Paladin Hercules
| Hercules | |
|---|---|
| Role | Powered parachute |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Paladin Industries |
| Status | In production |
| Unit cost |
US$22,000 (2001) |
The Paladin Hercules is an American powered parachute, designed and produced by Paladin Industries of Pennsauken, New Jersey.[1]
Design and development
The Hercules was designed as a heavy-lift, two-seat powered parachute and as such it has a useful load of 600 lb (272 kg). It features a parachute-style high-wing, two-seats-in-tandem accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 80 hp (60 kW) or 110 hp (82 kW) Hirth F-30 engine in pusher configuration.[1][2]
The aircraft carriage is constructed from a combination of bolted aluminium and 4130 steel tubing. Inflight steering is accomplished via a weight-shift tilt-bar that actuates the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has lever-controlled nosewheel steering. The factory-provided canopy is an Apco Ram Air with an area of 550 sq ft (51 m2). The landing gear incorporates independent hydraulic struts for suspension. The aircraft is factory-supplied in the form of an assembly kit that requires 50 hours to complete.[1][2]
Reviewer Andre Cliche described the Hercules as "a heavy hauler brute powered by an amazing 110 hp Hirth 4-cylinder two-stroke engine."[1]
Specifications (Hercules)
Data from Manufacturer[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 11 ft 3 in (3.43 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft 6 in (10.82 m)
- Height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
- Wing area: 550 sq ft (51 m2)
- Empty weight: 395 lb (179 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,000 lb (454 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Hirth F-30 four cylinder, two-stroke, fan-cooled aircraft engine, 110 hp (82 kW)
Performance
- Cruise speed: 28 mph (24 kn; 45 km/h)
- Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
- Maximum glide ratio: 3.81:1
- Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
- Rate of sink: 600 ft/min (3.0 m/s)
- Wing loading: 1.82 lb/sq ft (8.9 kg/m2)
References
- 1 2 3 4 Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page D-9. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
- 1 2 3 Paladin Industries (n.d.). "Specifications". Retrieved 14 March 2012.