Paladin Hercules
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hercules | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Powered parachute |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Paladin Industries |
| Status | Production completed (2012) |
The Paladin Hercules is an American powered parachute, that was designed and produced by Paladin Industries of Pennsauken, New Jersey.[1]
The company's website was removed in 2012, the company seems to have gone out of business and production ended.[2]
The Hercules was designed as a heavy-lift, two-seat powered parachute and as such it has a useful load of 600 lb (272 kg). It features a parachute-style high-wing, two-seats-in-tandem accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 80 hp (60 kW) or 110 hp (82 kW) Hirth F-30 two-stroke engine in pusher configuration.[1][3]
The aircraft carriage is constructed from a combination of bolted aluminium and 4130 steel tubing. Inflight steering is accomplished via a weight-shift tilt-bar that actuates the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has lever-controlled nosewheel steering. The factory-provided canopy is an Apco Aviation Ram Air with an area of 550 sq ft (51 m2). The landing gear incorporates independent hydraulic struts for suspension. The aircraft was factory-supplied in the form of an assembly kit that required 50 hours to complete.[1][3]
Reviewer Andre Cliche described the Hercules as "a heavy hauler brute powered by an amazing 110 hp Hirth 4-cylinder 2-stroke engine."[1]