Night Helicopter Jumps

[JohnRich 4]

Last Saturday, Sept. 29th, Skydive Houston had night jumps out of a Robinson helicopter. That's a small helicopter that carried the pilot and three jumpers at a time to 10,000 feet. Four loads were flown, and the price was $60 per jumper. For several of the jumpers it was not only their first helicopter jump, but also their first night jump, providing double the excitement. All skydivers landed safely in front of the car headlights illuminating the landing area.

Info on the Robinson helicopter.

In my nearly 30 years in the sport, I've seen a lot of night jumps, and a smattering of helicopter jumps. But I've never before heard of the two being combined together.

So, outside of the military, has anyone else ever made night helicopter jumps before at a civilian skydiving center? Could this be a first?

[CSpenceFLY 1]

We did some into a high school football game in Andrews, Nc. year before last but it was not officially night. Still a good time though.

[rave4funn 0]

That would be frigging sweet!!

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[airathanas 0]

Oh my god that sounds like so much fun! I'd pack my butt off just for one of those jumps!

http://3ringnecklace.com/

[BGill 0]

I did my 2nd night jump out of the Alhouette (sp?) at CrossKeys a few years back. It's the only time I've ever seen night jumps done out of a chopper. John Eddows flew it and took us up to 6k if I recall correctly.

[bch7773 0]

i'd love to do helo night jumps, especially if they are at 10k....

all my helo jumps were at 4k or less

MB 3528, RB 1182

[lilchief 0]

would it be safer to use a helicopters then planes for nightjumps?

"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you long to return." - Da Vinci
www.lilchief.no

[longtall 0]

I WANT ONE , I WANT ONE!............................J......

" 90 right, five miles then cut."---Pukin Buzzards

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

I did my 2nd night jump out of the Alhouette (sp?) at CrossKeys a few years back. It's the only time I've ever seen night jumps done out of a chopper.

Okay, so Skydive Houston wasn't the first. Nevertheless, this seems to be a very rare and special event.

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

would it be safer to use a helicopters then planes for night jumps?

I don't see any difference. In fact, a helicopter might be more dangerous if it's in a hover and jumpers are exiting on top of each other. You still need horizontal separation, and vertical canopy opening separation is nice too. So you need to plan properly and brief the jumpers on their assigned roles.