Sundog Two-Seater

The Sundog Two-Seater is a Canadian powered parachute that was designed and produced by Sundog Powerchutes of Sparwood, British Columbia and later Pierceland, Saskatchewan. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1][2][3]

Two-Seater
Role Powered parachute
National origin Canada
Manufacturer Sundog Powerchutes Inc
Status Production completed (2014)
Produced 2002-2014
Number built At least six
Unit cost
C$$20,750.00 (2011)
Variants Sundog One-Seater

The aircraft was introduced in 2002 and production ended when the company went out of business in 2014.[4]

Design and development

The Two-Seater was designed to comply with the Canadian Basic Ultra-Light Aeroplane rules, but also fit 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 374 kg (825 lb). It features a 500 sq ft (46 m2) Apco 500 parachute-style wing, two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration, tricycle landing gear and a single 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 two-stroke engine in pusher configuration. The 60 hp (45 kW) HKS 700E four-stroke engine was a factory option.[1][5]

The aircraft carriage is built from bolted 6061-T6 aluminium, stainless steel fittings and aircraft bolts. 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 occupants are protected by a series of circular aluminium tubes in the event of a roll-over.[1][5]

The aircraft has an empty weight of 336 lb (152 kg) and a gross weight of 825 lb (374 kg), giving a useful load of 489 lb (222 kg). With full fuel of 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal) the payload for crew and baggage is 429 lb (195 kg).[1][5]

The company also supplied custom trailers for towing the aircraft behind an automobile.[5]

Operational history

In September 2015 three examples were registered with Transport Canada and three were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[6][7]

Reviewing the aircraft in 2003 Jean-Pierre le Camus said, "this side by side Canadian machine has a lot of character".[1]

Specifications (Two-Seater)

Data from Bertrand and manufacturer[1][5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 8.41 ft (2.56 m)
  • Width: 6.33 ft (1.93 m) carriage only
  • Height: 7.0 ft (2.1 m) carriage only
  • Wing area: 500 sq ft (46 m2)
  • Empty weight: 336 lb (152 kg)
  • Gross weight: 825 lb (374 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 ground adjustable composite Powerfin or GSC Systems

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 33 mph (53 km/h, 29 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 28 mph (45 km/h, 24 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 5:1
  • Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
  • Rate of sink: 700 ft/min (3.6 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 1.7 lb/sq ft (8.3 kg/m2)
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References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 87. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. "Sundog Powered Parachutes - Powered parachute manufacturer". sundogpowerchutes.com. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  3. "Sundog Powered Parachutes - Powered parachute manufacturer". sundogpowerchutes.com. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  4. "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". archive.org. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  5. "Sundog Powered Parachutes - Powered parachute manufacturer". sundogpowerchutes.com. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  6. Transport Canada (9 September 2015). "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register". Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  7. Federal Aviation Administration (9 September 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 9 September 2015.
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