Information about jumping large AC

[Crzy_Canuck 0]

As per a previous thread, i am soon looking to jump larger planes than a C182. I just finished reading people's posts about jump run awarness etc...
What is the "Standard" procedure in a plan that holds many people (king air, Skyvan ...)
When the plane is at altitude is there only one pass on jump run to get everyone out? Do you all get out at once (within seconds of each other) understanding you cant be too far from the target and still make it back.
Any thoughts would be great. The thought of jumping with that many people in the air is a little intimidating because i have yet to experience it.
Thanks

[NWFlyer 2]

Doing a search on "exit order" or "exit separation" will probably get you a wealth of information and opinions.

There's also an article in the Safety section that might be a good start:

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=28

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[gemini 0]

Quote

What is the "Standard" procedure in a plan that holds many people (king air, Skyvan ...)

Although there is no standard, many dropzones load tandems first, students, freeflyers by size of group, bellyflyers by size of group, skysufers, and low alt hop n poppers.

Ask what the dz and the jumpers want for the interval between exits since with different aircraft there are different airspeeds to deal with.

Most of the pilots will use a series of lights to indicate door and exit. Be familiar with the specific lights on each aircraft.

Go arounds are frequently performed to insure that the tandems do not land off. This is especially true if there are large belly groups that take some time to climb out and exit. Watch the lights! If the pilot feels the exit is to long, he will stop the exits and go around.

Don't be intimidated by the other jumpers on the load. If you think you are long, request a go around.
If you are going to be exiting first, ask one of the locals to help you with the spot. Generally if he gets out right after you, he isn't going to put you out where you can't get back.

Watch for gear snag points inside the aircraft and keep your hands off the door rails and inside bar until the door is open.

Observe the local customs in handling the seating, putting seats up, seat belt stowage, etc. In an Otter it is nice for the tandems if a jumper has folded the rear bulkhead seat for them.

Blue skies,

Jim

[riggerrob 643]

Go arounds are frequently performed to insure that the tandems do not land off.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Depends upon the agreement with local air traffic controllers.
For example, Pitt Meadows is in the standard approach path to Vancouver International Airport. We have to mix jump planes with airliners, so controllers rarely give us more than one pass above 5,000 feet.

Again, it is a matter of asking local jumpers about local procedures.

[slotperfect 7]

As already stated, jump aircraft are set up differently, and drop zones have different procedures. The big thing is to ask . . . I have never been to a DZ where the management didn't LIKE it when new arrivals asked questions to keep themselves and others safe.

At Raeford, the Otters have only one light - green. The cut in power means open the door, the green light means the first group climbout and exit, and the green light going out means wait for a go-around. If there is a group in the door when the green light goes out, the pilot will gently kick the rudder to let the group in the door know they are long. They then choose whether to go or climb back in.

Arrive Safely

John

[Zep 0]

I'll give you a good tip for a skyvan/liner, Do not pass the white line till the group in front of you has exited
You can stall the flying brick.

Gone fishing

[CanuckInUSA 0]

Quote

If you think you are long, request a go around.

Of course this was said during an Eloy Holiday boogie, so it doesn't always apply ...

"If you don't like the spot, it's not getting any better".
Bryan Burke - Skydive Arizona

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[kelpdiver 2]

as you've guessed, the big difference is that the sky will be full of people. Depending on where you pull and the place you go, you could be one of the first out the door.

Know that you hang up longer in the air by pulling down on the toggles and going to slow flight, letting all the fast canopies get down below you. Make sure you get a good LZ briefing that covers the preferred pattern, and any areas to avoid flying over.

Exiting the plane - separation could be as low as 4-5 seconds. Ask for help here. And don't wait till that 5 second point to start to set up in the door - you may hose the people behind you. But also don't let them yell at you to leave at 3.

Know the outs in case you exit short. Long too, but if you're pulling at 3500 or above as a student, you can generally make it back.

Oh, enjoy the bigger door. I especially love being able to stand up fully in the door of a King Air.

[bch7773 0]

if you ever get to jump a larger plane... thers one answer for you that is correct no matter what type of plane.... ask others! ask the pilot, a LO, or the staff what the proper procedures are. maybe find a coach or a nice person to go up on your first jump out the big planes and show you the ropes. Thats how i learned.

MB 3528, RB 1182

[riggerrob 643]

Try to think of all those canopies as a giant ball.

Being in the center of that ball is overwhelming - trying to avoid all those canopies zipping around the sky.
Far wiser to get off to the side of the ball. That way you can spend 3/4 of your time watching the canopies on your left, with only an occasional glance over your right shoulder.
Another way to avoid canopy collisions is vertical stacking. Let the young guys with their fast canopies take the bottom of the ball.
Mid-range sport jumpers with medium-sized canopies can fly around the equator of the ball. Tandems, students and junior jumpers with slow canopies are on top of the ball. Ask what color canopies local students wear and give them a wide berth. Similarly, tandem instructors may be brighter, but they are busy with students and cannot always get out of your way, so give them a wide berth too.

In conclusion, the simplest way to handle that huge ball of canopies is to open higher than most - say 3500' - and hang in half brakes until most of the ball has landed.

It is all about keeping your head a minute/mile ahead of your parachute.