Sharp 'Chuters'
When Bob Brandon decided to take up powered parachuting, his wife Charlotte thought he was crazy.
"I didn't have any idea what he was talking about, I'd never seen one before," she said.
After a winter spent assembling his purchase in the couple's Center Township basement, Brandon emerged with a simple, yet effective flying device that would make the Wright Brothers envious.
Considered a form of ultralight aviation, powered parachuting involves a cart with one or two seats, a large gas-powered fan and a parachute, which acts as the aircraft's wing and main safety feature.
The crafts resemble a three-wheeled go-cart or dune buggy with a large propeller behind the pilot. A65 horsepower engine powers the fan, propelling the cart forward while a parachute lifts it off the ground.
The fan propels the cart at a fixed speed, while the pilot uses steering cords to make turns.
<table width="300" height="275" border="0" align="right" valign="top" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><embed src="/assets/mov/BE2489685.MOV" width="320" height="250" autostart="true" loop="false" ></embed></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.apple.com/quicktime/" target="_blank"><span class="style11">Requires Quicktime Media Player </a><br><font size="1" face="Tahoma, Times New Roman">Video by Brandon Gerthoffer</font></span><td></tr></table>Brandon discovered the sport of powered parachuting while visiting a recreation show in 2001.Although he had never piloted any other craft, Brandon was excited about the opportunity to try his hand at solo flight.He ordered a kit, saving money by assembling it himself, and was prepared to take his first flight in the spring of 2002."When you're flying in the machine, you're so overtaken with the beautiful view that you don't even think about the height," he said.Unlike Brandon's discovery, Greg Norton's foray into powered parachuting resulted from a search for a less expensive alternative to his hobby of flying airplanes.Pat Lawton, Norton's neighbor in Mars, was also looking for an alternative to his high-flying pastimes of skydiving and hot air ballooning.After just one introductory flight in an instructor's powered parachute, the duo pulled out their checkbooks to order a two-seated craft to share.For Brandon, the purchase of the unassembled Buckeye Powered Parachute was an investment of about $15,000. At the time, single seat models were being sold for about $9,000, and assembled two-seat models were available for about $18,000.For Lawton and Norton, the initial investment was about $22,000, which included the parachute kit, radio helmets, a GPS system and other accessories.Brandon noted that newer models, with added technology and comfort features, can cost about $25,000.
Used to introduce new people to powered parachuting, the two-seated models are known as exempted trainers, meaning they are considered an ultralight aircraft though they exceed the weight limit of 250 pounds or less.Norton estimated his machine weighs about 350 pounds.Though their respective dealers provided training, Norton, Lawton and Brandon were all required to secure instructor's certifications to take passengers up in introductory or training flights.Brandon explained the process requires written and verbal testing, accumulating 25 hours of flying time and completing a successful flight accompanied by a pilot with a higher level of certification.
For Brandon, his large, grassy yard is all the runway he needs. On average, he needs about 150 feet to get off the ground.Weather is a consideration: Norton said he will not take off in winds of more than 15 mph. Temperature is also a factor, said Norton, who plans flights in the cooler mornings and evenings, when the air is "thicker."Before he begins his flight, Brandon unloads the carefully folded parachute, 550 square feet in size.The parachute is laid behind the cart, allowing Brandon to untangle the chute's cords.The three-wheeled cart has a pilot's seat in the front and a passenger seat just behind it.
Controls include two handles, one for the engine's throttle, and another that steers the cart's front tire for landing and taking off.Two bars across the bottom of the cart are attached to the parachute's outer lines or steering lines. These controls are operated with the pilot's feet.With the gas and oil tanks filled, Brandon starts the engine with a pull cord, powering the large, three-blade fan at the rear of the cart.He waits for the water-cooled system to reach 135 degrees before taking his seat, donning his helmet and buckling his safety belt."Just like on motorcycles, not all guys wear helmets, but Ido," he said.As the fan propels the machine forward, Brandon looks up and sees the parachute above him filled with air. He then gives the fan maximum power, lifting him off the ground.Moving at an average speed of 25 mph, Brandon appears to float. He said his usual flights take him anywhere from 160 to 2,000 feet above ground.Norton, who takes off from a friend's private runway, describes the air time as a smooth ride."It's just like flying on cream,"he said.On most days, Brandon takes off facing the wind, generally heading west. Although the wind works against his speed as he begins his flight, the return trip is quickened by the assistance of whatever breeze is available.Steering with his feet, Brandon's hands are free to pursue another hobby, digital photography, taking aerial shots of local landmarks like Moraine State Park.
Following the rules set by the Federal Aviation Administration, powered parachute pilots are responsible for flying in daylight and staying out of clouds. Although also prohibited from flying close to other aircraft, Brandon said some pilots circle him to get a closer look.In addition to friends made in the air, Norton said the powered parachute's ability to fly at low speeds and low altitudes makes him a spectacle to those on solid ground."Believe me, you wave at the people," he said.With a 10 gallon tank of gas, Brandon is able to fly for about three hours, though most of his flights average about an hour.Retired from the broadcasting industry, Brandon's experience climbing radio towers eliminated any fear of heights.Landing, however, was a bit intimidating at first."It was so easy to get up in the air and its so easy to fly, but when you start to think about coming down ... it made me very uneasy for a long time."Lawton, whose experience was with regular parachutes, shared the challenge of conquering a smooth landing.Although he said his skills are still improving, Norton's experience with flying planes has been beneficial."He's so smooth all the time,"Lawton said of Norton's landings.Although watching fuel levels is important, Brandon noted that even if the engine quits, the parachute allows for a safe, albeit unplanned, landing."You just have to put your total trust in the parachute,"he said.After several years of practice, Brandon is comfortable landing in an area as small as 100 by 100 feet.
Following the initial investment, the cost of upkeep for powered parachuting is minimal.In addition to gasoline and oil for the machine, pilots must take time to carefully check the condition of the engine, vehicle and parachute."Every year I go over this thing with a magnifying glass," Norton said.To maintain the parachute, Norton said it is important to make sure it is clear of debris, bugs and holes. Leaving the fabric in direct sunlight is also a danger, affecting the fabric's porosity.At the time of purchase, dealers estimated Brandon's engine would run for about 600 flying hours without the need for major repairs.Now in his sixth season of flying, Brandon flies about four to five times a month. He estimates he has completed less than 150 flying hours.As another safety measure, new FAArules will go into effect in 2008, requiring pilots of two-seated powered parachutes to obtain an FAA sport pilot license in addition to any certification through ultralight organizations.To avoid additional hurdles, Brandon plans to convert his vehicle into a single seat model, which requires no additional licensing."It won't be any major work," said Brandon."You do have to watch that you don't change the center of gravity of the airplane."
To share his experience with those who have similar interests, Brandon has attended several fly-ins.For several years, Brandon has traveled to Utah in October for the Color Country Chute Out, which has taken him on flights throughout the scenic southern part of the state."It's a really nice opportunity to meet people,"he said.Though he looks forward to the annual event, Brandon also hopes to connect with more local hobbyists for flights around the area.Brandon currently knows of about five powered parachute pilots in the county and another ultralight enthusiast who flies a powered paraglider, a smaller-scale propeller and parachute system worn on the back, allowing the user a running takeoff.According to Buckeye Aviation, the largest distributor of powered parachutes, the machines first became available for purchase in 1985. It is now the fastest growing aircraft sold.Brandon hopes to see a similar growth in popularity in the area."You can learn to fly these in one weekend,"he said.
