Skydive2

We are arguing that. The question is do you want a 28k 230hp engine or do you want to spend almost $50k more to have a 40ish extra horse power engine that, at the end of the day, does the exact same thing as the 28k engine, but is 2 minutes slower and burns approx 1.5 gallons less???

An inch to inch and a half is all you need for thickness. I used firm. Electric carving knife, like for a turkey. This is good foam, your not gonna be able to cut it well, if at all, with a razor blade or scissors

You want to order high resiliency foam (usually have to get it online not at your local craft store) and its expensive, but worth it. Make a template of your floor, using a electric food trimmer, cut your foam. Take it to an upholster and have them cover it. I use Naugahyde, as it passes the FAA burn test, which inspectors like to see, and it's incredibly durable) I've done 3 mats this way. Total for each was close to $700 (around $200 in foam and $500 to the upholster, but we did 2 colors and trim, could be less for more basic ). Worth every penny! I have one that we did almost 8 years ago, foam still feels like new, no rips anywhere and looks professional! Foamonline.com is a good source for foam

Are you kidding me??? Its the same machine!! We are referring to mid 1950's cessna 182, a four place airplane with a 470 cubic inch engine that takes 2 tdms to 7-10k in 10-15 minutes correct? 2 gallons of gas and a hard on during take off is the least of my worries on a 80tdm Saturday ....especially if it costs and extra 40,000$$$

This is all true, but we are talking about a machine (in this case a 182). If factory A has a 70k 182 that takes 4 people to 10k in let's say 10 min, and factory b has a 22k 182 that does the exact same thing but takes 2-3 min longer. Is factory A really going to be more profitable than factory b? 2 machines that produce the same product with the same operator (pilot), and the same hourly operating costs, but factory b's machine costs a third less...doesnt that equal more capital? more capital equals better gear, more advertising, the ability to fly a single load here and there and the option to pay an over priced shop $85 an hour to unscrew some inspection plates and buck a few rivets ;)

But back on topic, watch the used market! The ecconomy is bad and gas guzzling airplanes like the 182 sell cheap. I recently saw a jump 182 with the norland io-470d, Horton stol, and wing x sell for $22,000usd. I know where a 700hr pponk 0-470 with prop and all accessories is for $12,000. Don't pay retail in this market. Airplanes are cheap and the salvage yards are desperate. And I bet it wouldn't be too bad flying a single tdm in that 22k 182, vs the 70k airplane....

It's called volume. If your trying to do 800-1200tdms a summer, flying single loads might suck. Do 3,000 tandems in a summer out of those 182's do another 500 nov-feb and turn those loads in under .3, it makes it lots easier to justify light loads, no matter what "shop rate" your paying

Incorrect Guru, its called a grammatical error. Ignorance would be defending some one who basics there statement on ZERO factual information and can lend nothing more to the discussion than their "personal opinion"....sound familiar ?

The funny part is your missing the big picture....I don't care what a bunch of fun "jumpers" think! hahahahahaha

ummm I think its spelled "brief" you sleazy non spelling scum bag. hahahaha

I don't disagree with any thing you just posted. That being said, if someone who has never met me or seen my operation uses words like "scum, sleazy", ect to describe it, I feel i have a right to defend (especially when most of the things he posted are totally incorrect). I've never met you, but if I started ranting calling you an unsafe pilot, and a sleazy DZO, and accused you of dealing in a shady organizational (which you really don't deal with) i think you might react similarly....just sayin ;)

See the thing is that 3331 has never met me and has far as I know has not been to Ridgely since I operated there. Yet he uses the some very choice words,such as, sleazy, scum, ect to describe an operation he has never even seen. and then accuses us of using 800-skyride, all while pointing everyone in the direction of Delmarva... We don't accept skyride, while Delmarva does! His post is totally off base, and has ZERO factual info, but yet I'm the bad guy for calling him out??? Really?? Yes I still hold the lease at Ridgely, but have a second location 30 miles from downtown Baltimore that has proven to be much busier. We usually jump at RJD a few times a month.... as far as hurting my operation, we don't allow fun jumpers, so offending a few "keyboard" fun jumpers really ain't gonna effect the fact that I have 200 tandems on the books for this week, just like last week, and the week before and the week before that. hows that for a ripoff guys???

wow, classy. Have you ever called 800-skyride?? Do it right now and tell them you want to skydive in the Baltimore/DC area, guess what they will say??? you can jump in Warrenton VA or LAUREL DE...how's that for dealing with skyride?????? Call them right now if you don't believe me (you seem to be good at "faking" being a student...I think you know there number. ;) I also know that your lieing as you stated that we wanted $50 for a jump out of our 182. WRONG. We DON'T ALLOW FUN JUMPERS and would never quote a old washed up jumper as yourself a $50 slot...we simply don't want a washed up, has been, internet story telling, loser fun jumper. and if we did, it could cost ya a lot than $50. how's that for a a rip off!!!!???

