Video out of a Twin Beech Westwind

[west33freefall 0]

Was just wondering if anyone has experience with jumping out of a twin beech westwind doing video. It is a taildragger and the tail sits relatively low in level flight. The pilot will be in a slight nose down attitude when we exit but still very cautious of the tail. Any tips on best way to exit and stay set up for the video. I no not to open my wings right out of the door but anything else to expect or try with anyone who has some experience around this aircraft?

[bomb420 1]

What exactly are you filming? I have only a half a dozen out of this plane and besides the narrow door and either getting pushed out of it or diving out after the group, I have not noticed any difference. Of course its generally zoo FF dives since its a specialty plane anyway.

-Trunk

HYPOXIC

[stratostar 5]

Just drop off, don't jump up. You can rear float like any other plane, not a big deal unless you jump up.

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo

[jimmytavino 16]

exit from front float ???

we had a westwind visit us a few times
cool airplane..
it had bubble windows.

beat the hell out of a 182...

skydive safely

jmy

[freefalljason 0]

So they have a Westwind back at Green Co. now? They are really cool aircraft.

We had one in Tullahoma back in 2003 and 2004 and I did about 250 camera jumps out of it. We are currently using a standard Twin Beech with radial engines and I have about 200 camera jumps from it.

Here are the two options that our vidiots use for tandems.

1) Rear float, squatting down for better line of sight; as the tandem rocks forward on "go", let go and fall away (wings collapsed) with your chest in the relative wind and legs out to minimize seperation.

2) (more advanced) Rear float, squatting down for better line of sight; as the tandem rocks forward on "go"(timing is critical so you don't hit the exiting pair), push off forward, launching your head into the relative wind with wings collapsed and legs out, as you fall away from the plane and the tandem deployes the droge you have to transition to belly or sit without losing the subject in the frame.

I have pics at home that will better show the differances. I will try and post them this evening.

Front float might work as well (no one here has done it) but it's a low wing a/c and most of the front float camera exits that I have seen have been from Twin Otters (high wing).

The Westwind pilot used to drop the gear on jump run to help CG and help push the tail up more.

Hope this helps.

Blue Skies,
Jason