Flying with the dogs....

[AggieMike88]

I flew another Pilots-n-Paws mission to Tulsa and back to pick up a Chesapeake Retriever today.

She started off in the rear seat with another dog when I loaded them, both on harnesses clipped through seat belt. Checked on her after reaching cruise and getting switched from Departure to Center....

Didn't expect to for her to slip her harness and think this was a better spot to enjoy the airplane ride...

 

[AggieMike88]

From the other side...

 

[AggieMike88]

Her seat mate was much more relaxed...

 

[N801BH]

Good on you for saving these , and all the other four legged friends...

 

[timwinters]

I had a Chessy when we had our first farm. Best dog I ever had. But you best have LOTS of room for it to run. You could not wear that dog out.

I'd go on multiple day fishing canoe trips. I'd float about 8 miles a day, he'd swim about 20. I kept a pile of racquet balls under my seat and I'd throw them in the opposite direction from where I wanted to fish. He'd swim to them and bring them back...for 8 freakin' hours! Then I'd throw the ball into the water for him to fetch all night as we sat at our gravel bar camp sipping on suds.

"Wide open" was his middle name but he was a wonderfully loyal and affectionate dog.

That looks like a good lookin' Chessy! Good on you for doing another trip, Mike!

 

[pilot_dude]

Good on you and for them!

 

[eman1200]

Aggie, do u have any method to which 'mission' you choose to go on? I mean, other than how far you're willing to travel, but are there certain people/rescues you prefer to work with or not to work with? thanks!

 

[AggieMike88]

Aggie, do u have any method to which 'mission' you choose to go on? I mean, other than how far you're willing to travel, but are there certain people/rescues you prefer to work with or not to work with? thanks!

Prefer "Mike"

PnP is just the medium to connect the folks that request transport to those who can execute the transports. And you can totally pick and choose which requests to respond to.

I choose to stay within a 200nm radius since that keeps each leg about 1.5 hrs. But there is one rescue (MountainPetRescue.org) that I'll do a 2.5 Denton to Liberal, KS or Borger, TX for. And mostly because they are a very well organized group and have their act together when it comes to organizing transports.

Most requests are a long enough distance that multiple legs are needed. When a request comes up that fits my "territory", I respond saying that I'm based in the DFW area, can do a trip from point A & B, can do it on this day or weekend, VFR and joint owned (I have to schedule aircraft and be considerate of others in the club).

Typically when other pilots start responding, a chain of pilots can be figured out by said pilots. And usually the good coordinators let this happen or will assist. There are a few that will try to micro-manage, but these are quickly identified and you can elect not to work with them.

Once the chain starts to develop, the conversation frequently shifts to email to work out the details, share contact info, dates/times of the link-ups, etc.

For the actual transport, I make sure I have a few harnesses, leads, and blankets on board. And I also bring the names and cell #'s of the folks at both ends. Oh and a camera. Crates are not always needed for the dogs, but recommended for some, and for sure with the cats. For a higher energy dog, I have a soft sided collapsable kennel that fits into the baggage compartment of the C182. This works well to keep the dog contained, and once loaded in there, it calms down very quickly.

I am at the stage of my flying where I want to build more hours, especially PIC time. And turning laps in the pattern, or just simple short out and backs are getting old. Doing these missions really fits the bill since I'm going to new airports, exercising my pilot skills of "precise" flying, and I get to meet some really nice people who are the rescuers. Once and a while I meet the folk adopting the dogs and they are super appreciative. And I'm happy that I get to help save a pet's life.

If you have the capacity to participate in the Pilots-n-Paws effort, I highly recommend it.

 

[AggieMike88]

I forgot to add, I also volunteer to foster dogs for a short period. Currently, I don't have a dog of my own (working toward that) so this gives me a chance to get to know some great dogs and pass on behavior information to the rescue or adopter.

 

[eman1200]

Great info, thanks! And 'Mike' it is!

