AndyMan 7 #26 May 17, 2005 Quote Check out airvanusa.com Arivanusa.com says the max takeoff weight is 4000 lb, and the empty weight is 2200. That gives a useful payload of 1800 lbs. I don't know about where you jump, but in Illinois 10 jumpers with gear + fuel = a lot more than 1800 lbs. By my math, the airvan could only hold 7-8 jumpers. Also, the climb rate is weak. 788ft/min when loaded to max. The stall speed is delightfully low, probably due to the fact that it can't carry much weight. http://www.airvanusa.com/specifications.asp _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davelepka 4 #27 May 18, 2005 Allright, allright. It does have a big door, and STOL capabilities, and looks like a good inbetween plane for a smaller DZ (bigger then a 182, smaller than a Caravan or Porter). It would be similar to a 206/207 in it's capabilities. The new price is less than used Caravan, and similar to a used Porter, without the maintainence issues of a used airplane, and a good long TBO on the engine. In the end, my opinion doesn't really matter because I don't own or run a DZ. This is a good thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #28 May 18, 2005 QuoteThink about it, Cessna debuted the Caravan with only 600 horsepower and later upgraded it to 750 hp. I'm pretty sure that the Caravan has never been avaliable from the factory with more than a 675hp rating. The -114 engine with it's single side exhause has to be de-rated.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DancingFlame 0 #29 May 18, 2005 Quotedoes your LET stink of fuel after it is refuelled? I've jumped from two different LET-410 (one of them is at Aerograd Kolomna now) and didn't notice that. But I didn't like the 410. It climbs a bit slower than I would like. Mi8 helicopter is the best Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
itllclear 1 #30 May 18, 2005 Quote Check out airvanusa.com. I read about it in Flying magazine, and they projected a price around $500,000. It looked to me like a good jumpship, and when I saw the website, they've got a pic of a guy jumping from one. It's gopt a nomally aspirated piston engine. On a hot day won't make it above 10 grand at gross weight. A turbine version would be great. Talked to the rep at Oshkosh, they may consider hanging an Allison up front instead of a PT-6. Blue Skies! Harry"Harry, why did you land all the way out there? Nobody else landed out there." "Your statement answered your question." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
