Soaring Concepts Sky Trek
| Sky Trek | |
|---|---|
| Role | Powered parachute |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Soaring Concepts |
| Introduction | 2000 |
| Status | In production (2015) |
| Produced | 2000-present |
| Number built | at least 25 |
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
[edit]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 500 sq ft (46 m2) parachute-style wing, two-seats-in-tandem accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 64 hp (48 kW) 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 384 lb (174 kg) and a gross weight of 950 lb (431 kg), giving a useful load of 566 lb (257 kg). With full fuel of 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal) the payload for crew and baggage is 506 kg (1,116 lb).[1][4]
The standard day, sea level, no wind, take off with a 64 hp (48 kW) engine is 200 ft (61 m) and the landing roll is 100 ft (30 m).[4]
Operational history
[edit]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]
Specifications (Sky Trek)
[edit]Data from Bertrand and manufacturer[1][4]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 10 ft 2 in (3.10 m)
- Wingspan: 32.9 ft (10.0 m)
- Height: 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) carriage only
- Wing area: 500 sq ft (46 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 2.17:1
- Empty weight: 385 lb (175 kg)
- Gross weight: 950 lb (431 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 582 twin cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled aircraft engine, 64 hp (48 kW)
- Propellers: 3-bladed PowerFin ground adjustable, composite, 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) diameter
Performance
- Maximum speed: 32 mph (51 km/h, 28 kn)
- Cruise speed: 30 mph (48 km/h, 26 kn)
- Maximum glide ratio: 4:1
- Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (4.6 m/s)
- Wing loading: 1.9 lb/sq ft (9.3 kg/m2)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 86. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ "About Us". soaringconcepts.com. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (April 30, 2015). "SLSA Make/Model Directory". Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Specifications". soaringconcepts.com. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Soaring Concepts". soaringconcepts.com. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (August 20, 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved August 20, 2015.