Parascender II

The Parascender II is an American powered parachute that was designed and produced by Parascender Technologies of Kissimmee, Florida. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1][2]

Parascender II
Role Powered parachute
National origin United States
Manufacturer Parascender Technologies
First flight 1990
Status Production completed (2004)
Produced 1990-2004

Design and development

The Parascender II was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles trainer exemption and also the US Experimental - Amateur-built aircraft rules. It features a 520.0 sq ft (48.31 m2) parachute-style wing, two-seats-in-tandem accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 engine in pusher configuration.[1][2]

The aircraft carriage is built from bolted aluminium tubing, with a unique octagonal dual-tube propeller guard. 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 rod suspension and was changed to composite suspension in 1993. The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 250 lb (110 kg) and a gross weight of 720 lb (330 kg), giving a useful load of 470 lb (210 kg). With full fuel of 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal) the payload for the pilot, passengers and baggage is 410 lb (190 kg).[1][2]

The standard day, sea level, no wind, take off with a 50 hp (37 kW) engine is 150 ft (46 m) and the landing roll is 50 ft (15 m).[1]

The manufacturer estimated the construction time from the supplied kit as 20 hours.[1]

Operational history

In April 2015 six examples were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration, although a total of eight had been registered at one time.[3]

Specifications (Parascender II)

Data from Purdy[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)
  • Wingspan: 38 ft 6 in (11.73 m)
  • Wing area: 520 sq ft (48 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 3.0:1
  • Empty weight: 250 lb (113 kg)
  • Gross weight: 720 lb (327 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 twin cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine, 50 hp (37 kW)
  • Propellers: w-bladed composite, ground adjustable

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 26 mph (42 km/h, 23 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 26 mph (42 km/h, 23 kn)
  • Service ceiling: 7,500 ft (2,300 m)
  • Rate of climb: 550 ft/min (2.8 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 1.4 lb/sq ft (6.8 kg/m2)

References
  1. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 340. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  2. All-Aero (2015). "Parascender Technologies Parascender II". Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  3. Federal Aviation Administration (April 9, 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved April 9, 2015.
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