Search found 158 matches

by tractor driver
Wed May 03, 2023 5:20 am
Forum: Bush Flying & Specialty Air Service
Topic: Electric Float Pump
Replies: 6
Views: 1928

Re: Electric Float Pump

Many amphibious floats, ie. Wipline 10000 on the FireBoss, etc., have electric bilge pumps. Operated automatically by “ water in float” sensors. I once flew a PA-20 on Edo 2000’s that had windshield washer motors installed in each compartment. Looked kind of funny watching the water stream out as pa...
by tractor driver
Fri Apr 21, 2023 10:30 am
Forum: Flight Training
Topic: Easy on the throttle!
Replies: 18
Views: 1187

Re: Easy on the throttle!

Agree 100% on the smooth power application. So many reasons why to do it. Back in the day, when training in carbureted trainers such as 150’s, Cubs, etc., without accelerator pumps, a sudden jamb of the throttle could bring more excitement than desired. Particularly in overshoots, climb outs from si...
by tractor driver
Wed Jun 22, 2022 10:51 am
Forum: General Comments
Topic: Fire suppression
Replies: 7
Views: 1278

Re: Fire suppression

93 day contract in NWT. Colour coded alert system. Green = day off, blue 1 hr to dispatch, yellow 30 minutes, red 5.
Not a heavy schedule usually. Last year we did 150 hrs. This year probably not so much. Great job with great folks. People usually pretty happy to see you when you show up.
by tractor driver
Sat Mar 05, 2022 7:31 am
Forum: Bush Flying & Specialty Air Service
Topic: Otters on wheels
Replies: 4
Views: 4124

Re: Otters on wheels

In a previous life I was a training captain on Turbo Otters, floats,wheels, wheel skis. All the pilots I trained had previous Otter experience, mostly on floats. Handling the airplane was usually not that difficult, as the Otter is pretty slow and forgiving. A little counterintuitive for the float g...
by tractor driver
Mon Jan 31, 2022 2:53 pm
Forum: General Comments
Topic: Avgas in PT6
Replies: 29
Views: 10827

Re: Avgas in PT6

Almost all PT6’s can burn a variety of fuels, but not all.
Our -67F variants are finicky that way. No avgas.
by tractor driver
Fri Jan 14, 2022 2:03 pm
Forum: Bush Flying & Specialty Air Service
Topic: Winter ski operating temps
Replies: 13
Views: 4201

Re: Winter ski operating temps

Some great points being made here. As previously mentioned, flat light conditions can be a problem. I found yellow tinted glasses ( like the skiers use) helps to define the surface irregularities. Simple safety or shooting glasses are easy to wear.
G
by tractor driver
Mon Nov 22, 2021 8:57 pm
Forum: General Comments
Topic: Gear for moving and working up north?
Replies: 27
Views: 5462

Re: Gear for moving and working up north?

When I was hauling fuel and handling pumps and hoses in NWO, Helly Hanson was the way to go. Dress the same way as the construction and hydro crews. When I flying passengers in Labrador, my CG snowmantra was the best. Always there when I needed it, easy on and off whenever required.
by tractor driver
Sun Nov 14, 2021 7:09 am
Forum: General Comments
Topic: Fate is the hunter
Replies: 7
Views: 9271

Re: Fate is the hunter

Required reading.
I’m fortunate enough to have an original 1st edition in the collection, along with 14 others of his works.
Arguably one of the best aviation books ever written imho.
G
by tractor driver
Fri Sep 17, 2021 8:28 am
Forum: General Comments
Topic: C-130 Seaplane
Replies: 4
Views: 1259

Re: C-130 Seaplane

Years ago, while at Wipaire in S. St Paul, Minnesota, I saw a set of engineering drawings for a C-130 on amphibious floats. Not sure how far it progressed from there.
by tractor driver
Mon Aug 30, 2021 8:32 am
Forum: Accidents, Incidents & Overdue Aircraft
Topic: Northwestern Air Lease Turbine Otter Flips Over
Replies: 18
Views: 5112

Re: Northwestern Air Lease Turbine Otter Flips Over

Good point regarding winter operations. We don’t do much of that in the firefighting world. Had the water rudders freeze up countless times in previous cold weather straight float operations, makes sense consideration should be given to the amphibious gear.
by tractor driver
Mon Aug 30, 2021 8:05 am
Forum: Bush Flying & Specialty Air Service
Topic: Birddogs & AC690's
Replies: 6
Views: 4274

