Altimeter limits/ Did I get ripped off?

[skyjumpsteve 0]

$249 is only $25 more than what many DZ's charge for a tandem....they definitely didn't "take" you for $1,000. Perhaps they charged extra for altitude you did not get so the "take" amount was probably $100 total ($25 X the 4 jumps).

Did the $249 include the video? If so you got a great deal!!! If not....how much did you pay for the video.

Props for not throwing the DZ under the bus before hearing their response.

Hope you enjoyed your jumps!

[Squeak 17]

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Care to reconcile those 2 statements?

no I don't care to, thanks for asking though..

Reconcile is a big word for you isn't it

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[porpoishead 8]

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$249 is only $25 more than what many DZ's charge for a tandem....they definitely didn't "take" you for $1,000. Perhaps they charged extra for altitude you did not get so the "take" amount was probably $100 total ($25 X the 4 jumps).

Did the $249 include the video? If so you got a great deal!!! If not....how much did you pay for the video.

Props for not throwing the DZ under the bus before hearing their response.

Hope you enjoyed your jumps!

this is from the OP john's post steve...

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A total of 10 people jumped.We had made reservations for our group

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the supposed 18,000ft jump was $249, plus $90 for photo/video.

if you want a friend feed any animal
Perry Farrell

[johnabarton 0]

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$249 is only $25 more than what many DZ's charge for a tandem....they definitely didn't "take" you for $1,000.

Hope you enjoyed your jumps!

Their jumps from around 12k cost $169. I expressed to the owner that I would like the $100 difference refunded for each of us...10 jumpers X $100 = $1000.

If you really are going to rip people off, at least don't let them catch you on video doing it...

On a positive note I did have an excellent time and probably wouldn't have known the difference if I didnt question the fall time in the video...

[porpoishead 8]

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On a positive note I did have an excellent time and probably wouldn't have known the difference if I didnt question the fall time in the video

that's awesome bro, nobody can take that away from you

glad you enjoyed yourself and hopefully keep jumping one day.

hope all the shady shit gets worked out, and it doesn't leave a bad taste in your mouth about skydiving in general.

if you want a friend feed any animal
Perry Farrell

[JohnnyD 0]

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$249 is only $25 more than what many DZ's charge for a tandem....they definitely didn't "take" you for $1,000.

Yeah, they did. They paid extra for extra altitude and didn't get it. Probably not even a possibility in that plane. That is absolutely a rip off.

[hackish 8]

Oh yeah, with all the noises from marine animals I forgot to ask the pilot types what sort of plane that is. The step and such looks 182-ish but not with the ridge on the floor.

-Michael

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

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So it looks like this thread has generated quite a response...I'll fill in some details.


Otherwise, the supposed 18,000ft jump was $249, plus $90 for photo/video.

We were offered oxygen if we needed it in the plane. I wasn't convinced anything was flowing.

I have attached snapshots from two of the videos from separate jumps. They both clearly show the altimeter at nearly 12k seconds before we left the plane. The local elevation from sea level is 350ft where the DZ was located.

I have a "certificate" that says I jumped from 18k. Real authentic like.

I wanted to give the business the chance to resolve this before smearing their name all over the internet. I figured that this could destroy their reputation, and I'd like to hear their story. I was kind of torn about whether to expose their name directly...I dont want to destroy their company but they also did probably take us for $1,000. I havnt gotten a response via email, and I'm going to try to call them tomorrow. I will update with the resolution to this. And reveal where exactly this was after I contact them.

Sorry I took so long to fill in some details, it looked like this thread kind of got derailed however.

John

$249 -$169 = $80. Unless they charged extra for the "high altitude" video.

Did the pilot use Oxygen?? It's required at those altitudes.
Did the TI or Video guy use oxygen?

That looks like a C-182 to me. Dashboard and control locations, ashtray on pillar, step and wheel (door on 206 is a lot further aft)
Anybody out there got a 182 that'll go to 18k??

If you post more of the video, better conclusions can be drawn.

"Certificate"? We print them up too. One student broke Joe Kittenger's record-jumped from 120,000 ft (typo- was reprinted)

I think it's appropriate to not name this DZ so far, but the more I see, the worse it looks for them.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[T-box1990 0]

The service ceiling on a NEW 182 is 18100 for a naturally aspirated engine and about 20000 for the turbocharged version. Assuming that this is a 182, its highly unlikely that they routinely get to 18000 for a jump run. About how long did it take to get to altitude?

"If piloting an airplane is flying, then driving a boat is swimming. If you want to experience the element, you have to get out of the vehicle"

[billvon 2,989]

Your one warning. Stop with the attacks. If you wish you had not posted what you did, and you do not want to see replies to that post, then do not read this thread. You have no "right to defend what you said" here if defending it involves personal attacks.

