An Alternative Platform...
Hi Everyone,
I got interested in aviation via this website, and I'm thinking of becoming a pilot myself in an ultralight of some sort. I was intrigued by powered parachutes. Basically, you have a fan, a parachute (similar to para-gliders) and shift weight around to steer. You go at a nearly constant speed of 25 mph. Because the structure is stable, it's very hard to crash. Even if the engine were to die, you have a 7:1 glide ratio to get somewhere safe. A company has a design which you can purchase one for a reasonably expensive amount ( $3k + ), but their might be models available for a cheaper amount at hobby stores. (I just don't know.) Here's a link to their website: http://www.rcpoweredparachutes.com/index.html . The major limiting factor is the wind. Basically, if the winds get above 10mph, it's best not to fly (though flight is technically possible). See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powered_parachute
Cheers.
I got interested in aviation via this website, and I'm thinking of becoming a pilot myself in an ultralight of some sort. I was intrigued by powered parachutes. Basically, you have a fan, a parachute (similar to para-gliders) and shift weight around to steer. You go at a nearly constant speed of 25 mph. Because the structure is stable, it's very hard to crash. Even if the engine were to die, you have a 7:1 glide ratio to get somewhere safe. A company has a design which you can purchase one for a reasonably expensive amount ( $3k + ), but their might be models available for a cheaper amount at hobby stores. (I just don't know.) Here's a link to their website: http://www.rcpoweredparachutes.com/index.html . The major limiting factor is the wind. Basically, if the winds get above 10mph, it's best not to fly (though flight is technically possible). See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powered_parachute
Cheers.
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Moderator Comment by Morli on May 29, 2010 at 5:01pm -
Interesting. A little more $ and you could fly with it. :). Thanks for sharing.
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Comment by Rory Paul on May 29, 2010 at 8:22pm -
This is para glider based UAV that has been around for at least 5 years.
http://www.bluebird-uav.com/Products_Blueye.html
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Comment by Bertrand Duchiron on May 29, 2010 at 10:12pm -
there is cheapest model from airfoilaviation range from 1:8 to full size UAV model
http://www.airfoilaviation.com/
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Comment by Zak on May 30, 2010 at 6:27am -
Interesting. The demo video (from airfoilaviation) was from July 16th of 2000...
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Comment by Bertrand Duchiron on May 31, 2010 at 9:03pm
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Airfoilavia have a good reputation on parafoil forums, you can also try http://www.seabreezeparachutes.com/ , they sell only the parachute (and gondala for small models, for bigger models they just show you how to build the gondola). price and quality are very good.
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