CAA APPROVED AFM SUPPLEMENT Parachuting Operations PT6 Fletcher-EX 15 October 2012

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### 1.0 General This supplement is applicable to all FLETCHER Model FU24-950/954/950M and FU24A-950/954/950M series aircraft with stretched turbine conversion STC 3/21 E/1 embodied and which have been modified for parachuti ng operations.

Under NZCAR Part 91 aircraft operating in the parac hute dropping role in New Zealand must be certificated i n the Standard Category.

The information contained herein supplements or supersedes the basic Flight Manual only in those ar eas described. For Limitations, Procedures and Performa nce Data not contained in this supplement consult the b asic Flight Manual.CAA APPROVED AFM SUPPLEMENT Parachuting Operations PT6 Fletcher-EX 15 October 2012

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### 2.0 Limitations

2.1 Aircraft Configuration All aircraft must operate in an approved configurat ion, and this particularly applies to an agricultural aircra ft like the FU24 when it is converted to a completely different role such as parachute dropping. This usually involves a range of separate modifications which must all be individ ually approved. Approval will normally be indicated by th e presence of an Approved Flight Manual Supplement, o r they may be listed in the airframe logbook. Modific ations may be required for the following areas of the airc raft: a) The aircraft must be approved for operation with the rear door removed, or the door must be openable in flight and be approved for in-flight door opening. b) The aircraft must have an approved configuration for the rear cabin. (The hopper will have been removed, and a new interior fitted, including a floor. This is not covered by the turbine conversion STC.) c) The cabin floor and sidewall linings should not have any protrusions or items (handles or fittings) whic h could damage or snag an occupant or their parachute

. d) There must be an approved method of communicatio n between the pilot and the rear cabin occupants. (Th is is typically achieved by an intercom, or by light sign als.) e) There may be external grab handles and/or a step for the parachutists to use. f) For flight above 13,000 ft AMSL, or between 10,0 00 and 13,000 ft for 30 minutes or more, there must be an approved oxygen system (fixed or portable) which provides sufficient oxygen for the pilot and all th e occupants to comply with NZCAR Part 91 requirements or the equivalent requirements of the State of Regi stry.CAA APPROVED AFM SUPPLEMENT Parachuting Operations PT6 Fletcher-EX 15 October 2012

AIR2817-FMS-P1 Page 4 of 12 3/21E/1 2.2 Operating limitations a) Parachutists must exit the aircraft through the rear door, either with the door removed or through an openable door that is approved for in-flight operat ion. b) VFR operations only. c) Smoking is prohibited. d) The pilot and any non-jumping crew members must wear a parachute. e) Parachute static lines must be kept clear of con trol surfaces. f) Unless the occupants are restrained the weight a nd balance calculation must assume that the occupants are at the most aft positions that result from the rearmost members of the group sitting against the a ft cabin wall and subsequent members of the group located immediately forward of them.

2.3 Speed limitations Observe any speed limitations specified by any appl icable flight manual supplements for any embodied modifica tions.

2.4 Weight and Balance For each individual flight, a weight and balance ca lculation must be performed to establish that the aircraft C of G will remain within the AFM limits for the duration of th e flight. The weight and balance calculation must use the act ual weights for all occupants and their equipment. Observe the weight limitations of the cabin floor a t all times. (Both maximum weight and maximum floor loading, as applicable.)CAA APPROVED AFM SUPPLEMENT Parachuting Operations PT6 Fletcher-EX 15 October 2012

AIR2817-FMS-P1 Page 5 of 12 3/21E/1 2.5 Placards Fuselage Station [STA] reference lines must be clea rly marked inside the rear cabin on the walls just belo w the lower window line at a maximum of 35 inch spacing. Starting with the cockpit bulkhead at STA 101, meas ure backwards and mark off the Station Lines at 30 inch intervals. Make the first interval 34 inches to rou nd off the numbers. Place the following placard at each Statio n Line:



# I STA “ xx”

OCCUPANTS MUST STAY IN THEIR ALLOCATED POSITION UNTIL SEQUENCED

TO JUMP OBEY ALL INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE CREW

NOTE:

The “xx” refers to the actual Station Line. i.e. ST A 135, STA 170, STA 205. (The rear bulkhead is at STA 240).

Fig.1 Fuselage Stations PT6-EXCAA APPROVED AFM SUPPLEMENT Parachuting Operations PT6 Fletcher-EX 15 October 2012

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### 3.0 Emergency Procedures

If a parachutist hits the fuselage fin or horizonta l stabiliser when departing the aircraft or a parachute or lines become snagged the pilot needs to make a quick determinati on if there is any effect on the control of the aircraft. a) Carry out a handling check in the landing config uration to check on elevator control. Note it is recommende d that flaps are lowered gently and progressively. b) If a safe landing is deemed possible land at the earliest opportunity. If a safe landing is not thought possi ble, all occupants should abandon the aircraft immediately i f height permits or attempt an emergency landing as p er the AFM Emergency section.CAA APPROVED AFM SUPPLEMENT Parachuting Operations PT6 Fletcher-EX 15 October 2012

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### 4.0 Normal Procedures

4.1 Additional pre-flight checks a) It is recommended that parachuting occupants sho uld be restrained securely from movement forward or, particularly for the Fletcher FU24, rearward.

b) Parachuting occupants are in the correct loading position in accordance with the weight & balance sh eet.

c) Parachuting occupants must be fully briefed with the procedure for the parachute drop, including seating distribution, any exit sequencing, and any emergenc y actions (such as what to do in the event of an engi ne failure).

d) Oxygen supply is adequate for all occupants for the route planned on flights above 13,000 ft AMSL or fo r between 10,000 ft and 13,000 ft AMSL for 30 minutes

or more.

e) No loose articles in the cabin.

