Sky Science PowerHawk explained

The Sky Science PowerHawk is a British powered parachute that was designed and produced by Sky Science Powered Parachutes Limited of Tidworth. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1]

The aircraft was introduced in about 2000 and production ended when the company went out of business at the end of 2003.[2]

Design and development

The PowerHawk was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, as well as amateur-built aircraft rules. It features a 500square feet parachute-style wing, two-seats-in-tandem accommodation, tricycle landing gear or quadracycle landing gear and a single 700NaN0 2si 690-L70 engine in pusher configuration.[1] [3]

The aircraft carriage is built from metal tubing with an optional full cockpit fairing. 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. On snow the aircraft uses four skis, two steerable ones in the front and two replacing the rear wheels.[1]

The aircraft has an empty weight of 2850NaN0 and a gross weight of 8100NaN0, giving a useful load of 5250NaN0. With full fuel of the payload for crew and baggage is 4530NaN0.[1] [3]

The standard day, sea level, no wind, take off and landing roll with a 700NaN0 engine is 1000NaN0.[3]

The manufacturer estimated the construction time from the supplied kit as 30 - 50 hours.[3]

Operational history

In August 2015 no examples were registered in the United Kingdom with the Civil Aviation Authority, although one had been registered in 2000 and de-registered by the CAA in 2005.[4]

External links

Notes and 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. Web site: Sky Science . Internet Archive Wayback Machine . 11 July 2015.
  3. Web site: Sky Science skydiving and parachute accessories and equipment sales. https://web.archive.org/web/20001209203000/http://www.skyscience.co.uk/. 9 December 2000. skyscience.co.uk. 6 August 2015.
  4. Web site: GINFO Search Results Summary. 6 August 2015. Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom). 6 August 2015.