Soaring Concepts Sky Trek

The Soaring Concepts Sky Trek is an American powered parachute, designed and produced by Soaring Concepts Inc of Sturgis, Michigan and introduced in 2000. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft or as a kit for amateur construction.[1][2]

Sky Trek
Role Powered parachute
National origin United States
Manufacturer Soaring Concepts
Introduction 2000
Status In production (2015)
Produced 2000-present
Number built at least 25
Unit cost
US$13,900 (2004)

Design and development

The Sky Trek was designed to comply with the US light-sport aircraft rules and is on the list of Federal Aviation Administration accepted LSAs. It features a 500 sq ft (46 m2) parachute-style wing, two-seats-in-tandem accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 engine in pusher configuration.[1][3][4]

The aircraft carriage is built from large-diameter 4130 steel 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 adjustable gas shock suspension.[1][5]

The aircraft has an empty weight of 384 lb (174 kg) and a gross weight of 950 lb (431 kg), giving a useful load of 566 lb (257 kg). With full fuel of 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal) the payload for crew and baggage is 506 kg (1,116 lb).[1][4]

The standard day, sea level, no wind, take off with a 64 hp (48 kW) engine is 200 ft (61 m) and the landing roll is 100 ft (30 m).[4]

Operational history

In August 2015, 24 examples were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration, although a total of 25 had been registered at one time.[6]

Specifications (Sky Trek)

Data from Bertrand and manufacturer[1][4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 10 ft 2 in (3.10 m)
  • Wingspan: 32.9 ft (10.0 m)
  • Height: 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) carriage only
  • Wing area: 500 sq ft (46 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 2.17:1
  • Empty weight: 385 lb (175 kg)
  • Gross weight: 950 lb (431 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 582 twin cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled aircraft engine, 64 hp (48 kW)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed PowerFin ground adjustable, composite, 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 32 mph (51 km/h, 28 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 30 mph (48 km/h, 26 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 4:1
  • Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (4.6 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 1.9 lb/sq ft (9.3 kg/m2)
gollark: I'm not sure about real estate, it's not like you can trivially swap 1km² of land somewhere for 1km² elsewhere.
gollark: I'm *guessing* your complaint is along the lines of "people need water → no trading of it allowed → commoditisation involves that" but I can only really guess.
gollark: Yes, but that means multiple things ish.
gollark: Are you complaining about water being sold for money, or about it being approximately the same anywhere?
gollark: Oh, apparently it means that AND saleable thing. Interesting. I guess both are fine for water.

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 86. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. "About Us". soaringconcepts.com. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  3. Federal Aviation Administration (30 April 2015). "SLSA Make/Model Directory". Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  4. "Specifications". soaringconcepts.com. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  5. "Soaring Concepts". soaringconcepts.com. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  6. Federal Aviation Administration (20 August 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 20 August 2015.
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