About Powered Parachutes

THE HISTORY OF POWERED PARACHUTES

Powered Parachutes are one of the safest and perhaps one of the most unique forms of flight ever invented.  These ultralights, which were first experimented with in the early 60’s by Notre Dame University, became a commercial sport (Freedom Flyers & ParaPlane) in 1983 and have grown steadily in popularity since.  They have become renown for their safe flight records.

In August of 2000, the World Championships for powered parachutes began.  The annual contest is currently held in Greenville, IL.

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LOWELL FARRAND

The first test pilot to fly a ram-air powered parachute.  Lowell worked with Dr. Nicolas (sp?) at Notre Dame University.

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PPC (RAV) vs ATV

ATV’s (All Terrain Vehicles) have nothing over a RAV (Recreational Aerial Vehicle).  Your PPC will use roughly 4 gallons of gas per hour.  This gas usage is comparable to ATV’s, but you will have an Eagle’s eye-view of the world while in your RAV – and usually a smoother, cleaner ride!

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EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT

For a vehicle to be considered an experimental aircraft…

1. The aircraft must be built by the owner

2. It needs to be registered with the FAA

3. Only certified pilots can fly the aircraft

4. The condition requires that only the owner or a certified mechanic do the repairs and maintenance.

5. And, the aircraft cannot be used for training or any commercial use.  It is conditionally for recreational purposes only. 

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PPC vs GA (General Aviation aircraft)

Wow!  Perhaps there are more differences here than similarities between the powered parachute and a conventional certified aircraft.  The only obvious common facet between the two aircraft maybe that they both fly.  The biggest difference is the stable pendulum system of the PPC.  The pendulum effect of the PPC causes the PPC to be more flexible, and to react relatively more slowly to changes. 

The average recreational GA pilot flies about 35 hours/year compared to 50 hours for the PPC pilot.

The weather is a larger factor, in preventing the PPC pilot from flight.

People will flock around a PPC landing, and hardly notice a GA aircraft airport landing.

A GA pilot's flight experience is generally a boring event surrounding by the short but enjoyable take-off and landing.  A PPC pilot's flight is exhilarating from start to finish.

A PPC can easily be trailered to any location for scenic flights.  Ask a GA pilot how scenic a flight can be from 2000 ft at 120 knots!  Then ask them how many deer they jumped or coyotes they chased.  Or when was the last time they had only 90 minutes, and yet decided to go for a flight!

Perhaps the bottom line is: If you want to go from Point A to Point B, go GA, but if you want to experience the true sensation of flight, it's the PPC!

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US Ultralight vs European Pilot requirements

No medical is currently required for a U.S. ultralight pilot (and with the onset of the Sport Pilot, only a valid Driver's License will be needed to meet the medical qualification.  However, the European pilot must pass blood tests, EKGs, tread mill stress tests, and high vision standards. 

Training:  While the Europeans require 300 hours of ground instruction, the average North American PPC pilot is lucky to have 3 hours.  A European pilot applicant must take a radio examination, separate from his flight check.  And in Europe, every airport has "landing fees," including touch and go’s. And there is a fee to utilize ATC services.

The list of regulations and expenses go on and on.  The cost of a private pilot license in Europe is $9,000 - about the cost of a single seat PPC in the U.S.

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Gyrocopter vs PPC

The Gyrocopter handles much better in the wind.  And it is very versatile. But it requires constant pilot attention.  And a single pilot error is more likely to be fatal.  Whereas a PPC will practically fly itself and as long as you are careful where you fly.  A ‘pull-over’ is usually the worst pilot error - and from this event - pilots walk away from, usually without even a scratch!

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What happens if the engine quits?  

This has got to be the most frequently asked question.  Unfortunately we just don’t have time to go in to it here. OK, just kidding, I will make time.

The simple truth – it gets real quiet!  Life seems good again.  Stress is removed.  You truly begin to soar with the birds.  Well, this is what happens when you intentionally shut-off the engine.  (And you may find that the Instructor’s and formal students do that a lot here, at the training center.)

If you have an engine failure (not a very common occurrence), you will find that the PPC is as stable and maneuverable with or without the engine running.  So, you will have an easy time gliding your PPC to the landing zone. Flaring just above the ground and sitting it down safely.  

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  Why a Powered Parachute?

Why a powered parachute?  Boy is this a broad question – but I will warn you the answer might be very addictive.

1.      It is probably the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

2.      It is the easiest vehicle we know about to fly – only two airborne controls.  One to control your rise and decent through the skies, (power) and the other to make turns (via rudder bars).

3.      Besides keeping the unit sturdy, clean & dry, you only need to perform minor maintenance on it.

4.      It takes very little room to store it – your plane can be stored in a single garage.  And its size makes it very easy to transport. A common utility trailer can easily carry your PPC to any fly-in. Heck, some people just add an extended shelf to the rear of their pick-up trucks and put the PPC there (without any trailer).

