New PowerChutes Gemini

The New Powerchutes Gemini is a South African powered parachute that was designed and produced by New PowerChutes of Alberton, Gauteng. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1]

Gemini
Role Powered parachute
National origin South Africa
Manufacturer New PowerChutes
Introduction 2001
Status Production completed
Produced 2001-2006

The Gemini was introduced in 2001 and production ended when the company went out of business in about 2006.[2]

Design and development

The Gemini features a 43.1 m2 (464 sq ft) parachute-style wing, two-seats-in-tandem accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 engine in pusher configuration.[1]

The aircraft carriage is built from bolted aluminium 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 90 kg (198 lb) and a gross weight of 480 kg (1,058 lb), giving a useful load of 390 kg (860 lb). With full fuel of 40 litres (8.8 imp gal; 11 US gal) the payload for crew and baggage is 363 kg (800 lb).[1]

Specifications (Gemini)

Data from Bertrand[1] and manufacturer[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Wing area: 43.1 m2 (464 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 90 kg (198 lb)
  • Gross weight: 480 kg (1,058 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 40 litres (8.8 imp gal; 11 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 582 twin cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled aircraft engine, 48 kW (64 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden, fixed pitch

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 60 km/h (37 mph, 32 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 3.5:1
  • Rate of climb: 3 m/s (590 ft/min)
  • Rate of sink: 3.35 m/s (659 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 11.1 kg/m2 (2.3 lb/sq ft)

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 83. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". archive.org. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  3. "Gemini Technical Specifications". powerchute-sa.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
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