Paramotor

A paramotor is in the broadest sense a vehicle equipped with motor glider. Today, however, commonly specifically a backpack with motor or Trike ( "backpack motor with wheels " ) meant by equipped glider. Motor shields are Luftsportgeräte and confronted in some countries with air legal problems.

Terms of Use

In German-speaking countries they are subject to device-and country-dependent diverse legal frameworks:

  • In Germany they are due to the engine not more than paragliding, but as ultralights.
  • In Austria, motorized paragliders and hang gliders own device class ( Aviation Act § 12.3).
  • In Switzerland, motor shields are so far generally not allowed.

First paramotor flights were made in 1964, but not with paragliders, but with surface parachute: On October 1, 1964 filed his Domina Jalbert ( 1904-1991 ) box or mattress -shaped multicellular parachute concept (" Jalbert parafoil " or simply " parafoil " called ) to; whose principle is practically the basis of all modern sport parachutes and paragliders. 1964 flew a first motorized version of Nicolaides.

Through the motor the paraglider is in flat terrain bootable - on foot or by rolling start - and may even without dynamic updrafts or thermals to stay a longer time in the air. The engine power is converted in flight mainly in climbing, while for the speed basically continue the construction-related speed range of the paraglider used remains responsible. " Throttle " makes the screen so not faster, but leads to rise. In a small area, the speed can be changed via the Schirmtrimmung. This trimmer ( rear line plane ) and / or an accelerator (front line plane ) are used.

Compared to non-motorized paragliding flying at a higher wing loading. This causes the trim speed increases. The airspeed is, however, in-patient height only about the same as for a non- motorized paraglider, as the motor increases the angle of attack and thus the horizontal velocity decreases ( vertical component ) New developments screen with reflex profile currently allow speeds up to 70 km / h Through the S-bend profile aerodynamics is changed, the glide ratio deteriorates. The engines now have enough power, the higher sink rate can be compensated. In full reflex caps can let fold the glider through the risers does not control ( " 50 % collapse ", " 75 % collapse ", .. ), a test of the behavior under cap disturbances after the LTF testing protocol is therefore not possible.

In spring 2013 there was a change in the law in the LuftGerPV

§ 11 ( 4) pattern or device approvals made by a Member State of the European Union or a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area are directly applicable and replace the checks referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2

Thus may reflection profiles, which are pattern -approved in one EU state, according to information from the BMVBS legally be flown in Germany.

Theoretically, these umbrellas react in extreme situations due to the higher speeds more dynamic than " normal " screens. A resulting in increased danger potential in the accident statistics from countries (eg France) where reflex caps are allowed but not currently visible.

In English-speaking motor shields are either referred to as "Powered paraglider " (PPG ), or "Powered parachute " (PPC ). This conceptual distinction is primarily, although according to the type of paraglider used, featuring over their preferred use in the United States so often, but also whether it is a foot launch paramotor or a rolling bootable paramotor:

  • A paramotor with backpack motor is therefore usually PPG,
  • However, paramotor trike called PPC. Latter serve in the U.S. usually actually parachutes as a wing.

Backpack motor

The components of a backpack motor is a motor with tank and propeller as well as an often -covered with a net 1 - or 2 -ring protective cage. The connection to the pilots is usually done by means of carrier belts, like a backpack, the weight of the motor is worn on the fly from the screen and hardly loaded the seated in a comfortable harness pilots. Currently, only two-stroke engines are used almost as a drive. With a consumption of between three and four liters per hour are possible with the usual tanks flight times from two to four hours. The range is then ( wind permitting) about 100 km.

Electric Motor Backpack

The components of an " electric motor Backpack " are usually:

  • A direct-drive brushless three-phase synchronous electric motor with an initial capacity of 12.5 and 16 kW and a continuous output of 10 kW and 13.5
  • The power electronics for generating the electric rotary field
  • A lithium-ion or lithium -polymer battery with a capacity of 1.2 kWh to 3.0 kWh and usually a nominal voltage of 48 volts
  • The microprocessor -controlled motor controller for monitoring and controlling of the power unit and the control unit with display for the output of Motorpararmeter and residual range
  • The throttle grip.

From the German hang glider (DHV ) is sought (as of 2012), the new " startup type electric " introduce fußstartfähige for electric motors backpack. The engines would then apply only as a climbing aid, allowing for pilots with a valid paragliding license only one instruction / supplemental training, comparable to the wind drag, would be necessary. Currently, for the operation but still a microlight license ( PPG ) is required.

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