Airframes Unlimited SS-2 Trainer

The Airframes Unlimited SS-2 Trainer is an American powered parachute that was designed and produced by Airframes Unlimited of Athens, Texas for the training role. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1]

SS-2 Trainer
Role Powered parachute
National origin United States
Manufacturer Airframes Unlimited
Introduction 2003
Status Production completed
Number built At least 8

The SS-2 Trainer was introduced in 2003 and production had ended by the time the company went out of business in 2014.[2]

Design and development

The SS-2 Trainer was designed to comply with the US Experimental - Amateur-built aircraft rules. It features a parachute-style wing, two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration, tricycle landing gear and a single 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 engine in pusher configuration. The 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 engine was optional, as was a single seat configuration.[1]

The aircraft carriage is built from welded 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 spring rod suspension.[1]

The aircraft has an empty weight of 375 lb (170 kg) and a gross weight of 827 lb (375 kg), giving a useful load of 452 lb (205 kg). With full fuel of 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal) the payload for crew and baggage is 392 lb (178 kg).[1]

Operational history

In August 2015 eight examples were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[3]

Specifications (SS-2 Trainer)

Data from Bertrand[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Empty weight: 375 lb (170 kg)
  • Gross weight: 827 lb (375 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: 4-bladed ground adjustable, composite

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 86. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". archive.org. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  3. Federal Aviation Administration (26 August 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 26 August 2015.
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