Re: Birddogs & AC690's

We use Turbo Commanders for the fast planes ( Electras), and King Air 100’s for the slower one. ( Fireboss, CL-215). Both are good for bird dogging, administration flights, and ferry with the engineers and spare parts for base changes.
by tractor driver
Sun Aug 29, 2021 7:54 am
Forum: Accidents, Incidents & Overdue Aircraft
Topic: Northwestern Air Lease Turbine Otter Flips Over
Replies: 18
Views: 5112

Re: Northwestern Air Lease Turbine Otter Flips Over

That’s the way we do it. ( retract every departure). In addition to gear check every landing/ circuit/ scoop, and a group radio call at the 1st water landing, and end of the fuel cycle back at the airport.
Doesn’t feel excessive at all, and so far so good.
G
by tractor driver
Tue Aug 17, 2021 7:24 am
Forum: Accidents, Incidents & Overdue Aircraft
Topic: Thunder Bay airport accident
Replies: 66
Views: 16222

Re: Thunder Bay airport accident

We worked with those guys this summer. Top notch crew.
RIP
by tractor driver
Thu Aug 12, 2021 4:00 pm
Forum: General Comments
Topic: Pilot check out
Replies: 23
Views: 2699

Re: Pilot check out

Not sure what a seaplane amphibious rating is. I’ve done numerous insurance check outs over the years on amphibious float equipped airplanes with pilots far more experienced than I. Sometimes you had to wonder about the rationale. Always a pleasure to meet and fly with an aviator starting out on a n...
by tractor driver
Mon May 10, 2021 7:32 am
Forum: Accidents, Incidents & Overdue Aircraft
Topic: OMNR Tanker gear up
Replies: 87
Views: 10902

Re: OMNR Tanker gear up

During initial Fireboss training by Wipaire (the manufacturer), we were trained to verify gear position 3x on each landing or scoop. So far so good, definitely a show stopper if missed.
by tractor driver
Fri Apr 02, 2021 5:40 am
Forum: Flight Training
Topic: North Western Ontario flight training
Replies: 3
Views: 1088

Re: North Western Ontario flight training

Harv’s Air in Steinbach, and KBM in Thunder Bay are similar distances. Other than a freelance instructor, I believe those are your closest options.
by tractor driver
Sat Jan 09, 2021 7:16 pm
Forum: Accidents, Incidents & Overdue Aircraft
Topic: Check That Control Stick Attachment
Replies: 13
Views: 1393

Re: Check That Control Stick Attachment

Had a similar incident years ago in a J-3. While training a student, had the rear stick come off in my hands. The “ through” bolt was installed and secure, giving the impression the stick was appropriately attached. However, the stick was turned such that the bolt wasn’t connecting with the lower re...
by tractor driver
Fri Dec 25, 2020 1:20 am
Forum: General Comments
Topic: The Shepherd
Replies: 7
Views: 1081

Re: The Shepherd

Like many, I’m out of the country, and away from family, carrying on the flying career this season.This was just the peaceful reflection needed.
Thank you, Merry Christmas.
G
by tractor driver
Mon Oct 26, 2020 12:34 pm
Forum: General Comments
Topic: Dr. Lower Passed Away - Thunder Bay
Replies: 9
Views: 1727

Re: Dr. Lower Passed Away - Thunder Bay

A better man would be hard to find. Did my medical for 35+ years. Through all that time I was fortunate enough to consider him a friend. The photo of him wearing the jacket given by the OPP Aviation Services in his obit was taken at his retirement party held in a hangar in yqt, attended by any aviat...
by tractor driver
Thu Oct 08, 2020 9:20 am
Forum: Accidents, Incidents & Overdue Aircraft
Topic: Plane takes off with concrete tie down attached in Kelowna.
Replies: 26
Views: 4820

Re: Plane takes off with concrete tie down attached in Kelowna.

Know of a few such incidents over the years. The Cherokee in YQT was a rushed departure by a friend. Thankfully ATC noticed during taxi. Amazingly, according to the pilot,it was not noticeable. Another friend was in YPL with a Turbo Otter on skis. Got airborne with a cement filled tire attached to t...

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