Ultralight - ParaShip

Ok, its pretty close to Dudes idea, but it is as different as a hang glider and a powered para glider.....

Its already produced, proven, at least the engine components, seat, etc, although a tad noisy... but we might be able to add something (solar later...)

So instead of the non-helium "wing" we make a tubed helium one instead.... could probably have one flying in a matter of weeks.... those who want to fly at their own risk with hydrogen can....

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ultralightnews.ca/sun-n-fun04/images/aerolight1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ultralightnews.ca/sun-n-fun04/aerolightinternational.htm&usg=__gfZ_4bhalOBtFe16V_NSw571x10=&h=729&w=500&sz=127&hl=en&start=1&itbs=1&tbnid=uxjYluPE6IRpzM:&tbnh=141&tbnw=97&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpara%2Bglider%26hl%3Den%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1

22 hp, 110 lbs of thrust...probably almost double the 5 hour powered paraglider endurance... although at considerable slower speeds... gives new meaning to the words hang 5, er, hang 10...

I saw that some companies are working on electic paraglider systems. It would be significantly quieter. Plus we would need much less power. We would need 5 hp or less, compared to the 22 hp system you posted. It might be cheapest if we mount a smaller motor on a standard harness. 

What would the lift ratio be like? What shape would the envelope be? I think the same ideas for the hangblimp would apply to a parablimp. In fact, the same envelope might work for both harness systems. 

We could use hydrogen with less danger because of the separation between the pilot and the envelope. Escape would probably be easier. 

http://www.electricppg.com/Developments/index.htm

I'd go with wing/airfoil shape much like the powered paragliders (except quite larger for helium),  with aerotubing for reinforcements.

Why would we need only 5 hp or less?  The envelope is going to be a large mass to pull through the air, even if we do use a smaller envelope (as lift will be generated with an airfoil shape)... will still need to fly into the wind and all.

I'd say stick with the 22hp, but maybe we could design a second ship... (maybe a Biwing Paraship... the top wing for solar cells) then the primary 22hp could get it flying and the secondary for boost or possibly solar flight only cruise!??

(Maybe a Biwing is getting too complicated, maybe just need to increase primary wing size for solar flight?)

ps: I experimented with a model ParaShip after I thought it up today..... (AirHog Airplane taped to a large mylar balloon I had in stock)... quite nice extension of flight time.  Even the neighbors walking by said "how cool".

It needed to carry an additional two AA batteries needed for ballast. (So should be able to keep it flying without helium refill for awhile by regulating the ballast.

Flew well at 8 grams heavy... didn't even lose it in outdoor flight operations and experiments....

Pics to follow on Ofoto tomorrow. 

Paul Boldt

Cool experiment!

If speed isn't the design goal, less power is needed to maintain flight because of the reduced velocity. And reduced power means it will be cheaper and more efficient.