How to parachute from helicopter

HOW TO APPROACH THE HELICOPTER

The helicopter must be approached in group, through the gate before takeoff. The gathering point is in front of the gate. Here the skydivers meet with the appointed person in charge of accompanying them (hereinafter GATE AGENT). After the headcount, he/she accompanies them to the helicopter. If the engine is not in operation, the boarding can be carried out through the side cabin doors, or – in case the cargo door is taken off - from the rear. The GATE AGENT checks if the seating is according to the seating plan and gives advice if necessary. After boarding the GATE AGENT checks that no one is around and near the helicopter, and then directs the crew to start the engine. In case the engine is in operation at the time of boarding, the group can board only through the side cabin doors. Special attention must be given when approaching a helicopter in operation. It can be carried out from the left through the left side cabin door or from he right by going around the front of the helicopter and through the cabin side door, and always and only in the helicopter crew's visual field.

CLIMBING

Wearing seatbelts is obligatory for the skydivers on board until the helicopter reaches 600 metres. The helicopter reaches the jump height at the point previously planned at the latest, and flies over this point in the previously determined direction. The crew decides about how to carry out the climbing maneuveur by taking into account the economic aspects, the air traffic and the meteorological conditions.. 

JUMP

The skydivers get information related to the jump via the ’jump lights’ on board. The lights are to be found on the ceiling behind the frame of the rear cargo room door. While climbing the red light is on. One minute before the jump (or at a different time as preliminary agreed) the yellow light turns on showing the start of the PREPARATION time and stays on during the PREPARATION time. When reaching the jump point the yellow light turns off and the green light turns on signing the start of the JUMP.  The speed of the helicopter during the jumps is 120 Km/h (120 – 150 Km/h as agreed). There is one minute to leave the helicopter after the green light turns off. (The price of the jumps were calculated according to this timing) A maximum of 10 people can stand near the rear cargo room door in order to avoid any danger due to change of the centre of gravity of the helicopter. In case of group jumps the jumps can be carried out in group of 10, second by second while those waiting for jump must stand inside the helicopter. The flight is GPS-aided, however – in case the jump commander considers as necessary and if supported by the flight engineer – he/she can suggest the crew modify the jump characteristics.  

DESCENDING, LANDING 

After the jump, the helicopter starts to descend during which one of the most important tasks of the crew is to carefully and continuously watch the air in order to avoid any dangerous approaches. Not only the helicopter crew but the skydiver is responsible to do everything they can to avoid such an event. In case there are perons remaining on board, they will be directed by the flight engineer to open their seatbelt and leave the helicopter after landing. If the helicopter engines are off, the complete stopping of the rotor must be waited for before disembarking. In case of operating engine(s), the helicopter can be disembarked from only with the consent and under the direction of the GATE AGENT. Leaving the helicopter is carried out on the same route as the approach but in the reverse way, abiding by the same regulations as at approach. 

EMERGENCY

In case of emergency, when the skydivers have to leave the helicopter, the crew chief of the helicopter gives an emergency evacuation jump sign by flashing the green and the red lights simultaneously. When it is necessary or in case the lights are not working, the flight engineer signs the emergency situation by turning towards the skydivers and CROSSING HIS ARMS. If the helicopter is at an altitude safe in terms of jumping when the emergency evacuation jump is signed, the skydivers have to leave the helicopter in order to reduce its load. In case jumping is not safe because of the altitude or any other reason, the skydivers have to stay on board and fasten their seat belts immediately.

COOPERATION

• In order to carry out a precise jump, the jump commander must set the following characteristics before each takeoff if necessary:

- The altitude of the jump,

- The point of jump (by naming a typical geographical feature or coordinate),

- The direction of the jump,

- Other necessary circumstances.

The jump commander must make sure that the crew becomes aware of the abovementioned characteristics in time and understands them completely.

• After landing, and if it is possible and necessary, the crew of the helicopter discusses the execution of the task and any specific feature of the next task with the jump commander. 

• Anyone can have a look at the helicopter, its outside and inside. We gladly answer any questions. However, when working we focus on our task and flight safety. Therefore we would like to ask:

Anyone interested in a visit to contact the GATE AGENT who can tell when the visit is suitable and will organize it.

The helicopter generally has to be fuelled after each takeoff. Fuelling poses extreme fire and accident risk. During fuelling only the helicopter crew can stay on board and in 50 metres proximity to the helicopter.

When the helicopter starts working, everyone must be in a distance of minimum 50 metres and leave the takeoff direction free. After landing the same distance must be kept until the rotor blades stop.

In case the helicopter crew is still/already in the cabin, it means that they are busy and cannot see visitors.

Children are the cutest and sometimes can ask smarter questions than some adults. We can answer even the trickiest questions. However we usually have work to do between two takeoffs, unfortunately we have only limited free time. We would like to ask the parents not to let their children use the helicopter as playground monkey bars that can be ’overrun’ as soon as the helicopter lands.  We cannot continuously keep an eye on the children and this could cause accidents.

DISCLAIMER

I acknowledge that skydiving operation is a dangerous activity and I can suffer injuries, irreparable damage and can lose my life even if the aircraft maintenance and other operating personnel carefully conduct their work. 

I or any of my relatives or my legal representative will not make a compensation claim for any injury or accident suffered during the parachute operation against the operator of the aircraft or its employees, contract agents, the skydiving instructors, skydive leaders, jump commanders, the pilots, the flight attendants, the operator and the owner of the airport or landing/takeoff site and any participant of my „skydiving activity.

I will pay all possible costs that occur during my skydiving activity and as its consequence.

I learnt and consider as obligatory upon myself all the safety regulations and rules of Mi-8 helicopter skydiving operation.