steelmesh Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 Finally assembled this pile of parts. I have no prior experience with paramotors, however I am an engineer/mechanic/technician/machinist/fabricator. I don't want to pretend to know it all, sadly I don't, so part of the reason I'm posting is to see if I did it wrong (I'm embarrassed to label myself an engineer with that, because engineers know it all). At first I was concerned with taking on this project, but after seeing many non-mechanic amateurs wrenching on their paramotors not dying, I moved forward with this diy build. I decided to purchase a frame because I do not have a good understanding of paramotor geometry. Technically I didn't build this, more like assembled it. Engine: Top 80 w/ vittorazi throttle Frame: Skycruiser Simple Aluminum Harness: APCO SLT high hang Southwest Top 80 throttle linkage mod (L-bracket). I could not believe Top 80 / Miniplane will run the cable through that metal hole at 90 degree angle, I could not sleep at night: Choke Linkage, 3/32" steel filler rod: Choke OFF: Choke ON: CHT sensor display: Throttle with RPM gage: Kuntzleman SC103 strobe (meets FAR 103 requirement), custom mount (aluminium split collar I tig welded to): The seat bottom has 3 inches / 75mm worth of impact foam: Waiting on the pull starter pulley (looks lost in the mail). I will follow up with fuel system pictures and an overall mass. See page 21 for comments on the foam I used: https://web.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-042710-200525/unrestricted/Final_MQP_FSAE_Racecar_Crash_Protection.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackburn Mark Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 1 hour ago, steelmesh said: Frame: Skycruiser Simple Aluminum Good choice if you are a bodger (I mean "engineer") I'm assuming you have a tig given your use of a filler rod.... But I guess with the Top 80,s low mass, you are reasonably unlikely to knock the frame too far out of shape unless you make large mistake. Hang check is number one concern.... from bolt upright (efficient, safe but not too comfy) to maybe 10 degrees... at least until you get to grips. The paramotor could, in principle, self destruct behind you and you would be reasonably safe but if you launch without a hang check and find yourself at 45 degrees, thing can quickly get pretty ugly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelmesh Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 A hang check is in my future indeed! I picked up some wood and dreaming up a design. I've got an AC TIG in my garage; and with that comes filler rod which comes in handy for various things...like a choke actuator on a walbro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackburn Mark Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 1 hour ago, steelmesh said: I've got an AC TIG Splendid If you are a new / student pilot, that might save you some cash and lost time.... that's if we ever escape this bloody Covid lockdown! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelmesh Posted May 18, 2020 Author Share Posted May 18, 2020 The paramotor dry weight is 48 lbs (21.8 kg). 4mm thick polycarbonate (lexan) back support: Custom pull starter pulley bracket: Custom fuel bulkhead I made sealed with fuel resistant sealer permaseal. The tank vent is filtered with a 1-way valve (dirt bike tank breather): Primer bulb and lightweight airbox mounting system lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cas_whitmore Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 Looking good so far , although that polycarbonate stuff makes me nervous always seems to brake in to knife shaped bits should worse happen, and you wouldn’t want it up your jackzy . cas . 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackburn Mark Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 8 minutes ago, cas_whitmore said: you wouldn’t want it up your jackzy Ill second that! My first thought was "I hope it doesn't protrude the neck-whiplash aria" but it looks like it is out of the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackburn Mark Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 Just checked: Lexan / polycarbonate is the indestructible one.... its acrylic that snaps into daggers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelmesh Posted May 18, 2020 Author Share Posted May 18, 2020 Yup polycarbonate is very tough stuff, it's what bullet resistant glass is made of and also acceptable for use on racecars to replace glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 Looking nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cas_whitmore Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 Ignore what I said 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.