GPS Skydiving Ops

[The best JERRY the best]

Just starting out in Skydiving ops in Queensland. What is a relatively affordable GPS unit to purchase that will aid with para ops? Any tips or tricks on how to best utilise GPS when flying above broken/overcast cloud? i.e Use of GPS when you can't see the drop zone for s#it.
Thanks in advance. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[Gravox]

The first point, Jerry, is that you shouldn't be flying above all that cloud anyway! And if you are, you will learn the golden rule very quickly... there is alway a hole over top of the DZ.

The Garmin 3 are a very popular unit, not just in skydiving but in most pilots flight bag. And for the useful advise, read the operating manual.

Having an instrument rating helps, as you can easily understand radials, bearings and tracks.If you don't have one, you'll learn it all soon enough. Don't place complete trust in your new friend, as they can run out of batteries and or RAIM, and then when you are on top, not knowing where that mountain is, you are up a creek without a paddle.

Program in helpful way points, or danger zones. If you know where there is a mountain peak, perhaps place it on the moving map, so you know to stay away from that area when descending.

Remember SITUATIONAL AWARENESS is the key. Never forget where you are. It is difficult when first starting off in a new area. If you're up north, then the wet will make it more challenging.

If you are not comfortable with flying in particular weather, SAY SO!!!! and don't go. I have known people who have flown in to the side of mountains in bad weather. Don't worry, the hours well come, eventually.

Be alert, and learn the area in which you operate thoroughly.

It wasn't that long ago I was also beng given this advise from over ppruners.

Best of LUCK,

[Islander Jock]

Jerry,

I found one of the easiest to use GPS for skydiving was the old Magellan XL with a yolk mount. The display has nice large numbers and most functions can be activated with only one or two button sequences. Problem with them though, is that they are hungry on AA batteries (3hrs max) and tend to drop their bundle if you have a stop drop and try and do a quickie go around and re-align yourself onto the same run in track. Can also take a while to re-acquire once the position has been lost.

Most jump planes I have come accross have the Garmin 100 panel mount which is also a good unit but can take a bit of getting used to. Especailly to programme in waypoints.

I couldn't agree more with Gravox's advice!

Hey Gravox, RAIM on a jumpship GPS? I was normally flat out getting the DZ operators to maintain minimum instrumentation on their aircraft much less providing a TSOd GPS. <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

Go for it Jerry, good way to acquire the first few hundred hours but if you hold a CPL or even PPL for that matter, you should be standing your ground and demanding some remuneration.

[429 CJ]

Oh dear, <a href="http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=32&t=000298" target="_blank">What is yer name again?</a>

Too similar for words.

[Beat Up]

Have to back the others, have used, Garmin 100, Garmin pilot 3 and the Magellan. Personal favourite would have to be the Garmin 100 panel mounted in the Navajo. If your buying one for self the pilot 3 would be the one to get. Easy to use, big numbers and CDI.

I guess the only reason i liked the garmin 100, is because the others were portable. Always cords and things hangin around, skydivers always rubbing there rigs up against the dash, turning off the GPS normally when you need it most! :)

Have a question for you though, why doesnt the a/c you fly already have a GPS?? Have flown at a few DZ of the last few years, every plane i flew already had a GPS, mounted or portable. Have fun, dont be afraid to say no! and dont forget your parachute!! :)

[ 23 December 2001: Message edited by: Beat Up ]</p>

[Throtlemonkey]

Jerry If your just starting out I would go for an el-cheapo 2nd hand unit, the garmin 55 is a good unit that won't cost you 2 grand to buy, better still if your operator/dzso wants you to engage in low vis - no vis operations get them to buy the unit. GPS are good for wind calculation and getting the precise spot whatever the weather.
<img src="cool.gif" border="0">

[Dale Harris]

I don't suppose it would do any good to point out that jumping through cloud is still a no-no?

[enaires]

Any GPS will do really. The one you buy is probably the one you will prefer. All you need is information on track over the ground, Bearing to the waypoint, and distance to waypoint.

If you NEED a GPS for good spots, maybe you should think about the weather before jumping in the aeroplane. They are good TOOLS, but when a visual spot is not possible, it is hightly likely that you are in marginal VFR, IFR (illegal) or dropping through cloud.

Turn it off and see normally happy faces go pale!!

[Islander Jock]

29351 and enaires make good points. The GPS is only an aid to VHF nav and the decision to Jump/Not Jump is still with the meatbombs.

I once plotted a GPS waypoint off a VTC which at best would probably give me an accuracy of 1/4 of a mile. At the time I was flying VFR on top with plenty of breaks around (except over the DZ) result being that 10 skydivers blindly leapt out with a number of them in the drink.

Still maintain the best response I received when I pointed out that we had no DG or AH and could not consider any non VMC flight was: "So what, You've got a GPS havent you". Take note Jerry, that is the mentality you will be dealing with.

[radar o'reilly]

429,

you having a little de-ja-vu..??

(insert X-Files music here) <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

[429 CJ]

Come again? Nah, just seeing double. <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[bobster]

Flying and droping in/over clouds, hhmm sounds familiar down Victoria way,soon will be over.??

[Highbypass]

Thank God for that, bobster. I'm sick of hearing about parachutists "popping" out from the base of Cu and SC.................H.

[The best JERRY the best]

Bobster.
"Flying and droping in/over clouds, hhmm sounds familiar down Victoria way,soon will be over".

Please explain. How is it going to be over?
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[enaires]

Unfortunately GPS technology has made jump pilots over secure about dropping through 7/8'ths of cloud...Gravox I suppose thats what you mean about checking RAIM at least!!

I ask too, how is it going to stop? Dont tell me you are thinking of the (I percieve) unpopular IFR-para ops...

[Stunty]

I remember reading a Notice of Proposed Rule change that would allow aircraft to drop through cloud provide a whole swag of conditions were met......anyone know what the final decision on that was?

[CockpitJunkie]

Looks like PJ ops through cloud will go ahead. Believe main respondents were all linked with parachuting and had a lot to gain by pressing ahead with it.

Even though has closed, still worth while putting in your opinions, particularly if opposed to it or think procedures need to be modified.

[Throtlemonkey]

Its a bit of the topic and doesn't help Jerry with his GPS Question but since it's come up here is the link for the NPRM for dropping through cloud <a href="http://www.casa.gov.au/avreg/newrules/arc/nprm0012.htm" target="_blank">http://www.casa.gov.au/avreg/newrules/arc/nprm0012.htm</a>

Perhaps one of our colleagues from CASA who I'm sure read these forums can let us know how they are proceeding with it ? Ie scrap - rework or introduction to regs ?