Hi all,

We are searching for an experimental airplane to use for a stunt where a skydiver jumps from one airplane and catches a diving airplane in free-fall. We've had 100% success performing this stunt with a variety of airplanes (see attached photos). In the process of requesting approval from our local FSDO to use a 182 (which we used in another country in the past), we were directed by them to go this route to avoid the need for approval in the US. Our hope is to find a high wing experimental aircraft.

This project will be for a Japanese television program with a good budget. The stunt is scheduled for early July. If you or anybody you know of might be interested, please contact Troy Hartman at troy@troyhartman.com or Joe Jennings at joe@skydive.tv . Or send a private message here.


Thank you!

Troy Hartman

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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.

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.

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.

That is certainly understandable!

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.

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

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

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. :)

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?

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

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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