itaikanot 0 #1 March 16, 2013 I'm a skydiver and my neighbor has an helicopter... I wanted to know if I'm "allowed" to fly with him and jump out of it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,998 #2 March 16, 2013 Per the FAA? Sure, just give between 1 and 24 hours warning to the nearest FSS, make the call before you jump and go. Has to be uncontrolled airspace (class D or E) which can be hard to find near airports. You also need permission of the landowner. And of course you need to have a pilot who is willing to take you and an aircraft that can fly with the door open. It would also be very, very smart to have a PRO rating before you try to organize an impromptu demo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #3 March 17, 2013 Quote Has to be uncontrolled airspace (class D or E) which can be hard to find near airports. Class D and E are both controlled, but VFR activities such as skydiving are allowed. Class D airspace is within a 5 statute mile radius of an airport with a control tower, up to 2500' AGL. Permission from the tower is required for parachuting activity. Class E airspace in just about everywhere else. No permission is needed, just contact ATC for traffic advisories prior to each jump. Class B airspace, around major airports, requires all kinds of special permission. We jumped in Class B airspace for years. I have story or two about that. Any good pilot should know the type of airspace his flight is in and who to contact for air traffic control services. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davelepka 4 #5 March 17, 2013 Not knowing your experience level, or the situation in general, I have a few comments. First off, make sure the pilot is qualified. A 'new' helo pilot might not be the best person to use as a jump pilot. It's an unusual situation, with an open cabin and rapid weight shift/change, and an addition to the workload. Not the best idea for a 'new guy', maybe if he's a commercial helo pilot, that would be a good indication of training, skill, and expereince. As for the jumping, again, not knowing your experience, being on a DZ surrounded by staff and other jumpers has it's benefits, none of which you will have jumping off-site. Things like spotting, and LZ selection. Having an extra set of eyes on your gear, or being able to get a gear check/pin check at all. Having a 'crowd' of people watching your landing and responding to you if you are injured. Ditto if you have a mal or land off, all of those jumpers on the ground will be able to get a line on where you and your gear lands, and be able to recover both much quicker. If you happen to land off and be injured, that response time is all that much more important. Again, just some generic things to think about when jumping off the DZ, or with non-jump aircraft or pilots. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #6 March 17, 2013 QuoteI'm a skydiver and my neighbor has an helicopter... I wanted to know if I'm "allowed" to fly with him and jump out of it If you are talking about just fun jumping at an "off DZ" location, then yes, it can be done legally. Whether or not it's safe or smart is a whole different question. Search the term "Bandit Jumps" for the info."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
R2D2 0 #7 March 17, 2013 QuoteQuoteI'm a skydiver and my neighbor has an helicopter... I wanted to know if I'm "allowed" to fly with him and jump out of it If you are talking about just fun jumping at an "off DZ" location, then yes, it can be done legally. Whether or not it's safe or smart is a whole different question. Search the term "Bandit Jumps" for the info. The term "bandit jump" is a misnomer, as there's nothing inherently illegal about making jumps somewhere other than an established drop zone. If that term is to be applied to any jump where a FAR is violated, then bandit jumps can and are also made every weekend at established drop zones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #8 March 17, 2013 Quote Quote Quote I'm a skydiver and my neighbor has an helicopter... I wanted to know if I'm "allowed" to fly with him and jump out of it If you are talking about just fun jumping at an "off DZ" location, then yes, it can be done legally. Whether or not it's safe or smart is a whole different question. Search the term "Bandit Jumps" for the info. The term "bandit jump" is a misnomer, as there's nothing inherently illegal about making jumps somewhere other than an established drop zone. If that term is to be applied to any jump where a FAR is violated, then bandit jumps can and are also made every weekend at established drop zones. I agree that there's nothing illegal about an off DZ jump, as long as the procedures are followed. But that's what they are commonly called. And if the OP wants to know how to do them, searching that term will give him lots of info about it. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmarshall234 14 #9 March 17, 2013 I think Bill meant class G (Golf) or E. Both of which have much more relaxed rules. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #10 March 18, 2013 QuoteI think Bill meant class G (Golf) or E. Both of which have much more relaxed rules. Yep. just being a stickler on terms. E is controlled but open to all VFR activity, skydiving included. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites