DZresident

Let me clarify a couple of points for those who may be interested, and pass on a little general information while I'm at it. A full load for the Antonov AN-2 is 12 jumpers to 11,500 feet. All 12 jumpers have seats and seat belts. Time to altitude is approximately 35 minutes. Cost per jump at altitude is 40.00 CDN. The plane was delayed in Poland for almost two months, only arriving here in Canada very late in the season. Attempting to set up student operations at that point in time made very little sense, whereas playing with our new toy and having a little fun for ourselves seemed to make a great deal of sense. During the last couple of months, we have been taking up a fair number of experienced loads, as well as doing a little bit of old fashioned barn storming whenever an opportunity presented itself. The aircraft was on static display at the Halifax International Air Show in September, and this weekend, at the invitation of the Seagulls, we will be flying and jumping out of the airport at Sydney Cape Breton. (If any of you can actually remember the Seagulls Skydive Club, then you've been around this sport for a very long time indeed.) This winter the plane will be operating from the airport at Trenton Nova Scotia. The aircraft has a heated cabin, and we have access to a heated hanger at the airport for packing. Weather permitting; it is our intention to keep on flying and jumping right on through the winter. We are now working on setting up the student operation end of things, and should have a full tandem and PFF program up and running come the spring. It is not our intention to offer a first jump course, but we will have the staff and equipment required to dispatch IAD students who have already taken a first jump course elsewhere, and wish to continue their progression in this manner. It is important to note that the DZ and club are not currently CSPA affiliated. However, the club will in fact be signed up shortly, and the DZ will be accredited prior to the start of the season next spring. A web site is currently under construction, and will be located at www.westriverskysports.com when completed. For anyone not familiar with the Antonov AN-2, there are a fair number of sites on the web devoted to this particular aircraft. Our aircraft can in fact be found on a number of these sites, and can be easily recognized by the flamboyant paint scheme and registration SP-TWA. I hope this information answers many of the questions people might have concerning the aircraft and the DZ. I would be only too pleased to answer any additional questions if so requested.

The DZ is actually located in West River just outside of New Glasgow. The plane is an Antonov AN-2 which was flown across the North Atlantic by Brad and Larry MacKay. I've uploaded a picture of the plane sitting on the tarmac just prior to leaving Poland. The Stewiacke DZ is no longer in operation, and a fair number of the base crew now jump at West River. A number of the regular jumpers from both Moncton and Waterville have been by to jump our new aircraft on several occasions, but it would not be at all accurate to even imply that any of the regular jumpers have 'jumped ship' so to speak.