N2184F, the plane in this picture, is a 1965 U206 that we use primarily for high profile tandem demonstration jumping of wounded soldiers. (Team X-treme, Ranger Group, SFA) This wasn't done on a STC, but a 337. That was important to us because we also use this bird for film production and many of the STC's limit door off operations strictly to skydiving. The early model U206 is unique in that it was approved in its original design to fly with the doors off and doesn't need any paperwork from the FAA to fly that way. You are required by the POH to have the spoiler installed whenever door off operations are performed. Anyone that has flown a 206 or 208 without the spoiler knows how much buffet you get and how much it can tear up your interior and blast jumpers. I lost 1.5 inches of head room and I can still get all six seats in for cross country flight. My door open speed limitation is 150mph limited by the POH and not the 337. The pilot can very easily shut it with one hand after jumpers are gone and there are no limitations added to my door closed operations. I didn't get the floater bar, even though I want one, because I couldn't afford it right now. Anyone who wants specific details, feel free to email me directly at
[email protected].
