Mike Mullins King Air

[NoShitThereIWas 0]

And I second everything that Scott said. Taft is a great DZ. The vibe out there is the best. The people are so nice and what a fun crowd to hang and jump with. Nick, Cher, Corky, Bethany, Dave C., and everyone else too!

Don't forget to stop by Nick and Corky's rigging loft. It is awesome! If I wasn't moving East and didn't live so far away, I would definitely make Taft my home DZ.

Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires."

Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

[scottjaco 0]

beer and food which can be found within walking distance***

yah, I saw a couple of pizza's from dominos getting delivered. As far as beer, just bring a 12 pack and share. Eventually you'll bum more beer from people than what you are paying for!

[StearmanR985 0]

Hmm, the way you guys keep talking up Taft makes me want to come visit. After all, I will be visiting me pappy very soon in Bakersfield which is apparently only 45 minutes away.

Is Taft "Recent Graduate" friendly or should I gain more experience before visiting? Advice anyone?

[tfelber 0]

You'll have no problem fitting in! Bring beer, since it will be your FIRST time at Taft. BTW, is it your FIRST time in Mullins KingAir, FIRST time jumping in CA, FIRST time in an oilfield...

[genoyamamoto 0]

Hey Scott,
It's the tall norcal guy. Thanks for the skydive! That was way cool and way better than going solo.

Gotta go... plaything needs to spank me
Feel the hate...
Photos here

[StearmanR985 0]

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You'll have no problem fitting in! Bring beer, since it will be your FIRST time at Taft. BTW, is it your FIRST time in Mullins KingAir, FIRST time jumping in CA, FIRST time in an oilfield...

I don't say that particular 'F' word anymore so I really couldn't say. My truck is only a half ton, it can only hold so much beer and ice.

[genoyamamoto 0]

Hey i'm new too, was there last weekend. People are super friendly there, they even put me on an 8-way (thanks noshitthereiwas and dzo-Dave and others for organizing). The skydive was a bit overwhelming and didn't really go off as planned but I learned a LOT about exit separation and belly flying just by being with those guys!

Gotta go... plaything needs to spank me
Feel the hate...
Photos here

[StearmanR985 0]

Sounds awesome, glad you had a great time on your 8-way!!
I am VERY new (8 jumps) so I should probably either jump with coach rated divers or do solos. If all goes well, I will be visiting Taft in a couple of weeks and am very much looking forward to it.

Jeff

[scottjaco 0]

Well, now with the gravel pit, and the established "Left hand landing pattern" I would say it's more organized. You have a better idea of where to land and it's a bit more structured.

If you are in Bakersfield, it's the closest dropzone anyway!!

[bodypilot1 0]

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Is Taft "Recent Graduate" friendly or should I gain more experience before visiting? Advice anyone?

Hey Jeff,
You have to be a member of USPA to jump at Taft so join before you go.
Also, call them and see if they will let you jump with just a proficency card.
Officaly your still a student till you get you A licence. And because you are not under a AFF instructors supervision on a jump, your still not allowed to jump with anyone that doesn't have atleast a Coaches Rating at a USPA dropzone. They will make you jump with an AFF Instructor or Coach.
It's better that you get an A license before you start jumping at other DZ's in my opinion.

Be safe.

www.WestCoastWingsuits.com
www.PrecisionSkydiving.com

[StearmanR985 0]

Spoke with my JM to get some advice on traveling to a new DZ, being that I am a beginner and all. So, if all goes according to plan, I intend to be at Taft on Saturday December 27th (praying for good weather). This will be my FIRST time jumping at a DZ other than my home, Lodi.

Yes, I said the 'F' word. I will have ice chest in tow (it will be full) along with a couple of bottles of wine for those of you with a sophisticated palate. Kidding, kidding....

I am looking forward to hopefully meeting some you. I am so excited I can barely stand it!!

Now, I best fire off that USPA application, hope I get registered in time.

Jeff

[jsaxton 0]

You should be OK with your completed A license card.

[RevJim 0]

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Official USPA A-license stamp:
This stamp and signature of a USPA Instructor or I/E,
verifies that the applicant has completed all qualifications
for the USPA A skydiving license and performed satisfactorily
on the USPA A-license check dive. This temporary
USPA A license expires with the holder’s USPA regular
membership or when replaced by any registered license
issued from USPA Headquarters.

Directly from the USPA A card.

Since you need membership to jump at Taft, get one.
Honestly, I say get the "A" done too. Ithelps get by all the BS when filling waivers at other DZs. Note, though, that you are NOT required to have it by the USPA. The completed, signed, and stamped A card acts as a temporary license, expiring only when you let your membership expire or actually register it and recieve a number.