I stummbled onto this website. All the pic's/videos show the student(!) wearing the camera. Anyone ever heard of this?? Seems like the worst idea ever! http://www.funskydiving.com/video.php

you could look into getting an airport "premise" liability policy (basically a "slip and fall" policy). It wouldn't cover anything skydiving related, but would cover up to 1$ million in the event of a slip and fall in the hangar, damage to property, ect. This usually eases airport owners minds a bit, and usually under $1500 per year....

we sell ton's of Go-pro stills for tandems. I was wondering if there is a program, or a quick easy way to add our logo at the bottom left or right of each photo?

Hi Martin, I've thought a lot about the conversion. As I said before I have 3 straight tails, which I've been kicking around doing the conversion on, but I was always hesitant to put close to six figures$ into a 50 + year old airplane with 6,000+ hours. I got the 1975 model out of a barn where it sat for 15 years. Its only got 1100 TT and I picked it up for a fraction of whats it worth. so basically the airframe was free, I'm just paying for mods/upgrades. As I said before and turbine is out of my reach, so I'd like to build this 182 into the next closest thing. I'd really like to go with the 550 N since is 310 continuous HP, instead of the 300 that the 550-D produces, but I think the only way that will happen is with a field approval and that can be risky. I'm sure I'll never get my $$ out of it, but that being said a few of my 182's have been in my family since the late 1960's, flying jumpers, and are still flying every day! I'm hoping this P model will be an airplane I can pass to my grand kid's in 30 years. I don't think you'll find an all around better work horse (piston) than a 180/182/206.

Ok I've decided to go big and do both sportman stol and the Wing X. Should make for a nice set of wings. I really want to do the IO-550 N, but TX skyways is only doing it for the S and T model 182's. Does anyone know of an STC to install the 550N on a P model (1975) Cessna 182?? If i'm going to spend this much $$$ I'd really like the have the 310 HP that the 550N would give me. I was thinking worst case try to do a field approval for it? I'd really like to do the McCauley 401 prop, but I think the P model sits to low.

Hi, Van, I've always heard great things about your 206's (everyone says they will out perform any other jump 206). Are you a fan of the Sportsman STOL leading edge cuff? I can see where it will help with climb slightly, but I'm worried about added drag on decent. What are you thoughts? Are the ART wing extensions the way to go? I operate all of my airplanes off of a 2,100' and 3300' paved runway so short field performance is not a must for me. I keep running the numbers and for $4,000 + for the kit, plus another 60+ hours to install, it seems like the minimal climb improvement is not worth the cost....? I'm not necessarily looking for the fastest climb to altitude, but the fastest turn around (wheels up to wheels down). I'd hate to spend ~$7,000 + to make the airplane go to 10k faster, when it will lose time in decent due to drag...a bit counter productive if you ask me. That's why I'm trying to find the perfect mix...improving climb without sacrificing too much in the decent. We all know turbine is the way to go...but I haven't hit the lottery....yet!

I have a good buddy that's a tandem HG pilot. He did the opposite, left with the student hooked up...him not. Held on to the bar for 1,000 feet until crashing into power lines. Student was fine, instructor suffered broken legs, pelvis, femur, ect....

Thanks everyone, this thread has really got me thinking about jump planes (especially 182/206) mod's/upgrades. I own 3 straight tails and recently purchased (got a steal on) a super low time 1975 182P. Its sat since 1996, so we are doing a full "re-build" and my goal is to build it up into a bad ass super light weight jump plane. This thread as got me thinking about other mod's, not only prop/engine, but anything else that will help make this plane the fastest around. I've seen TX skyways has a pending STC to install a IO-550N which would make for 310 continues HP, does any one have experience operating this engine? I'd like to focus on the airframe to. I'm a little torn over the ART wing extensions. Seem's like a high price to pay for not a huge climb improvement. I've always had a crazy dream about installing a Allison 250-B17 turbine engine on a 182 (same engine they do the soloy C-206 with). Its around 450 hp, derate it to around 350 HP and you have a monster workhorse, but after seeing what Van has had to go through on this C-206 turbine conversion, that might have to be a dream...

We have a few riggers @ Skydive Baltimore. 30 miles from downtown. Give us a call to arrange....800-659-JUMP

if your not selling handcam with video and/or stills your 2 years behind

Its amazing how quickly times change. In the late 90's-mid 2000's, in order to be considered a "progressive" large DZ you HAD to install a $$10,000 plus "pond". Now a few short years later, to be a "progressive" DZ you need to fill in that pond....