OCEAN AIR “Bry the Dunker Guy”
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Bry the Dunker Guy
Well boys and girls it is that time again when we head out to the airport and dust off those wonderful flying machines then assess the wrath winter has subjected to our prised possession, especially if they were outside in the elements.
Now that our hangar is cleaned up the aircraft washed and ready to go what about the pilot. Where do we stand in that equation for being dusted off and ready to go?
Have we reviewed the POH or are you planning to get some dual since it has been six months since you last took to the skies. My advice would be to consider hiring a current and experienced individual especially if you’re waiting for the ice to clear and heading out on floats.
Here on the BC coast we rarely have to worry about situations such as ice unless our flight plan includes a high level lake somewhere, thus we tend to stay current year round on floats.
For those of us in Northern Saskatchewan or many other locations in Canada this is not the case which is why it may be advisable to seek out an expert to not only get the rust off, but maybe teach you a few new tricks.
Dave Budd at Ocean Air located in Victoria BC may be one of your options for an experienced float operator depending on your postal code and here is his story.
Nothing is better than flying low level over top the Pacific through our Islands and Fjords of Coastal BC. The views here mixed with the wild life which makes for the best flying that I can imagine!
Making a living moving the people who reside on the countless Islands to and from their country homes plus enthusiastic tourists with their smiles from our unbelievable views and fantastic lifestyles validates the long hours and the occasional difficult day. I also train pilots on how to fly floatplanes not just the seaplane rating but also advanced floatplane techniques and procedures including low level flight ops, reduced visibility high winds and inclement weather. I also am sure to include safety in every aspect of flight. It is easy to forget at times that this dreamy job can quickly become a nightmare if the aircraft and the weather conditions are not treated with respect.
Over the years I have met pilots who have been involved in accidents of all sorts from hangar benders to full on ditch in the water with an inverted aircraft. Some of these stories are truly heartbreaking and others are stories where training preparedness and some aspect of luck have all come together to a great ending. Training and preparedness that is what safe flying is really all about! As we know, accidents come from a chain of events and it is our job as pilots to be sure that there is no chain to start with.
As an instructor, I feel that it is my job to teach safety into every part of flying from a thorough walk around to understanding how life jackets work and are put on, to how to get out of an inverted aircraft. Egress training saves lives and it’s not just for float pilots and passengers but for anyone who flies over water. Then like all training practice, practice, practice and consider scenarios and how would I react. Why do IFR pilots in two crew call out engine out procedures before the take-off roll… repetition and consideration makes for safety.
Remember to keep up to date on your recurrent training and think: how can I make this safer for me and my passengers? Don’t skip out on briefings as well be sure everyone has training on how to get the doors open, how to get their seatbelt unlatched and to exit the aircraft. When it comes to practice for over the water pilots take Egress training! All of the major (and most smaller) commercial coastal operators have their pilots take it because it saves lives. Practical experience and knowledge of how to get yourself and everyone out safely is the key to a great ending when seconds count. As well we are out there to enjoy and to mitigate risk.
For floatplane training contact David Budd Chief Pilot for Ocean Air Floatplanes at Victoria, BC. 250-655-1144 www.oceanair.ca
Bryan Webster has been flying commercially since the mid 70”s all over Canada in 35 different aircraft types on wheels, skies and floats with over 11.000 hours.
He also owns and operates Aviation Egress Systems offering Egress Training to pilots and their passengers all over Canada .
For further information contact Bry The Dunker Guy 250-704-6401 www.dunkyou.com