I'm actually battling with the place I rent from, they won't allow pets in the plane and I'm pretty ticked off about it.

Prefer "Mike"

PnP is just the medium to connect the folks that request transport to those who can execute the transports. And you can totally pick and choose which requests to respond to.

I choose to stay within a 200nm radius since that keeps each leg about 1.5 hrs. But there is one rescue (MountainPetRescue.org) that I'll do a 2.5 Denton to Liberal, KS or Borger, TX for. And mostly because they are a very well organized group and have their act together when it comes to organizing transports.

Most requests are a long enough distance that multiple legs are needed. When a request comes up that fits my "territory", I respond saying that I'm based in the DFW area, can do a trip from point A & B, can do it on this day or weekend, VFR and joint owned (I have to schedule aircraft and be considerate of others in the club).

Typically when other pilots start responding, a chain of pilots can be figured out by said pilots. And usually the good coordinators let this happen or will assist. There are a few that will try to micro-manage, but these are quickly identified and you can elect not to work with them.

Once the chain starts to develop, the conversation frequently shifts to email to work out the details, share contact info, dates/times of the link-ups, etc.

For the actual transport, I make sure I have a few harnesses, leads, and blankets on board. And I also bring the names and cell #'s of the folks at both ends. Oh and a camera. Crates are not always needed for the dogs, but recommended for some, and for sure with the cats. For a higher energy dog, I have a soft sided collapsable kennel that fits into the baggage compartment of the C182. This works well to keep the dog contained, and once loaded in there, it calms down very quickly.

I am at the stage of my flying where I want to build more hours, especially PIC time. And turning laps in the pattern, or just simple short out and backs are getting old. Doing these missions really fits the bill since I'm going to new airports, exercising my pilot skills of "precise" flying, and I get to meet some really nice people who are the rescuers. Once and a while I meet the folk adopting the dogs and they are super appreciative. And I'm happy that I get to help save a pet's life.

If you have the capacity to participate in the Pilots-n-Paws effort, I highly recommend it.

 

[timwinters]

Well, I have a little different strategy than Mike in determining where/when I'll fly dogs.

The main determinant for me is how cute the rescuer is. For example, I've flown numerous flight to this airport/rescuer:

But, then we all strike out occasionally. I once flew a dog all the way to the Dayton OH area and was met my Tim Myers!

 

[tmyers]

Hmmmm have you checked out a mirror lately Mr Winters???

 

[timwinters]

Hmmmm have you checked out a mirror lately Mr Winters???

I already broke them all. Ignorance is bliss donchaknow. :wink2:

 

[BrianR]

Great info, thanks! And 'Mike' it is!

I'm actually battling with the place I rent from, they won't allow pets in the plane and I'm pretty ticked off about it.

Have you tried speaking with the owner to find out what concerns he/she might have? When I started flying the Mooney, I wanted to use it for a longer PnP trip. I normally take our club 182, but for this trip, the Mooney would have worked better.

The owner had a "no animal" policy. So I talked with him, explained how the dogs are always crated on my PnP transports, explained how I line the crate with towels, etc. Turns out he had recently refurbished the interior, and was just worried about loose dogs chewing or peeing. Once I explained how that wasn't really an issue, he had no problem with it.

 

[eman1200]

Have you tried speaking with the owner to find out what concerns he/she might have? When I started flying the Mooney, I wanted to use it for a longer PnP trip. I normally take our club 182, but for this trip, the Mooney would have worked better.

The owner had a "no animal" policy. So I talked with him, explained how the dogs are always crated on my PnP transports, explained how I line the crate with towels, etc. Turns out he had recently refurbished the interior, and was just worried about loose dogs chewing or peeing. Once I explained how that wasn't really an issue, he had no problem with it.

yup, sure did. I outlined all the precautions I would take and how I would return the plane cleaner than when I got it. he said he has a renter who is alergic. I claim BS, but what can I do.