Parascender I Explained

The Parascender I, originally just called the Parascender, is an American single-seat powered parachute that was designed and produced by Parascender Technologies of Kissimmee, Florida and introduced in 1989. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1] [2] [3]

Design and development

The Parascender I was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 2540NaN0. The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 2300NaN0. It features a 440square feet parachute-style wing, single-place accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 400NaN0 Rotax 447 engine in pusher configuration. The 500NaN0 Rotax 503 engine was a factory option, as was a 520square feet canopy.[1] [2]

The aircraft carriage is built from bolted aluminium tubing, with a unique octagonal dual-tube propeller guard. Inflight steering is accomplished via foot pedals that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has left hand lever-controlled nosewheel steering. The main landing gear incorporates spring rod suspension. The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 230lb and a gross weight of 540lb, giving a useful load of 310lb. With full fuel of the payload for the pilot and baggage is 280lb.[1] [2]

The standard day, sea level, no wind, takeoff with a 400NaN0 engine is 1000NaN0 and the landing roll is 500NaN0.[1]

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

Notes and References

  1. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 340. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998.
  2. Web site: Parascender Technologies Parascender I. 9 April 2015. All-Aero. 2015.
  3. Web site: Why Buy From Us?. 9 April 2015. Parascender Technologies. 1997 . https://web.archive.org/web/20031227061233/http://home.iag.net/~para/whybuy.htm . 27 December 2003.