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Skydive Aircraft List
Below you will find a list of Skydive Aircraft
or "Jump Planes". Occasionally helicopters, Stearmans, C-130s and even
DC-9s are used to fly skydivers. However, this list will only include the
current and past common aircraft used for skydiving worldwide. I am also not
including variants of these jump ships ie. there are 24 various C182
models.
In alphabetical order by manufacturer:
Beech 90 Series - King Air
The fastest climbing jump planes in the world are King Airs. They are also
the 2nd most common twin engine jump planes in North America. The average
King Air with its PT6A-20 engines, can take 15 skydivers to 13,000ft in
about 10 mins and burn about 22 US gallons. The engine upgrades available
are the -27, -28 and -135, some with horsepower ratings as high as 750. It
is not liked by all skydivers due to its low wing and small door.
CASA C-212
Introduced in 1974 and still in production the
CASA (Construcciones Aeronauticas SA) C-212 is a twin turbine powered
medium STOL transport aircraft. This jumpship climbs fast, carries 28
skydivers and has large exit ramp. It can be found at various drop zones
around the world including Skydive Paraclete XP in North Carolina.
Cessna 182 - Skylane
Introduced in 1956 and built in the U.S., France and Argentina it is by
far the most common jump plane in the world. The average C182 is powered
by the Continental 230hp O-470 and can take 4 skydivers to 10,000ft in
about 20 mins.
Cessna 205 / 206 Skywagon,
Stationair
A popular single engine piston powered jump plane, especially the turbo
version. A step up from its sister the C182, it's faster and roomier and
the 206 "U" models have a nice sized rear exit door. There are even a few
that are converted to turbine power by the Soloy Corporation.
Cessna 208A/ 208B - Caravan, Grand Caravan
The Caravan is by far the most common
and popular single engine turbine powered jump plane in the world. The
208A Caravan (675hp) aka "Mini Van" climbs fair, 208B Grand Caravan aka
"Grand Van" climbs very good and the Black Hawk (850hp), Texas Turbines
(900hp) and Aero Twin (1000hp) conversions climb great with up to 21
skydivers. What they all have in common and what the skydivers love is the
high wing and very large exit door. To learn more about the mighty
Caravan, check out my website dedicated to it,
Caravan Pilot.
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 - Twin Otter
The most common and popular twin engine jump ship in the world. Most
commonly powered by the PT6A-27, it can haul 23 happy skydivers to
13,000ft in about 13 mins. Skydivers love its high wings and very large
exit door.
Dornier Do-28 G92
A fast climbing, tail dragging, Slovakian derivative of the Skyservant.
It's fitted with two Walter M601-D2 turbine engines. Skydivers love it's
exit door, which is slightly larger than the door on a Caravan. Pilot's
love its great center of gravity characteristics and climbing speed. This
bird will haul 15 skydivers to altitude 4 times in one hour.
Douglas DC-3
At one time there were quite a few of these beloved birds flying
skydivers. Although it has two large 1,200hp radial piston engines, it was
never known as a fast climber. Even at almost 80 years old there are still
a couple drop zones flying it, including Skydive Arizona.
GAF N.22 / N.24 - Nomad
Built in Australia, this jump ship is flown at drop zones in New Zealand
and the U.K. It is a high wing STOL aircraft powered by two 420hp Allison
250-B17C turboprop engines. It quickly carries 13 skydivers to altitude.
GippsAero GA8 - Airvan
This is an Australian built, high wing, piston powered, miniature Caravan.
It has a 300 hp Lycoming IO-540 engine and can hold up to 8 skydivers.
This jump plane is found mostly in Australia and Europe.
Pacific Aerospace P-750 XSTOL
The pride of New Zealand. Other than a beefed up Grand Caravan, this is
the fastest climbing single engine jump plane in the world. Powered by the
PT6A-34, it carries 15 skydivers to 13,000ft in 13 minutes. Complaints
from skydivers include the wing spar running across the floor of the cabin
that they have to step over, it's low wing and it's tapered smaller exit
door compared to the Caravan.
Pilatus PC-6 - Porter
A common and popular tail dragger jump plane in Europe, especially the
turbine equipped version. Not so much in the States, with only a few drop
zones operating it. It can carry 9 skydivers to altitude fast or slow
depending on if it's turbine or piston powered. Skydivers love its high
wings and large sliding exit door.
Quest - Kodiak
This is this newest manufacturer of skydive aircraft. Comparable to the
first Caravan (C208A) but with no engine upgrades available yet. Skydivers
love its large door and high wing, however DZOs don't like its high price
of almost $2 million. Only 2 drop zones in the States fly it, including
Skydive Tecumseh.
Shorts SC-7 - Skyvan
A favorite of most skydivers because of its 6 ft tall rear exit ramp. It
can haul 23 skydivers up to altitude in a fair amount of time. A rare jump
plane, with only 4 drop zones in the U.S. and a couple in Europe that own
and fly it. You will mostly see it at large boogies or competitions.
Technoavia SMG-92 - Turbo Finist
A turbine powered, fast climbing Russian tail dragger. Skydivers love this
bird for its high wing, large sliding exit door and climbing speed. This
jump plane will carry 10 skydivers on one bench. Features large outside
step and inside and outside handrails.
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