The Aircraft

Human flight has never been more attainable than with the Australian-designed Aerochute - the powered parachute needs not much more than the length of a cricket pitch to become airborne, can top 70kmh and the average person can be flying solo after just 3-5 hours of tuition and is still easy to achieve. Most importantly, it is very safe to fly, being close to stall and spin proof, and should the engine stop, it simply lands like a parachute.

The Powered Parachute doesn't have a traditional fixed wing, so flying can only take place when the weather conditions are suitable. If the wind gets above 15 knots, the Powered Parachute can't fly with safety which is entirely understandable once you've seen a powered-parachute take-off. Preparation involves laying the parachute out on the ground behind the rig.

Once the engine is fired, the propeller inflates the 15 cell Ram Air canopy and pushes the machine forward - almost instantaneously, the canopy mushrooms to its full 367 square feet and within a short distance the Powered Parachute is off the ground and climbing steeply, all the way to its legal maximum of 5000ft. The Powered Parachute can climb at the astounding rate of 1000 ft/min with one person aboard. A foot throttle controls the power which in turn controls the rate of climb or descent and the steering is controlled by using steering toggles similar to those on parachute. Essentially, that's it - there's not a lot more to it than that - it is easy to learn how to fly a powered parachute because it was designed that way.

The engine is a equally simple - a twin-cylinder Rotex two-stroke producing 52hp. With a fuel capacity of 29 litres, the Aerochute can fly for up to two hours at a time. It all adds up to a compelling package for those people with a penchant or a good reason to fly and the unique abilities of the Powered parachute are attracting people from all over the world. As the machine can become airborne with a full 200kg including the passengers, fuel and accessories (allowing for an array of specialist gear and/or a passenger) in not much more than 50 metres, it can be used economically in localities where normal aircraft are impractical. Radio's, headsets and accessories are optional. Designed and marketed in Australia, the two-seat DUO can be purchased or hired. Contact Graeme Hutchinson for full details. A minimum of 20 hours flying time is required by the RAA to receive a full pilot licence, with 30 hours required to take passengers and other endorsements