Winds Italia Orbiter Explained
The
Winds Italia Orbiter is a family of Italian
paramotors that were designed by Randy Haney and produced by his company
Winds Italia of
Bologna for
powered paragliding. Now out of production, when the series was available the aircraft were supplied complete and ready-to-fly.
[1] Design and development
The Orbiter series was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules as well as European regulations. They feature a paraglider-style wing, single-place accommodation and a single engine in pusher configuration with a reduction drive and a 1300NaN0 diameter two-bladed wooden propeller. The fuel tank capacity is .[1]
As is the case with all paramotors, take-off and landing is accomplished by foot. Inflight steering is accomplished via handles that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw.[1]
Reviewer Rene Coulon noted the Orbiter's design for both its aesthetics and robustness.[1]
Variants
- Orbiter
Model with a 14.50NaN0 Radne Raket 120 engine in pusher configuration with a 3.54:1 ratio reduction drive and a 1300NaN0 diameter two-bladed wooden propeller.[1]
- Orbiter XP
Higher powered model with a 240NaN0 Cors'Air M21Y engine in pusher configuration with a 1.9:1 ratio reduction drive and a two-bladed wooden propeller. Other reduction ratios were factory available as options. The XP was supplied without an electric starter or battery to save weight. The resulting unit empty weight was 270NaN0.[1] See also
Notes and References
- Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 77. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003.
