sornyd 0 #1 January 26, 2009 Sometime in 1983 Mirror Image was training at Otay out of the Arava. My pal Kim and I had roadtripped from Bozeman, MT to Perris - then continued on to Otay after hearing that they were looking for people to fill the plane during Mirror Image training loads. After we were there a day or two, the owner of the Arava pulled the plug on jumping and suddenly it was leaving the DZ...but not before one kick-ass flyby: After the pilot took off and was looping around to buzz us, all who'd been jumping, including most of Mirror Image, lined the runway and dropped trou'. To this day I can remember looking between my legs, seeing that twin turbined football low enough to kick up dust and bearing down on a row of moons (including mine). It took every thing I had to 'hold position' as the turbines screamed over us. I know there were people taking pictures of this great event. If you know of a copy floating around - please let me know!! - Dave S. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #2 January 26, 2009 I remember that plane at Otay. It looked sort of like a flying football . . . NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimjumper 25 #3 January 26, 2009 They had 2 at the '84 Herd Boogie. Strange door but they climbed well and because of it's cargo oriented center of gravity, you could stretch out and really be comfy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
howardwhite 2 #4 January 26, 2009 Pretty sure I posted this before....whatever.. HW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #5 January 26, 2009 I was there! I think I have some pics in my storage unit out in Sandyeggo, I'll try to check next time I'm on the left coast. Were you living in Nordacoda back then? I remember my room-mate (from Fargo) talking with some people that were down from that area to jump the football, may have been you guys. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpwally 0 #6 January 26, 2009 I saw that same model of plane ( hell it could have been the same one ) out at Hinkley , Ill a few years back. At the time, i think it was Andre who was trying to get FAA approval to use it for jumping. i never heard the outcome,,,anyone else know the story ?smile, be nice, enjoy life FB # - 1083 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sornyd 0 #7 January 28, 2009 Airt..: '83 I was going to school in Bozeman -- that is when it didn't interfere with my skydiving and skiing schedule. Who was your Fargo roomy? I don't remember talking to anybody from North Decoder on that trip other than Ardell in Perris. Howard: You did indeed post that somewhere else. I stumbled across it and that's what triggered my post. Thanks! Great memories. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybill 18 #8 January 29, 2009 Hi Lynrd, Yup, Arava. Jumped it at perris and O-die! Cute plane, better have yer' frap hat on when ya' break ground cuz it got up there quick!! Floating was wierd cuz of the shape of the door on the fuse., hell, just jump out!!SCR-2034, SCS-680 III%, Deli-out Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lodestar 0 #9 January 29, 2009 Put me on the list to own one of those lil buggers! I would put real money up that that thing would take off straight slap up, yep, vertical.........lol.... Gotta be a superb little jump ship, a good workhorse for anything under 12,500 with those stubby wings, full length flaps and power to spare..... Think I'll get a red/white/blue combo paint job with stars.......hahahaha Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
godziller 0 #10 January 29, 2009 The reason that you dont see them as jump ships is that most DZ pilots cant handle 2 pieces of tail that close together Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim_Hooper 2 #11 January 29, 2009 Quote The reason that you dont see them as jump ships is that most DZ pilots cant handle 2 pieces of tail that close together Speak for yourself. Now, a Super Connie, that would definitely require additional stamina. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lodestar 0 #12 January 29, 2009 Hmmm Godziller, You obviously werent' around Z-hills when I was or you wouldn't make a statement like that.......hahahahahaha Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
godziller 0 #13 January 29, 2009 Quote Hmmm Godziller, You obviously werent' around Z-hills when I was or you wouldn't make a statement like that.......hahahahahaha I said "most" loadstar. from what I hear you could land a mohawk sideways on the runway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lodestar 0 #14 January 29, 2009 I'll see you that Mohawk and raise you a Wart Hog (A-10)what fun with a full weapons load....... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimjumper 25 #15 January 30, 2009 The Warthog photo doesn't have much of a weapons load. This is one fully loaded! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
377 20 #16 January 30, 2009 QuotePretty sure I posted this before....whatever.. HW Howard, Is there a jumpship that you do NOT have a photo of? You have amazed me with C 97, Boeing 307, 749 Connie, Argosy, etc. How about a Learstar? Convair 240-440 series? 3772018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
377 20 #17 January 30, 2009 Quote Quote Hmmm Godziller, You obviously werent' around Z-hills when I was or you wouldn't make a statement like that.......hahahahahaha I said "most" loadstar. from what I hear you could land a mohawk sideways on the runway. Wanna low time airworthy Mohawk of your own? http://www.courtesyaircraft.com/N631OV-1B%20Mohawk%20Spec.htm 3772018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 5 #18 February 3, 2009 One of our pilots at Air Wisconsin was just telling me a few days ago about flying an Arava at Otay. That's gotta be the one. He's about to retire. I'll try to get this photo to him.Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackylx21x 0 #19 September 7, 2011 As I recall, mirror image was waiting for the plane to show up and was told it was not showing up because the insurance was not paid. People were not in a festive mood that day. The mooning incident was on a day when the plane was expected to return, probably on the weekend. Maybe I'm wrong it was 28 years ago. That was a cool plane though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PROGRESSIVE 0 #20 September 7, 2011 You guys need to continue bickering amongst yourselves and keep down loading pix! This is good stuff! Pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldwomanc6 38 #21 September 7, 2011 I have quite a few jumps out of that plane at Otay. I loved that plane! Being spread around inside the plane on take-off instead of being squished up front took some getting used to, but holy crap, that was fun lisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baronn 111 #22 September 10, 2011 We jumped out of that in Honduras. They use it for training there elite paratroopers. kinda fun leaving the aircraft with little kids and their parents geeking us as we went out the door. Even better going out with the paratroopers at 800'. Nobody questioned the base rig i used. Or wined about opening a bit lower than they did. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Bill 0 #23 September 17, 2011 Jackylx21 Great picture, do you happen to have names of the jumpers in this photo. The jump suit on the second jumper looks like me on one of my early jumps Jump # 24 exit the Arava 15,500 feet AGL under a round canopy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveJack 0 #24 September 18, 2011 Here's a photo I had tucked away. It was a fun jump during the AFF JCC/ICC that Mike Johnston and I ran at Otay in the early 1980's. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Bill 0 #25 September 22, 2011 Does anyone know when this photo was taken, Want to check my log book Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
