The La Mouette Skybike is a line of French paramotors that was designed and produced by La Mouette of Fontaine-lès-Dijon for powered paragliding.[1][2][3]

Skybike
Role Paramotor
National origin France
Manufacturer La Mouette
Status Production completed

Design and development edit

The aircraft was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules. It features a paraglider-style high-wing, single-place or two-place-in-tandem accommodation and a single engine in pusher configuration. As is the case with all paramotors, take-off and landing is accomplished by foot.[1][3]

A three-wheeled tricycle unit was a factory option for all models that converts the paramotor into a powered parachute.[2]

Variants edit

Skybike SR210
Base model, equipped with a 18 hp (13 kW) Solo 210 powerplant. With a 59 lb (27 kg) empty weight it can accommodate pilot weights from 120 to 220 lb (54 to 100 kg) with a canopy of 320 sq ft (30 m2). An electric starter was a factory option. It sold for US$6,000 in 2001.[1][2][3]
Skybike ZR250
Higher-powered model, equipped with a 22 hp (16 kW) Zenoah G-25 powerplant. With an 80 lb (36 kg) empty weight, it can accommodate pilot weights from 170 to 440 lb (77 to 200 kg) with a canopy of 320 sq ft (30 m2). An electric starter and after-muffler were factory options. It sold for US$6,000 in 2001.[1][2][3]
Skybike ZR250 Bi
Higher-powered model for two place tandem flying, equipped with a 22 hp (16 kW) Zenoah G-25 powerplant. It can accommodate pilot weights up to 440 lb (200 kg) with a canopy of 430 sq ft (40 m2). An electric starter and after-muffler were factory options. It sold for US$7,000 in 2001.[1][3]

Specifications (SR210) edit

Data from Cliche, Kitplanes[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 2 ft (0.61 m) (engine unit only)
  • Height: 3 ft (0.91 m) (engine unit only)
  • Wing area: 320 sq ft (30 m2)
  • Empty weight: 59 lb (27 kg)
  • Gross weight: 280 lb (127 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 2 U.S. gallons (7.6 L; 1.7 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Solo 210 single cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine, 18 hp (13 kW)

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 25 mph (40 km/h, 22 kn)
  • Range: 50 mi (80 km, 43 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
  • Rate of climb: 400 ft/min (2.0 m/s)

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page D-27. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  2. ^ a b c d e Downey, Julia: 2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, page 52. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. ^ a b c d e Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003–04, page 68. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X