubs, and you can even buy "experience" on jets now, as much line training as your fat wallet can handle!
Or have I missed something?

[askyoda]

A lot of GA outfits will have 300 hour or so insurance requirements, but if an outfit needs pilots they can always add you as a named pilot on the insurance, might cost a bit extra though. It all comes down to supply and demand. If you can make them want to hire you by being keen and going down and visiting them a few times in person it is possible to get around these stumbling blocks. Just depends how badly you are motivated, could be some fun flying if you make it in.

[Onan the Clumsy]

I probably had a little less than 400hrs when I started it, as I'd done some freelance instructing. I had about 500 jumps though so that helped and I knew the bloke who owned the airplane. It was a good way to build time as well.

Skydiving can still be an outlaw sport over here, though there are many turbine equipped big businesses as well. I heard of someone who flew jumpers on a student license - till he got caught of course.

Instructing is perhaps the best though as "the best way to learn is to teach", though you need to have teaching skills as well as flying skills.

Here's an idea. why not get a glider rating, maybe take it to Glider Instructor. That'll give you chance to get to know the people and the operation. Let 'em know that someday you'd like to tow. They'd probably way rather have someone they know with lowish time than someone off the street with mid time.

Life is all about being in the right place at the right time, but you can help it along a little.

Good luck

[Wireless]

I must add to the comments regarding minimum hours for towing:

I had 100 hours tt when I started a full time tuggy job. That year I applied to 4 airfields who needed tuggies (pre 9/11). All of them said that there was no minimum hours requirment. I started on a 180hp Super Cub. I did move onto the Pawnee 235 which required 100 hours P1. This is not unusual for that type. The main reason is due to the fact that it is a single seater with a lot of power so there is no chance of a conversion (first flight is your first solo).

In times when there is a lot of Pilots around I do think that para centres and glider sites might use the insurance requirement excuse as a way of trying to get Pilots with as many hours as possible

Bill

[Cypher]

I've just started para-drop operations, it took me 3 attempts to get in, but finally made it. And it's only a casual job at this stage.

Got in with 560 hours, 60 hours on C206 Turbo, which is what made the boss sit and up and take notice. Also did a parachute jump myself, as it is a requirement at this place. Had a great jump and plan to continue onto an A-License (lowest) parachute license.

Try doing a parachute course, like static line to show your interested if your really want to go parachute dropping. The boss gets heaps of CVs sent in to him, and so far I've seen every one of them binned.

[BN2A]

Needed 250 hours P1 multi engine before I was allowed to do paradropping... Built that up by flying heavy pax jets!!!
Now that WAS an expensive way of doing it!!

Para centres have high hour insurance requirements for their own benefit... They save money!!

Would recommend jumping as well, definitely.. For it's own benefits!!