Bilsam Sky Walker I
| Sky Walker I | |
|---|---|
| Role | Powered parachute |
| National origin | Poland |
| Manufacturer | Bilsam Aviation |
| Unit cost |
US$5,490 (2004) |
The Bilsam Sky Walker I is a Polish powered parachute designed and produced by Bilsam Aviation of Poznań. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1]
The company's website is non-functional and has been so since about 2008, so it is not clear if the company is still in business.[2]
Design and development
The Sky Walker I was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 254 lb (115 kg). It features a 26 m2 (280 sq ft) parachute-style wing, single-place accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single two stroke 22 hp (16 kW) Radne Motor AB engine in pusher configuration. The Bilsam TNA four-stroke engine is a factory option.[1]
The aircraft carriage is built from a combination of composite material and steel tubing. In flight steering is accomplished via handles that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has foot pedal-controlled nosewheel steering. The main landing gear incorporates spring rod suspension.[1]
The aircraft has an empty weight of 29 kg (64 lb) without the engine fitted and a gross weight of 150 kg (331 lb), and a full fuel capacity of 10 litres (2.2 imp gal; 2.6 US gal).[1]
The Sky Walker I can be fitted with a choice of three wings, Matrix, Pelikan or Condor all manufactured by Bilsam.[3]
The Sky Walker II is a two-seat variant with an enclosed cockpit.[3]
Specifications (Sky Walker I)
Data from Bertrand[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 26 m2 (280 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 3.8:1
- Gross weight: 150 kg (331 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 10 litres (2.2 imp gal; 2.6 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Radne Motor AB two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine, 16 kW (22 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 48 km/h (30 mph; 26 kn)
- Cruising speed: 43 km/h (27 mph; 23 kn)
- Stall speed: 8 km/h (5 mph; 4 kn)
- Rate of climb: 1.0 m/s (200 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 5.8 kg/m2 (1.2 lb/sq ft)
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 80. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
- ↑ Internet Archive (23 April 2015). "Website archives". Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- 1 2 Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2005-06, pages 86-87. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2005. ISSN 1368-485X