I own a skydiving center that currently operates 3 1957 Cessna 182's. I'm always looking for the next jump plane. Recently I've seen Cherokee 6's getting very low in price. I was thinking about leaving the rear facing seat's so the customer can sit in those (instead of on the floor like 182's and 206's). Have the instructors in the back on on the floor. I would run it with 5 (4 jumpers + pilot). I was wondering if anyone had in solid numbers on the cherokee 6 as far as climb time, and performance hauling heavy(er) loads. Being in the skydiving biz, I need to get to 8,000 feet and back down as fast as possible.....

I've never flown jump airplanes, but I can tell you that the Six is a really tough, great performing aircraft. And a great load hauler. It'll keep up with any of the Cessnas, all things equal. Toughest landing gear in the class as well.

MTV

My only experience in the 6 is the 6-260, which I flew for maybe 100-150 hours. Fully loaded, it's a dog at high elevation airports--200-250 fpm climb rate out of Laramie in the winter, although it would keep climbing at that rate all the way to 14,000'. It is very, very solid, and lightly loaded, it's pretty sprightly. It isn't quick, but it's reliable. Kinda flies like a truck, but then, that's what it really is.

Cary

I jumped a 6 a few times in Laurel, DE many years ago. From what I recall it worked great! 5 jumpers, unless a tandem on board, climbed great to altitude.