Alouette II Para Drop at FAPM ...
Here is a series of pics from a para drop I did with the classic Aloutte II at FAPM earlier this year. Heli jumps are always a novelty for skydivers and because I was once a jumpmaster at this same club (Pietermaritzburg Parachute Club), we arranged to do a trial jump from the Alo.
I spoke to an ex British Army pilot who flew Alo II's many years ago and he said it was a dream for this kind of work.
We got the neccessary permissions and then did proper preparations over an afternoon before eventually getting a late afternoon jump in.
Alo climbed at 1200fpm comfortably at 55kts to 7000' amsl - great aircraft!
All went well... skydivers were pros ... smooth climbout and clean exit and wouldn't have known they had left ... except for big change in weight and CofG on exit as anticipated (still not nice!).
Preparing the Alo for the para drop at FAPM ...
Revamped Alo II cockpit and panel, very nice ...
Jumpmaster preps and briefs for exit ...
Skydiving team making sure the exit is going to be smooth ...
Getting in, ready to go ...
Takeoff at FAPM, looking for 7000' ...
Canopies open, all well, great flying and skydiving ...
Blue Skies!
