Sun Flightcraft Air-Chopper

The Sun Flightcraft Air-Chopper is an Austrian powered parachute that was designed by Herbert Hofbauer and produced by Sun Flightcraft of Innsbruck. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied complete and ready-to-fly.[1]

Air-Chopper
Role Powered parachute
National origin Austria
Manufacturer Sun Flightcraft
Designer Herbert Hofbauer
Status Production completed (2015)
Produced circa 2003-2008

The aircraft was introduced before 2003 and production ended in about 2008 when the model was discontinued. The company no longer manufactures powered parachutes.[2]

Design and development

The Air-Chopper was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). The aircraft has a maximum gross weight of 376 kg (829 lb). It employs a 51 m2 (550 sq ft) Cruiser 26 Elan rectangular canopy or, optionally, a Chiron Sycon-Aircraft elliptical parachute-style wing. Features include two-seats-in-tandem accommodation with dual throttles, tricycle landing gear and a single 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 engine in pusher configuration with a 2.62:1 "E" gearbox driving a contra-rotating Coax-P aircraft propeller to eliminate torque effects.[1][3]

The aircraft carriage is built from bolted 6082-T6 aluminium tubing with 7075-T6 aluminium hardware, plus steel bolts. In flight steering is accomplished via foot pedals that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has handlebar-controlled nosewheel steering similar to a motorcycle. The main landing gear incorporates fibreglass spring rod suspension. Factory options included balloon tires, leather seats, a front wheel brake, front headlight, side panniers and dual control canopy steering.[1][3]

The aircraft has an empty weight of 156 kg (344 lb) and a gross weight of 376 kg (829 lb), giving a useful load of 220 kg (485 lb). With full fuel of 37 litres (8.1 imp gal; 9.8 US gal) the payload for crew and baggage is 194 kg (428 lb).[1]

Specifications (Air-Chopper)

Data from Bertrand[1] and manufacturer[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Wing area: 51 m2 (550 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 156 kg (344 lb)
  • Gross weight: 376 kg (829 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 37 litres (8.1 imp gal; 9.8 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 582 twin cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled aircraft engine fitted with a 2.62:1 "E" gearbox, 48 kW (64 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed Coax-P 2 X two bladed contra-rotating propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 55 km/h (34 mph, 30 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 4.5 m/s (890 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 7.37 kg/m2 (1.51 lb/sq ft)

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 87. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". archive.org. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  3. "Sunflightcraft Paraplanes Airchopper". sunflightcraft.com. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
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