Skymaster Excel

The Skymaster Excel is an American powered parachute that was designed and produced by Skymaster Powered Parachutes of Hartland, Wisconsin. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1]

Excel
Role Powered parachute
National origin United States
Manufacturer Skymaster Powered Parachutes
Status Production completed (2008)
Produced 2001-2008
Number built at least ten
Variants Skymaster Single Seater

The aircraft was introduced in 2001 and production ended when the company went out of business in late 2008.[2][3]

Design and development

The aircraft complies with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb) and also the US Experimental - Amateur-built aircraft rules. The aircraft has a maximum gross weight of 385 kg (849 lb). It features a 550 sq ft (51 m2) parachute-style wing, two-seats-in-tandem accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 65 hp (48 kW) Hirth 2706 engine in pusher configuration. The 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 engine was also offered.[1][4]

The aircraft carriage is built from bolted aluminium 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 rod suspension.[1]

The aircraft has an empty weight of 421 lb (191 kg) and a gross weight of 850 lb (386 kg), giving a useful load of 429 lb (195 kg). With full fuel of 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal) the payload for crew and baggage is 369 lb (167 kg).[1]

Operational history

In August 2015 ten examples were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[5]

The design won many awards, including 2001 Sun 'n Fun Grand Champion, 2001 AirVenture Oshkosh Flex-wing Champion, 2002 AirVenture Oshkosh Flex-wing Champion, 2003 AirVenture Oshkosh Flex-wing Champion, 2003 Sun 'n Fun Innovations and 2004 Sun 'n Fun Best Trike.[1][6] It was later developed into a smaller single seat design, the Skymaster Single Seater.[7]

Specifications (version)

Data from Bertrand and manufacturer[1][8]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)
  • Width: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) carriage width
  • Height: 7 ft 1.5 in (2.172 m)
  • Wing area: 550 sq ft (51 m2)
  • Empty weight: 421 lb (191 kg)
  • Gross weight: 849 lb (385 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Hirth 2706 twin cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine, 65 hp (48 kW)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed composite, ground adjustable

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 29 mph (47 km/h, 25 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 1.5 lb/sq ft (7.3 kg/m2)

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 85. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. "Fly Skymaster". Internet Archive Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  3. "Company History". flyskymaster.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  4. "Price For The Skymaster Excel". flyskymaster.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  5. Federal Aviation Administration (August 12, 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  6. "Skymaster". flyskymaster.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  7. "Single seater". flyskymaster.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2008. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  8. "Skymaster Excel Specifications". flyskymaster.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
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