Jack Faust, a hang-glider pioneer, recently informed your editor of this British back-pack flying pioneer. Tony Canderton of Electric Paramotor UK has created a twin-motored parachute that uses stock aluminum extrusions and model aircraft components to take him flying. As noted on his web site, “Most of the parts used are pretty easy to come by, taken from giant scale RC and the frame is aluminum. No welding was used – just nylon lock nuts and bolts. The whole unit weighs in at just over 19 kilos (41.8 pounds) with batteries and harness and puts out 27 kilos (59.4 pounds) of static thrust.” Motors are EMP model XYH80-100-As, each capable of producing a peak 6,500 Watts (8.7 horsepower) from a 1.75 kilogram (3.85 pounds) unit. These have a 12 millimeter (1/2-inch) shaft, a bit more substantial than some model motors and aiding their purpose in turning direct drive propellers. EMPs seem to be available in England only, but cost a …
The Verticopter® , an Adaptable and Expandable Convertiplane
Oliver Garrow, founder, designer, and President of Garrow Aircraft LLC, says it right up front, “My design is completely counterintuitive.” Pilots are used to counterintuitive thinking. Push the nose down and add power when you’ve stalled and are heading groundward anyway, for instance. But the logic of what Garrow is doing becomes apparent only when you see the Verticopter® flying. Adaptable for varying flight characteristics, the Verticopter can be powered by one or more motors. A single motor, for instance, would provide a simple solution for a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft. A short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) airplane might use two or more motors. Full vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) would require four to six motors. Motors can be pivoted on all models, providing vectored thrust that makes the most of the airplane’s unique configuration. Garrow sees electric power as ideal for this application, and the use of one or multiple motors simplifies the problem of vectoring the …