Fresh Breeze Flyke

Last updated
Flyke
Role Powered parachute
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Fresh Breeze
Status In production (2015)
Unit cost
1900 (2004)

The Fresh Breeze Flyke (English: flying bike) is a German powered parachute tricycle designed and produced by Fresh Breeze of Wedemark. The aircraft is supplied complete and ready-to-fly. [1] [2]

Germany Federal parliamentary republic in central-western Europe

Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central and Western Europe, lying between the Baltic and North Seas to the north, and the Alps to the south. It borders Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, France to the southwest, and Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands to the west.

Powered parachute parachute with motor and wheels

A powered parachute, often abbreviated PPC, and also called a motorised parachute or paraplane, is a type of aircraft that consists of a parachute with a motor and wheels. The aircraft's airspeed is typically about 25–35 mph (40–60 km/h). PPCs operate safely at heights ranging from a few feet off the ground to altitudes as high as 10,000+ ft (5.5 km), but typical operating heights are between 500 and 1500 feet above ground level (AGL). Equipped with a standard 5 or 10 gallon fuel tank, PPCs can typically be flown for about three hours before requiring refueling. They have very short take-off and landing rolls, sometimes less than 100 ft. PPCs are among the least expensive aerial vehicles. A new one-person powered parachute may cost as little as $10,000, though double-seaters more typically cost about $20,000. Top end two-seater PPCs usually cost $25,000–$35,000. Empty weight is typically around 200–300 lb (90–135 kg) and payload can be upwards of 500 lb (225 kg). In the United States, many of the smallest single-seat PPCs are flown under 14 C.F.R. § 103 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, which allows them to be flown without a license or flight instruction. Flight instruction is, however, highly recommended, and an average student can learn to fly a PPC safely with 5 to 10 hours of flight instruction. Two-seat PPCs are light sport aircraft in the United States. The pilot must have at least a sport pilot certificate issued by the FAA to fly them. A minimum of 12 hours of flight instruction, including 2 hours of solo as a student pilot, is required to obtain this certificate. Powered parachuting is not to be confused with powered paragliding.

Tricycle

A tricycle, often abbreviated to trike, is a human-powered three-wheeled vehicle.

Contents

Design and development

The Flyke is a powered parachute that is also a roadable tricycle that can be pedaled to an airport to launch it or ridden cross country. The manufacturer says, "There are obvious advantages: You can enjoy the comfort and simplicity of this Aircraft and also use it on the road to get to your airfield or plan trips. This trike is famous for crossing whole countries while flying and cycling over borders. You take your tent with you and camp right there where you land and go on the next day. Landing out on a field and cycle to the next gas station. With this trike there are no boundaries." [2]

The Flyke was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category and the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules. It features a parachute-style wing, single-place accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 33 hp (25 kW) Hirth F33 engine in pusher configuration. [1]

<i>Fédération Aéronautique Internationale</i> voluntary association

The Fédération aéronautique internationale, is the world governing body for air sports, and also stewards definitions regarding human spaceflight. It was founded on 14 October 1905, and is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. It maintains world records for aeronautical activities including ballooning, aeromodeling, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), as well as flights into space.

Parachute device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere

A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong fabric, originally silk, now most commonly nylon. They are typically dome-shaped, but vary, with rectangles, inverted domes, and others found. A variety of loads are attached to parachutes, including people, food, equipment, space capsules, and bombs.

Tricycle landing gear aircraft undercarriage arranged with main gear under the wing or fuselage and a third set under the nose

Tricycle gear is a type of aircraft undercarriage, or landing gear, arranged in a tricycle fashion. The tricycle arrangement has a single nose wheel in the front, and two or more main wheels slightly aft of the center of gravity. Tricycle gear aircraft are the easiest to take-off, land and taxi, and consequently the configuration is the most widely used on aircraft.

The aircraft carriage is built from powder coated aluminium with some steel parts. In flight steering is accomplished via handles that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has under-seat, handle-controlled nosewheel steering. The main landing gear incorporates spring rod suspension. For ground use the front wheel is powered by pedals via a short chain and a Nexus 7-speed hub transmission and can be adjusted to accommodate pilots from 160 to 195 cm (63 to 77 in) in height. Road gearing is standard equipment, with mountain gearing optional. An optional telescoping rear axle allows a narrow wheel track for road use and a wider one for take-off and landing to increase stability and reduce the risk of roll-overs. Optional equipment includes wheel fenders, head and tail light mounts and a ballistic parachute. There is space to stow the canopy behind the seat for road transport. [1] [2]

Aluminium Chemical element with atomic number 13

Aluminium or aluminum is a chemical element with symbol Al and atomic number 13. It is a silvery-white, soft, nonmagnetic and ductile metal in the boron group. By mass, aluminium makes up about 8% of the Earth's crust; it is the third most abundant element after oxygen and silicon and the most abundant metal in the crust, though it is less common in the mantle below. The chief ore of aluminium is bauxite. Aluminium metal is so chemically reactive that native specimens are rare and limited to extreme reducing environments. Instead, it is found combined in over 270 different minerals.

Ballistic parachute

A ballistic parachute, ballistic reserve parachute, or emergency ballistic reserve parachute, is a parachute ejected from its casing by a small explosion, much like that used in an ejection seat. The advantage of the ballistic parachute over a conventional parachute is that it ejects the parachute canopy, causing it to open rapidly, this makes it ideal for attaching to light aircraft, hang gliders and microlights, where an emergency situation may occur in close proximity to the ground. In such a situation, a conventional parachute would not open quickly enough.

Specifications (Flyke)

Data from Bertrand [1]

General characteristics

Aircraft engine Engine designed for use in powered aircraft

An aircraft engine is a component of the propulsion system for an aircraft that generates mechanical power. Aircraft engines are almost always either lightweight piston engines or gas turbines, except for small multicopter UAVs which are almost always electric aircraft.

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 50 km/h (31 mph; 27 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 50 km/h (31 mph; 27 kn)
  • Stall speed: 25 km/h (16 mph; 13 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 3 m/s (590 ft/min)

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 82. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. 1 2 3 "Fresh Breeze // Flyke". fresh-breeze.de. Retrieved 16 July 2015.