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According to Scott Hughes of "Chute the Breeze"
the new L'il Rascal from Powrachute of Columbus Kansas is being built for
customers who in the future do not want to go through all the things
attached to the new "Sport Pilot program." Thus Powrachute has
come out with a legal part 103 single place ultralight, the L'il Rascal
PPC.
The L'il Rascal comes in at 252 lbs yet still comes with
many of the features of their two place trainer or experimental
aircraft. These include full chromoly main rails, full roll bar, prop
cage, adjustable foot bars and shocks.
Scott at nearly 300 lbs climbed into the L'il Rascal,
first moving the steering bar forward, then climbing in from the side,
once seated he commented that "it fits me like a glove."
He then pointed out how the roll cage would protect him
even at his weight and size, in the event of a roll over. He also
demonstrated the ample head room available even for a large pilot flying
with a helmet.
The control system used is standard PPC controls, push the
rudder bar right to go right, left to go left, with the throttle acting as
the elevator, push forward to climb, come back to descend.
Performance was enhance on the L'il Rascal at the show by
the use of a specially designed 290 sq. ft chute from
"Quantum." "This new chute is very easy for students
to kite." That is with small applications of throttle the chute
inflates and is ready for flight, making training a lot easier and faster
for students.
The L'il Rascal is available with the 447 Rotax and 503
Rotax under Part 103, with the 582 Rotax "which makes the L'il Rascal
a real rocket" available in the experimental category.
Scott reports that "even at my weight 300 lbs, with
the 447 Rotax, using the standard 400 sq ft chute, I was going up at 700
feet per minute."
The L'il Rascal is available from a network of Powrachute
dealers and distributors in ready to fly or kit form. According to Scott
"for a nominal fee of $300 the dealer or distributor will assemble
the craft for you, or you can put it together yourself." "It is
a joy to put together with all of the parts are machined, every part is
made in a jig." "This should take about two days for the average
builder, with now special tools or knowledge required."
The only reported problem by owners is having to re-drill
some of the holes in the airframe due to the powder coating, which is done
in house. According to Scott the manuals that come from Powrachute
"are some of the best in the industry."
Another advantage of the Powrachute system is that all of
the options are "modules." Thus options such as the Engine
Information System, (EIS) electric start, nose cowl are designed at
the factory to "plug in." or "attach" to the airframe
and or engine.
All of the Powrachute distributors and dealers are AFI or
BFI rated for training on PPC's, with training to the solo stage taking
from 4 to 5 hours. Scott indicates that "it takes about 50 hours to
become a knowledgeable ppc pilot." "The beauty of a powered
parachute is they fly slow, glide slow, and can be landed and taken off
safely in proper conditions from just about anywhere."
"Having a 500 foot runway in all directions would be
adequate for the L'il Rascal and would give you a lot of options"
"with even larger areas giving more time to "kite" the
chute, compensate for wind speed and direction etc."
For more information contact:
Powrachute
800 Powrachute Way
P.O. Box 524 Columbus, KS 66725
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