pajarito 0 #1 April 30, 2004 I know it hasn't been in the US that long and just recently gained FAA approval but does anyone have experience with this new aircraft? Is there one flying at a DZ yet over here? If so, how to you like it? I sure wish I could afford to get one and fly it. I think it's pretty damn cool. http://www.utilityaircraft.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #2 April 30, 2004 Thats a wicked looking aircraft. Tail looks a little low.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mfrese 0 #3 April 30, 2004 Looks cool, seems like a great jump plane...except for that damn horizontal stabilizer. I'm surprised at that, especially since it was intended to be a jump plane from the start of the design process (or so I remember reading).Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #4 April 30, 2004 The first one crashed on its way to the US. I don't think a second has come over yet. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #5 April 30, 2004 Talk to Ray Ferrell at Skydance Skydiving in Davis California. He's the man with all the stats on that aircraft in regards to skydiving. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pajarito 0 #6 May 1, 2004 QuoteLooks cool, seems like a great jump plane...except for that damn horizontal stabilizer. I'm surprised at that, especially since it was intended to be a jump plane from the start of the design process (or so I remember reading). Yeah...you'd think, since it was designed with skydiving in mind, that it might have some sort of high horizontal stabilizer at the top of the rudder. I guess they've found it's not a problem, though. I really like it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #7 May 1, 2004 QuoteQuoteLooks cool, seems like a great jump plane...except for that damn horizontal stabilizer. I'm surprised at that, especially since it was intended to be a jump plane from the start of the design process (or so I remember reading). Yeah...you'd think, since it was designed with skydiving in mind, that it might have some sort of high horizontal stabilizer at the top of the rudder. I guess they've found it's not a problem, though. I really like it. Maybe Mikkey can give us some input. His DZ in Australia was supposed to get one in January. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TribalTalon 0 #8 May 1, 2004 i think i'll stick with our twin otter that thing is just ugly looking. Its like the porter's somewhat cuter sister. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pajarito 0 #9 May 1, 2004 Quotei think i'll stick with our twin otter that thing is just ugly looking. Its like the porter's somewhat cuter sister. Yeah, but did you check out the stats on it? Holds 17 jumpers. Also, the operational cost comparisons with similar aircraft. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #10 May 1, 2004 All I can say to cameraflyers is, "Watch you head". ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buzzfink 5 #11 May 1, 2004 The skydiver seating diagram (link below) makes it look extremely tight. http://www.utilityaircraft.com/skydiving.html Buzz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymick 0 #12 May 1, 2004 Its a sweet plane. However I dont think it was actually designed from scratch to be a jump plane, if you look at it its basically just a oversize cresco (10 seater) with just all the skyidiving accessories ( lights, handles etc) added at the factory. I think they also make other variants of the XL for non skdiving purposes anyway. Anyway basically its similar to a caravan but not as wide so its a bit fo a tighter fit. The climb rate is advertised as 14 to 14K' (i think) but it didnt seem that fast, but could be cause its a new plane and the DZ doesnt want to stress it too much yet. Havent had (or heard of) any problems with the horizontal stabiliser yet and I have exited from it in a tracking position too and I wasnt even close to it... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #13 May 1, 2004 The perfect jump aircraft is starting to look like the , perfect woman; sometimes you settle for less(just don't ever tell her).Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #14 May 1, 2004 QuoteThe skydiver seating diagram (link below) makes it look extremely tight. http://www.utilityaircraft.com/skydiving.html Buzz >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That seating diagram reminds me the bench seats you had in your old King Air, by far the most comfortable seating arrangement for tandems. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ockers 0 #15 May 3, 2004 A brand new one, did a few loads at Picton over the Easter weekend before flying South. It was a bit cramped fully loaded but we are spoilt with the skyvan. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WeakMindedFool 0 #16 May 3, 2004 Got a chance to do a walkthrough out at skydance earlier in the year. It was on the ferry over going somewhere else (This was before the unfortunate next ferry over). We said the same thing about the tail, then it was pointed out that we were looking at it on the ground...which is not what it looks like in the air. On jump run you've got more clearence in both verticle and horizontal then a Caravan, we said ,"oh...can we jump out of it!?!" they said no. Skydance is supposed to have their's by the American Boogie.Faith in a holy cause is to a considerable extent a substitute for lost faith in ourselves. -Eric Hoffer - Check out these Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstable 9 #17 May 3, 2004 QuoteA brand new one, did a few loads at Picton over the Easter weekend before flying South. It was a bit cramped fully loaded but we are spoilt with the skyvan. They were boasting 12 minutes to altitude - Was that what you experienced when the one you jumped was fully loaded.... Geeeze, I would rather be cramped in a PAC750XL than Cramped in a 182....=========Shaun ========== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #18 May 3, 2004 QuoteWe said the same thing about the tail, then it was pointed out that we were looking at it on the ground...which is not what it looks like in the air. Huh? Distance is distance. What does it do, -stretch- in the air? ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #19 May 3, 2004 It does tilt in the air, tail higher tilt on Jump run makes it harder to fly into it.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akjmpplt 0 #20 May 3, 2004 Um, it doesn't make sense that there would be a "tail higher tilt" inflight...especially on jump run when the airplane is slow...if anything I would expect the tail to be "lower" inflight.SmugMug Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #21 May 3, 2004 I figured they would fly it like a Beech 18, I know the tail is higher then level on jumprun on an D18 to try and take the tail out of the picture.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DanglesOZQld 0 #22 May 3, 2004 A T tail is a "Yaw" bitch with a load full of whiney American skydivers who would then complain about "turbulence" on the way to height. Having flown for some time and then jumped out of them there are only so many "gives" for the amount of "takes" you have with regard to design. We have had a relative of the xl called a Cresco for some time and although it had a smallish door it was a homesick angel and we put up with that. Us jumpers in smaller countries can't have King airs and Otters at every dz. Funny how some can worry about tails being close and other bs when they have not even jumped out of a navajo or c182 in the hanging door slot with a lump of lead on their head (And not some little piece of crap like a micro dv camera either!!) Anyone who has jumped in thew good old "pre digital cam / vid" years would know what I am talking about!! BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DanglesOZQld 0 #23 May 3, 2004 -And don't start sounding like news reporters with the bs of "it crashed on its way to"..... That had NOTHING to do with the aircraft more of an unfortunate problem in flight that was not able to be overcome , such as fuel transfer or similar. This aircraft was never designed to make huge over water crossings and any smallish aircraft with mods (fuel pod extras in or external etc) with the added complexities of doing such flights there are many more added risks. Learn some facts or read up some more, hell even talk to the person who gives you your freedom every time you jump and you might learn something!! Skydiving is the same as flying - You NEVER know everything and there is always something to learn!!!!! BSBD! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #24 May 3, 2004 Quote-And don't start sounding like news reporters with the bs of "it crashed on its way to"..... If that's a reply to me, yeah, I know what happened. I never said anything about the plane being unsafe. It DID crash on it's way to the US. I was just giving a fact. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #25 May 3, 2004 QuoteAll I can say to cameraflyers is, "Watch you head". It's not a problem. Really.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
