Jim has a discussion with the Seaplane Pilots Association regarding Safety and The North Star Practices.

 

What Can Be Done To Reduce Seaplane Accidents? Quickly and easily listen to Water Flying for free! player.captivate.fm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recent discussion we had with the fine folks at Seaplane Pilots Association regarding Floatplane Safety-click on the link below!

 

Podcast#1c62f7d56-691f-44a2-b2ce-6033158a8b92

 

 

Recently, we had our first winner to the website’s photo contest-Dale Floyd owner of Coast Dog Aviation. Dale’s AMO is located at the Pitt Meadows Regional Airport-CYPK. We thought that a feature interview on the monthly photo contest winner would be a great idea. What better way than showing off those that are an active member of the aviation community; then doing a feature article? 

 

NSP: Dale, what is it about aviation that got you started in this industry?

 

Dale: I fell into it quite by accident, I had some buddies that dragged me to Air Cadets in Nanaimo and before you knew it I was on my way to a Gliding Scholarship and it all kind of flowed from there. 

 

NSP: Where did you get your start with all thing’s aviation related?

 

Dale:  As I was saying, it really all started because of the Air Cadets.  I got my Glider and Private pilots licences there and ended up working on airplanes to pay for my commercial licence which ended with me having both the Pilot and AME abilities. 

 

NSP: Do you do much flying yourself?

 

Dale: At various times I have flown full time but now with Coast Dog, I just do some recreational and a very little bit of commercial flying.  I average about 200 hours a year these days. 

 

NSP: Where do you think the industry will be in a few years, particularly with regards to the affect the recent Covid-19 has had on the industry?

 

Dale: Wow, that is a tough question to answer.  I really wish I had a crystal ball to see.  I’m hoping we can rebound fairly quickly and get the industry back on it’s feet before there is too much damage done to it. 

 

NSP: As an AME and with the years you have spent working on aircraft, what would you say (regarding the industry) needs fixing the most?  

 

Dale: I think we all have to stop the race to the bottom.  I’ve seen it with air services and with maintenance shops where they will undercut the competition to get the work.  All that does is make it so we cannot pay our employees what they deserve, have proper facilities and equipment and gives out the expectation that we are willing to cut rates which becomes an expectation.  It really lowers our value. 

 

NSP: Do you like what you are doing, or would you like sometimes to just drop your wrenches and pick up a set of golf clubs? Can you give us an example? 

 

Dale: I don’t think I can ever completely stop working.  I can see myself slowing down a bit and taking more time for myself but I think I’ll always be doing something with airplanes.  It just may be phone calls between fishing trips in the Baja… 

 

NSP: What in your opinion is the one thing that you would like to see taught to pilots that is lacking when it comes to dealing with maintenance issues?

 

Dale: Familiarity with their airplanes.  As a Pilot/Engineer I really see the need for young pilots to come into the hangar and learn how their airplanes work, how to help out maintenance by giving them the information they need to troubleshoot a snag.  Maybe, even gain a bit of respect for the people who keep them safe. 

 

NSP: Do you think that there needs to be a push throughout the industry for a program like the NSP and if so why?

 

Dale: Safety is always important.  Anyway, we can make our industry safer should be encouraged. 

 

NSP: Do you have a funny story regarding a flight or pilot or a maintenance event that you can share with us?

 

Dale:  Well, this one kind of involves being both.  I was out in Ontario flying for a tourist outfitter and we had a fair number of airplanes.  I was primarily flying but also helping out as the second AME.  Our Chief Engineer was down at the base I was flying out of and we had been doing some work on one of the Beavers and decided we should go for a quick test flight.  Being that the right side was on the dock, I climbed into the pilot seat and he pushed us off the dock.  As I was starting the airplane he was climbing in through it and managed to kick off the front door (no safety pins) into the lake.  Before I knew it he had jumped into the lake to try and save the door which is a fairly expensive item and it’s a bit drafty without one.  He was a good dedicated man and with his coveralls, work boots and inability to swim, his biggest concern was the door.  By the time I got the airplane turned around and the engine shut off, he was floundering quite badly.  He was shouting at our boss who was standing on the dock to get the door and starting to panic a bit screaming that he couldn’t swim.  It was amazing how his biggest concern though was the door and he was thrashing pretty good but never letting go of it.  I’m sure he thought he was going to drown.  Suddenly the boss starts laughing and says, “Try standing up dumbass!”  which was made even funnier when the unnamed engineer stopped thrashing, stood up and realized it was only chest deep!  Lots of laughs, a reinstalled door and away we went on our test flight. 

 

 We thank Dale for participating in this the first, of hopefully many interviews from AME’s, pilots and those folks who are related to this industry. We look forward to interviewing and posting next month’s photo Contest winner!