Soaring Concepts Sky Trek Explained

The Soaring Concepts Sky Trek is an American powered parachute, designed and produced by Soaring Concepts Inc of Sturgis, Michigan and introduced in 2000. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft or as a kit for amateur construction.^{[1] [2]}

Design and development

The Sky Trek was designed to comply with the US light-sport aircraft rules and is on the list of Federal Aviation Administration accepted LSAs. It features a 500square feet parachute-style wing, two-seats-in-tandem accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 640NaN0 Rotax 582 engine in pusher configuration.^{[1] [3] [4]}

The aircraft carriage is built from large-diameter 4130 steel 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 adjustable gas shock suspension.^{[1] [5]}

The aircraft has an empty weight of 3840NaN0 and a gross weight of 9500NaN0, giving a useful load of 5660NaN0. With full fuel of the payload for crew and baggage is 5060NaN0.^{[1] [4]}

The standard day, sea level, no wind, take off with a 640NaN0 engine is 2000NaN0 and the landing roll is 1000NaN0.^[4]

Operational history

In August 2015, 24 examples were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration, although a total of 25 had been registered at one time.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 86. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
2. Web site: About Us. soaringconcepts.com. 20 August 2015.
3. Web site: SLSA Make/Model Directory. 20 August 2015. Federal Aviation Administration. 30 April 2015.
4. Web site: Specifications. soaringconcepts.com. 20 August 2015.
5. Web site: Soaring Concepts. soaringconcepts.com. 20 August 2015.
6. Web site: Make / Model Inquiry Results. 20 August 2015. Federal Aviation Administration. 20 August 2015.