Skymaster Single Seater

The Skymaster Single Seater is an American powered parachute that was under development by Skymaster Powered Parachutes of Hartland, Wisconsin. The aircraft was intended to be supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1]

Single Seater
Role Powered parachute
National origin United States
Manufacturer Skymaster Powered Parachutes
Introduction circa 2004
Status Production completed (2008)
Number built at least one prototype
Developed from Skymaster Excel

The aircraft was developed from the larger two seat Skymaster Excel and introduced in about 2004,. Development ended when the company went out of business in late 2008. It appears that only one prototype was ever constructed and it is not clear if it ever flew.[2][3][4]

Design and development

The aircraft was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 254 lb (115 kg). It features a 290 sq ft (27 m2) Skybolt semi-elliptical or 450 sq ft (42 m2) Quantum Advantage rectangular parachute-style wing, single-seat accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 46 hp (34 kW) single carburetor Rotax 503 engine in pusher configuration. Both the 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 and the 50 hp (37 kW) dual carburetor Rotax 503 engines were also intended to be offered for the production model.[1][4]

The aircraft carriage is built from bolted aluminium tubing. In flight steering is accomplished via handles 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 and rod suspension.[1][4]

The prototype was configured with hand-only controls to allow it to be flown by paraplegic wheelchair aviators. Company data indicates that this option was intended to be offered at no charge.[4]

Specifications (version)

Data from Bertrand and manufacturer[1][4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wing area: 290 sq ft (27 m2) Skybolt semi-elliptical canopy
  • Empty weight: 254 lb (115 kg) maximum
  • Fuel capacity: 5 U.S. gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 twin cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine, 46 hp (34 kW)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed composite, ground adjustable

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 85. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". archive.org. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  3. "Company History". flyskymaster.com. Archived from the original on 14 May 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  4. "Single seater". flyskymaster.com. Archived from the original on 18 March 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
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