Skydive Caravan ops IFR

[ACMS]

The Caravan para ops x Mb, are they VFR or IFR?

Can jumpers legally drop through cloud?

Thanks

[kingRB]

APF has approval from CASA to allow operators to drop through cloud and operate in IMC if it meets fairly strict criteria set on a case by case basis called a cloud manual. The manual sets operational standards for the specific place where they want to be able to drop through cloud.

All good in theory, in reality a lot of operators do not adhere to the manual requirements or just drop through cloud anyway even without the approval and requirements set by the APF.

No idea what the case is in Mb.

[ACMS]

mmmmmmm ok, things looked a little iffy today.....:uhoh:

[Squawk7700]

Unless it's special VFR at YMMB, it's not really all that iffy.

[ACMS]

So it's ok for VFR to climb through overcast 4,500' up to 11,000' then descend back down through it after at 2,500 fpm.......

YMMB wasn't special VFR, far from it.

If they file IFR and are permitted para ops through cloud then good.:ok:

[Cloudee]

ACMS, the Australian Parachute Federation rules are available here https://www.apf.com.au/apf-members/latest-regulations/latest-regulations

Cloud jumping and IFR ops are permitted. Operations are classed as private. They do not need to be commercial pilots. Would be great for small charter operations if they could fly under the same rules for local scenic flights.

[ACMS]

For IFR v VFR it doesn't matter if they hold a PPL or CPL, that wasn't my question.

More curious as to whether or not the operation yesterday was IFR or VFR.

Anyway I'll make further enquiries.

[Egipps]

I was in Bentleigh, about halfway between YMMB and Point Ormond yesterday. Not a cloud in the sky at lunchtime when I went for a walk? Looked good looking out the window all day.

[ACMS]

I live near YMMB Apt ( 3 nm away ) and after more than a few years commercial flying I can look out the window to the north use my mark 1 eye balls and make an assessment of the cloud cover for quite a distance ( as can any Pilot ) I can also read the METAR YMMB as well, which I did check.
Looking north was OVCT 4 to 5,000' and indeed the METAR said OVCT 4,500'

From memory this was about 1100 in the morning.

I then drove to Southland about 1130 and it was still OVCT around the area with a few gaps developing in the NE, viewed from the top open car park....

Mmmmm

I'm not sure what you were looking at ??

Edit:--- I can't seem to get history archive of the YMMB METAR however YMEN archive shows OVC040 until 1500 local.

[De_flieger]

If it's anything like the parachute operation I'm familiar with, IFR operations and dropping through cloud are permitted, the decision to conduct any particular flight IFR or VFR comes down to the pilot carrying out the flight in question on the day. This operation hires pilots with an instrument rating for this purpose. So for the conditions you're reporting, as long as the flight was planned IFR or upgraded to IFR in flight based on the conditions, and the cloud base was sufficient to meet the requirements in the approval to drop through cloud, it sounds legitimate. Why anyone would want to see virtually nothing while getting drenched plummeting earthwards through what feels like a firehose spray is another question, but skydivers are a strange bunch ;)

[ACMS]

Yeah thanks mate, that may well be the case for this operation yesterday and if it is all good.
I used to occasionally drop meat bombs myself 30 odd years ago and it was interesting, they are indeed a strange bunch of dare devils:eek: ( always took a spare key in my pocket too :ok: )