You saved my life, Skydive Nagambie Caravan crash

[Dave Cogan]

You are correct in your comment.
The stunt aircraft used for the shots of the pilot wrestling the controls was zk-CDRW, a Cessna 206.

All in the skills of the director and cameraman.

I was flying the aircraft.

[fencehopper]

I was working at Shute when Big Al called in to get some fuel after going to Nags to get pick up the remains. He had his other 'van in Ayre. He came up to me with a shoebox that had one stb nav light and strobe, one oil pick up tube and bit of smashed engine case with the engine data plate attached and the charred and buckled stainless steel VH identification plate that was fastened to the door frame. He also had one wheel and tyre. That was all that was left of it. The cops had the remains of the tail.
I've seen some interesting jumper /aircraft incidents in 30 years of jumping but that one really pulled a lot of jump pilots and jumpers up. Sales of pilot rigs went up right around the world and op regs were rewritten to make them mandatory when that vid hit the scene.
Big Al has now left Toogs, his caravans have been replaced with Macca's brand new yellow one, called 'Homer'.
FH

[multi_engined]

Well done to barry what a great story against the odds, a great symbol of the true aussie spirit.

I guess we all hear of the stories and dangers of the jobs, I flew a drop plane for six months and always wore a chute but never truly though of the consequences like that.

In the basic training I was given we were operating a C182 up to FL120, with one jumpmaster with one tandem and if that if he ever was caught around the tail he would cut himself free with a leg knife, however if the aircraft was to lose control I was to exit it.

[Jack Ranga]

Fencehopper,

I heard on the grapevine 2 weekends ago that Macca had bought his own van, wasn't surprised about that. Wasn't the 'arrangement' that big Al owned anything on the hangar side of the runway and Macca the other side? If so, would make for an interesting atmosphere if big Al's hanging around?

[fencehopper]

Not sure about what the 'arrangements' were between them.
Al wrote a very gracious open letter to all jumpers thanking them for all the support for his 'vans over the years but he was pulling all his support like load organisers and other motivators from the DZ. everyone was wondering what was happening. Then 'homer' just hit the country unannounced. Macca must have been bursting at the seams at NSPC's 50th. wondered why he had a dopey grin on his face all week. I'll ask around on SS and see what he is doing.
I was refuelling MNV, now owned by Bowie, during the 50th and there are heaps of loose rivits on the top of the wing. built a bit light i think.
I always preferred the twin otters personally.
FH

[Biggles78]

I flew a Cherokee 6 in NZ early 80s and NEVER flew jumpers without wearing a rig. I believe it was compulsary and jump ops required a CPL. Unfortuantely it was a 22' round and I was told I would probaly break both legs in landing (I needed to lose a few kilos). A 24' would have been more appropriate. I had estimated I would need 5,500' to get out if anything when wrong. Was also told NO freefall, just a Hop & Pop.

In 1987, Pakenham Victoria, (I couldn't believe the number of flies that place had) early January, a 206 at 4,500' lost the elevator when a canopy deployed a tad early. The pilot got out and was timed under canopy by someone on the ground. It was estimated he got out and opened at about 400'!!! (He was given a First Jump Certificate and promtly grounded for opening too low).

The rig I was given to wear had no chest strap so if I had to egress headfirst then I would have fallen straight out of the bloody thing. Did lots of self briefing to get around that. (This rig was NOT provided by the same operation that was operating the 206). I flew the 205 from that location and almost wheelbarrowed my first landing when I ran out of elevator authority. Not a particularly nice surprise.

Flying jumpers was fun and I can't wait to get back to it again sometime.

[aseanaero]

When I started flying jumpers the pilots weren't supplied a rig so I went out and bought a new surplus unit from Parachutes Australia myself at about 50% off retail (I was also flying aerobatics at the time). A few years later the club bought rigs for the pilots.

I wasn't comfortable flying jumpers without my slimback

[fencehopper]

A lot of pilots who had no need to scrape up their hours tend to scoff at jump ops. A jump pilot will learn many skills and gain experience at a much higher hour to hour rate than those who find themselves behind a auto pilot. it used to be get whoever you could to fly you (and the aircraft) but now it has been turned around and is a very professional game. Thank god!!

[fencehopper]

Seems Al is over at Redcliffe reworking the contracts of his pilots to pay 6 grand for their endorsments so they can keep working for him.
so the buzz goes amongst the meat missiles.

[Jack Ranga]

Despite Al 'being Al' you learn how to fly a turbine and you'll be one of the better jump pilots if you get through his 'training'

6 grand doesn't sound too bad if it includes his icus?

I laugh at the slagging jump piloting gets, if you do it properly and learn the lessons that come with it, it's great experience.

I know of some employers who count it as excellent experience not just a way of building hours