Sundowner Jumps… Skydiving from BAC aircraft?
From:
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 11:12 AM
Subject: Sundowner Jumps
I am both a skydiver and a jump pilot. to successfully use the Sundowner as a jump plane there are only a few things that you need to know. Try the exit as I have written it a few times so that you can do it smoothly.
1. Make sure that the pilot has a complete briefing on what you intend to do and how you intend to do it.
2. Spotting the aircraft is relatively easy and can be accomplished by making the approach to the wind line at a 90 degree angle and then turning onto the wind line (jump run) when the wing lined up on the jump run heading. Then all you need to do is turn 90 degrees to the jump run heading.
3. The best way that I have found to climb out is to put the seat all the way back and turn in the seat to face the tail. Have the pilot slow to about 85 to 90 (one notch of flaps may help). Open the door and reach out and back with your left hand and grasp the grab handle that is on the side of the fuselage above the window. Slide out the door by leading with your left leg. (dont worry about the door, once it is unlatched it will let you snake out) use your right hand to hold onto the door frame. Once you have slipped out onto the wing walk you can actually move down the wingwalk until you can put your left foot down and behind the wing to the boarding step. From this position you can then turn and face forward and close the door for the pilot.(make sure that he has the little window on his side open (it makes it easier to close your door) Then let your right foot slide down the wing until it is off the airplane and all of your weight is on your left foot on the step.
4. From this position you can easily look straight down and see where you are and time your exit accordingly. You can actually face almost completely forward and simply step off. The tail is no factor at all unless you are VERY tall or push off backwards.
5. Make sure that the pilot knows that the stall warning horn may come on even at a higher than normal speed due to turbulence around the aircraft; the aircraft is not in danger of stalling though. Also as you climb out he will have to hold left rudder to keep it lined up on the proper heading and left aileron to keep the right wing up as you climb out. Power can be added or reduced to maintain altitude. The prop blast is not hard to deal with at all.
6. Buy your pilot a case of beer…………
If you have any more questions drop me a note and I will be happy to help. I have about 2000+ jumps and about the same number of flight hours, a lot of which is dropping jumpers. Once you have jumped a Sundowner, then a Mooney is just the next challenge….
Be Safe, Have Fun
Blue Skies and Soft landings,
Jim Parkman