kevin922 0 #1 September 19, 2002 Speaking of jet jumps - I heard about this new jet from eclipse aviation called the Eclipse 500, evidentally this thing is going to change the way people travel -- affordable "air limo" service and whatnot... the plane brand new is $837,500 which if what I hear is true, that is cheaper than a twin otter? It will cost about $.56 a mile to operate (so they say) has two small jet engines that only weigh like 85 lbs each. It has an all glass cockpit which looks SWEET here I dont' know how well the exit would work as the door is right in front of the wing pic here It seats 4 people (with seats) so i'm guessing what, 8 - 10 without seats? What do you guys thing (especially those in the "know") could this be A) converted to a jump-plane, B) be affordable for a jump plane? Check out the press release here Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 6 #2 September 19, 2002 Not even a snow balls chance in hell. Was that definitive enough? LOL You just can't mess with the beauty of a Super Otter. It was built for skydiving.Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BikerBabe 0 #3 September 19, 2002 Eclipse is located here in Albuquerque, and it is big news. I suppose I can ask someone, but my gut says probably not. You'd probably have to do major door mods, which would probably drive the total cost back up to normal jump plane range, anyway...Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #4 September 19, 2002 QuoteNot even a snow balls chance in hell. Was that definitive enough? LOL Humm.. and how come? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #5 September 19, 2002 Well I think even if it were at normal jump plane cost, it still would be something cool - one of those unique jumpships that is a "specialty" aircraft for boogies.. QuoteEclipse is located here in Albuquerque, and it is big news. I suppose I can ask someone, but my gut says probably not. You'd probably have to do major door mods, which would probably drive the total cost back up to normal jump plane range, anyway... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #6 September 19, 2002 QuoteNot even a snow balls chance in hell. So you're saying there's a chance? (what movie was that from??) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #7 September 19, 2002 I'm not terribly "in the know", but I do know that exiting from a door that's in FRONT of a wing would have a high risk of impact with the wing. There's a reason we always exit behind the wing. Secondly, jet's are a hell of a lot more expensive to maintain then turbo-props, from what I understand. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpy 0 #8 September 19, 2002 QuoteI dont' know how well the exit would work as the door is right in front of the wing pic here You could always invert the plane just on jump run come to think of it that might be kinda fun!! lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 6 #9 September 19, 2002 You need something that has a rear exiting door. Any door in front of a wing is not a good thing. Then the engines would be in play with a premature deployment. What makes a good jump plane? 1. Great power to max weight. 2. Big door rear in the aircraft 3. Simple sytems to fly (easy pilot check out) 4. Single pilot 5. Docile stalling characteristics (doesn't roll on back when tailgate is loaded too much) 6. Is NOT a tailgate aircraft.Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 6 #10 September 19, 2002 7. Twin engine (like an Twin Otter with -27 or greater engines) ChrisChris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #11 September 19, 2002 QuoteYou need something that has a rear exiting door. Any door in front of a wing is not a good thing. Then the engines would be in play with a premature deployment. What makes a good jump plane? 1. Great power to max weight. 2. Big door rear in the aircraft 3. Simple sytems to fly (easy pilot check out) 4. Single pilot 5. Docile stalling characteristics (doesn't roll on back when tailgate is loaded too much) 6. Is NOT a tailgate aircraft. Cool, thanks for the explination.. guess i'll have to just use the one i'm getting for the limo service. hehe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #12 September 19, 2002 an72 tadidamdidam.... Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #13 September 19, 2002 Quote1. Great power to max weight. 2. Big door rear in the aircraft 3. Simple sytems to fly (easy pilot check out) 4. Single pilot 5. Docile stalling characteristics (doesn't roll on back when tailgate is loaded too much) 7. Twin engine (like an Twin Otter with -27 or greater engines) Clearly, all true. Quote6. Is NOT a tailgate aircraft. Clearly, this is debatable. You really need to step outside of your SDC dogma once in a while. The populariy alone of tailgate exits make the skyvan and casa two of the most popular jumpships in skydivers minds. Skydivers DROOL over a c-130. There's a point in this sport where we overlook some degree of safety for fun. Tailgates are an example of this. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #14 September 19, 2002 as i said, An72.. twin jet, tailgate, 75 on board ... hopefully espace will use it again in the future!Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpy 0 #15 September 19, 2002 Could someone please explain to me why a tailgate in a plane is unsafe? or is it only in play when your jumping out of the plane like something to do with the relative wind or something... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #16 September 19, 2002 easier to stall, and much more tempting to the jumpers to pile up close to the door on exit, making it even easier to stall.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ernokaikkonen 0 #17 September 19, 2002 >>Not even a snow balls chance in hell. >> >So you're saying there's a chance? (what movie was that from??) > -"So, what are the chances of a girl like you and a guy like me getting together?" -"Umm.. like... one in a million?" -"So you're saying there is a chance? YES!" Or something like that. Jim Carrey in "Dumb and dumber" Erno Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 6 #18 September 19, 2002 QuoteYou really need to step outside of your SDC dogma once in a while. Andy, Back the Bus Up. I did not say a tailgate aircraft is an "unsafe" jump plane. Your pilot had better have his sh~t wired tight WHEN he stalls the aircraft not IF he gets into a stall. A C-130 is not a regular jump aircraft in civilian skydiving. My jumping at SDC has nothing to do with my view of jump aircraft. Only my 7 years of flying skydivers and 3,000+ hours flying jump aircraft. How many hours flying do you have Andy? And if you want to send a personal attack on my view I suggest a PM next time.Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #19 September 19, 2002 QuoteBack the Bus Up. What? The short yellow one? But it was my favorite!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luminous 0 #20 September 19, 2002 QuoteAnd if you want to send a personal attack on my view I suggest a PM next timeor take it to recdot. they THRIVE on that stuff. DD, just curious. Ever been in a stall situation?'In an insane society a sane person seems insane.' Mr. Spock Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 6 #21 September 19, 2002 QuoteDD, just curious. Ever been in a stall situation? I think your question is "Have I ever stalled a jump plane." And the answer is no. I never have. And people who have flown with me know that I give pretty good jump runs with little prop blast. (That's in the otter of course). I know people who have stalled otters. I know of an incident where an otter stalled on jumprun and caught a jumper on the backpack. Drug him down about 3,000 feet before he rolled off it. It can happen in any aircraft. That is for sure. If the new PC-XII weren't single engine aircraft I'd love to see them in use for jump ops down the road. They are huge. High T-tail. Big cargo door on left side. Cabin space bigger than a King Air-200. The cargo door may even be larger than an Otter's. But I am a firm believer that a large jump plane (more than 10 jumpers) should be a twin engine aircraft.Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samurai136 0 #22 September 19, 2002 It kinda looks like they took a king air and said "how can we screw this up so it can't be used for skydivers..." For that price it's targeted as a business jet for companies who can't afford a Citation or Gulfstream. Ken"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #23 September 19, 2002 Chris... whats your thoughts on some of the jumpships of the past? The Beech 18's, the Beavers, the Twin Bo's?Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luminous 0 #24 September 19, 2002 QuoteI think your question is "Have I ever stalled a jump plane." you caught me. QuoteBut I am a firm believer that a large jump plane (more than 10 jumpers) should be a twin engine aircraft. Yeah, that whole "one engine" things gives me the jitters too.'In an insane society a sane person seems insane.' Mr. Spock Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #25 September 19, 2002 There was a big write up on that thing in the WSJ a couple months ago. The engines are based on the type used in cruise missles. It's supposed to have better gas mileage than the average SUV, and is designed to be able to take off and land on the majority of municipal air strips. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites