Experimenter

DEC 2014

Experimenter is a magazine created by EAA for people who build airplanes. We will report on amateur-built aircraft as well as ultralights and other light aircraft.

Issue link: http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/434207

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EAA Experimenter 45 many other PPCs for more than 20 years. Once that engine was no longer available, the search for a reliable, well-supported, good-performing, and cost-ef ective replacement began. The Kawasaki 440A engine has been in the fi eld for more than 20 years and was predominantly used on fi xed-wing ultralight airplanes and weight-shift trikes, so it is well proven. Once the engine was chosen, Dan Bailey, founder of Six Chuter Incorporated, began to design an airframe around that engine. His design took into account the company objectives of easy manufacturing and strict price control. Ultimately the de- sign hit the mark with an airframe that is not only lighter than previous Six Chuter single-seat models but also stronger. Maas said that the project has taken nearly two years to complete. That might surprise many, given the machine's simple design. But the desire not to just roll out another ultra- light in an already crowded market, but rather to do so within the company's objectives for price control, quality, and perfor- mance, required a lot of teamwork and a lot of time to do right. The engine testing and the production test fl ights proved that the team had achieved the design objectives. Test pilots Mark Mar- tin and Paul Beam found that it is easy to kite the canopy; the PPC is very light and responsive on controls; and it has performance that is well suited for entry-level powered parachute pilots. They added, however, that experienced PPC pilots will also enjoy the "sporti- ness" of the Barnstormer 360 canopy. And everyone should enjoy the ease of learning to fl y and the ability to enjoy ongoing legal fl y- ing that avoids the higher costs and complications of earning a pilot certifi cate to operate two-place powered parachutes. Tom Connelly, operations manager and co-owner of Six Chuter International, reported that the average builder should be able to fully assemble and prepare this aircraft for fl ight in about a week's time. Connelly and Bailey have developed an easy-to-follow builder's manual. And Six Chuter International will provide builder support consultation at no extra charge. The company will also fully assemble the P3 Lite at an extra charge, for buyers whose only objective is to learn to fl y safely and quickly and avoid the process of building. Maas praised his team for its perseverance and hard work, including: Dan Bailey, designer; Rolando and Ramon Santiago, assembly and engine testing; Tom Connelly, P3 Lite fabrica- tion; and Mark Martin and Paul Beam, fl ight testing. Maas said, "The P3 Lite in many ways takes us back to the beginning of Six Chuter powered parachutes. The early start for the company, founded in 1991, was all with simple, kit-built, ultralight-legal powered parachutes." The P3 Lite joins Six Chuter's already successful line of light-sport experimental kits, amateur-built kits, and special light-sport models. Six Chuter continues to of er ongoing support and services to every customer and has nearly 2,200 aircraft operating around the world today. Connelly said that buyers of the P3 Lite will enjoy the same high level of personal support that other Six Chuter owners have come to appreciate. To learn more about the Six Chuter P3 Lite, visit www.SixChuter.com , or visit the company's YouTube channel .

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