4.2 Take-off Ensure that the elevator trim is in the take-off po sition.



## WARNING

An out of trim elevator, in combination with cabin loading, flap position and power setting, can result in large control forces and/or unrequested pitching/yawing after leaving the ground.CAA APPROVED AFM SUPPLEMENT Parachuting Operations PT6 Fletcher-EX 15 October 2012

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### 4.3 Parachute Dropping
The following recommended procedure should be used when dropping parachutists: a) Reduce speed, using flaps if required, still mai ntaining a safe margin above the stall speed. b) Aircraft should be in straight and level flight. c) Pilot to communicate with parachutists to prepar e to exit. Parachutists must correctly stow oxygen syst ems and any other equipment that will remain in the air craft. d) Pilot to instruct when parachutists can release restraints (if fitted) and exit the aircraft. e) Maximum side slip angle = 10 degrees (There may be a side load on the aircraft with parachutists on the step.)



## WARNING

The Centre of Gravity position will shift with the unloading of parachutists. Ensure familiarity with the characteristics of the aircraft at low speed operations and centre of gravity changes.



## WARNING

The potential exists for parachutists to strike the fin and horizontal stabiliser of the aircraft when exiting the airplane in flight. It is recommended that parachute drops should be made with the aircraft in level flight with reduced power and airspeed, and flaps if necessary.CAA APPROVED AFM SUPPLEMENT Parachuting Operations PT6 Fletcher-EX 15 October 2012

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### 5.0 Performance
No change.CAA APPROVED AFM SUPPLEMENT Parachuting Operations PT6 Fletcher-EX 15 October 2012

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### 6.0 Weight and Balance

METRIC UNITS TABLE:

ITEM: WEIGHT: (kg) ARM:

(m) MOMENT:

Aircraft Empty Weight:

Pilot: 

### -0.513

Observer: (Front cockpit) 

### -0.513

Fuel: 

### +0.249

First Row of Parachutists:

Typically located between front Bulkhead (STA 101 ) and STA 135 (Moment arm between +0.02 and +0.88 metres)

Second Row of Parachutists:

Typically located between STA 135 and STA 170

(Moment arm between +0.88 and +1.77 metres)

Third Row of Parachutists: 

## *

* IF CARRIED (See WARNING overleaf) Typically located between STA 170 and STA 205

(Moment arm between +1.77 and +2.66 metres)

Last Row of Parachutists:

Typically located between STA 205 and STA 240

(Moment arm between +2.66 and +3.55 metres)

Other equipment:

TOTALCAA APPROVED AFM SUPPLEMENT Parachuting Operations PT6 Fletcher-EX 15 October 2012

AIR2817-FMS-P1 Page 11 of 12 3/21E/1 IMPERIAL UNITS TABLE:

ITEM: WEIGHT: (lb) ARM:

(in) MOMENT:

Aircraft Empty Weight:

Pilot: 

### -20.2

Observer: (Front cockpit) 

### -20.2

Fuel: 

### +9.8

First Row of Parachutists:

Typically located between front Bulkhead (STA 101 ) and STA 135 (Moment arm between +0.8 and +34.8 inches)

Second Row of Parachutists:

Typically located between STA 135 and STA 170

(Moment arm between +34.8 and +69.8 inches)

Third Row of Parachutists: 

## *

* IF CARRIED (See WARNING overleaf) Typically located between STA 170 and STA 205

(Moment arm between +69.8 and +104.8 inches)

Last Row of Parachutists:

Typically located between STA 205 and STA 240

(Moment arm between +104.8 and +139.8 inches)

Other equipment:

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## WARNING

The potential exists to exceed the maximum takeoff weight and centre of gravity limits of the aircraft when carrying a full load of parachutists. A specific calculation should be made for each individual flight.

NOTES: 1. The moment arms for the fuselage Station Lines i n the Table above are provided for reference purposes. Th ey can be used to estimate the actual moment arm for the individual parachutists or tandems (as applicable) based on relative position to the marked Station Lines in the cabin. 2. Aircraft datum for c.g. calculations is the wing leading edge at STA 100.21 (2.545m). 3. The maximum number of parachutists which can be carried will be determined by the individual weight and balance calculation. 4. Other equipment (at the bottom of the table) may include an approved oxygen system or any other portable equipment which may be carried on the flight.