Skye Ryder Aerochute
Role Powered parachute
National origin United States
Manufacturer Six Chuter
Status Production completed
Number built 1058 (1998)

The Six Chuter Skye Ryder Aerochute is an American powered parachute that was designed and produced by Six Chuter of Yakima, Washington. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1]

Design and development

The Skye Ryder Aerochute was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles two-seat trainer exemption as well as the Experimental - Amateur-built aircraft rules. It features a 500 sq ft (46 m2) parachute-style wing, two-seats-in-tandem accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 engine in pusher configuration. The aircraft was also sold as a single-seater with a 450 sq ft (42 m2) wing.[1]

The aircraft carriage is built from metal 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. The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 250 lb (110 kg) and a gross weight of 900 lb (410 kg), giving a useful load of 650 lb (290 kg). With full fuel of 5 U.S. gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal) the payload for the pilot, passenger and baggage is 620 lb (280 kg).[1]

The standard day, sea level, no wind, take off with a 50 hp (37 kW) engine is 200 ft (61 m) and the landing roll is 75 ft (23 m).[1]

The manufacturer estimated the construction time from the supplied kit as 30 hours.[1]

Operational history

By 1998 the company reported that 1064 kits had been sold and 1058 aircraft were completed and flying.[1]

In April 2015 seven examples were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[2]

Specifications (Skye Ryder Aerochute)

Data from Purdy[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Wingspan: 36 ft 6 in (11.13 m)
  • Wing area: 500 sq ft (46 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 2.68:1
  • Empty weight: 250 lb (113 kg)
  • Gross weight: 900 lb (408 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 5 U.S. gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 twin cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine, 50 hp (37 kW)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed composite, ground adjustable

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 26 mph (42 km/h, 23 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 24 mph (39 km/h, 21 kn)
  • Range: 52 mi (84 km, 45 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 7,000 ft (2,100 m)
  • Rate of climb: 500 ft/min (2.5 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 1.8 lb/sq ft (8.8 kg/m2)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 342. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  2. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (April 14, 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved April 14, 2015.
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