Field aviation STC allows parachute jumping from Dash 8 aircraft
Field aviation STC allows parachute jumping from Dash 8 aircraft
Field Aviation, a leading modification centre for maritime patrol,surveillance and special mission aircraft, reports that it has successfully tested and demonstrated static line and freefall parachute jumps from the rear cargo door of Bombardier de Havilland Dash 8 aircraft. The tests were part of an STC awarded for the company's air- operable rear cargo door for Dash 8 Series 100, 200 and 300 aircraft.
The Dash 8 has a large 50in. by 60in. (127cm by 152cm) inward opening cargo door and a high “T”-tail empennage which provides an obstruction-free exit zone for parachute jumpers. This combined with the aircraft's excellent performance and low-speed handling characteristics creates an outstanding jumping and air drop platform.
Field Aviation's recently-awarded STC includes a novel airborne interior door-operating and locking system and a patented wind diffuser system ahead of the door aperture. With these modifications incorporated, the Dash 8 assumes a wide range of new mission capabilities in areas such as rescue over sea or land,in forest fire attack and in paratroop training.
The parachute jumping trials were carried out in cooperation with Skydive Toronto, Inc., one of the largest and most experienced skydiving schools in Canada. Skydive Toronto President, Joe Chow, said, “The size and location of the cargo door opening, flush with the aircraft floor, and the ease of in-flight operation of the cargo door makes this aircraft very jumper-friendly. As well, visibility forward, outward, downward and rearward from the opened cargo door is exceptional”.
During the tests, both static-line and freefall jumper exit was found to be easy and comfortable. The tall door allowed stand-up jumper exits, and the wide opening allows speedy run-out for a series of paratroopers and also facilitated tandem exits for training new jumpers.
Joar Gronlund, Field Aviation VP of business development, said “The Dash 8 series aircraft have proven to be very versatile in world-wide special mission operations, and today we are further enhancing the performance parameters of these aircraft by adding parajump and paradrop missions to the general surveillance roles”.
Figure 1 Field reports that it has successfully tested and demonstrated static line and freefall parachute jumps from the rear cargo door of Bombardier de Havilland Dash 8 aircraft
More than 20 special mission Dash 8 aircraft have been modified, or have been contracted for modification by Field Aviation, making Field Aviation and the Dash 8 the leaders for this class of aircraft. Customers include Surveillance Australia for a fleet of ten Dash 8 MPA's, Australia's LADS Corporation for a ocean mapping aircraft, the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, the US Department of Homeland Security; Customs and Border Protection, as well as the Swedish Coast Guard (Figure 1).
Details available from: Field Aviation, Tel: +1 905 676 1540.