[hackish 8]

I was looking at the lump on the floor near the wall and don't remember seeing it on any of the 1970's Cessna's I've jumped. I'd seriously pay good money to see someone get 18k with a full load of jumpers on one of those. We got 13 in one with the 260hp engine, extensions etc and it took a very very long time.

-Michael

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

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I was looking at the lump on the floor near the wall and don't remember seeing it on any of the 1970's Cessna's I've jumped. I'd seriously pay good money to see someone get 18k with a full load of jumpers on one of those. We got 13 in one with the 260hp engine, extensions etc and it took a very very long time.

-Michael

I'm not seeing the "lump". Do you mean where the white riveted footwell plate bends up into the wall?
You don't see that on a lot of jump 182s because many have a "backboard" to protect both the dash and the rig when the jumper sits backwards there (student slot). Also, keep in mind 182s go back to the 50's. Ours is a 58 (I think).

You can get more altitude this time of year (colder denser air), but that's not a new plane, and if it is a 182 I still doubt 18k.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[porpoishead 8]

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Your one warning. Stop with the attacks. If you wish you had not posted what you did, and you do not want to see replies to that post, then do not read this thread. You have no "right to defend what you said" here if defending it involves personal attacks.

fair enough bill, no problem. my intentions were not to attack anybody in these forums. I apologize to everyone reading if this is how it was perceived from my posts in this thread.

squeaks post to me

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Reconcile is a big word for you isn't itSlySlySly

from hackish directed at me

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Oh yeah, with all the noises from marine animals

if you want a friend feed any animal
Perry Farrell

[hackish 8]

Looking at the second pic it appears like about a 3-4" edge around the door. Last jump I did this year it was -15C at 10k. Dunno how much more power you'd make this time of year - but I assume the temps to the south are warmer... In any event if it is a 182 then I'm impressed if they got 18k!!!

-Michael

[pilotdave 0]

I'm guessing it's a P206. The U206 has the cargo door in back. P206 has a door like a 182.

Dave

[speuci 0]

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So it looks like this thread has generated quite a response...I'll fill in some details.

Why not post the video to YouTube so we can all have a look?

[T-box1990 0]

If they used a p206 then we know they didn't make it up to 18k. The service ceiling for the 206 is 15700 stock unless im mistaken.

"If piloting an airplane is flying, then driving a boat is swimming. If you want to experience the element, you have to get out of the vehicle"

[wmw999 2,439]

Even if it's a 182 in absolutely perfect condition, with supercharged engines -- it would have taken long enough to get to 18K that no responsible DZ would let them jump without oxygen. It's one thing to push the limit for 5-10 minutes in an Otter. It's another to push them for 30 minutes or whatever it would take to have a student, TM, pilot, and video all go to 18K. Even if there isn't outside video, that's still going to be a mighty slow ride.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[hackish 8]

Yeah, in my head i'm trying to figure out if it's just a misunderstanding with the tandem client, a bad weather day for the DZ or just an outright ripoff. No doubt a bunch have traded PM's and know which DZ and such. I hope the situation can be remedied or at least reported back as to what the exact reason/problem was.

-Michael

[faulknerwn 38]

You guys never jumped Forrest McBride's Green Machine! He had a huge engine in that 182, and even despite the fact that he was far from a dainty fellow, we screamed to altitude. We would normally take off 10-15 minutes after the regular 182 for formation loads.

I went to 17-18000 feet in that plane on numerous occasions, and it didn't feel like it took much longer than a regular Cessna took to 12k.

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

Ok, that 182 could do it. Is it still flying?
And I forgot about the P206. A turbine could do it.

Still, with the altimiter and the short freefall. I tend to be suspicious.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[JohnMitchell 16]

I think they got ripped off. If that's true, I want the name of the DZO so we can apply a little peer pressure.

[hackish 8]

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You guys never jumped Forrest McBride's Green Machine! He had a huge engine in that 182, and even despite the fact that he was far from a dainty fellow, we screamed to altitude.

How do you do that legally? I'm sure I could vastly improve the performance on a cessna engine just by doing the heads. Unfortunately you can't touch anything like that because you'd need an STC for it. Those engines are about the most disgusting 1950's technology castings I've ever seen.

About the only thing I've seen like that is laser drilled injectors to balance the cylinders but they're very expensive and obviously only good for the EFI planes.

Anyone got a spare PT6? I'd like to bolt it on the front of our 182 so we can do 18k tandems!

-Michael

[chuckakers 425]

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I think they got ripped off. If that's true, I want the name of the DZO so we can apply a little peer pressure.

Not trying to bust your bubble, but why would pressure from you carry any weight?

Chuck Akers
D-10855
Houston, TX

[vskydiver 0]

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I think they got ripped off. If that's true, I want the name of the DZO so we can apply a little peer pressure.

Not trying to bust your bubble, but why would pressure from you carry any weight?

JohnMitchell works for the FAA and he's here to help you!