After you book your first time skydiving experience, you might not even be wondering about the type of aircraft you’ll be jumping out of – I mean you’re just using it to jump from it, right!? But the truth is, the aircraft used for your skydive can significantly impact your overall experience. Skydiving airplanes play a crucial role in ensuring a safe, comfortable, and thrilling adventure for new and experienced jumpers. Choosing the right skydiving plane for your jump can make all the difference; so, let’s jump into how skydiving planes impact your experience, all the different types of skydiving planes, the benefits of each, and highlight some of the benefits of skydiving from Skydive Danielson’s turbine aircraft.
Tried and true – the Cessna 182 is one of the most commonly used (and smallest) skydiving aircraft. Its affordability and accessibility are what attract most skydiving centers to this particular aircraft. The Cessna 182 can carry 4 skydivers at a time, which can create a more intimate experience for your skydive.
The Cessna 208 Caravan is a huge upgrade from the Cessna 182. The Cessna 208 Caravan holds up to 14 passengers and can go above and beyond to higher altitudes in a much shorter time than the Cessna 182. For these reasons, the Cessna 208 Caravan is arguably one of the most popular skydiving planes that is widely loved by skydivers.
The Twin Otter is a classic airplane that is most famous for fitting 21 skydivers comfortably and racing to 14,000 ft in just 15 minutes. The only downside is that it is a bit pricey, so it’s a little rare to catch it sending loads at the dropzone.
The Skyvan is famous for having a unique exit door that is located at the back of the airplane. The door opens all the way so that skydivers can just walk out of the plane. The downside is that it is extremely loud and much slower than the Cessna 208 Caravan.
The twin-turbine King Air is a favorite aircraft amongst skydivers because it can get you to altitude in just under 10 minutes and has a 14-person capacity. This aircraft really hits the sweet spot on all accounts.
When it comes to choosing a skydiving airplane, you’ll want to weigh your options while considering these three key factors:
If you’ve noticed, different skydiving centers will jump from varying altitudes ranging from 8,000 to 14,000 ft. Ever wondered why? It’s because of the aircraft they use! The most common skydiving altitude sits around 10,000 ft because that is the maximum altitude that the most popular skydiving aircraft (Cessna 182) can efficiently achieve. Higher altitudes are achieved exclusively by turbine aircraft – so if your local dropzone has one of these, you better believe you’ll be taken higher than high to get the full experience!
The capabilities of each single-engine and turbine aircraft don’t stop at deciding altitude. Certain planes used for skydiving can get you to altitude faster than other skydiving planes. Why is this a good thing? Well, for frequent jumpers, less time spent on the plane means more jumps per day. And for tandem skydivers, this means less waiting time! For example, the single-propeller Cessna 182 can take almost half an hour to make it to 10,000 ft, whereas, our Cessna 208 could get you there in 10 minutes tops.
Not only does the type of skydiving plane determine how many passengers can fit on the plane, but it also dictates the comfort level of your ride. If you’re planning on booking a group skydiving experience, you’ll want to jump from an airplane that can accommodate your large group. While the Cessna 182 usually can only hold about 4 jumpers, and everybody is packed in there like sardines. Larger airplanes give customers a sense of comfort, safety, and security.
With Skydive Danielson's large, Cessna 208 Caravan, we are fully equipped to not only fly you higher (14,000 ft), but we’re also capable of hosting up to 14 passengers per load comfortably. So bring the crew!
Among the various skydiving planes available, our choice of the Cessna 208 Caravan turbine aircraft stands out for several reasons. This top-tier skydiving plane provides numerous benefits that can enhance the overall skydiving experience for all of our guests. Here are the benefits of jumping from our state-of-the-art Cessna 208 Caravan:
The Cessna 208 Caravan can comfortably accommodate up to 14 passengers, offering ample space for skydiving with groups. Its spacious cabin ensures comfort while on your way up to 14,000 ft! Staying comfortable during your airplane ride can set the tone for your entire skydiving experience.
Safety is of absolute supreme importance, and our Cessna 208 Caravan prioritizes it with its special safety features, sturdy construction, and complex aviation systems. These advanced safety features ensure the well-being of jumpers and crew, creating a secure skydiving environment.
The Cessna 208 Caravan’s turbine engine delivers exceptional performance with smooth ascents and quick climb rates. Its powerful turbine engine allows jumpers to reach higher than high altitudes in a fast and efficient manner. And thanks to the Cessna 208 Caravan, we’re able to take you all the way up to 14,000 ft in 15 to 20 minutes!
Still skeptical? Come try our Cessna 208 Caravan for yourself! Book your skydive with Skydive Danielson today. Blue skies.