2 Tandems out of C-182's.

[bclark 0]

Just thought I would query some fellow tandem I's as to their procedures when taking 2 tandem pairs out of C-182's. I prefer to have one tandem pair in the back of the plane ( student back to pilot seat, Tandem I in the back ) and the other tandem pair in front seated facing forward w/the Instructor next to the door and the student in front. The front tandem pair hooks up in a kneeling position and exits from there.

PROS: I get a better hookup in kneeling position and I have more awareness of aircraft position / spotting when I am on my knees and can see outside. I also have more freedom to check my handles, particularly the drogue when I am kneeling. I find it almost impossible to check my drogue handle sitting on my ass facing backwards with a student on my lap and the drogue jammed up against the hump with the fuel selecter on it. Also, facing forward in a kneeling position the Instructor in the back can see the back of my rig and make me aware of anything bad BEFORE I leave the airplane. I am much less likely to dislodge something on the reserve container or main container if I am not leaning against the dash. Also there is that pain in the ass procedure of trying to get your students legs past the rear end of the door if you are facing backwards.

CONS: Your students feet are near the rudder pedals on the co-pi side and you must brief them not to touch the rudder pedals. Hooking up on your knees is uncomfortable. Getting on to your knees from a seated position in a climbing attitude takes practice.

These are my thoughts, how about some of yours?

[AggieDave 6]

That's similar to our (SD Aggieland, aka Todd and myself) proceedure for 2 tandems out of one 182.

1TM in the back, student behind the pilot, that is one pair.

1TM sitting "student" with his back against the control panel, with the student sitting on his/her butt between the TM's legs, next to the door. (well, they're both next to the door.

The real downside to this is how wide the tandem rig is, it rubs on everything while sitting in the student position (back to the control panel). Especially when you get on your knees, you have to be VERY careful with your handles.

We always hook-up in a kneeling position, it really gives better hook ups and leaves us on our knees so it is easier to move about the cabin to get up to the door for exit.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[diablopilot 2]

I don't like the way you've stated if I've read it right. The TM in the back is ok, but how are you going to hook up the student in an emergency? Also The way AD mentions there is less movement by the TM durring hookup, the A/C's CG is furthur foward, and in the event of a forced landing the student won't have a 200lbs of TM AND a 55lbs rig comming at them.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[bclark 0]

Thanks, that is exactly the kind of feedback I am looking for. You are right, it would take more time to get hooked up in an emergency, but I don't think it will take any more time than it will take the pair in the back. They also have to get on their knees, and the student with their back to the pilots seat has to do a 180. Also there is that common occurence of having to fight the students feet out the door while sitting back to dash. I would guess that all things considered, it ends up being about sixes. On the CG issue, you are absolutely correct on that one. The CG is further aft. It has yet to present an issue in practice at our DZ, as our 182 is very nose heavy when empty. Not to say that it could not.

[diablopilot 2]

I guess its what you're comfortable with. I forgot to mention iwant the student infront of me where I can see them.....

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.