Otter door open on takeoff

[HeatherB 0]

I've only been to one DZ so far, Spaceland, that takes off with their Otter door wide-open. I forgot to ask a local why they do it that way.

[bodypilot1 0]

Quote

Maybe the pilots should have a button in the cockpit to lock the door from being opened by anyone on the aircraft until he releases that lock. Sort of like those child safety locks in automobiles. Sounds like a damn good idea to me. Although I guess... that COULD be dangerous in a way. If.. I don't know the pilot passes out or.. has a heartattack during flight. Well even then they could just put the button where someone could get to it easily, but the pilot could smack their hand if he doesn't want them touching it. :)

An Otter pilot has their hands full when they lose a motor. The last thing they want to worry about is pushing a button to release the door when they need to lighten the load.........


Be safe
Ed

www.WestCoastWingsuits.com
www.PrecisionSkydiving.com

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

Maybe the pilots should have a button in the cockpit to lock the door from .......the pilot could smack their hand if he doesn't want them touching it. :)

FWIW, I caught your sarcasm. And thought it well done.

Best to take it over the top more. Try this "Maybe everyone should just have permanent main parachute AADs that deploy us at specific alititudes and separation. A qualified and trained FAA rep could even put each person out on each pass and another could operate these remote opening devices in conjunction with GPS units on each rig too. In fact, this would be much safer as we could just throw the rigs out without jumpers and watch them opening at government approved separation and spacing guidlines. Further, out of work air traffic controllers would have alternate career paths this way. Skydiving would then be participatory as bunch of yahoos safely riding around in 4 wheelers chasing down their rigs on the ground."

Sounds like a damn good idea to me.

Please, someone tell me this sounds too complicated.

Edit: If a smart pilot wants the door completely closed to some specific altitude, and some jumper is belligerant about it. Then he has every right to kick the asshole off the plane. (your "button" already exists, it is on the end of the pilot's boot - or in the case of our pilot, his fully exposed and ventilated big toe)

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[wmw999 2,544]

Quote

takes off with their Otter door wide-open. I forgot to ask a local why they do it that way

Because they do, and because it's hot. As far as I can tell, at least. A lot of the DZ elders go back to the days before Otters had doors, and Spaceland and its predecessor (a different Spaceland) have had Otters since the 1970's.

One approach to giving the pilot more control would be to add a third, maybe blue, light. When the blue light is on, the door is to be shut. Right now the door is opened on jump run when the red light comes on; it wouldn't be that hard to add a blue light to the mix.

That way the pilot can indicate when he's ready to have the door open. And if things are going to shit quickly, there's a way for jumpers to get out anyway.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[JohanW 0]

It sounds too complicated. You're welcome.

And please consider equipping the 4-wheelers with airbags, seatbelts, helmets &c. It just wouldn't be safe without.

I have difficulty imagining the things the, by then very bored, skydivers might do with the quads anyway

Johan.
I am. I think.