bodypilot90 0 #1 February 24, 2003 showed up to the dz to do some jumps and was puzzled to see our s otter tied up beside our skyvan, we had loads backing up. Is a grand caravan much better on fuel than a super otter? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #2 February 24, 2003 Quoteshowed up to the dz to do some jumps and was puzzled to see our s otter tied up beside our skyvan, we had loads backing up. Is a grand caravan much better on fuel than a super otter? yes, the caravan is much better on fuel per a load. you have to think only 1 engine. i don't know how much less it burns a load, i can't remember.. but i seam to remember someone telling me a otter burns 45 gallons a load. later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmsmith 1 #3 February 24, 2003 The -27s on the twin otter use about 15-gal per engine per load to 14,500-ft with 22-jumpers. I don't know about the caravan, but I'd guess that it's about 20-gal with its load of 14-jumpers, but it also takes a few more minutes than the twin otter to reach altitude. I think the caravan might be more economical per hour to operate, but they cost more to amortize than a well used 100-series twin otter. Either way, it takes a courageous DZO to "sign-on-the-dotted-line" for a turbine airplane. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #4 February 24, 2003 QuoteI don't know about the caravan, but I'd guess that it's about 20-gal with its load of 14-jumpers, i am thinking even a small caravan has a max load of 17 jumpers. i haven't seen one that will only carry 14. and a grand caravan will carry 19 (well, 21, but at my dz, we don't put anyone in the back). later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerm 0 #5 February 24, 2003 QuoteThe -27s on the twin otter use about 15-gal per engine per load to 14,500-ft with 22-jumpers. And if it's the crosskeys otter (along with the croskeys skyvan), john has -34s in the thing, which i guess would burn faster......yesno? Landing without injury is not necessarily evidence that you didn't fuck up... it just means you got away with it this time Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #6 February 24, 2003 QuoteAnd if it's the crosskeys otter (along with the croskeys skyvan), john has -34s in the thing, which i guess would burn faster......yesno? well, i would think yes. but at the richmond boogie this year, yanky doodle (skydive america otter with -34's) and one of roger nelson's otters raced (new -27's) and nelson's won. you can't max out the -34's from what i under stand. later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #7 February 24, 2003 The difference in -27's and -34's is just how much power they can deliver at higher altitudes. (I think they have the same torque). Above about 8000 the -20's -24's and -27's slowly lose power. The 34's maintain their power higher. Granted a -27 thats well tuned can out power a improperly tuned -34 most the time. And with Plane races some of it comes down to the pilot too. Put a inexperienced pilot in one and they will lose most times.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craig 0 #8 February 24, 2003 A CASA will burn right around 50 gallons of fuel per load but it uses Garrett turboprops. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 7 #9 February 24, 2003 QuoteThe -27s on the twin otter use about 15-gal per engine per load to 14,500-ft with 22-jumpers. I don't know about the caravan, but I'd guess that it's about 20-gal with its load of 14-jumpers, but it also takes a few more minutes than the twin otter to reach altitude. Well, you might want to have a talk with your pilot because I use about 22 gallons TOTAL PER LOAD to that altitude. Inefficient flying by a pilot can really run up the operating costs on any turbine airplane.Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #10 February 24, 2003 Other difference is with a Caravan you don't need a multi rating to fly it. You can get more pilots to fly a single engine then you can a multi. Don't know if that was the case here or not.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot90 0 #11 February 24, 2003 na the same pilot flys both. I guess I'll ask I just figured they were running it for fuel reasons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dreamsville 0 #12 February 24, 2003 Most places seem to re-fuel about every 4 loads or so. Including a safety factor, how much fuel do you generally put in an otter with -27's on average refueling, assuming it's just being used for loads and not longer-distance travel? |I don't drink during the day, so I don't know what it is about this airline. I keep falling out the door of the plane. Harry, FB #4143 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 7 #13 February 24, 2003 I put on 800 pounds total. I run 4 loads on that. That's about 114 gallons total. edited: That includes my reserve fuel.Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmsmith 1 #14 February 25, 2003 QuoteQuoteThe -27s on the twin otter use about 15-gal per engine per load to 14,500-ft with 22-jumpers. I don't know about the caravan, but I'd guess that it's about 20-gal with its load of 14-jumpers, but it also takes a few more minutes than the twin otter to reach altitude. Well, you might want to have a talk with your pilot because I use about 22 gallons TOTAL PER LOAD to that altitude. Inefficient flying by a pilot can really run up the operating costs on any turbine airplane. My figures came from a "do-diligence" paper that was assuming three loads per hour and ground taxi and standby costs. I was hoping that you would help out here as I consider your input pretty valuable. Thanks Chris! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 7 #15 February 25, 2003 Oh those numbers include my reserve and taxi time. You should be able to load an otter in about 60 - 90 seconds. Now I have to say that when flying I'm getting to altitude as the green light is coming on. I'm not straight and level except for jump run. Well some times it's not straight as I do hook pattern jump runs. Load turn times are kept and I usually turn takeoff to land in about 14-17 minutes. That leaves 3 minutes really for loading. Anything that goes faster just improves my total turn around time and gives us more loads by the end of the day. Save 60 seconds on every load over another pilot and you will turn at least 2 loads more per day. But there are times I've seen pilots that turned loads 5 minutes slower than me so the difference is even greater. And in the end, your fuel burn will be tremendously greater. If I'm sitting idling on the ground I have a lower fuel burn than if I'm at altitude waiting to get over the target. And I've also seen pilots that couldn't climb at best rate of climb speed within 5 knots. To be honest if you can't fly an otter +/- 1 knot you have some work to do. Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
