Paraplane PSE-2 Osprey

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PSE-2 Osprey
Role Powered parachute
National origin United States
Manufacturer Paraplane International
Designer Scott Kelly (PSE-2)
Status Production completed

The Paraplane PSE-2 Osprey is an American powered parachute that was designed and produced by Paraplane International of Medford, New Jersey. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1]

Design and development

The PSE-2 Osprey was designed to comply with the US

FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 254 lb (115 kg). The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 235 lb (107 kg). It features a Hi-Pro 370 sq ft (34 m2) parachute-style wing, single-place accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 engine.[1]

The aircraft carriage is built from aluminium tubing. In flight steering is accomplished via foot pedals that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has foot pedal-controlled nosewheel steering. The main landing gear incorporates spring rod suspension.[1]

The standard day, sea level, no wind, take off with a 50 hp (37 kW) engine is 200 ft (61 m) and the landing roll is 75 ft (23 m).[1]

The manufacturer estimates the construction time from the supplied assembly kit as five hours.[1]

Variants

PSE-1
Designed by Dan Thompson and only sold to the military.[2]
PSE-SF
Special Forces version of the PSE-2, with 12 delivered for use in
Operation Desert Storm.[2]
PPSE-WD
Highly modified version of the PSE-2, made exclusively for
PSE-2
Version for commercial sale, designed by Scott Kelly.[2]

Specifications (PSE-2 Osprey)

Data from Purdy[1]

General characteristics

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 28 mph (45 km/h, 24 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 28 mph (45 km/h, 24 kn)
  • Range: 42 mi (68 km, 36 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
  • Rate of climb: 750 ft/min (3.8 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 1.5 lb/sq ft (7.3 kg/m2)

References

  1. ^
  2. ^ a b c d All Aero. "ParaPlane PSE / PSE-1 / PSE-2 Osprey". all-aero.com. Retrieved May 1, 2016.