I wouldn't get on that thing WITHOUT a parachute... I can't quite put my finger on it, but something about that plane just doesn't look like it belongs in the sky.
All that vertical space is wasted. What you would want to do is build about three levels of decking inside there, and then do mass exits where all three levels are running out simultaneously. Now THAT would be a cool exit.
All that vertical space is wasted. What you would want to do is build about three levels of decking inside there, and then do mass exits where all three levels are running out simultaneously. Now THAT would be a cool exit.
The ideal jump-plane has not been built yet. We need to convince FEDEX, UPS, DHL, etc that they need a single-engined (stinking big PT-6A engine) airplane that can operate from 2,000 foot long airstrips, climb like stink, etc. High wing. Fixed gear. Single pilot. A high horizontal tail would minimize the risk of wing-suiters denting it. Fueling should be low-pressure, done by a guy standing on the asphalt, well away from spinning propeller(s). but the key is a short container six feet tall (2 metres) by 8 feet wide (2 metres) that rolls out the back. Once the last container has been off-loaded on Friday evening, it should be a simple matter to clip in fabric seats and belts. The container should also be fairly short, so short that compressing an 8-way by the ramp hinge will not un-balance the airplane. The other reason for limiting it to a short container would be to limit to ten or a dozen skydivers. Any more than that and you slow down turn-arounds. Nothing worse than having eleven people dirt-dived, but waiting for the last person to finish packing, return from lunch, apply make-up, etc. A comparatively small airplane also allows individual tandem instructors to do the dozen jumps per day that they need to make a living.
They had 2 at the '84 Herd boogie. They managed to bang them together parking them so only one actually flew at the boogie. Actually had pilots that wore their uniforms while flying jumpers! If I recall the doors on the Otters were a little wider so they were more the favorite at the boogie.
Not ideal, but I always wanted to jump an ATR, although I am sure they are not approved for open or removed door flight, and climbing out that tiny rear door would almost require an acrobat...
All that vertical space is wasted. What you would want to do is build about three levels of decking inside there, and then do mass exits where all three levels are running out simultaneously. Now THAT would be a cool exit.
Hi John - Blackburn Beverley was a paratrooper jump ship with essentially that layout. Sadly none left flying though.
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