Gemini Twin

The Gemini Twin is an American powered parachute that was designed and produced by Gemini Powered Parachutes of Culver, Indiana. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1][2]

Twin
Role Powered parachute
National origin United States
Manufacturer Gemini Powered Parachutes
Status Production completed (2007)
Produced 2002-2007
Number built 60 (2005)

The aircraft was introduced in about 2002 and production ended when the company went out of business in 2007.[3]

Design and development

The Twin was designed by a former Buckeye Industries employee to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category and the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules as an ultralight trainer. It features a 45 m2 (480 sq ft) parachute-style wing, two-seats-in-tandem accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 engine in pusher configuration.[1]

The aircraft carriage is built from a combination of bolted aluminium and 4130 steel tubing. In flight steering is accomplished via foot pedals that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has lever-controlled nosewheel steering. The main landing gear incorporates spring suspension. The acceptable power range is 50 to 100 hp (37 to 75 kW)[1][2]

The aircraft has an empty weight of 157 kg (346 lb) and a gross weight of 385 kg (849 lb), giving a useful load of 228 kg (503 lb). With full fuel of 40 litres (8.8 imp gal; 11 US gal) the payload for crew and baggage is 200 kg (441 lb).[1]

The standard day, sea level, no wind, take off with a 64 hp (48 kW) engine is 350 ft (107 m) and the landing roll is 100 ft (30 m).[2]

Operational history

In 2005 the company reported 60 examples had been completed and flown.[2] In July 2015, 15 examples were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[4]

In 2004 Jean Pierre la Camus reviewed the design in the World Directory of Leisure Aviation and described the Twin as "soundly engineered".[1]

Specifications (Twin)

Data from Bertrand and Kitplanes[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 3.0 m (10 ft)
  • Wing area: 45 m2 (480 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 157 kg (346 lb)
  • Gross weight: 385 kg (849 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 40 litres (8.8 imp gal; 11 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 582 twin cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled aircraft engine, 48 kW (64 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed composite, ground adjustable

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 55 km/h (34 mph, 30 kn)
  • Range: 110 km (69 mi, 60 nmi)
  • Rate of climb: 2.5 m/s (500 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 8.56 kg/m2 (1.75 lb/sq ft)

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 82. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 50. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. "Gemini Powered Parachutes". Internet Archive Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  4. Federal Aviation Administration (July 23, 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved July 23, 2015.
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