I've heard it is possible to combine a crossing from North to South Island, by plane, with a skydive (without luggage) to conclude the flight. You catch up with your luggage at an airfield in Picton.
Does anyone run this in the opposite direction (South Island to North)? Has anyone ever attempted this?
I just can't face another bumpy ferry ride... :P
greenlaces
1
ianw6705
This might qualify for post of the day ... can't wait to hear the answers. Without luggage LOL.
2
sammmi
You've got to be a lightweight though, less than 100Kilo fully clothed but looks like it is just N to S.
There is a smaller plane air service between Wellington and Nelson that would be good for seeing the land and sea scapes without possibly so many bumps.
3
myshkin
You could always contact SkyDive the Sounds (the folks who do the north - south version) and ask them if they know of anyone doing this. I'd say the reality is that if you're willing to pay for it, someone is bound to do what you want, although I suspect you might find yourself dropped somewhat to the north of Wellington: our parliamentarians would start to freak if people started to jump out of the sky over Parliament grounds! Good luck.
4
ianw6705
Or you could wind up deep in the Rimutakas on a windy day (which Wellington occasionally experiences).
5
markjoy
It's not normally possible to jump out of a plane anywhere near Wellington...there is no drop zone. (Yes, the sky is that regulated.) But every so often a Cessna172 does the trip to Picton with a couple of willing victims on board...personally I couldn't think of a more masochistic means of getting to Picton, and I've done a few bumpy sailings (and flights.) Soundsair is the parent (or maybe affiliate) company that can have this organized, and will answer your questions. (You will notice that the aircraft here has the same logo/paint job.)
Soundsair also fly pax to Nelson, usually 6am departure. Cessna Caravan.
7
skydivethesounds
Hi all,
Skydive the Sounds calling from New Zealand. We are the ones offering what we call the X-Flight. The “X” is where we pick you up from Wellington International Airport, fly you across the Cook Strait and drop you into our airport base in Picton. I am pleased to say your luggage is transported via more conventional means which is either by our associate company Sounds Air or in the belly of the luggage pod in the Cessna 206 we use (we also use a Cessna 172).
The service did not come about because of demand but was an idea we had between a couple of highly experienced skydivers who thought might be fun to do ourselves once and a while.. It simply evolved from there and as word spread this was possible the interest for this service became quite incredible so after allot of planning we began offering the service as a commercial venture (on top of our regular tandem skydiving operation in Picton) . I have had a look at running the service between the South and North but the weather in the Wellington area is not so accommodating for parachuting (as much fun as this is safety has got to be our first priority and I could see a few safety issues with a service to drop in the North).
Hope this answers a few questions.
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