ddsprite 0 #1 August 23, 2002 Rantoul rocked! I got to go on my first (and second) raft dive. Thanks Hellfish! I liked it so much, I went out and got a 2 man raft. Only one problem.........I don't know how to launch it from an Otter. Ideas??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 5 #2 August 23, 2002 First. Do NOT ask the pilot for zero G to get you out the door. It's not necessary and can actually risk the group hitting the horizontal tail if done too agressively. Groups that have launched from my Otter have done just fine pointing it out the door with part of the raft exposed through the doorway. The two get in and the front float guy can really launch it well with good presentation to the relative wind.Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 15 #3 August 23, 2002 Launch it so the bottom of the raft is facing the props. You can't just lay it on the floor and pull it out like you can a CASA or skyvan. The trick is to load the raft on an angle then pull it straight out the same angle.. You need to peel right out the door and have it be on the hill at the right angle already. The video I watch of one that worked they spun it out the door to keep it on the hill at the proper angle with only 2 holders and 2 inners.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #4 August 23, 2002 "risk the group hitting the horizontal tail" I have only done rafts, etc out of tailgate aircraft because of this. I worry that if the raft tips over and floats just out of the door that it may it the tail. Do you think this is a possible problem ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 5 #5 August 23, 2002 No. Provided that the pilot doesn't try to "help" with a zero G exit. I know of one instance for sure where this happened. The jumpers convinced the pilot that they needed a zero G exit and he was too agressive. I've flown several raft jumps in the Otter myself with no issues.Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,412 #6 August 23, 2002 I launch them like AFF students. The people in the raft help by hanging a bit on the bar. Floaters take one side, divers take the other, and out you go. Keeping the nose of the raft up is critical. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #7 August 23, 2002 What do you do with the raft at pull time? First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 15 #8 August 23, 2002 Let it go!!! have some one pull high right after the holders let go and track one of them neds to pull after only a second or so then they can follow the raft down and pick an out landing spot at about 1000 feet or so. Do a seach in the Training fourm for Raft.. I wrote up a long piece this spring that should get most people started on a raft dive.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ddsprite 0 #9 August 23, 2002 Thanks! I'll let everyone know how it goes this weekend. I'm also going to try riding a blow up dinasaur. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
