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Sure campers are welcome! Did you ever see the Woodstock movie? I think of that movie constantly as I am on the tractor clearing the LZ and building the observation deck(Stage). "The Dude abides" - Jeff Labowski

Anyone out there ever jumped a Helio courier? If so, how roomy was it? How high did it go and how fast did it get there? Any info on the plane would be helpful.

I have jumps out of quite a variety of rotor wing craft...I have to say the Alouette was probably the least powerfull. Most of the alouette II's are 3130 models and have only 400 HP my alouette is a later model built by aerspatiale called a 318c and it has 530hp It's also much quieter and burns alot less fuel. so I don't think I'll have any problem with 4 jumpers. "The Dude abides" - Jeff Labowski

Yes we will be having a boogie around the alouette 318c Helicopter Dec 2nd and 3rd! Here at beautiful Punta Gorda over looking Charlotte Harbor But the helicopter is also based here and is available to jump anytime for anyone. We also have a Grand Caravan Coming the 27th of this Month!! Come see us at Skydive SouthWest Florida! "The Dude abides" - Jeff Labowski

Look foward to seeing you there! The Caravan willbe here the 27th of this month and the helicopter is always here. Over the winter there will be costant improvement in the facilities with a new packing hanger on the way a clubhouse and there is talk of digging a swoop pond!! "The Dude abides" - Jeff Labowski

The reason I ask is my DZ in SW Florida is having a boogie and I am Bringing an Alouette II wich is a 5 seat turbine helicopter and am wondering if I will end up flying much. Also would you jump it more than once on the same weekend or is it a one shot deal? "The Dude abides" - Jeff Labowski

There will be boogie at skydive southwest florida's new location in Punta Gorda. Dec 2nd and3rd Shell Creek airport is a beautiful grass airstrip just 7 mi e of I-75 off exit 164 with lots of room. There will be a Grand Caravan and an Alouette II 318c Helicopter (5 Seat Turbine) With a great new hang out surprise! This new location is much more centraly located on the west coast of florida. Less than an hour N of Naples and 45 min S of Sarasota. One of the best DZ locations in Florida. Come see us Dec. 2nd and 3rd! "The Dude abides" - Jeff Labowski

Just wondering if any one has jumped out of an alouette, and if so how was it? Or any helicopter for that matter. "The Dude abides" - Jeff Labowski

I've gotten into trouble for being too critical before (and calling people names) and I'm not trying to hurt anyones feelings. But that post sounds like it was posted by a lawyer. "The Dude abides" - Jeff Labowski

OK everybody, after a good nights sleep reading what I wrote last night I was deffinitely a JERK. My experience as a pilot and operator has no relavence here. This is a skydiving forum not a pilots forum. So I appolagize to all the experienced jumpers out there I insulted. The reality is I have 4 jumps no malfunctions,never had a freind get hurt or die in this sport so I was way too arrogent about something I know nothing about. And I probably pissed off alot of potential freinds in a sport I plan on sticking with. That being said. Some of you seem to be wound a little tight. Maybe I will be too after some experience. Maybe I'm not tight enough. Sorry. "The Dude abides" - Jeff Labowski

Thanks! Why yes you can Glad to see someone out there took the cypres out of their ASS!! "The Dude abides" - Jeff Labowski

I have'nt been jumping long (obviously) but most of you sound like a bunch of pussies. Always worried about regs and rules and recomendations. It may sound bizarre but I break more FAR's before breakfast than most people do all day and have the best record in my industry doing so (no I'm not telling you) than anyone in the world . I'm not bragging but I do some scary shit! Like I said I didn't mean to strike a nerve with all you Bankers,Lawyers and school teachers out there but what is the big deal? It's an altitude encoder with a cutter . What's wrong with asking a question? Lay off the caffine Yuppies! "The Dude abides" - Jeff Labowski

Your right over 12 or 20 years it's not that much money and I probably would buy a new one within that time period anyway. Just the principal of the matter. don't like the profit driven manufacturer making my decisions for me. Thanks! "The Dude abides" - Jeff Labowski

I'm not trying to start a Philisophical debate ( sorry about the spelling) I just don't like being told what to do. All my life I've been told what to do by people who either don't know any better or who are lying to me for personal gain. You can critisize me for only having 4 jumps(I will Have more someday) but don't lecture me about risking life and limb with used, new, reconditioned,overhauled, inspected, or timed out equipment because I've done it all folks. I could write(not very well spelled) but write a damned interesting book on the engine failures,Fires, structural failures I've hadin my 13 years of flying. What I've learned from experience is don't take anyone's word for anything. I could spend $55,000 each and get 2 new overhauled PW1830-94 for my DC-3 and make the FAA happier than shit. But, I know full well that they will fail a main bearing or supercharger bearing within 200hrs. So I stay with the 1350hr (150hr past TBO) engines I got because I KNOW THEY ARE SAFER!!!!!!!!! There's not an engine shop in the country that can relliaby overhaul my engines so I stay with what I got(and why I switched to turbines). That's not the point, but you see where I'm coming from I know full well(Even with 4 jumps), and although you don't, that an inspected serviceable AAD is safe even beyond 12 years.Based on my experience. And in reality it don't make rats ass bit o difference If there are life limited aad's or not, But like I said I did'nt get where I am today doing what I'm told. And yes that's the irrational rebel talking but I don't care I CAN THINK FOR MYSELF!!

Why No I don't as a matter of fact. but if I were a 135 operator I'd swollow a shotgun and hope my creditors did'nt go after my family. Because there are 1 in a 1000 135 operators in the country that turn a profit! WHY? Becauses of the FAA and Dumbass reg's, like you have to overhaul that $150,000 engine every 10 years or 3600 hrs. wich ever comes first. I've been operating my own Piston and Turbine powered aircraft for over 10 years (in spite of the FAA's "help") and I know for a fact that just because someone says you should do something does'nt mean you need to and I'm not naive enough to believe that school teacher , college boy BS . If jump aircraft were regulated under part135 you'd be paying $75 for a jump ticket. This is Skydiving. A pastime, not a 121 airline. I don't do what I'm told just because I want to be a good little boy. I' only do it because I Have to or I THINK I SHOULD. I can think for myself.(Spank you very much!) I "The Dude abides" - Jeff Labowski