It's your life, live it!
Karma
RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

[StearmanR985 0]

I called Taft a few days ago and spoke with Dave (I think that was his name ) and he said as long as I bring my log book and my progression card and have at least applied for USPA membership I will be allowed to jump.
I am going to bring my video tape of all my T-AF's just in case someone needs to check out my abilities. I don't mind doing a coach jump either if that is deemed necessary. Hey, perhaps I can get a skill or two signed off on my card. Still planning on being there the 27th.

Jeff

[murps2000 86]

It's 90 series. Can't remember if it's A-90 or B-90. Pretty sure it's not C-90, as those have a slightly larger wingspan. Definitely not a 200, although I believe the engines are the same as those on a 200, PT-6-34's. Slick 4-blade props, too. Correct me if I'm wrong, any pilots out there.

I wish there were still a king air 200 flying jumpers, tho.

[AndyAnderson 0]

Mullins' Kingair is a B 90 with Hartzell 4 bladed props, PT6-34's (750 hp per side), Frakes Cowls and velocity stacks.
Check out http://skydivekingair.com/aircraft.asp

It has bigger wings and is lighter than than an A100 so it is faster to altitude.
The pilot also seems to know what he is doing.
Andy.

[murps2000 86]

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The pilot also seems to know what he is doing.

I never doubted that for a second.

[PhreeZone 20]

http://skydivekingair.com/aircraft.asp

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[skybaum 0]

I'll second that Mike knows what he's doing! We have Mike and his guys in for our July 4th boogie in Luverne, MN (Skydive Adventures of Luverne, MN/formerly South Dakota Skydivers)almost every year and the experience is great.
Lots of loads, fast climb, great zero G before climb out.
Can't wait til next year!

[tbrown 26]

I'm going to give this thread a bump because it deserves it. Went out to Taft today and made four dives for the princely sum of $52. That's three dives at $14 and the $10 morning load. All from 14 grand.

That little plane of his really does get there in 6-7 minutes, and it does it so smoothly. And best of all, you know it's time to exit when Mike lifts you off the floor at zero-g (a really weird feeling, at least the first time) and tells you to exit. I know Taft is a long drive, I put on over 300 miles myself today. But It's a wonderful DZ with a small DZ vibe, an excellent loft, some wonderful people, and Mike's incredible plane. This isn't going to last forever, and frankly I think if more people got up there and gave it a go, there's certainly room to run a lot more loads on that King Air. There's just another month or two, if you haven't been up to Taft, you ARE definitely missing out on the fun!

Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

[scottjaco 0]

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princely sum of $52

Yah, it's the best deal in Southern California.

Apparently the Japanese group that was suppose to come to Taft cancelled.

It's a long story.
Aparently the leader/translator/Japanese DZ owner
of the group is not coming because he is being blamed for a recent tandem fatality. The drouge got stuck and would not release. The reserve entangled with it and they bounced.

He is being blamed for this fatality, although I don't really understand why. What ever happened to the phrase "You are negligent, even by attempting to skydive"?

Few of the 60 or so Japanese are making the trip this year.

I hope Mike comes back next year, his plane is too awsome for people not to use it!

I don't know why all these clicky Perris/Elsinore jumpers are afraid to get in their car and drive by themselves (god forbid) to a new dropzone?

Don't get me wrong, Perris/Elsinore are decent dropzones but aren't people at all interested in this plane?

[Cajones 0]

We're not all clicky!

Lew and I love Mike and his airplane. We wanted to come up while Surfia (Kim) from Mirage was up there...

Then a huge fire burned up our stuff, so we are poor and gearless now.

- Cajones

The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

[PhreeZone 20]

>Don't get me wrong, Perris/Elsinore are decent dropzones but aren't people at all interested in this plane?

Its a nice plane... and I love getting my morning wake up in it at WFFC every day, but I like larger doors if I'm flying with others.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[tbrown 26]

Its a nice plane... and I love getting my morning wake up in it at WFFC every day, but I like larger doors if I'm flying with others.

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

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Don't get me wrong, Perris/Elsinore are decent dropzones but aren't people at all interested in this plane?

Personally, I don't care who has the fastest King Air; I don't like them. They are a complete pain in the ass for "work" skydiving (tandems and AFF) as compared to larger door airplanes and even C-182's. "fastest" only means something to people with the money to pay packers and rack up jump numbers really quick before noon so they can get dressed up and go play golf. I would take a slower Otter over a rocketship King Air anyday. And for the record: every dropzone has cliques.

Chuck