Av8er Explorer
The Av8er Explorer is a British paramotor that was designed by Paul Taylor and produced by Av8er Limited of Woodford Halse, Northamptonshire for powered paragliding. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied complete and ready-to-fly.[1]
| Explorer | |
|---|---|
| Role | Paramotor |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Av8er Limited |
| Designer | Paul Taylor |
| Status | Production completed |
Design and development
The Explorer was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules as well as European regulations. It features a paraglider-style wing, single-place accommodation and a single engine in pusher configuration. The aircraft is built with special attention to balancing and vibration isolation. The cage assembly includes small wheels to ease ground movement of the motor unit.[1]
As is the case with all paramotors, take-off and landing is accomplished by foot. Inflight steering is accomplished via handles that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw.[1]
Variants
- Explorer XPE
- Model with a 32 hp (24 kW) Hirth F33 engine in pusher configuration with a 2.2:1 ratio reduction drive and a 130 cm (51 in) diameter two-bladed wooden propeller. The fuel tank capacity is 10 litres (2.2 imp gal; 2.6 US gal).[1]
Specifications (Explorer XPE)
Data from Bertrand[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Empty weight: 25 kg (55 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 10 litres (2.2 imp gal; 2.6 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Hirth F33 single cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine, with a 2.2:1 reduction drive, 24 kW (32 hp)
- Propellers: 2-bladed wooden, fixed pitch, 1.30 m (4 ft 3 in) diameter
References
- Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 64. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X