When I build aircraft I like to do one small thing a day. This is what got me through the RV-4 build and the Rans S6 build. So that’s what I did today. Today’s task was to install the starter. It’s not the final installation but just to plug the hole in the engine.
I guess yesterday was really the start of the build log for the Six Chuter P3 Lite PPC but today was the first day I put something together. I ordered a 4-bladed prop to provide a little more thrust to help offset the bigger tires and the weight they will add. When the prop arrives it needs assembly. The four blades have to be installed to the prop hub along with the blocks that set the pitch of the propeller.
Assembly is super easy. Put 8 bolts (with washers) through one of the prop hub halves, lay the pitch blocks in, lay the prop blades in, more pitch blocks, and then the other prop hub half. Add 8 nylock nuts and washers and torque to 120 inch lbs. Done!
I finally got around to unboxing the engine I received on Friday. It was a pleasant distraction given the bad news I received this morning. It is exciting in that I can see tangible proof that my powered parachute is almost ready for me to pick up and start assembling. Luckly the folks at Six Chuter have already built the airframe up and it’s already on wheels. So they’ve saved me a ton of work.
Here is the airframe… MY airfame. 🙂 It still has the small tires on it. I’ve ordered turf tires for it which will be larger and make it safer to roll across rougher ground. I’ll be driving up to the Six Chuter factory to pick it up in a few weeks.
The two boxes I received contained the engine, the propeller, the muffler, and assorted engine doo-dads like the starter, starter solenoid, and assorted engine gauges.
I did a quick inventory and everything seems to be there. I’ll have to do a more thorough inventory in the coming days. Still it was fun seeing the first pieces of my new aircraft on my workbench.
This is not the post I wanted to write today. I lost a very good friend today. Leon was a huge part of our airport community and a very dear friend. He always had a way of looking for the positives in a negative situation. He has helped or offered to help me numerous times and was always there at the airport to talk to about my flying, life, and above all, Christ.
Leon was out flying his Challenger II airplane this morning when he collided with his own pickup truck upon landing and, tragically, died. I would like to say that he died doing what he loved, but that would be overly trite and cliche. What I will say instead is that he lived a full life. A life of adventure and love and fellowship. I take great comfort knowing that he is now more alive than he has ever been.
Our loss is Christ’s gain. Blue skies, Leon.
I’ve had a couple people ask me what’s the difference between what I’m flying now (PPG) and the new flying machine (PPC). The major difference is the type of parachute used. The powered parachute (PPC) has larger air inlets and has a shorter wing span. The parachute is more square. The trike that you ride in is also heavier. The powered paraglider (PPG) has a longer, more elliptical shaped wing. The trike is much lighter. So why would I want something with a smaller wing and heavier? The short answer is stability. The heavier weight and stockier wing give the craft more stability in the air. It is also less maneuverable but I’m okay with that. The other features of the PPC that I am looking forward to is being able to steer with my feet rather than my hands. Steering with rudders is something pilots are more used to. And one of the features I’ll really like is the throttle; on a PPC it is a standard aircraft throttle. On the PPG it is a hand throttle that must be held closed for the duration of your flight. The PPC you just move the throttle to the desired position and leave it there. This leaves your hands completely free.
Here’s a video of the exact model of PPC that I have purchased.
I am told that my PPC will be ready some time around the middle of March. I’ve made arrangements to drive up there at the end of March to pick it up. Since it won’t fit on the trailer I have I bought another trailer. The PPC manufacturer just happened to have one that belonged to a customer that the were trying to sell. I went ahead and bought an enclosed cargo trailer. It will not only serve as a hangar for my PPC but will also make a decent camper.
I’ll keep a portable heater and fold up bed on board to make it a mini-toy-hauler. I’ll also need to add a battery so I can run the lights when it’s not connected to my truck. I’ll eventually add solar charging for the batter at some point too.
This will come in handy when flying from other fields. There is a very active PPC group about an hour and a half north of where I live. It doesn’t make sense to wake up really early and drive two hours just to fly. This way I’ll be able to drive up the night before and camp in the trailer.
