Paladin Hercules
| Hercules | |
|---|---|
| Role | Powered parachute |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Paladin Industries |
| Status | In production |
The Paladin Hercules is an American powered parachute, designed and produced by Paladin Industries of Pennsauken, New Jersey.[1]
Design and development
The Hercules was designed as a heavy-lift, two-seat powered parachute and as such it has a useful load of 600 lb (272 kg). It features a parachute-style high-wing, two-seats-in-tandem accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 80 hp (60 kW) or 110 hp (82 kW) Hirth F-30 engine in pusher configuration.[1][2]
The aircraft carriage is constructed from a combination of bolted aluminium and 4130 steel tubing. In flight steering is accomplished via a weight-shift tilt-bar that actuates the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has lever-controlled nosewheel steering. The factory provided canopy is an Apco Ram Air with an area of 550 sq ft (51 m2). The landing gear incorporates independent hydraulic struts for suspension. The aircraft is factory supplied in the form of an assembly kit that requires 50 hours to complete.[1][2]
Reviewer Andre Cliche described the Hercules as "a heavy hauler brute powered by an amazing 110 hp Hirth 4-cylinder 2-stroke engine."[1]
Specifications (Hercules)
Data from Manufacturer[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 11 ft 3 in (3.43 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft 6 in (10.82 m)
- Height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
- Wing area: 550 sq ft (51 m2)
- Empty weight: 395 lb (179 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,000 lb (454 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Hirth F-30 four cylinder, two-stroke, fan-cooled aircraft engine, 110 hp (82 kW)
Performance
- Cruise speed: 28 mph (45 km/h, 24 kn)
- Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
- Maximum glide ratio: 3.81:1
- Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
- Rate of sink: 600 ft/min (3.0 m/s)
- Wing loading: 1.82 lb/sq ft (8.9 kg/m2)