Frequently Asked Questions
What is a powered parachute?
Powered Parachuting is one of the most accessible forms of powered
flight to the public.
A powered parachute, also known as a PPC, is a 3 wheeled cart-style vehicle with an aircraft engine, and a parachute-style wing attached. This aircraft can be safely flown on most calm weather days and requires minimal training by aviation standards.
What can
you do with a powered parachute?
You can fly about two hours at a speed of about
Is Powered parachuting safe?
You can make powered parachuting, like most adventure sports, as safe or dangerous as you want. You can enjoy years of injury free flying as long as you follow basic safety guidelines and use well maintained equipment. Ways you can make it safe are to receive instruction from a certified professional and use safe equipment -- professional schools will create as controlled a learning environment as possible.
Powered Parachuting is an outdoor sport and Mother Nature is unpredictable -- weather is always a big consideration. The primary safety factors are personal judgment and attitude. You must be willing to learn gradually and use good judgment and have an appropriate attitude.
Is
Powered Parachuting Scary?
Powered Parachuting is the easiest forms of aviation to learn and
one of the most accessible ways to fulfill your dream of free
flight! Even if you have a fear of heights, it will rarely be a
factor, since there is no sensation of falling. You will not fall
from the sky if the engine stops.
Your
solo lesson will require more effort (physical and mental) than your
tandem lesson, but it lays the basic groundwork necessary to
becoming your own pilot.
Who can fly a powered parachute?
Powered Parachuting is about finesse, not strength. As in rock
climbing, women often do much better than men because they don’t try
to muscle the powered parachute around. The undercarriage weighs
approx. 250 to
How
much does a powered parachute cost?
A new 2 seat plane with engine, and wing cost starts at about
$15,000 depending on the features that you may want. For a new
single seat plane, $11,000 is typical, however
Six Chuter Inc,
offers a new single seat plane starting at around $9000.
After
ten+ years of fairly active usage and exposure to UV light from the
sun, a powered parachute wing is generally in need of replacement.
This of course varies with how you care for your wing. It’s easy to
test your lines and sailcloth for strength and thus determine your
need to replace your powered parachute wing long before it becomes
unsafe. Engine maintenance is crucial to long life. The
undercarriage should last indefinitely with good care.
Good
used equipment is often available for half as much though it will
have a shorter life-span. In addition, because the sport is evolving
rapidly, newer powered parachutes can have significantly better
performance and behavior than older ones. You will need expert help
in determining the suitability of the used gear for your needs, and
how airworthy it is. Good deals exist but you will need to be able
to carefully evaluate what you are looking at. It is important to
understand that not all paragliding wings make good wings for use
with a powered parachute. Paraglider wings are generally designed
for performance, while powered parachute wings are designed for
durability because of the extra stress of the added weight of the
undercarriage and engine. Equally important is how well the used
equipment was cared for. You are going to use this equipment to take
you high into the air so you will want to be sure of its condition
before you buy it. Unless you know what you are looking at, that you
should have expert help in deciding before you buy.
Once
you have your gear and have completed training your next cost is for
gas and oil. These consumables are not very expensive. A few gallons
of gas and some two cycle oil will not break your budget.
You will also need a helmet and a few other small incidentals. These can add an additional $300 to $500 to your bill. For well under $20,000 you can become the owner and pilot of your own personal and portable aircraft. Most pilots who get into the sport also purchase a two-way radio for an additional $200.
What do you need to know when purchasing your first powered
parachute?
First, you need to know how to fly. No would-be pilot should
purchase a wing before learning at least the basics of powered
parachuting. A reputable dealer will make certain you are properly
trained before he will sell you any equipment. In most cases the
dealer is also an instructor. Or, he will refer you to an instructor
who can properly train you. It is your instructor’s job to help you
select your first wing. Different powered parachutes have different
characteristics and require different skill levels; your instructor
will match the powered parachute to your particular interests,
strengths, weaknesses, and skill level. Develop a solid relationship
with an instructor you trust before purchasing equipment. "Good
deals" generally end up costing the naive new pilot a great deal of
money. Most instructors rely on referrals and repeat business so
they are very determined to help you make the right decisions. When
purchasing equipment, a responsible dealer will always require some
proof of certified rating.
It
may be necessary for you to purchase the equipment that you will
train with. While this isn't always true there are some advantages
to it. Training on the equipment that you will eventually fly with
eliminates the transition time that it will take to get used to
flying different gear. While most equipment functions in a similar
way there are differences in technique required for different models
of aircraft. Each has both advantages and disadvantages over the
other.
No
matter where you buy your equipment you must consider service after
the sale. Mechanical devices will have parts that can, and do, fail.
There is also the reality that as part of your learning curve you
may damage something. This is not uncommon. Where the parts will
come from, how much they cost, and how long it will take to get them
may play a big role in your purchase decision. So will the actual
work of replacing them. Perhaps you are sufficiently mechanically
adept that you can do most repairs yourself. You may also have all
the tools necessary to do the job. If you are not comfortable with
this type of work you will need to consider how you will get this
accomplished if needed. When you buy new equipment you can usually
have this work performed by the dealer. When you buy used gear you
may be on your own as warranties are seldom transferable and the
original dealer usually has no obligation to support you.
How do you get started?
The best way to start is with a tandem introductory flight. This gives you a taste of flying. Once you have seen what it is like then you can sign up for an Introductory Course. Under radio supervision, you will fly solo from the training field and progress to higher flights, all in two days. The basic techniques of powered parachuting -- takeoff, turning, landing -- are fairly easy to learn. The length of the course is designed to compensate for weather constraints and different learning curves. If after your introductory flights, you want to continue with powered parachuting, the next step is to enroll in a Novice Certification Course which will teach you about micrometeorology, different launch and flying techniques, safety procedures, etc. It is best to complete the Novice Course in a concentrated period of time.
Do
you need a license to fly?
Powered Parachutes are regulated under the Federal Aviation
Regulations Section 103 and therefore a license is not required to
fly a single seat powered parachute. If you wish to, however, fly a
two seat powered parachute, then you must become a Sport Pilot. For
a Powered Parachute the Sport Pilot Requirements are as follows:
·
Dual
Instruction for a qualified instructor
·
12
Hours of Flight time
·
70%
or better on the Sport Pilot Written Test
·
Pass
on the Practical Test using the Powered Parachute (Practical Test
Standards guide)
How long does it take to
learn to fly?
You can be airborne in as little as two days. It all depends on your
ability to learn the techniques involved in launching and flying.
How long it takes, also depends on your background. If you are a
licensed pilot, have paragliding or powered paragliding experience,
or other aviation training, you may progress more quickly in certain
parts of your training, since there are areas in your training that
may be very similar.
Three to four consecutive days of training are often adequate. Your first few flights will be under very controlled conditions. Your instructor will be making most decisions for you. You will gradually begin to develop your confidence and skills, as you progress in your flights. You will also begin to make more decisions about your flights yourself. By the time you finish training, you should be able to takeoff and land without assistance, as well as, make most of your own decisions about flying. It may still take several more flights before you feel really ready to fly on your own.
How fast does a powered parachute fly?
A powered parachute fly at a constant speed of 30 MPH. The ground speed is affected by the wind speed so a a tail wind will increase your speed, while a head wind will slow your ground speed.
How long can you fly?
Usually single seat powered parachutes have a 5 gallon tank which allows for about 1 1/2 hours of flight. Dual seat machines usually have between 10 and 12 gallons which allows for about 4 hours of flight.
What type of fuel does a powered parachute uses?
Unleaded gasoline