One aspect I didn’t bring up in yesterday’s blog posting was the adventure getting to and from Lincoln Regional Airport to view the P3 Lite. With all the rain we’ve had in California this year we’ve got some pretty severe localized flooding. Traffic going north bound on I-5 was heavy and slow between Twin Cities Road and Elk Grove. There were no accidents, everyone was slowing down to look at this:
At least the roadways were clear. Coming home was a different story. Google took me out in a different direction than it brought me in. I thought that would be fine because I’d miss traffic taking the back roads. It was not all that fine:
Luckily the deepest water I had to drive through was only about a foot deep. What I didn’t like about it was that it was moving water, not standing water. Providentially I, and the car in front of me, made it through the several sections of flooded roadway we had to pass. These folks could sure you your prayers if your the praying kind.
I had a chance to drive up to Lincoln Airport today to take a look at a powered parachute being put together. It’s called a P3 Light by Six Chuter. I took a close look, sat in it, and took lots of pictures. The flying characteristics are a lot more stable and more docile. I think at this stage in life I’m looking for a little more stable and docile. I spoke to the owner of the P3. He told me he used to fly PPG and there was no comparisson on how much more stable a PPC is compared to a PPG. I think for my type of flying, low and slow, lazy cross-country flying, the PPC will be a better choice for me.
He also gave me some good ideas for equipping my P3; bigger tires, hydraulic brake, bigger front tire, heavier fork, quick release on the top section of the prop cage. So, armed with this list I’ll be calling the factory on Monday to place my order.
Here are a few pictures of the P3 Lite…
I’m going to order a larger front tire and fork like this one. Also shown is the steering bar. You steer with your feet. Push on the left bar to go left, the right bar to go right. Your hands are free.
This unit also has the larger front fork. An item I’m going to order as well.
I love the open front seat. I feel very constricted in the harness of my Nirvana.
The top portion of the prop guard is removable on this unit. I’m going to build mine the same.
I’m also going to order the larger tires as on this one. Will make for operating in rough terrain easier.
This is the tiller. It’s only used for ground steering. Move it left to turn left, right to turn right. Also has a hand brake.
Showing the front hydraulic disc brake.
I’ve been flying my powered paraglider (PPG) for a year now and very much enjoy it. 
However, one aspect I do not enjoy about my PPG is its susceptability to wind. This past flight where I took off in calm air and then had the wind pick up before I even landed which had me trapped in my harness for a few minutes made me realize I need an aircraft that is more stable. I have since decided that I’m going to trade my PPG for a powered parachute (PPC). The wing (parachute) on a PPC is far more stable than a PPG. That can also be read as far less maneuverable but I’m fine with that.
Right now I’m leaning towards purchasing a P3 Lite by Six Chuter. Like my PPG the P3 is classified as an ultralight aircraft. This means that it’s exempt from most FAA regulations. I can do all the maintenance myself and can fly it without a pilot’s license. I have a pilot’s license so that wouldn’t be a problem but FAA certified aircraft require annual inspections from FAA mechanics. In California where I live I’d have to pay a luxury tax on a certified aircraft. So the two big factors in sticking with an ultralight aircraft are cost and regulation. And in the end I believe it will be every bit as portable as my PPG is. Plus it should be far more stable for low and slow cross country flying which is what I would really rather do. PPG’s are more suited to aerobatics which, I’m not.
More to come.
I have a bad habit of hanging on to calendars so I can see what I did over the past few years. I was looking at last year’s calendar tonight. Last January my son had just moved out to the first of three group homes he lived in. My wife was just getting over the flu. I was still planning to live full-time on the road and finding a way to get my employer to buy off on my hair-brained scheme.
The plan was to travel from data center to data center, hitting all our properties on the way to or from. I had meticulously planned routes to RV parks and campgrounds closest to our business properties. My job at the time was pretty much location independent. However, management being what it is, they always wanted us to be somewhere so it’s pretty unlikely they would have bought off on this plan. I was still blissfully unaware of the plans management had for us. I was still driving an hour to our corporate headquarters to plan to bond two core switches together. Happily, my time with my employer came to an end before I had to do that work. I was wondering why my boss wasn’t pushing me to move faster on that project. Now I know why, I would never have been able to complete it before the transition happened.
There’s no moral to this story. No point really. Just reminiscing while looking at the calendar. Well, maybe there is a moral to the story; don’t set your plans in stone, stay flexible and be ready to adapt those plans to what life hands you. And if you’re so inlined, as I am, never stop having faith that God will work things out for the best for those whom He loves.
Air Prayer 