wadeinusa 0 #1 October 23, 2007 Are the winds at the dz's in Hawaii really as bad as everyone says??? Planning a trip there and wanted to do some jumping early next year Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #2 October 23, 2007 With your experience, you should be fine. I believe that most anyone that has at least an "A" and receives a solid briefing should be fine. You just need to be aware that the winds blow nearly all the time. Don't expect to be jumping after around 3:00 or so. Skydive Hawaii/Pacific Skydivers share the same strip of grass, one using the farther end than the other. They're not small, I'd estimate 100 yds wide, 300 yards long or so. But there are very tall trees to the north that create rotors from the tradewinds, there are powerlines everywhere along the road, and the primary out is about half a mile away at a polo field (don't land there during a match). The skydive operations (both DZ's) have administration, packing, etc on the south side of the landing area, so they're hazards too. Beautiful place to jump, great people at Skydive Hawaii. You just wanna not find yourself too far west (towards runway) of the landing spot on most days. This pic is of my 50th jump under a big boat 190. The person taking the pic is at the fenceline on the south part of the landing area. You can see the north fence, trees, and powerlines. The west side of the landing area is the runway (planes are not flying that far west of it when I've been there) and the east side has a fence and powerlines, it's the airport access road. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
labrys 0 #3 October 23, 2007 I've only visited once. It was early June and the wind usually started edging up to around 25 mph around noon. I got there early in the morning and didn't have any problems getting a few jumps before it got too windy for my taste.Owned by Remi #? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmetz 0 #4 October 23, 2007 I did my AFF and first 40-50 jumps there around this time of year, and from what I understood, the winds are different at other times. But when I was there, during the early morning and prior to noonish, the winds were pretty steady from either east or west. If they happened to be from the north (?) they would land at the other end of the runway, although it was a B license or higher thing so I never did. Pretty much everyday around noon-2 pm the winds would shift from the south and all operations shut down, as the North Shore was only a couple hundred feet beyond the north side of the dz. I learned there, so the winds didn't bother me. I didn't know any better anyhow. But now I can see how some might think they're really bad if you haven't been exposed to winds like that before. From what I remember, they seemed to me to be quite predictable, which was comforting. Anyway...that's my 2 cents. Oh yeah, one more thing...when I was there, and this was 6 years ago, PISC did an "early bird" load which they manifested the day before and it took off just after sunrise. I got on every one I could, absolutely awesome views, you could see some of the other islands silhouetted by the sunrise._________________________________________ "If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RyanOBrian 0 #5 October 24, 2007 No there not to bad, it can get a little bumpy at times but it's not too bad. SDH requires a "B" licence now for visiting jumpers. And you don't have to worry about polo matches going on right now they just finished there last match about 2 weeks ago. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ROK 0 #6 October 24, 2007 Here's a few pics for ya... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bolas 5 #7 October 24, 2007 Wow!!! Do they let you land on that beautiful beach? Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ROK 0 #8 October 24, 2007 Quote Wow!!! Do they let you land on that beautiful beach? The DZ/LZ is at the far end of the runway, but it's always been my understanding that you can land anywhere you like, at any drop zone....ONCE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflyJoe 0 #9 October 24, 2007 Does anyone know if there is still any jump operations in Maui? Thanks in advance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RyanOBrian 0 #10 October 25, 2007 Well not legally but it IS one of our "outs" You can spot for that load. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
selbbub78 0 #11 October 25, 2007 Wow, that's amazing... I so want to jump there when i go to hawaii in December CReW Skies, bubbles "Women fake orgasms - men fake whole relationships" – Sharon Stone "The world is my dropzone" (wise crewdog quote) "The light dims, until full darkness pierces into the world."-KDM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yamtx73 0 #12 October 25, 2007 Quote Wow, that's amazing... I so want to jump there when i go to hawaii in December CReW Skies, bubbles I did when I was there in March.. definitely a must do!The only naturals in this sport shit thru feathers... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HALO1 0 #13 October 26, 2007 DSE's comments are spot on. My home DZ (PISC) for past few years. With your experience and jump numbers, should not be a problem. As always, a thorough DZ brief will round out the details. The only thing not mentioned was the south "Kona" winds. It's that time of year again and when they start, even the most experienced Hawaii jumpers stay grounded. Don't be sexist… Broads hate that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
selbbub78 0 #14 October 26, 2007 thanks for the advice... Guess my rig is going to Hawaii in 1.5 month's timeframe!!! CReW Skies, bubbles "Women fake orgasms - men fake whole relationships" – Sharon Stone "The world is my dropzone" (wise crewdog quote) "The light dims, until full darkness pierces into the world."-KDM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
renee673 0 #15 October 29, 2007 We'll see you out here then! As most said, with your jumps and a good briefing that you pay attention to you will be fine. On south wind days none of us jump b/c of the mountain turbulance. I've learned out here and its a great group of people who all look out for each other and any newcomers. See you soon! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyflyer3 0 #16 July 13, 2008 The only thing not mentioned was the south "Kona" winds. It's that time of year again and when they start, even the most experienced Hawaii jumpers stay grounded. Kona (west) winds usually aren't a problem. If south winds get REALLY strong, we'll concider stopping operations. There's no, more experienced jumpers then the Skydive Hawaii staff. We get 'er done! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JumpeRod 0 #17 November 19, 2011 The big trees on the east side of the LZ mentioned in DSE's post have been almost completely chopped down over the past month or so. Every one of them will be gone soon thus eliminating those rotors. There is an art, or rather, a knack to flying. The knack lies in learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss. Pick a nice day and try it. -- Douglas Adams Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #18 November 19, 2011 Quote The big trees on the east side of the LZ mentioned in DSE's post have been almost completely chopped down over the past month or so. Every one of them will be gone soon thus eliminating those rotors. Did they get the dispute over the trees worked out with the neighbors? That would be terrific!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JumpeRod 0 #19 November 19, 2011 I don't know all of the politics of it, but yes, they were able to secure permission to cut down those particular trees.There is an art, or rather, a knack to flying. The knack lies in learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss. Pick a nice day and try it. -- Douglas Adams Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites