La Mouette Skybike

Last updated
Skybike
Role Paramotor
National origin France
Manufacturer La Mouette
Status Production completed
Unit cost
US$6,000 (SR210 model, 2001)

The La Mouette Skybike is a line of French paramotors that was designed and produced by La Mouette of Fontaine-lès-Dijon for powered paragliding. [1] [2] [3]

France Republic with mainland in Europe and numerous oversea territories

France, officially the French Republic, is a country whose territory consists of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories. The metropolitan area of France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. It is bordered by Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany to the northeast, Switzerland and Italy to the east, and Andorra and Spain to the south. The overseas territories include French Guiana in South America and several islands in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. The country's 18 integral regions span a combined area of 643,801 square kilometres (248,573 sq mi) and a total population of 67.3 million. France, a sovereign state, is a unitary semi-presidential republic with its capital in Paris, the country's largest city and main cultural and commercial centre. Other major urban areas include Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lille and Nice.

Paramotor Small manned parachute aircraft

Paramotor is the generic name for the harness and propulsive portion of a powered paraglider ("PPG"). There are two basic types of paramotors: foot launch and wheel launch.

La Mouette

La Mouette is a French aircraft manufacturer headquartered in Fontaine-lès-Dijon. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of hang gliders, paragliders and ultralight trikes. At one time they also produced paramotors.

Contents

Design and development

The aircraft was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules. It features a paraglider-style high-wing, single-place or two-place-in-tandem accommodation and a single engine in pusher configuration. As is the case with all paramotors, take-off and landing is accomplished by foot. [1] [3]

Tandem arrangement in which people, machines, or animals are in line behind one another facing forward

Tandem, or in tandem, is an arrangement in which a team of machines, animals or people are lined up one behind another, all facing in the same direction.

Pusher configuration arrangement of propellers on an aircraft to face rearward

In a vehicle with a pusher configuration, the propeller(s) are mounted behind their respective engine(s). According to British aviation author Bill Gunston, a "pusher propeller" is one mounted behind the engine, so that the drive shaft is in compression.

A three-wheeled tricycle unit was a factory option for all models that converts the paramotor into a powered parachute. [2]

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.

Variants

Skybike SR210
Base model, equipped with a 18 hp (13 kW) Solo 210 powerplant. With a 59 lb (27 kg) empty weight it can accommodate pilot weights from 120 to 220 lb (54 to 100 kg) with a canopy of 320 sq ft (30 m2). An electric starter was a factory option. It sold for US$6,000 in 2001. [1] [2] [3]
Skybike ZR250
Higher-powered model, equipped with a 22 hp (16 kW) Zenoah G-25 powerplant. With an 80 lb (36 kg) empty weight, it can accommodate pilot weights from 170 to 440 lb (77 to 200 kg) with a canopy of 320 sq ft (30 m2). An electric starter and after-muffler were factory options. It sold for US$6,000 in 2001. [1] [2] [3]
Skybike ZR250 Bi
Higher-powered model for two place tandem flying, equipped with a 22 hp (16 kW) Zenoah G-25 powerplant. It can accommodate pilot weights up to 440 lb (200 kg) with a canopy of 430 sq ft (40 m2). An electric starter and after-muffler were factory options. It sold for US$7,000 in 2001. [1] [3]

Specifications (SR210)

Data from Cliche, Kitplanes [1] [2]

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

  • Cruise speed: 25 mph (40 km/h; 22 kn)
  • Range: 50 mi (43 nmi; 80 km)
  • Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
  • Rate of climb: 400 ft/min (2.0 m/s)

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The La Mouette SR 210 is a French paramotor that was designed and produced by La Mouette of Fontaine-lès-Dijon for powered paragliding. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied complete and ready-to-fly.

The La Mouette ZR 250 is a French paramotor that was designed and produced by La Mouette of Fontaine-lès-Dijon for powered paragliding. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied complete and ready-to-fly.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page D-27. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN   0-9680628-1-4
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Downey, Julia: 2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, page 52. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003–04, page 68. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
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