Bilsam Sky Walker II

The Bilsam Sky Walker II 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]

Sky Walker II
Role Powered parachute
National origin Poland
Manufacturer Bilsam Aviation
Unit cost
US$9,500 (2004)

The manufacturer'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 II is very different from the company's Sky Walker I and 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 400 kg (882 lb). It features a 50 m2 (540 sq ft) parachute-style wing, two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration, tricycle landing gear and a single 60 hp (45 kW) Bilsam TNA 625 four stroke engine in pusher configuration.[1]

The aircraft carriage is built from a combination of composite material and steel tubing. In flight steering is accomplished via foot pedals that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. Unusually for this class of aircraft, the Sky Walker II has an enclosed cockpit. A variety of wings can be fitted.[1]

The aircraft has an empty weight of 155 kg (342 lb) and a gross weight of 400 kg (882 lb), giving a useful load of 245 kg (540 lb). With full fuel of 40 litres (8.8 imp gal; 11 US gal) the payload for crew and baggage is 216 kg (476 lb).[1]

Specifications (Sky Walker II)

Data from Bertrand[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 50 m2 (540 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 4.5:1
  • Empty weight: 155 kg (342 lb)
  • Gross weight: 400 kg (882 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 40 litres (8.8 imp gal; 11 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Bilsam TNA 625 four-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine, 45 kW (60 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 48 km/h (30 mph, 26 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 40 km/h (25 mph, 22 kn)
  • Stall speed: 16 km/h (9.9 mph, 8.6 kn)
  • Wing loading: 8.0 kg/m2 (1.6 lb/sq ft)
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References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 80. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. Internet Archive (23 April 2015). "Website archives". Retrieved 2 June 2015.
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