INSANEDADDY 0 #1 December 8, 2003 I was one of the lucky few who got the opportunity to jump one of the most BAD-ASS choppers on the planet. The scheduled chopper at skydive Houston broke down with some kind of hydraulic seal problem. So the chopper company flew in one of there brand new Eurocopter Dauphins in for some jumps. This thing was brand new with 100 hours on it. The pilot told us we were the first people to sit in the back (BEER). This thing even smelled brand new. I think we are one of the few people one the planet to ever jump a Eurocopter Dauphin. If anyone has ever jumped one I would be interested in knowing. Otherwise I will continue to think I am one of the few ever. For those of you who do not know what a Dauphin looks like, the Coast Guard here in Houston flys them. I will try to attach a pic. You dont't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when.......You can only decide how you're going to live........NOW. -BASE 1605 Night BASE 227 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
INSANEDADDY 0 #2 December 8, 2003 Size of pic is too big. Can someone resize for me? You dont't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when.......You can only decide how you're going to live........NOW. -BASE 1605 Night BASE 227 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyRamone 0 #3 December 8, 2003 BAD ASS..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McDuck 0 #4 December 8, 2003 NICE! I've been trying to wrangle my way into a Blackhawk jump out here, but for some reason, they want you to be in the military before they'll let you do that. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #5 December 8, 2003 QuoteSize of pic is too big. Can someone resize for me? Nice! I bet that thing climbed like a muthafucka.. how high did you guys go and how long did it take to get there? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
INSANEDADDY 0 #6 December 8, 2003 He gave us 7500....Not sure on time. I was so stoked. It did climb like a mutha fuka......It was so smooth and quiet. You could not ever really feel it climbing. My protrack beeped at a grand. Next thing i know we are 5 grand. I was like damn we got here quick. We could see the otter climbing to altitude off in the distance. It looked real slow from where we were at. I wish I could jump that thing again. You dont't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when.......You can only decide how you're going to live........NOW. -BASE 1605 Night BASE 227 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
INSANEDADDY 0 #7 December 8, 2003 actual chopper........... You dont't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when.......You can only decide how you're going to live........NOW. -BASE 1605 Night BASE 227 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TribalTalon 0 #8 December 8, 2003 yeah that thing was WICKED... the first one was pretty nice, but not THAT nice. LOL. We were taking off in the otter when the eurocopter was flying in, and i could see the silhouette, i was like, wtf is the coast guard doin here!?! sure was a very pretty copter! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chute 0 #9 December 8, 2003 Sweet loving Beer. You rock dude! A jump of a life time.Bottomless Beers and Blue Skies! * Brother_Brian * D.S.W.F.S.B. #2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #10 December 8, 2003 Holy hell I need to do that. Hubby said jumping from choppers is the best...of course he did it in the military, so McDuck will be jealous...man I wanna do that someday!! ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #11 December 8, 2003 NICE! I haven't gotten to jump out of one, but I have flown one. Damn sweet helicopters. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #12 December 8, 2003 QuoteNICE! I haven't gotten to jump out of one, but I have flown one. Damn sweet helicopters. Mike I wonder how much damage would be done if you were to set one of those down gently with the gear up.. just thinking about the fact that retractable gear heli's are few and far between and a pilot might "forget" to do that :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jillr 0 #13 December 8, 2003 a little off topic here- kevin's post made me recall this but did anyone catch er's season final when the helicopter caught some dirty air and fell? it made my stomach turn... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #14 December 8, 2003 QuoteI wonder how much damage would be done if you were to set one of those down gently with the gear up.. just thinking about the fact that retractable gear heli's are few and far between and a pilot might "forget" to do that :) Depends on the specific helicopter, and how it's equipped. They often have antennaes on the bottom, and those can be quite expensive. I watched a Sikorsky S-76 touch down with the gear retracted one day. Immediately after it touched down(and smashed all the antennaes on the bottom), it lifted back off, the gear came down, and he landed again. Whoops! Most helicopters that sophisticated have a warning system that will give you a warning horn if you go below a certain altitude(usually low, like 5-10' or so) or below a certain altitude/airspeed combination with the gear not down and locked....kinda like retractable gear airplanes have. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IMGR2 0 #15 December 8, 2003 I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. I am the one who brought the first little chopper out. When the 155 showed up with mechanics my boss asked me if all my friends got to make chopper jumps, told him no and he said to take the 155 and finish everybody up. BTW For anyone who jumped the EC155 you are welcome to send your thanks to EBehne@TexAirInc.com That would be my boss and the one who made it possible for you guys to be the only skydivers on the planet to have ever jumped from a Eurocopter EC155. As far as I know. Maybe the next time you here about the Gravityrats throwing a party you'll show. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
INSANEDADDY 0 #16 December 8, 2003 Kuddo's for making this happen. It was something I will never forget. I will drop a line to your boss as well. Thanks again........-Matt You dont't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when.......You can only decide how you're going to live........NOW. -BASE 1605 Night BASE 227 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
