Para-Ski Top Gun

The Para-Ski Top Gun is a Canadian powered parachute that was designed and produced by Para-Ski of Mascouche, Quebec. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft and also as a kit for amateur construction.[1][2]

Top Gun
Role Powered parachute
National origin Canada
Manufacturer Para-Ski
Status Production completed (circa 2011)
Produced 2003–2011
Number built At least three

The Top Gun was introduced in 2003 and production ended when the company went out of business in about 2011.[3]

Design and development

The Top Gun was designed to comply with the Canadian Basic Ultralight Aeroplane category, as well as the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category. In kit form the aircraft was designed to comply with the Canadian Amateur-built Aircraft rules as well as the US Experimental - Amateur-built aircraft rules. It features a 521 sq ft (48.4 m2) parachute-style wing, two-seats-in-tandem accommodation, four-wheeled landing gear and a single 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 engine in pusher configuration. The 65 hp (48 kW) Hirth 3203, the 80 hp (60 kW) Hirth F-30 or 110 hp (82 kW) Hirth F-30ES engines were factory options. Parachute options included square or elliptical canopies of 400 to 600 sq ft (37 to 56 m2). Landing gear options include skis and floats.[1][4]

The aircraft carriage is built from welded aluminium tubing and has a "sledge-like" cockpit fairing incorporating dual square headlights. In flight steering is accomplished via handle bars that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has front wheel steering. The aircraft uses a large rudder to offset the engine torque effects. The landing gear incorporates independent shock and spring suspension.[1][5]

The aircraft has an empty weight of 400 lb (181 kg) and a gross weight of 900 lb (408 kg), giving a useful load of 500 lb (227 kg). With full fuel of 38 litres (8.4 imp gal; 10 US gal) the payload for crew and baggage is 440 lb (200 kg).[1][5]

Operational history

In July 2015 three examples were registered with the Transport Canada.[6]

Variants
Top Gun
Base model[5]
Top Gun Discovery
Model including some options as standard[1]

Specifications (Top Gun Discovery)

Data from Bertrand[1] and manufacturer[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Wingspan: 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m)
  • Wing area: 521.0 sq ft (48.40 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 1.72:1
  • Empty weight: 400 lb (181 kg)
  • Gross weight: 900 lb (408 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 30 litres (6.6 imp gal; 7.9 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 582 twin cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled aircraft engine, 64 hp (48 kW)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Ivo-Prop, 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 35 mph (56 km/h, 30 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 30 mph (48 km/h, 26 kn)
  • Stall speed: 25 mph (40 km/h, 22 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 790 ft/min (4 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 1.7 lb/sq ft (8.4 kg/m2)

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 84. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. "Para-Ski International". paraski.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2003. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  3. "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". archive.org. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  4. "Para-Ski International". paraski.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  5. "Para-Ski International". paraski.com. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  6. Transport Canada (15 July 2015). "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register". Retrieved 15 July 2015.
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