Have any pilots ever tried taking their dog on small airplane?

Question

I'm a single engine pilot and I'd like to start taking my 9 month old dog on my small airplane to travel with me. I plan to put him in a kennel. I'm worried it might be too loud for him and he might freak out. Has anyone ever tried this and have any advice on if it is a good or bad idea?

Answer 1

Three.

Answer 2

even before the short flight - take him in the kennel into the plane a couple of times.  then sit in the plane with it running.see how he does.  then try a flight....

i had a friend get an old seat and use the mount points to securely attach a kennel.  (doberman)

GL

Answer 3

I heard of a story about a Cessna 172 loaded almost to maximum useful load. There was a labrador in the baggage compartment that started jumping on takeoff, causing the CG to shift aft and the airplane to stall at about 300 ft... There were no fatalities, only serious injuries I think. Be careful.

Answer 4

Dogs fly along all the time.

Answer 5

oh..... so cute!

i would go on a short flight with him first, with some one else driving and just see how s/he goes, s/he might really enjoy it

Answer 6

I have a little yellow mutt female who has flown with me regularly since she was 5 months old.  She is now 16 years, and almost ready for her first solo flight.  She is small.  Bigger than a Chihuahua, but stands less than a foot high.

She whines to be lifted into the seat, and waits expectantly for engine start and a takeoff.  People don't believe me when I tell them this, but though she loves every second of every flight, she does not like crosswind landings.  She curls up in a ball and covers her eyes with her paws if I start to crab on final.

The engine noise does not seem to bother her, and she is intelligent and well-behaved enough to stay in her seat during takeoffs and landings.  In flight she will put her paws up on the window ledge and watch the world go by.

She wears a halter for these jaunts, and I use two short straps to attach her halter to the seat belt attach points in the right seat.  I have an old fabric covered taildragger, and occasionally fly other airplanes.  Doggie prefers high wing airplanes so she can see out.

There are several other pilots around me who have flying dogs.  One guy carries his cocker-poo in his Ercoupe with him.  Lap size doggies like mine seem to fly better than larger dogs, and I suspect it's a matter of being able to curl up in the seat comfortably.  If you carry yours in a carrier, make sure he has room to turn around or lie down comfortably.

A couple of items of advice:

--Your pet will let you know whether it's a good idea or not.  Bring him to the airport with no particular expectations either way.  Let him see and hear airplanes landing and taking off.

--Get him near an airplane that is just starting up.  If he reacts fearfully to the engine noise, he may not be the right dog for this.

--Try a trial flight with someone else flying, so you can stroke and pet your dog, hold him in your lap, or whatever makes him feel safe while he gets used to the idea.

--If a dog adapts well to riding in a car, his chances of becoming a Junior Pilot will be better.

--I don't take Doggie along unless I am pretty sure it will be at least mostly smooth flying.  Bumpy days are not good for Junior Pilots.

--Never be surprised if a dog freaks out.  He may fly successfully 20 times and have a bad experience on the 21st flight.  So always be ready to change plans.

--I can absolutely guarantee you that he will eventually puke or lose control of one of the other orifices.  Always carry wet wipes, Ziploc bags, and a couple of old towels for cleaning up.  Maybe some Lysol spray, too.  If he is a well controlled dog it will not become a regular event.

But on the whole it can be a very good idea, and I wish both of you a happy flight.