CW

AV8TR is correct - and Nagambie does have an approved cloud jumping manual. The a/c use GPS to identify the drop point and so can track as far and wide as needed to remain VMC on the way up and on the way down (although AFAIK there would be nothing to stop them operating IFR instead). The meat bombs then can exit above the cloud, freefall through the cloud and when below and under canopy, track back to the landing area. One other item that AV8TR didn't mention that the cloud base must be above the minumum canopy opening height.

All perfectly legal, safe and quite surreal too for the jumpers.

We'll keep out of your way when we hear you coming too......

UTR.

All perfectly legal and safe, providing the operation has an approval.:ooh:

McWilliam DID NOT.:=

I think I’ll relax tomorrow, put the feet up and read the Geelong Addy;)

pol:ok:

thanks guys for the info, very interesting indeed. I knew I had read somewhere that para ops thru cloud was legal but sheeeez it must feel really exhilarating, shall pass though:ok: What's the cloud base meant to be? or min alt for canopy deployment? Not that I want to do it, am blonde but not that blonde!:E And finally is it a common practice to do cloud jumps as in popular? I honestly didn't know it was allowed, ya learn sumfin' every day:ok:



CW

Just looked at the Addy on the web, sure looks good for the pilots and owner down that way, pitty the people had to lose so much money to win this argument over a bad operator. Glad to see the owner is relieved but cost so much for this moment.

CW

For us the cloud base is anywhere from 3000 to 5000. It depends on whether it is a tandem jump or single.

Whether it is more popular or not I dont really know, we just go. One thing with cloud though is you get to see how fast you are falling as the cloud gives you a reference that you dont normally get on a clear day.

The Geelong Advertiser
Airport dogfight ends out of court
Britt Smith
October 4th, 2008
A BITTER saga between the bosses of Skydive City and Barwon Heads Airport has ended out of court.
Businessman Luke McWilliam and airport owner Barbara Begg reached the agreement on Monday, allowing the parties to walk away from the Federal Court trial.
Mrs Begg would not reveal the details of the settlement, and said only that the airport had been saved.
It is believed Mr McWilliam agreed to sell his neighbouring property to a consortium of about 20 local people, pilots and aircraft owners for almost $2 million.
The out-of-court resolution came as a relief for Mrs Begg, who faced being sued for millions of dollars.
But she will have to pay up to $100,000 for her legal costs as part of the agreement.
Mr McWilliam accused Mrs Begg of conspiring to destroy his business by persuading the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ban skydiving at the airport.
He sought compensation for a loss of income for projected earnings up to 2010.
She denied the claim and said that it was Mr McWilliam who breached the rules and regulations by conducting dangerous jumps.
Justice Tony North repeatedly urged the parties to resolve the matter during the five-day trial.
Mrs Begg said that his advice finally "sunk in".
"He said we should sort it out because it is going nowhere (and) there would be no winners," she said.
"I was glad to get out of it. It's been a very expensive and traumatic few years. I have been too scared to add up (the costs). I would scare myself if I did."
Mr McWilliam, who has repeatedly refused to speak to the Geelong Advertiser, now faces liquidation of his business.
He owes $64,000 to Geelong Aero Club members Bryan Hawke and Les Tyack after dropping legal action against them.
The court issued a notice for Mr McWilliam's company to pay the money to Mr Hawke by 5pm on Monday or his company could be placed in liquidation.
Mr Tyack said his and Mr Hawke's legal bills were about $200,000.
"It's terribly wrong. But he's the one now behind the 8-ball, fortunately," Mr Tyack said.
The winding up of legal matters has done little to repair relations between Mrs Begg and Mr McWilliam.
In the beginning, they had worked amicably together as he tried to realise his dream.
He had just completed his 10,000th jump in 1996 and was scouting for properties where he could start a business.
By chance, he met a flight instructor who suggested he speak to Mrs Begg. She agreed to lease him a hangar and use the airport facilities, and in 2000 he bought a neighbouring property to expand the business.
Mrs Begg said yesterday she could never have foreseen the events which unfolded, but she curses the day Mr McWilliam made the purchase.
On Monday she was set free, she said.
"I was just thinking, 'I don't want to be here, this is so futile'," Mrs Begg said, of the long days sitting in court.
"I have survived it, and that's the main thing.
"We can move on now all the clouds have departed from over my head. They have lifted.
"The airport has been my life and flying is in my blood."
Mr McWilliam did not return the Geelong Advertiser's calls.

tfl:ok:

hey capt wally the caravan in question is a vicount not sure if its a lycoming or continental but it can be moved:rolleyes:

So, it seems this grammatically atrocious post was, now what's that word again...oh yes!!!

WRONG!!!

insider,

I hope your flying is better than your English or your grasp reality!!