Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joe Scheibinger on May 28, 2014 at 12:21pm

No one here said a Zenith can be purchased for $20K. There are a lot of other certified aircraft that can be purchased for under $20K in Trade-a-Plane and other sites. I've seen some very used Cessnas for $10K! Stay away from the homebuilts. The aircraft would also have to be capable of and not prohibited from aerobatics.

Permalink Reply by Thomas A Muller on May 28, 2014 at 12:25pm

The issue here is quite simple.  The FSDO who suggested Experimental knew full well that owners of Experimental aircraft cannot accept payment for their use.  He expected they would do it for the "education and recreation" of the stunt.  If anyone wants to volunteer for this without compensation, have at it, but don't expect your insurance company to pay off on any damage.  I for one, would not want a clumsy sky diver kicking my airplane in flight or killing himself on my prop.

Permalink Reply by Troy Hartman on May 28, 2014 at 12:36pm

Wow. The few of you posting here aren't very open minded. I would hope the rest of the Zenith community isn't that way. Again, we've used experimental aircraft in the past and paid the owners, legally. Many other production companies have done the same. The aircraft is covered by the production insurance. We are not "clumsy". I have around 8000 skydives, 2500 hours as a commercial pilot, and have done this stunt as the pilot and the skydiver. I am the expert on this particular stunt. So it is frustrating to hear a lot of uneducated responses. Also, the aircraft does not need to be capable of, or certified for, aerobatics.

Permalink Reply by Troy Hartman on May 28, 2014 at 3:33pm

That is certainly understandable!

Permalink Reply by Thomas Zink on May 28, 2014 at 12:38pm

Coming from a professional motorcycle racing background, I say go for it. Serious men die every day pushing the envelope. Who gives a rip. Have fun or die trying. It is a stunt for Christ sake.  Don't check you manhood at the door. Just do it.

Permalink Reply by Danal Estes on May 28, 2014 at 12:40pm

Can you, or your FSDO, please clarify how this relates to Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, part 91 (Commonly known as "The FARs"), specifically 91.319 A(2):

§ 91.319 Aircraft having experimental certificates: Operating limitations.

(a) No person may operate an aircraft that has an experimental certificate—

  (1) For other than the purpose for which the certificate was issued; or

  (2) Carrying persons or property for compensation or hire.

Full regulation here

This is crystal clear; I am not aware of any exceptions EVER having been granted (beyond the glider towing and flight instruction use cases expressed in other paragraphs of 91.319... and neither of those applies here).

Can you tell us how an operation can be legally conducted, for compensation, with either or both aircraft being certified as "Experimental", if such an operation is conducted in US airspace?

 

Permalink Reply by Troy Hartman on May 28, 2014 at 12:45pm

Ever seen an experimental aircraft in a movie? You think that was done for free?

Permalink Reply by Danal Estes on May 28, 2014 at 12:54pm

Troy, compensation sounds great.   Can you please clarify how it occurs?

Permalink Reply by Troy Hartman on May 28, 2014 at 1:58pm

Hi Danal, please send an email to Joe Jennings at joe@skydive.tv . He's in charge of the production aspect. I'm just the dumb stunt guy. :)

Permalink Reply by Robert Swinney on May 28, 2014 at 12:43pm

Stupid..!!! Either a jumper will eventually end up in a prop or a plane will exceed its max speed and shed a wing or two..

What does the USPA have to say about this STUNT?

Permalink Reply by Troy Hartman on May 28, 2014 at 12:47pm

Engine is shut down. Airspeed never exceeds 110 kts. Anyone else want to keep calling me stupid?

Permalink Reply by Joe Scheibinger on May 28, 2014 at 1:00pm

Let me be the first to step up here and say this entire stunt is stupid. I have no idea if you personally are stupid. All it will take is one accident and it will be a black mark on Sport Aviation. If you plan to use a homebuilt airplane, it's not only stupid, it's illegal, period. No way around it. Whatever names you want to call me personally is irrelevant. Not only that, putting a non-aerobatic aircraft into an intentional dive is also illegal. Shutting down an engine does not guarantee the prop will stop on most aircraft. Once again, if you want to take yours and other peoples lives in your hands, do it legally and safely and have fun. But once again, the stunt is stupid.

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