Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Procedure; Human Factors
We were on frequency with Boston Center just a minute or so north of the LEMOR intersection at 6;000 when we experienced two RAs of different severities. The first; Center asked if we had traffic to our right in sight; and we did briefly until going into the clouds. He suggested 20 degrees right for traffic; which I queried; as that would send us directly into the traffic. He confirmed; so we turned; thinking he had the bigger picture and had positive control over the other aircraft. This gave us a descend RA; which we complied with; until it was clear of conflict. We informed ATC and then returned to our original altitude. At 6;000 feet; just past LEMOR; we saw a rapidly climbing target on our TCAS from below on a direct course with our aircraft. We asked ATC about it and he was busy and said 'he just popped up.' At the time; we were IMC in the clouds and has negative contact on that aircraft. When the target was 300 feet below us; a mile or less directly in front of us; the RA directed us to descend. Immediately followed it; then realized that would send us into the offending traffic and then evasively banked to the right and initiated a climb. As soon as I initiated this maneuver; the TCAS (while zoomed into 6 miles as well) indicates the target as same altitude and same location. His target was spot on the middle of the TCAS. This was all done in the clouds with a VFR target. We once again informed ATC and continued on our way after recovering safely. I requested a number from Approach and called them after the flight. I spoke to a very nice gentleman who explained to me that it's a known issue. The offending airplane was a [skydive service aircraft]. This aircraft has 900hp and a 4 bladed prop; so it climbs like a rocket through the clouds and the airways. He let me know that unfortunately nothing can be done about it; and recommended I talk to [the] Quality Control Supervisor. We had a constructive conversation regarding the incidents and both agreed that; unfortunately; the only regulation broken was the VFR Caravan flying into the clouds. That however; would be my word vs the skydive pilot and that would go nowhere. [I was provided] with the radar tracks and the closest separation is as follows:6;000 feet; 1.39 miles horizontal; 100 feet vertical; then 1.04 and 100; then 'less than a mile' 100 vertical. Fortunately TCAS saved us on the first one and a solid flight crew and good CRM saved 47 lives on the Dash and a dozen on the skydive plane.Skydive planes shouldn't be allowed to climb through clouds; through airways; and drop skydivers through them. It's extremely dangerous and will eventually cause an accident.
A Dash 8 Captain reported an airborne conflict with a skydive service aircraft that was climbing VFR through clouds.