ANY DZ rountinely have helicopeters for jumps?

[Bushmasta 0]

Are there any DZ that have helicopters for jumps? do you need a C or D license? Would love to jump a helicopter someday.

[scottbre 0]

My DZ has a helicopter that the DZO finished building around the end of last year. It's all ready to fly and all he has to do is get with the FAA one more time so that he can get his commercial license.

Not sure what license requirements he will have for jumping it though.

"Your mother's full of stupidjuice!"
My Art Project

[SkymonkeyONE 3]

Billy Richards flies his helicopter at The Ranch when he feels like it.

[pilotdave 0]

If it's a homebuilt (experimental category) helicopter, it couldn't be used for commercial operations. Kinda rules out jumping, unless he wants to pay for it.

Dave

[outrager 6]

Every large DZ around Moscow flies choppers as their main jumpships. Mi8 takes 25+ jumpers and Mi2 up to 7 jumpers. It really isn't any different from fixed-wing operations.

bsbd!

Yuri.

[scottbre 0]

Quote

If it's a homebuilt (experimental category) helicopter, it couldn't be used for commercial operations. Kinda rules out jumping, unless he wants to pay for it.

He built it, but it's not an experimental category. Maybe restored is more appropriate. It's the kind of helicopter that they always had on M.A.S.H., except it's the next size bigger.

He can use it commercially, he just has to get the FAA to stop dragging their asses and give him the time he needs with an FAA ride-along to get his commercial license.

"Your mother's full of stupidjuice!"
My Art Project

[caneddie 0]

CrossKeys in NJ has a chopper during the week. There's a Helicopter flight school right next to the dropzone, and they offer chopper rides usualy on Wednesdays. If you want you can even learn to fly a chopper, which is pretty cool. Check out their web site http://www.blueskyhelicopter.com

Or, your can go to www.freefalladventures.com

[fasterfaller 0]

I thought Roger had a bell 222 at skydive Chicago for jumping .

[JamesNahikian 0]

Do you recommend a particular drop zone near Moscow? I have scheduled a visit to that region a few weeks from now and will appreciate your suggestions. My primary considerations are ease of access from Moscow, landing area, altitude and vibes. My Russian is pretty good. Thanks in advance.

D. James Nahikian
CHICAGO

[outrager 6]

The best choice would be Stupino (L-410 and multiple Mi8s, about 2h from the city). If you can read Russian, all the info is here: http://www.dropzone.ru/stupino.shtml

Sometimes there are jumps at Tushino airfield inside the city, you will have to check with locals on further details. A good person to ask is Toly Zirov, [email protected]

bsbd!

Yuri.

[Bushmasta 0]

Need locations in the states, a lot replied, but i'm unfamliar w/ the names. I need locations. Russia would be great, but that would have to be in the way future.

[tigra 0]

Helo jumps are sort of "novelty jumps" so you won't find too many dzs that have them around regularly, but maybe for special occasions, like boogies. We had one for Summerfest last year, and as far as I know it did (still does?) belong to the dz, but it hasn't been around at all this year. Its an expensive aircraft, and if you can't keep it flying, there is no point to have it at a dz. I think Roger made more money from giving rides to whuffos (and jumpers) than from jumpers jumping from it. It wasn't a super big military helocopter, it took maybe 6 passengers?

I don't think any special license is required to jump from it, but you should get a briefing on things like how to approach and board it, and the better exit techniques. I made one jump from it and enjoyed it, but the rides the pilot was giving were even more fun than the jump!

maura

[JamesNahikian 0]

Thanks Yuri. I had thought Stupino was a good place to go but wanted to be sure. And yes ya mogu govorite po russkii.

James Nahikian
CHICAGO