Aerograd Kolomna

[mr2mk1g 10]

Ok, I'm going there later this year... but I have a couple of questions first for locals or anyone who knows the DZ.

1) What's the best time of year to go out there? I'm thinking mainly with regards to the weather and whatever events that may be going on at the DZ.

2) What's the weather like during this period?

3) Will the DZ provide the invitation I need for a visa?

4) Are there any issues with taking a rig through Russian customs?

5) Does the DZ have packers and what are the rates like?

6) What sort of (non-skydiving) gear would you recommend bringing? Is there a bunk house? What’s it like and is it a question of bringing sleeping bags etc?

7) Any other tips?

8) Are there any locals on here who're going to say "hi" to me while I'm out there?



cheers all

[Plummets 0]

Went end of august last year, weather was pretty good, just starting to go downhill. Don't know when the season starts though.

www.realrussia.net , will sort out all you need for invitation and visa, it'll cost you about £60 all up and takes a few days only. Just a couple of forms to fill in then post your passport recorded to their London office. Really is no hassle.

Fly into Domedodova airport (Swissair or BA) its the right side of moscow, bout £250 return Swiss through Geneva.

No issues taking a rig through customs, actually I checked mine in didn't carry on.

Packers are very good and very quick. A pack job worked out as £0.9 (yes 90 pence), and the jumps £6 to 13,500 in either the Antonov 28 tailgate or the M8 helicopter tailgate and side door, your choice!

Great DZ, food basic, vodka good, £3 for a good bottle. Bunkhouse think 1930s unrenovated musty smell, beds and duvets fine though, each room sleeps about 10 I think. £2 per night. There is a hotel in Kolomna... looks pretty basic.

Definately worth going, the skydiving side is very well organised, new toilets showers, packing sheds. Nightlife and food.... well its a bit of an adventure

"Life is a bowl of deadly nightshade, stay way way out on the rim brother"

[mr2mk1g 10]

Cool, thanks very much for the tips. I understand this is a busy DZ... I'd be looking to whack in somewhere around 100 jumps in about 10 days... anyone see any reason why Kolomna (baring bad luck with weather of course) wouldn't be able to keep me up that much?

[falxori 0]

nope, you can basiclly jump as much as you want.

when we were there in august we had 2 days of rain (out of 10) which is ok (went to see moscow).

the skydiving side, as mentioned above is well taken care of both in procedures (they called in english too when we were there) and safety (you get a yellow card if you goof up and a read card if you really do something stupid).

as for sleeping, we stayed at the kolomna hotel which has all sorts of rooms. starting with a basic room for 2 (~25$), and all the way up to a suit (~100$) which is more than you'll ever need.
food at the DZ is ok but not that great but there are 2-3 very good restaurants in town.

there are a few locals on dz.com that will know more about the weather, i'm sure they'll post something for you.

we had a great time and most likely go there again this year.

O

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."

[DancingFlame 0]

Some clickies:

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=967787;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=1152592;page=2;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1158905;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1384544;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

'Search' link may also help.

Yea, I'm one of 'some locals' from Aerograd

[mr2mk1g 10]

Cheers, I'd seen and even posted in some of them.

Seeing as you live near - what's the best time of year to visit? I've got a provisional window of May/June/July sort of time... but that's only because I figured thats when you get the best weather.

When would you go? I'm completely open to suggestions.

[katzurki 0]

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8) Are there any locals on here who're going to say "hi" to me while I'm out there?

I'll say hi to ya... better yet, I'll drink hi to ya!

I'd say May and June are still prone to an occasional rain or drizzle, but chances are good July will be sunny.

Of course, people will make the best weather seem cold by comparison, so come whenever, we are after your liver!

[DancingFlame 0]

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what's the best time of year to visit? I've got a provisional window of May/June/July sort of time...

It depends. Usually, weather in July is the best for skydiving. But there are so many people at the DZ... DZ is a bit overcrowded. Somebody likes it, somebody not.

May: weather is hot during the day, nights are cold (twice I stayed at tent and twice I've got awaken early in the morning shaking because of cold). The 'big boogies' 80-way record attempts will be made in the beginning of May (2-8 I believe). Important event for all bellyfliers... including me

June: weather is hot during the day, nights are warm. A lot of tents everywhere And a lot of people inside those tents. Days are REALLY LONG (the longest day is 22th June). Jumping starts at 9:00 and finished ~21:30. Most records (~1300 jumps per day, 64 loads) were set at June.

July: weather is too hot (for me) to jump in jumpsuits... so we are doing RW in shorts Fun jumping, warm nights and a lot of partying (go figure why). Days are a bit shorter than in June but still long enough to make 10+ jumps a day.

Quote

When would you go?

It's up to you. If you are really good at formation skydiving, 80-way in May would be the best bet. If are in a very good shape to jump 12 hors a day then choose June. Weather usually better in July.