forexjohnny

Turnbase, Think of trying to thermal in an Aerochute as trying to do the same in a C150. It would be one hell of a thermal to keep you up. The wing is just not designed to do that. Yet as inefficient as the wing is, like the C150, it is very easy to fly and very forgiving. PPG's have the most beautiful and efficient of this style of wing. Their aspect ratios produce performance I can only dream about but at the expense of my wings advantages. If mistreated they will bite you. Having said that they are still extremely safe. Because of their agility, many daredevils are attracted to them and as a consequence dangerous flying has resulted in fatalities. As with any form of flight, it is as safe or dangerous as you make it. John

I do believe they are working on the electric powered machines, well at least PPC machines. I have seen some photo's of them but they are limited at the moment to about half an hours flight time or there abouts. The PPG's have a far more efficient wing than what I fly and I believe switching their engines off to thermal is a large part of their appeal. Best of both worlds. My rig is too heavy and inefficient to thermal with the engine off so must put up with the screaming rotax. Oh well, better than not being able to fly at all. John

At a wild guess I would say Smith Rock State Park, Oregon Sorry Deskpilot, could not resist. Ok Cosmic, you take your chubbie butt and fly into the canyon and radio back the wind conditions. If all is well then I'll roll my chubbie butt down and follow you in. Brave arn't I. John

Oh man that just makes me wanna go for another fly. There is no other aircraft in the world that gives you that view from the cockpit. I have always viewed the PPC as an older mans version of a PPG. It is where you end up when you undercarrage can no longer keep up with your wing. It may be crap weather here but I am off to go sit in my machine and have a beer. Anybody else want a coldie while I dribble on about my next flight? Thanks Winsor John

Ahhhhh Winsor, still scratching yourself over the PPC's? Do not let the little frog put you off. How would you know who was sane if there was not insane people to show them up. Bring your daughter (I am assuming) over here in your boring old fixed wing so she can play with my daughter and I will take you up for a rip. Do not expect a lot of altitude.......just a lot of fun. John

Well guy's I will not pretend to have the experience you both have but as for promoting the Aerochute I am all for it. I do recall a couple of times when I was learning that I had somehow knocked one of the kill switches into the off position during take-off. I have know idea how I did it and did not really notice any difference to performance. Once I was off the ground and comfortable I do a look around of the machine to make sure everything is ok. Found the switch in the off position and just switched it back on. It is one of the first things I check now after take off but have never had a problem since. I have always been fairly open minded but have found that most fixed wing boys (and girls) tend to look down their noses at PPC's and the like. It is not untill they actually get their bums in the seat do they really appreciate what we take for granted and that does not happen very often. Sure their flying style is not for everyone but most dismiss them out of hand as dangerous or whatever without having any real knowledge. I have never been one to try and change peoples minds so they can believe what they want but am quite happy to hand on factual information from my point of view if anyone asks. Some great weather for flying is comming up and everything is green over here so I'm hoping for lots more flying. As for being at 2000ft, well Peter I have not been that high for quite some time, too cold for me. Good flying boys and do it safe as always. John

Hi Peter, Sorry I cannot add to your list. My Aerochute is factory standard and I have not really had any problems. When I land I always fly my wing to one side or the other before I stop moving. Have had no real problems with the kill switches either. I have heard of a number of mods done like brakes and front wheel steering but have never felt the need for any of them for me. Sorry I could not be of any help just thought I would say hello. Not manyPPC pilots on this forum. John

Not as much as a funeral and a replacement aircraft !!!!!! John

The aerochute usually takes off from a grassed field or paddock and this ground coverage breaks up the wind enough to stop it getting under the chute when it is layed out. If the wind is a little stronger I use sand bags on the tips of the chute to stop them comming up. If the wind is too strong for this to work then it is time to pack up and go home. The Aerochute is quite capable of contending with windy conditions to a point. The air speed is fixed at about 60 kmh and I have flown where my ground speed has dropped to 10kpm and lower. It is safe to do this but not pleasant. The most dangerous conditions are thermal activity or dirty air from other aircraft that could possibly cause a chute collapse. Having said that there has been no known chute collapse on an aerochute and from what I have seen with other American chutes that have collapsed they reinflate fairly quickly. Some examples can be seen on youtube. You may notice though that many of the chute collapses are the more volatile eliptical wings on powered parachutes and more commonly powered paragliders (engine strapped to the pilots back). Most accidents usually occure during take off and to a lesser extent landing if a gust of wind gets you at the wrong angle and pulls you over onto your side. The cockpit area is a very strong roll cage so keep your legs and arms inside and all will be well. These problems are rare and with some experience you will be able to pick your days when a plesant flight and lots of photo's will be all that you will be concerned about. I would only fly in no wind days at first but with more hours up I actually prefer some wind for better chute inflation on take off and better lift when I cut loose on my property. They are a slow aircraft but very nimble especially at low altitude (anything from a couple of inches off the ground and up)and VERY safe. Feel free to ask any more questions if you want. Boy sounds like I am selling them :) They may not be the kind of aircraft or style of flight for everyone but I love mine and would not trade it for anything......except perhaps for a new one :) John

Hi Eddi, Occasionally an aerochute will come up for sale second hand, which is where I got mine from. But this does not happen too often. I also believe that the American Summit is also available in this country but not sure if it is 32 registered or 19. More information can be found at the Australian Powered Parachute Association at www.australianppa.com. I highly recommend that you take a flight in one of these aircraft. They do not look like much on the ground but boy was I sold once it go into the air. They are the safest form of human flight proved by it's safty record. There have been over 450 built since about 92' and flying all around the world without a single fatality. Even a few went to the Indonesian airforce for flight training. Just make sure it is the type of flying that suits you. The aerochute is powered by the rotax 503 which I find is fine for one person or two "average" sized people. For those on the heavier size or want extra performance then the company has just released what the call the Hummerchute which is basicly the Aerochute but larger by 30% and running the rotax 582. Hope this helps. John

Hi Decca, Thanks for the welcome. :) I have haunted this and other sites listening to all comments and learning as much as I can. Although this site is more 3 axis orientated it still provides me with good info. You can never learn too much, especially when it comes to aircraft. John

Depends on what you are interested in. There are paragliders, powered paragliders and powered parachutes with many different manufacturers. Then there are trikes of all shapes and sizes. Find a club or instructor to take you for a TIF (trial instruction flight). These are usually fairly cheap and will give you an idea as to which style of flight is for you. Do your homework on the internet and find out as much about you preferred form of flight as possible. Talk to those that fly the machines in question, join aircraft specific forums and ask questions. I fly a PPC and find mostly scorn and ridicule from GA pilots (but not all), from lack of knowledge I suspect. An unbiast opinion is what you want with the good and the bad. Cost can be anything from a few thousand to big buck depending on what you choose, also new or second hand. My PPC cost me $14,000 second hand plus flight instruction. Best money I ever spent. :thumb_up: John