FAA Part 103 Resurgence

Dan Bailey, founder of Six Chuter powered parachutes has often commented about his belief that Part 103, single seat ultralights are a key to the future. Based on our current Six Chuter sales I believe he is right again. With the 912 equipped two seaters costing well into the mid $30,000 range and all two seaters now requiring a Sport Pilot License, the lower cost and simplicity of flying a true “ultralight” seems to be in the “re- discovery” phase.

Six Chuter International remains committed to Light Sport AND Ultralight aviation and thus we have focused on our three primary models. We are, however, putting a lot of emphasis on re-educating and supporting prospective pilots to look seriously

at the ultralight method of starting aviation.

At the same time, we remain committed to building a real powered parachute in the ultralight category. “Powered Paragliders” and “Trike Buggies” with elliptical wings have certainly gained some popularity. This is partly due to price and certainly partly due

to being able to fly under the less rigorous FAA ultralight rule. But we can point to many advantages of flying a real

powered parachute (on wheels with tires and easy to fly wings controlled with foot controlled steering tubes). We intend to stay focused on production of one of the few legal and professionally manufactured “ultralight” legal powered parachutes

on the market today. That is our P3 Lite.

If you want to consider flying, low, slow, safely and relatively inexpensively, start by examining the simplicity of the FAA Ultralight Rule. On the next page. And if you decide this might be the way for you to realize your dream of flying check out the Summer Promotional sale on a P3 Lite. Available fully assembled and ready to fly or save even more money by building it yourself from kit form. A few options and accessories and you will have a flying machine perfectly tailored for you.

SIX CHUTER POWERED PARACHUTE NEWSFlying the Six Chuter “Ultralight Model” P3 Lite

Want to fly safely, easily, relatively inexpensively and without the burden of FAA bureaucracy? If so, check out the Six Chuter P3 Lite ultralight. It may the perfect way for you to realize your dream of flying

Start by reading the FAA ultralight rule. This is printed in its entirety with some bold highlights to bring your attention to a few key points.Subpart A--GeneralSec. 103.1 Applicability.This part prescribes rules governing the operation of ultralight vehiclesin the United States. For the purposes of this part, an ultralight vehicleis a vehicle that:

(a) Is used or intended to be used for manned operation in the air by asingle occupant;(b) Is used or intended to be used for recreation or sport purposes only;(c) Does not have any U.S. or foreign airworthiness certificate; and(d) If unpowered, weighs less than 155 pounds; or(e) If powered:

(1) Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safetydevices which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophicsituation;(2) Has a fuel capacity not exceeding 5U.S. gallons;(3) Is not capable of more than 55 knots calibrated airspeed at fullpower in level flight; and(4) Has a power-off stall speed which does not exceed 24 knots calibratedairspeed.

Sec. 103.3 Inspection requirements.(a) Any person operating an ultralight vehicle under this part shall,upon request, allow the Administrator, or his designee, to inspectthe vehicle to determine the applicability of this part.(b) The pilot or operator of an ultralight vehicle must, upon request ofthe Administrator, furnish satisfactory evidence that the vehicle issubject only to the provisions of this part.

Sec. 103.5 Waivers.No person may conduct operations that require a deviation from this partexcept under a written waiver issued by the Administrator.

Sec. 103.7 Certification and registration. (a) Notwithstanding any other section pertaining to certification of aircraft or their parts or equipment, ultralight vehicles and their component parts and equipment are not required to meet the airworthiness certification standards specified for aircraft or to have certificates of airworthiness.(b) Notwithstanding any other section pertaining to airman certification, operators of ultralight vehicles are not required to meet any aeronautical knowledge, age, or experience requirements to operate those vehicles or to have airman or medical certificates.(c) Notwithstanding any other section pertaining to registration and marking of aircraft, ultralight vehicles are not required to be registered or to bear markings of any type.

Subpart B--Operating RulesSec. 103.9 Hazardous operations.(a) No person may operate any ultralight vehicle in a manner that creates a hazard to other persons or property.(b) No person may allow an object to be dropped from an ultralightvehicle if such action creates a hazard to other persons or property.

Sec. 103.11 Daylight operations.(a) No person may operate an ultralight vehicle except between the hours of sunrise and sunset.(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, ultralight vehiclesmay be operated during the twilight periods 30 minutes before officialsunrise and 30 minutes after official sunset or, in Alaska, during theperiod of civil twilight as defined in the Air Almanac, if:(1) The vehicle is equipped with an operating anti-collision light visiblefor at least 3 statute miles; and(2) All operations are conducted in uncontrolled airspace.

Sec. 103.13 Operation near aircraft;right-of-way rules.

(a) Each person operating an ultralight vehicle shall maintain vigilance so as to see and avoid aircraft and shall yield the right-of-way to all aircraft.

(b) No person may operate an ultralight vehicle in a manner that creates

a collision hazard with respect to any aircraft.

(c) Powered ultralights shall yield the right-of-way to unpowered ultralights.

Sec. 103.15 Operations over congested areas.

No person may operate an ultralight vehicle over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons.

Sec. 103.17 Operations in certain airspace.

No person may operate an ultralight vehicle within Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from the ATC facility having jurisdiction over that airspace.

Sec. 103.17 Operations in certain airspace.

No person may operate an ultralight vehicle within an airport traffic area, control zone, airport radar service area, terminal control area, or positive control area unless that person has prior authorization from the air traffic control facility having jurisdiction overthat airspace.

The Six Chuter P3 Lite has been designed to specifically meet the requirements of this FAA Utralight Rule so that you can purchase and fly without worries about compliance.

