sammymalta 0 #1 October 2, 2012 Hi Guys and Girls, Anyone know where I can hire a Helicopter for skydiving? For use in Europe. Regards Sam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
obelixtim 100 #2 October 2, 2012 How big is your money tree?.My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
obelixtim 100 #4 October 2, 2012 QuoteBig enough!! Good, you'll need it to be. They don't come cheap, and you'll need a decent one if you want to do tandems. A R 22 just won't cut it!!!. I'm assuming you want to use it for your project next summer....My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 135 #5 October 2, 2012 what size ? from R-22 (which wouldnt be adapted for skydiving) to Mi-26... can you find something like MI-8 ? just remember that heli operations are more expensive than plane operations, and that the ferry costs can be just very expensive ? any helicopters available in Malta ? it seems you have an Otter on floats in Malta http://www.mydestination.com/malta/things-to-do/11190/harbourair-seaplanes, check with these guys if they would be interested. No ferry cost and great experience with the seaplane scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
holie 0 #6 October 2, 2012 ... http://www.helis.com/database/org/mt_malta_aircharter_-_gozo_wings/ ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sammymalta 0 #7 October 2, 2012 Actually no.. for winter periods either Jan/Feb or Oct/Nov Dec... NEXT YEAR.... 2013! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sammymalta 0 #8 October 2, 2012 Quote what size ? it seems you have an Otter on floats in Malta http://www.mydestination.com/malta/things-to-do/11190/harbourair-seaplanes, check with these guys if they would be interested. No ferry cost and great experience with the seaplane Seaplanes do not have the neccessary licenses for skydiving. An MI8 takes approx 24 pax (according to wiki anyway) - There is no availability here in Malta!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 135 #9 October 2, 2012 Egypt, Lybia, Algeria, Tunisia, these might have Mi-8's, but maybe not for civilian use... what helicopters do you have in Malta ? Maybe check for southern Italy/Sicilyscissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sammymalta 0 #10 October 2, 2012 Found one in russia.. but am trying to find in italy/sicily due to costs to ferry the aircraft. By any chance, would you know if the MI8 can go up to 13000 ft? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 135 #11 October 2, 2012 yes, they use one in Hungary by the Balaton lake. DZ is Kility www.skydivebalaton.comscissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CarpeDiem3 0 #12 October 2, 2012 QuoteAnyone know where I can hire a Helicopter for skydiving? For use in Europe. I hear that Europe is a pretty big place. Perhaps you should be more specific with the location, as ferry fees will play a big role in the cost of whatever is available. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMK 3 #13 October 2, 2012 What size are you looking for? For pilot +4/5 jumpers, a Single Squirrel (Eurocopter AS350) would be a good choice whereas a Mil MI8 can carry 26. They used MI8's at the Prostejov boogies and they got to 13K about as fast as the Beech. For cost/value, you can probably find a Bell JetRanger (Bell 206B3) or Single Squirrel nearby. A little more spend will get you an EC130 which would be quite cool for jumping and get 2 more jumpers aboard. For "wow factor" something like a MI8 is going to cost you - a lot. Dry leases for a JetRanger/Squirrel will be around USD 525/590 per hour repectively. You'll get some good feedback re availability & pricing on the "Rotorheads" section of the PPrune web forum. When you go price shopping, note that all Aerospatiale/Eurocopter models ending with a “5” means it is twin engine (i.e. AS350 vs AS355 or EC130 vs EC135) and twin-engine helicopters are “eye wateringly” expensive. Some pics of the models below. Also, keep in mind that you can find the helicopters & pilots, but then the pilots will need to be cleared for parachute operations (don't know how Malta works), but for BPA in the UK, this would entail four live training loads by the pilots, which will be an added cost. Keep us updated on your Malta heli jumping plans; it may be worth a visit."Pain is the best instructor, but no one wants to attend his classes" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
obelixtim 100 #14 October 2, 2012 We've had 40 jumpers in a Mi 8 before. They are heavy lifters and can go to 13 grand no probs, although chopper pilots tend to get a bit scared going so high...... Also had a 206 on floats which was jumped, as well as a Catalina....although that was a oncer. Squirrel or Jetranger would be the best bet, location wise, unless you can find a Huey flying around somewhere..... Whose CAA rules do Malta operate under, if not their own?. UK?. For those kinds of prices you might as well lease or buy a 206...Here on Gran Canaria two 206's do the job, although they are not very busy. It is very important to have an experienced jump pilot flying whatever machine you get, fixed wing or rotary. A lot of pilots will wreck your machine if they don't know what they are doing.My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theplummeter 14 #15 October 3, 2012 The Astar 350 is likely to be the most cost effective option in Europe. Make sure you look for a B3 variant, the BA and B2 don't have the power of the B3. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CornishChris 5 #16 October 3, 2012 Why not use a plane instead of a chopper? CJP Gods don't kill people. People with Gods kill people Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites