freefalle 0 #1 February 16, 2005 I had the chance to jump the Skytruck this past weekend in Lebelle Fl with 4 other people. Has anyone elase jumped it? I like it. I had never hear of it before its a fun plane to jump check out the photo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #2 February 16, 2005 "I had never heard of it before its a fun plane to jump" I'd never heard of it either, so I googled..... Looks like it only recently got FAA approval, so you are probably one of the first in the states to jump one. Its being touted as a replacement for the ubiquitous Twin Otter, and even has PT-6 engines, so they may become more popular, which would be very cool. It looks very similar to an Antonov AN28, which are not uncommon in Europe, I saw one website that indicated that they were the same beastie, but I don't think the AN28 has P&W engines in it. The Skytruck is also known as an M28 if you are googling around, its built in Poland, IIRC. Cracking photo. edit to add a couple of pics so you can decide.....-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #3 February 16, 2005 Hmmmm...Riddler and I missed that on Sunday. Damn. Unfortunately, his g/f was having car issues so we had to drive back up to Tampa.----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakflyer9999 1 #4 February 16, 2005 Quote"I had never heard of it before its a fun plane to jump" I'd never heard of it either, so I googled..... Looks like it only recently got FAA approval, so you are probably one of the first in the states to jump one. There was one at Quincy 97 that made a few loads. It was turning loads faster than Mullin's Kingair. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #5 February 16, 2005 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1258988#1258988 My thoughts a couple of months back together with a very informative link. If you search the pages here there are a couple of referrences to people having jumped them... but it's certainly a rare experiance so far. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #6 February 16, 2005 Yep, my bad, sorry . "PZL Mielec has been the sole source for production An-28s, and has developed a westernised version powered by 820kW (1100shp) Pratt & Whitney PT6A65B turboprops with five blade Hartzell propellers, plus some western (BendixKing) avionics. Designated the An-28PT, first flight was during early 1993 and it is in limited production. Marketed as the M28 Skytruck, the type received Polish certification equivalent to US FAR Part 23 in March 1996. " Here is a bent one (AN28) from Sward's collection, I think this one biffed in England (Weston?). Let's hear it for P&W. Matt, I think they (AN28) are relatively common in Scandinavia and the Baltic, and popular with jumpers.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #7 February 16, 2005 I understand that it is taller inside than a Twin Otter, but about 6" shorter than a Casa 212. Can anyone confirm that?Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #8 February 16, 2005 Difficult to tell, John, some stats here. http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=38 attached is snagged from that site.....-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #9 February 16, 2005 Yup, I've seen loads of places use them. I'm looking forward to jumping some AN-28's later this year when I go to Russia... So the M28 is essentially a tweaked AN28 with bigger engines... sounds like a really good idea to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyhi 24 #10 February 16, 2005 Quoteattached is snagged from that site..... Are they seated facing forward? What's the thought process there?Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #11 February 16, 2005 "Are they seated facing forward? " I don't think they are, it looks like some sort of double door, check the view out of the window, assuming they are climbing.???-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #12 February 16, 2005 Is the tailgate on it large enough to launch a piece?_________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #13 February 16, 2005 Anyone remember the weight limitation before AC require 2 pilots? This thing has a MGTW of almost 15,500---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #14 February 16, 2005 12,500 lb. Twin Otters barely make it... CASA's require 2. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bch7773 0 #15 February 16, 2005 that plane looks almost exactly like a B-26 bomber from WW2 MB 3528, RB 1182 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,990 #16 February 16, 2005 It looks like a skyvan, only less ugly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #17 February 16, 2005 QuoteIs the tailgate on it large enough to launch a piece? depends the size of the piece scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjhdiver 0 #18 February 16, 2005 QuoteI had the chance to jump the Skytruck this past weekend in Lebelle Fl with 4 other people. Has anyone elase jumped it? I like it. I had never hear of it before its a fun plane to jump check out the photo I've jumped them a bunch in Europe. It's about the same capacity as an Otter, but surprisingly for a tailgate, it's both low and narrow. If you can get three people across it, it's a real squeeze. Having said that, it's a better choice for the DZ that wants to have a larger plane than a PAC750 IMHO, just on lift capacity and climb rate alone. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerry81 10 #19 February 16, 2005 QuoteQuoteattached is snagged from that site..... Are they seated facing forward? What's the thought process there? Nope, that's the back door. It can be opened almost completely on jump run and can be a bit of a pain if it gets stuck (but I'm sure that only happens in Russia) and you have to use the narrow opening. There's about 2' from this door to the edge of the tailgate. Exiting might take just a little getting used to when you're not doing it alone, as the hole isn't extremely wide and the sides have a small nasty edge (at least on the planes I jumped). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrogNog 1 #20 February 16, 2005 QuoteNope, that's the back door. It can be opened almost completely on jump run and can be a bit of a pain if it gets stuck (but I'm sure that only happens in Russia) and you have to use the narrow opening. There's about 2' from this door to the edge of the tailgate. Exiting might take just a little getting used to when you're not doing it alone, as the hole isn't extremely wide and the sides have a small nasty edge (at least on the planes I jumped). So on this plane there is a cabin door before the actual tailgate opening? What is the "small nasty edge" about? Is it similar to the various rolled panel panel in a C-182 that has had the interior stripped? Or is it more sinister (e.g. sharper, or a deep channel that could catch fingers, ...)? -=-=-=-=- Pull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #21 February 17, 2005 Anyone know what they're worth? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropzonefool 0 #22 February 17, 2005 Anyone know what they're worth ------------------------------------------------------------ Ditto, is US dollars? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #23 February 17, 2005 It looks like a Skyvan and a Twin Otter had kids - the front half is Otter, the rear half Box. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #24 February 17, 2005 According to the manufacturer, a Skytruck can drop 17 paratroopers. There's a Skytruck Plus under development that can drop 27 paratroopers... so maybe even more civvy jumpers? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrogNog 1 #25 February 17, 2005 From that super-skytruck website (emphasis mine): Quote The SKYTRUCK PLUS will be available in two varieties. One of those features a hydraulically -operated cargo door in the rear fuselage (tail) section, made up of either two door halves or a ramp door, combined with a cargo hoist. The major purpose of the variety will be for transportation of loose, small cargo items. Describe any jumpers anybody knows? -=-=-=-=- Pull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
