Hank and Carole Austin of Flightline Paraflite
were at Sun n Fun with the Alliant Fusion powered parachute. Hank
And Carole have been involved in the industry since the early days
of powered parachutes and produced 95 episodes of Flight Line a
television series dealing with powered flight.
They were also the first that I am aware of to
install and fly a powered parachute on floats. Hank a conventional
pilot first got involved in the world of powered parachutes through
his introduction to them through his television show.
The experience literally changed his life, in that
after retiring from television he and his wife decided to start a
business as a powered parachute center. Hank believes that powered
parachutes are one of the simplest, easiest aircraft to fly, with
the added advantage that they are easy to transport and can be
stored at home in a garage, trailer or shed.
Hank had input into the design of the first
Destiny powered parachute, which evolved into the first composite
powered parachute the Destiny Fusion, which has now evolved into the
ParaCraft.
According the Hank the new ParaCraft is
"aerodynamically much cleaner" than other powered parachutes, thus
using less power while flying. This means less noise, less fuel
consumption, more lift, and better prop efficiency. Which results in
better lift, more payload, and a 40 to 50 mph flight envelope for
the ParaCraft.
Another unique feature is the ParaCraft suspension
system. The torsional gear suspension moves backwards as the load
and or shock load increases, eliminating the need for a lower prop
guard.
The ParaCraft shown in the picture below will be
going directly from the show to Miami for installation of a complete
cockpit enclosure. With the enclosure, a heater, and ski's the unit
will be ready to tackle the colder winter seasons of the northern
U.S. and Canada.
The ParaCraft is only supplied ready to fly
through a very select dealer network. |