Originally Posted by
scantech
Hi All.
Our dropzone currently operates a Cessna Caravan but are looking to offer speciality skydiving from a helicopter.
We are considering an EC 130 or Agusta 119.
I have some questions, any feedback would be much appreciated.
- What would leasing one of these cost. Forecasting about 400 hrs per year.
- What flight times could I expect to FL100 and FL140, weight based on 8 POB and 2 flights of fuel.
- Both these helicopters have seating for upto 8 people, with the seats removed and providing within weight and balance limits, is there anything that prohibits more than 8 POB. The ideal would be 1+8
- Any suggestions on more economical machines.
Getting back to the OP:
You won't get 8 jumpers into an EC130 nor an A119. 6 maybe, but you'd probably have forward cg issues with the 130, and the cabin of the 119 would be full with 5 jumpers.
As already mentioned, a Bell 205 is far better suited but would have a fairly slow climb to 10 - 14,000 feet as would any machine when loaded with jumpers and fuel. Expect an average of <1,000fpm RoC, maybe 2,000fpm RoD.
Helicopter jumping is very much a one off for most parachutists just for the experience as already explained by others. It will be costly but will give a one off experience not attainable from a fixed wing, but is also an evolution that can go badly wrong if not well briefed and controlled: there are countless tales of oopsy moments here on Rotorheads that you can find with a search.
Certainly not something that I would expect to create 400 hours a year of productive revenue!