No Medical Requirement. No Minimum Training Requirements. No Pilot Age Limits. No Annual Inspection or Flight Review Requirements. This FAA regulation is one of the best things going for aspiring pilots everywhere

Learn More About the P3 Lite Single Seat Powered Parachute from Six Chuter International LLC

Six Chuter International LLC released for production the all new ultralight powered parachute model called the “P3 Lite”. The P3 Lite is a single seat powered parachute that meets the strict requirements of FAA rule “Part 103” for ultralight aircraft. The FAA ultralight rule allows for flying with no license, no medical and in fact no age limit or even training requirements.

The model is equipped with a Kawasaki 440A engine package, Ultra-prop, simple instrumentation, and the Performance Designs Barnstormer 360 canopy. The model is being offered for $10,995 in kit form, and the company includes a $500 coupon for training at that price.

The P3 Lite is built on a strong but light airframe made of aluminum and chromoly steel components. The Kawasaki engine is rated by the engine manufacturer at 750 hours between overhaul.

The Barnstormer 360 canopy is easy to fly and offers great performance. The seat is an oversized molded plastic seat with optional padded upholstery. The seat belt is a heavy duty “racing” style belt with shoulder straps.

The P3 Lite is offered in two standard colors, black or white. The molded seats are available in a variety of colors, and the optional upholstery is likewise available in various colors. The PD 360 canopy has several stock colors or can be custom designed at no extra cost.

Doug Maas, President of Six Chuter, and director of marketing outlined

the objectives of the design. These included making a true, legal ultralight powered parachute that could be more easily manufactured and easily and quickly built from kit form. And the price objective was to hit the market with a retail price under eleven thousand dollars. The design also is intended to make a slightly smaller footprint for ease of transport while increasing the comfort and fit for even taller and larger pilots.

These were really quite formidable goals given the cost of materials and the existing competition in the market.

Maas explained that the primary driver for the project was when Rotax announced the discontinuation of their

popular 503 engine series. That engine had been used on Six Chuters and many other powered parachutes for over 20 years. Once that engine was no longer available the search for a reliable, well supported, good performing and cost-effective replacement began. The Kawasaki 440A engine has been in the field for over 20 years, but predominantly used on ultralight airplanes and weight shift so well proven.

Once the engine was chosen, Dan Bailey, founder of Six Chuter Incorporated, began a meticulous design process around that engine. His design also took into account the company objectives of easing manufacturing and strict price control. Ultimately the design hit the mark with an airframe that is lighter than previous Six Chuter single seat models, but also stronger.

Maas reported that the project has taken nearly two years to complete. That might surprise many given the simple design. But the desire to not just roll out another ultralight in an already crowded market, but to do so with their objectives for price control, quality and performance required a lot of team work and a lot of time to do right.

Maas challenges prospective buyers to find any other “true powered parachute” (steered in flight with feet and not hands like trike buggies), built with the quality of this aircraft for a price under eleven-thousand dollars. And remember that Six Chuter will include $500 payment towards your training at that price! Six Chuter will be stocking a small inventory of black and white airframes, ready to go to help reduce delivery time to under 4 weeks for the complete kit. While custom colors are available for a small upgrade in price, choosing the standard colors will also make parts replacement quicker.

The engine testing and the production test flights proved to the team that they had

achieved the design objectives. Test pilots Mark Martin and Paul Beam found that it is very easy to kite the canopy, very light and responsive on controls and performance that is well suited for entrance level powered parachute pilots.

Experienced pilots will also enjoy the “sportiness” of the barnstormer 360 canopy. And everyone should enjoy the ease of learning to fly and ongoing legal flying that avoids the higher costs and complications of earning a pilot’s license to operate two-place powered parachutes.

Tom Connelly, Operations Manager and Co-owner of Six Chuter International, reports that the average builder should be able to fully assemble and prepare this aircraft for flight in about two weeks’ time. Connelly and Dan Bailey have developed an easy to follow builder’s manual.

And the company will provide builder support consultation at no extra charge. The company will

also fully assemble the P3 lite at an extra charge, for buyers whose only objective is to learn to fly safely and quickly and avoid the process of building.

Maas praised his team for their perseverance and hard work, including Dan Bailey, Designer, Rolando and Ramon Santiago, Assembly And Engine Testing, Tom Connelly, Six Chuter Operations Manager and P3 Lite Fabrication, and Mark Martin and Paul Beam, Flight testing. He stated that the P3 Lite in many ways takes us back to the beginning of Six Chuter powered parachutes. The early start for the company, founded in 1991, was all with simple, kit built, ultralight legal powered parachutes.

The P3 lite adds to their already successful line of light sport experimental kits, amateur built kits and special light sport models. Six Chuter continues to offer ongoing support and services to every customer and has nearly 2200 aircraft operating around the world today. Tom Connelly, Operations Manager, stated that buyers of the P3 Lite will enjoy the same high level of personal support for a lifetime, that other Six Chuter owners have come to appreciate.

Or Call Rolando Santiago360 904-8766

To Learn More About the Six Chuter P3 Lite, Check Out The Free Information Sources Below

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SIX CHUTER INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION SOURCES

The Six Chuter Web Site www.sixchuter.com

Request Free Catalogue or Product Brochures http://www.sixchuter.com/?page_id=48

Watch You Tube Videos of P3 Lite and other Six Chuter Models

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgiLWNrYYzZctqGTkUKb0aQ

Get Connected with Six Chuter via Face Book https://www.facebook.com/SixChuterPoweredParachutes

Contact Us to Get Quote and Availability sixchuterinfo@comcast.net

Check Out Six Chuter Inventory of New and Used Aircraft

http://sixchuter.mybigcommerce.com/powered-parachute-classifieds/

Call to Order or Get Additional Information Rolando Santiago, Sales and Support

360 904-8766

Call Six Chuter Toll Free 888 727-1998 or 509 884-8084