Fly with dog.

[Killa]

Just a curiosity as i'm currently studying for a PPL.
Is it possible to bring your own dog in a small plane after obtaining a PPL?
Anybody tried bringing the wife and the dog on vacation in your own plane? I assume it's better to own a plane for this kind of adventure and I'm sure you need some sort of cage for the dog if it's even possible. Size might matter, in my case it's a German Shepherd Dog, he's already been in a big airliner, I wonder if i'll be able to bring him for a couple of flights after i obtain my licenses.

[trey kule]

I used to fly with my dogs all the time. You can rig up a harness to attach to the seat belts so that they wont bounce around in turbulence. Many years ago, flew sled dogs ..no harnesses...used a little negative g, then a little positive g when they got to fighting in the back.

[200hr Wonder]

The one thing I can say is start small, 1 circuit to see how he will react. A 100# dog unhappy and moving around in a small plane could cause some C of G issues.

[twotterflogger]

I used to bring my pooch flying with me a few years back. (He logged over 300 hours on skis, floats and wheels. No problems since it was my aircraft, and all the local airport staff loved my little aviator. Remember to keep him/her on a leach, as TC does have some laws pertaining to animals running around the apron.
My suggestion would be to bring your pet to the aircraft and see what the reaction is. Then start it up and again see if the pooch is happy, or thrown off by the noise. Taxi for a bit, and if all is good, take him/her around the patch for a circuit...
Have fun!

[SkyWolfe]

Wheres that video with the cat???

[lilfssister]

Here you go Wolfie!


http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopi ... 49&t=39806

[200hr Wonder]

And for the love of god don't do this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN77b9DqEbc

[Killa]

Cool! Thanks for the tips. That video with the cat is amazing!

[bater]

And if it's the noise that bothers him, could give these a try : http://www.safeandsoundpets.com/index.html

[Pugster]

That cat is a Bengal - they're a pretty expensive little feline but they are really, really good animals.

My brother has one and she talks back, and is insanely intelligent. They even like water...go figure.

[just curious]

You can PM flybabe about a headset for your dog.

[Uncle Leo]

I flew with "I am birddog" if that helps. He was quite misbehaved, slipped out of his harness more than once and made a mess under the co-pilot's seat. Worst mile-high trip ever.

[Hedley]

Worst mile-high trip ever

Were you the man or woman on that trip?

(trying to keep it PG for the young'uns and easily offended)

[Rowdy]

I'm bettin Leo catches

[snoopy]

My first dog - a Shepherd by the way - got her first flight when she was just under a year old. I rented a C-172 for the adventure, planning that at best case scenario, we would make it to the beach at Tofino, at worst, any one or more of start-up, taxi and maybe a runup. I gave her something to chew and since she was well used to riding in the back seat of my car, she climbed into the back seat of the a/c without question. The trick is no pressure, take as many tries as you need - and make it fun for them.

I made it through a runup, and taxiied to the runway. When I looked back, she was contentedly chewing away on her treat, so I took off. By the second circuit, she had finished her chew and sat up to look out the window. I don't think she quite knew what to make of it so she lay back down, looking perplexed. We made it to Tofino for a fun day at the beach...

That dog travelled with me everywhere, and in most airplanes I ever flew. The only aircraft she really disliked was the C-185. I felt bad about the noise in the Otter... I'd like to try a set of those dog ear protectors for my new dog (also a Shepherd).

She always flew in the back of whatever airplane, on a bed or stack of blankets - never tried to climb in the front. Believe me when I say that dog had some very interesting adventure in airplanes. I even took her down to the Caribbean one winter when I took a flying job there - I had less than three days to get her used to a kennel and toss her in the jet. That was pretty traumatic for her, but she was very resilient and got over it. Most of all she was happy to tag along.

Unfortunately I lost my faithful companion last spring to cancer and old age, but I am happy to report that my newly adopted Shepherd got her first flight test last year (at age 3ish) and passed with "flying" colours. Again, not much time to prepare, but we practiced climbing up the ramp into the airplane (Beech 18 floatplane) several times before the real deal. Pretty good for a dog that was afraid of docks when I got her - she loves to stand in the water, but doesn't appear to swim.

To her, it was just another car - rather unfortunate as she is obsessed with my car.

Anyway, always always take the dog! More than anything they want to be with their humans, and included in their adventures....

Good luck - and take lots of pictures...

Cheers,
Snoopy

[Doc]

I feel for you Snoop. I'm a cat person. But I did have a Shepherd who joined me on many a revenue trip on the Caravan. He'd sniff all the passengers, and check out all the cargo. Seemed to really enjoy flying. Great company at the Airlane Hotel in YWG! An absolute "friend" till the end. I really want another.....Shepherd. After you've had one of these, other dogs just don't "cut it".

[BoostedNihilist]

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