cjam

Howdy folks, I am going to do a tour of large (turbine) dz's on the west coast of the USA, maybe Arizona as well. I was wondering if anyone knew of a map with DZ's on it. I have tried google but no luck. Even if you guys could just list the names and I'll kook them up and make my own map. It would also be good to know if they are big Tandem factories (thats what I want) or club type set ups. Thanks in advance.

Sounds great Jasmin, good call about the cresco familiarity thingo. For those not in the know the XL is built in the same factory as the cresco, has similar wing and undercarriage but instead of taking 9 jumpers to 12,000ft in 9 mins can take 17 to 12,000ft in 10mins.The tail-plane is a bit higher and further aft than the cresco as well. Think I might just have to head down to picton this summer! Laters, cjam

ohh sweet, re-read the top posting, still want to know where the XL is coming from, can you help Jasmin?

bump??????

Sounds like a blast, one question though.....what serial number XL is it, to my knowledge there are only two in existance at the moment and serial number 03 is headed for the US of A. Is it just going to be leased for the boogie or is Sydney Skydive getting one? It's a great machine anyway, something for the occa's to look forward to after losing the league and the world cup.....cjam runs for cover. Oh, p.s. it's not a cresco but is made in the same factory.

I reckon the most that jumpers can do to improve their safety in the plane is to make sure the pilot isn't under too much pressure to get going. If he/she holds while taxiing then just assume it's for a good reason, they are probably listening to someone on the radio so don't ask them what the hold up is, don't ask why they are using the runway that requires the longest taxi, they will have a reason, just because the other pilot takes off downwind doesn't neccesarily mean they are a better pilot, maybe they just like gambling with your life more.Also, make a point of not talking to the pilot below 500feet even if you reeaally reeaally do want the vent opened, it can wait 20 seconds until those trees at the end of the runway are behind you. Next time you're having a beer with the pilot ask him/her what the options are for engine failure after take off for each of the runways, you'll probably find they know exactly where the suitable paddocks etc are and know what they are going to do in that eventuality....if they look blankly at you and say "engine what after take-off?" then don't fly with that pilot! laters, cjam

do any companies lease out tandem rigs, ie with a busy summer coming up can a dz lease a few extra rigs? or is buying them the only option? Cheers

We use gps mainly, it frustrates me a tad when JM's dont trust the pilot announcing that their is a tail wind on jump run because the indicated airspeed is lower than the gps ground speed. does anyone else get that?

Yeah good point diverdriver, Squeak, I bet if you look into it you will find that your pilots are not building time to get their commercial tickets but in fact are already qualified commercial pilots, building time to become more employable than the next guy/gal. I have not come accross one DZ in Ausi that hires private pilots, in fact a lot of them want not only a commercial licence but an instrument rating as well. There are a few private pilotys flying at DZ's but they are normally tied up in it somehow, ie they own the plane or are jumpers there etc. It is legal for private pilots to do it but why would you hire a ppl when there are 100's of Cpl's with 5 times the flight training waiting to do it?

I agree diver driver, if you treat your employees well it will pay for itself in the end. give them minimum wage at least and you might even get some loyalty out of them,if you dont pay them then dont moan if they take another job with zero notice ,and leave you with a full days business ahead of you and noone to fly. As for operating costs of the XL it will be significantly cheaper than the caravan if it adopts its forbearers charactoristic trait of virtually never breaking down. Its systems are simple, robust and proven over 40 years of ag flying in NZ.Add to that the fact that it will out perform the caravan on skydiving ops and I cant see how it will fail PS. A 300HP piston does sound quite nice but can it really compare with the "tick tick tick" of 10kV igniters just audible below the "whoommpf" as the turbine winds up? Not for me!

it carried 17 jumpers to 12000ft in 12 mins on its first day, my mate was a tandem master on the first load and said it was comfy, sounds good.

I heard from a mate who is jumping downunder that the xl is operational now. Anyone heard anything more about it?

That photo of the 750 xl looks like the tail is lower than it is, its better than the normal cresco and we have never have any problems with that. You would have to try pretty hard to hit it. I would be very surprised if there were many teething problems with the aircraft. The engine is proven, fuel system, wing section, undercarriage.....a lot of this plane is the original cresco which is as tough as old boots and can handle ag ops, much tougher than skydiving. Personally I think it will be a huge success, it outperforms the caravan in every way except cruise speed (hmmm, I'm pretty worried about that!) and costs about $400,000 US less out of the factory. The caravan wasn't designed for jumping, its got the wrong wing. This thing will rock.Quote