kerb 0 #1 June 30, 2001 hi,could someone tell me on average how many planes does a dropzone lose over years of operation please?i am thinking about quitting my dropzone in mexico chuatla as i have just found out in the 6 years of operation they have lost 2! is this normal or should i quit?thanks,kerb. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zennie 0 #2 June 30, 2001 Either the DZ has really poor pilots, really bad aircraft, really bad maintenece or really bad luck. Porbably a combination of the above.Sure planes go down from time to time, but I think that's a little to close in time for my taste. Better find a better-equipped DZ.------------Blue Skies!Zennie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #3 July 2, 2001 If I were you I'd be finding a new DZ to hang at...Marc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RemiAndKaren 0 #4 July 2, 2001 note to self: do not attend boogies in chualta.... even if its only bad luck, I dont want any of it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff 0 #5 July 2, 2001 To answer your question: most dropzones never lose an aircraft. (i.e. lose due to them crashing).Geoff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #6 July 4, 2001 With luck your DZ learned a lesson from losing a plane.For example, many years ago my DZ lost an airplane when the pilot ran out of gas and landed it short of the runway. The resulting low speed flip over damaged the airframe beyond economical repair. That pilot was promptly fired. Our DZO is now more careful about who he hires to fly his airplanes, but I still glance at fuel gauges before takeoff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cameramonkey 0 #7 July 5, 2001 Quote but I still glance at fuel gauges before takeoff.Just remember that our freindly FAA mandates that the guages only are accurate at empty... in theory they can show dead on full up until it reached zero and it is still considered airworthy... You'll notice that most pilots dont even use the guages... we base our flights on time and fuel consumption. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #8 July 5, 2001 Its all about fuel consumption and time...Marc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PalmettoTiger 1 #9 July 5, 2001 If I haven't seen the plane get fueled in the last few jumps, I'll actually ask the pilot if we're gassed up. Because I ask nonchalantly, I get a smartass answer about skydivers and flatulence, but I figure if we're about to run out it would make the pilot think about it.Blues, Squares,PTiger*insert sub-100 character sig here* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #10 July 5, 2001 Technically true, but I will not take off in a 182 with less than 1/4 tank showing on the gauges, especially with students onboard. I am a pilot and I won't fly with less than that either.Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #11 July 5, 2001 Does that mean that you have another DZ close enough to you that it wouldn't be much of a hassle to move there? If not, and you really want to skydive, then you just have to weigh the odds and make your own decision. Unlike one of the other posters, I don't think I have ever been to a DZ that DID NOT lose at least one plane to some sort of accident or incident. Shit happens. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kerb 0 #12 July 5, 2001 i just found out, the dropzone had lost the two planes in the last two years. that's definitly a no no for me.too bad just have to wait until a new dz opens up with better equipment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
