Sokopf Falke
| Falke | |
|---|---|
| Role | Paramotor |
| National origin | Austria |
| Manufacturer | Sokopf |
| Designer | Uli Sokopf |
| Introduction | 1998 |
| Status | Production completed |
The Sokopf Falke (English: Hawk) is an Austrian paramotor that was designed by Uli Sokopf and produced by his company Sokopf of Innsbruck for powered paragliding. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied complete and ready-to-fly.[1]
Design and development[edit]
The aircraft was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules as well as European regulations. It features a paraglider-style wing, single-place or two-place-in-tandem accommodation and a single 26 hp (19 kW) Simonini Racing engine in pusher configuration reduction drive and a 135 cm (53 in) diameter two-bladed, wooden propeller. The aircraft is built from a combination of bolted aluminium and 4130 steel tubing.[1]
The Falke series was designed in the late 1990s with an emphasis on maximum thrust, rather than lightness.[1] In an emergency the entire engine unit can be jettisoned.[2]
As is the case with all paramotors, take-off and landing is accomplished by foot. Inflight steering is accomplished via handles that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw.[1]
Variants[edit]
- Falke 2001
- Model with a 27 hp (20 kW) Simonini Racing engine in pusher configuration with a 2.8:1 ratio reduction drive and a 135 cm (53 in) diameter two-bladed wooden propeller. The fuel tank capacity is 32 litres (7.0 imp gal; 8.5 US gal) with 45 litres (9.9 imp gal; 12 US gal) optional.[2]
- Falke 03
- Model with a 26 hp (19 kW) Simonini Racing engine in pusher configuration with a 2.42:1 ratio reduction drive and a 135 cm (53 in) diameter two-bladed wooden propeller. The fuel tank capacity is 12 litres (2.6 imp gal; 3.2 US gal).[1]
Specifications (Sokopf Falke 03)[edit]
Data from Bertrand[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Empty weight: 25 kg (55 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 12 litres (2.6 imp gal; 3.2 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Simonini Racing single cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine, with a 2.42:1 reduction drive, 19 kW (26 hp)
- Propellers: 2-bladed wooden, fixed pitch, 1.35 m (4 ft 5 in) diameter