More than only a set of plans, it is the system that keeps you flying your PPG. It is a system that allows you to make the easiest and least costly repairs in the industry. Bolted together. The most proven method in the ultralight industry. Armed with a small box of tools and a few lengths of spare tubing made into a nice windsock pole, repairs can even be made in the field. These frames have been repaired and flying again in a matter of hours. There is no looking for someone to weld, no phone calls for parts, no waiting for deliveries. What this system does require is an owner who wants to be self sufficient and have a desire to build.
You order all of the aluminum tube, bolts, nuts and washers direct from Aircraft Spruce, delivered to your door for about $200. Take the drawings to your local machine shop and have the connectors and drill guides made, or order them from us. Bend the tubes with ordinary conduit benders. Bolt it together. All of the aluminum used is 6061-T6. V2 plans need to be scaled up, a very easy procedure.
This is THE best and easiest way to build a powered paraglider. How many aircraft are welded aluminum? Very few. Why? It takes very special equipment and techniques to do it right. Just look at the vast majority of ultralight aircraft, you will see we are on the right track.
What this system is not about is building the cheapest PPG possible. It is about building a unit that addresses the real issue, what it will cost during your whole flying career. The Skybolt system wins hands down! So much so that buying your next PPG will only mean buying that latest greatest engine and putting it on your Skybolt Systems Frame!
The Skybolt PPG system uses machined aluminum connectors for fastening tubes together. These connectors are very strong and are re used in the event of damage to the frame. They are designed to be much stronger than the tubes. Every tube on this frame can be replaced for approximately $150. That is EVERY tube, not any tube. Technical drawings to make or have these connectors made are included in a plans purchase. We offer a complete connector kit as well.
The Skybolt PPG is designed to be built with a minimum investment in tools. All tube bending is done with one ordinary electrical conduit bender. It is a very strong frame, it looks heavier than it really is, the tubes are bigger in diameter, but there are far less of them than in most PPG units. The Skybolt PPG is very resistant to damage, and when it does occur, it is no big deal.
We at PPGPLANS.COM have no problem stating right up front that building with this system may not be less costly than buying a used commercial unit. That greatly depends on the resources available to you as an individual, it certainly can be built for much less with a good used engine. It has been proven that the Skybolt system saves PPG pilots thousands of dollars in repair and maintenance costs. If you are going to fly a machine that is costly to repair, you better be perfect! We encourage you to do some investigating, check prices, communicate with other PPG pilots. Find out what it really takes to enjoy yourself in this sport. You owe it to yourself. We at PPGPLANS.COM are sure we can help.
Building the Skybolt PPG frames does take effort and desire, this is not any different from any other plans available. But that is where the similarity ends. Only 1 sheet of plywood and a few wood blocks, a conduit bender, and simple hand tools are needed.
The second big difference is the ability to install virtually any engine and harness you wish. This will take some layout and engineering skills. With the bolt together system, your favorite design can be reproduced by moving a few tubes and holes. Harness mounts are then attached where they need to be. Under-arm comfort bars, over shoulder “J” bars, weightshift or not, nothing is impossible with this design. It is a good idea to pattern it after a proven design.
Rebuild the damaged Powered Paraglider you already own with a system that will save you money and keep you flying like no other. It's a dream come true.
The plans as drawn will build a Corsair M25Y or Corsair M19 powered machine with underarm comfort bars, an intermediate weightshift system on the original version. An Apco under arm comfort bar harness is used.
The connector kit for the V2 includes the 4 radial tube to hoop connectors with bolts, and the spring clips needed to complete the frame.