5.      You can complete your basic training in less than 3 days.

6.      You can fly year round.

7.      It requires no ground crew. You can easily unpack, take-off, land, and re-load your PPC all by yourself.

8.      It has an incredible safety record and despite the fact that mere humans are allowed to fly it.

9.      As a true 103 ultralight – it requires no medical; there is no age limit, and no bureaucratic paperwork (i.e., no license or registration).  

10.  Under the new Sport Pilot rule you only need a valid driver’s license to fly passengers. 12 hours of flight time is all that is need to get your Sport Pilot license.

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  What does it feel like?

Flying a powered parachute is the closest you may ever come to actualizing those childhood flying dreams.  It is the closest you will ever come to soaring with the eagles.  Another aircraft may never match the slow & low abilities of the PPC.  It is an incredibly safe and fun way to sail-the-skies!   

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How fast do you fly?

            They fly between 28 and 38 miles an hour.

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What is the ceiling of the PPC? (How high can you go?)

From the factory, the 2-seat PPC with a 65hp engine will normally obtain around 12,000 feet with just an average size pilot, and around 8,000 feet with 450 lbs of occupants.  As of July 2001, the altitude record is over 17,700 feet (I believe by Bud Gish of Alaska ).  

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Can I train myself?

Since there is considerably more to flying a PPC, than pulling an elevator control back, or pushing a foot (steering) rudder bar – I would have to say “NO” for safety’s sake!   

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What kind of license do I need to fly a Powered Parachutes?

This is going to have to be a 2-part answer: one part for true 103 PPC’s, and one for the 2-seat trainers. 

Relative to true 103 PPC’s:  No license or registration is needed – HEY!
[Note: a true 103 ultralight will weigh under 254 lbs, have a single seat, fuel capacity that does not exceed 5 gallons, go slower than 55 knots (63 mph) and have a stall speed less than 24 knots.]

Relative to a 2 aircraft you will need to become a Sport Pilot. The requirements are as follows;

1.     Have 12 hours of flight time in a PPC.
[10 hours of dual and 2 hours solo.]

2.   Pass a written test:

3.     Recommendation from a SP CFI.

4.     Pass a practical check ride.

5.     We recommend becoming a member of the EAA, Experimental Aircraft Association.  

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What winds can a Powered Parachute safely fly in?

You should never fly in winds that exceed your flight skills.  And, it is recommended that all PPC pilots should avoid flying in winds above 15 mph.  

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Do I need to own a plane, before I take lessons?

Most quality training centers will have PPC’s that you can rent for training.  However, most find it helpful to learn to fly in their own plane.  

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What makes the powered parachute so safe & stable?

The sound principles of flying a machine in a pendulum configuration are what contribute to the safe and stable facets of the PPC.   

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How long can it fly on one tank of gas?

Due to various flying techniques, we can obviously only deal with averages here, but easy to say that the single seat true 103 PPC can stay airborne around an hour and a half with 5 gallons of gas, and the 2-seat trainer, about 2 hours with 10 gallons of gas. 

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What is the maximum weight you can carry?

There are quite a few factors that come into play when considering this answer.

1. The strength of the PPC frame

2. The size and strength of the canopy

On average however, I will venture to say that around 450-550 lbs of payload is workable for a 2-seat trainer.   

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How much room do you need for take-off and landing?

Again, weight, weather and faith come into play here.  But for two people, you will need about 300 to 400 feet for take-off and around 50-100 to safely land.   

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Are balistic or emergency parachutes used on PPC’s?

No.  When you have an aircraft with the safely record of the PPC, it is extraordinary to find one with an emergency chute.  

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Are PPC’s useful in aiding Search & Rescue operations?

The PPC is so ‘right’, so usefulness when it comes to search & rescue operations, that sometimes, the Civil Air Patrol will get a little jealous about the PPC.  Except for getting to the ‘lost’ sight quickly, there is no better aircraft than the PPC for aiding in the search of the lost. 

They were used in the shuttle recovery a few years back.   

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Can you fly at night?

No, you can not fly at night without a waiver from the FAA. 

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What are the age limits of a PPC pilot?

For a true 103, there is no age limit; for the 2-seat trainer, the pilot must be at least 16 years old.   

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Is a medical required to fly the PPC?

No   However, a valid State Driver’s license can be used in its place. 

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Can I fly in or over a National Park?

There has always been confusion over this question.  Except for hazardous areas like the Grand Canyon , the FAA has no restrictions on the air space over National Parks – it is only strongly requested that you maintain 2000 AGL (Above the Ground Level) when over a National Park.  However, the Park Service will probably ticket (and yell) at you for violating Noise & Disturbance laws, if you fly too low!    

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Do I have to be a ‘mechanical’ type, to maintain my PPC?

No, if you can change the plugs and change the gear oil, you will be fine. There are plenty of certified mechanics around to handle the major repairs and maintenance. 

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Are we required to register the PPC with the FAA?

You are not required to register your single seat true 103 PPC, but you are required to register a 2-place aircraft and have it “N” numbered. 

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Hughes Aero Corporation

882 Robert Vonderau Road, Wharton, TX 77488

979-282-2005