Powered Parachutes - Learn to Fly! An Overview....

Powered parachuting in Europe is in its infancy, however in the USA this industry has grown rapidly and is now a major part of the aviation industry. This is not surprising as its the safest aircraft that you can fly, even if the engine fails you have a parachute already deployed, and the best part is that your not enclosed inside a cabin.

Flying, an age old desire, and in this day and age, anyone can fly. But flying in a 737 is more like riding in a bus than the fantasy we dream about. At 35,000 feet, the scenery is interesting for an hour or two, but the real fun is soaring at bird speed, just above the tree tops.

Those with a really intense desire to fly have probably looked into getting their general aviation license, contemplated spending the thousands of dollars and many hours required to get a license, more thousands of dollars to buy a plane, and more yet to rent hanger space, and maintain the aircraft. And after all that, they realize that flying a Cessna is fun, but not at all what they had dreamed of.

In the early 80s, a new flying machine was invented, the powered parachute (PPC). Crude at first, it has evolved into the ultimate personal flying machine. Able to fly slowly just above the tree tops, or ascend to over 10,000 feet, safely, affordably, and comfortably. The PPC is indeed the ultimate personal flying machine.

I know, it seems too good to be true, but thanks to technology, almost anyone can live their flying dreams with a PPC. The basics of flying a Powered Parachute can be learned in as little as one afternoon. Buying one will cost less than the family car, and no license is required. It can be stored in the garage, and towed to the airstrip on an inexpensive trailer. Most maintenance can be performed by the owner.

Flying the Powered Parachute is pure pleasure. No worry about stall or spin. You can just relax and enjoy the experience. Speed is slow, about 26 mph at all times, although climb rate is comparable with many (general aviation) GA aircraft. Wind in your face is minimal at 26 mph, and your hands are free for taking unbelievable photographs.

A little History of Powered Parachutes...

The Powered Parachute is the safest FUN way to experience the joys of flight. Even if you've never flown before or if you're a licensed pilot with many hours of flight time, it will be the Ride of Your Life! Your first flight will consist of an instructional flight in our 2-place trainer, the Powrachute Pegasus, allowing you to get the feel of what it's like. Extreme Sports Café now offers you the chance to experience Powered Parachute Flight in sunny California.

The Development of the ParaPlane...
The development of the first mass-produced powered parachute took approximately two and one-half years.

As aeronautical Engineer, Steve Snyder, was implementing and perfecting the use of square ram-air parachutes, which had properties of a lifting wing, he found that increased glide ratios were developed. He therefore assumed that if the person or payload suspended under the chute had some thrust added, the distance travelled could be extended. With more power, it could fly level or even climb. He then decided to pursue this idea with the objective of creating a safe and simple aircraft that even amateurs could fly easily.

With the help of Adrian Vandenberg, who had expertise in metalworking and machining, he completed the first basic frame design in March of 1981. Daniel Thompson, a small engine expert, was brought on to the project three months later to produce a power plant. He fitted the aircraft with two small Chrysler engines and the P-1 (prototype 1) was born.
The P-1 flew more than 10 times, once by a woman weighing 110 lbs., which allowed for better performance of the test flights. Many revisions were made during those test flights, including the addition of a vertical stabilizer, flaps, ailerons, and optimizing the parachute trim.

Ram air parachutes of the day had a flat profile and offered limited control. More anhedral (downward curve) and ribs were added to the chute ultimately giving the craft more stability and pressurization on the P-1's parachute thus solving the control issue.
While the parachute control solutions were being worked out, Dan came up with an improved airframe design, and with Steve's idea of folding landing gear for portability, the P-2 was completed in January of 1983. Having the propellers counter-rotating, thus cancelling out each other’s torque effect also solved the problem of torque.
Three months later the P-3 made it's debut at the Sun & Fun Airshow in Florida. Response was overwhelming, and a Corporation was formed to produce the portable, safe, and easy to operate aircraft that the P-3 had proven itself to be.