Steel Breeze
Role Powered parachute
National origin United States
Manufacturer Summit Aerosports
Status In production

The Summit Steel Breeze is an American powered parachute, designed and produced by Summit Aerosports of Yale, Michigan. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly aircraft.[1]

Design and development

The Steel Breeze is intended as a light-sport aircraft compliant design. It features a parachute-style high-wing, two seats in tandem accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration. Engines available include the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503, the 64 hp (48 kW) liquid-cooled Rotax 582, the 70 hp (52 kW) Hirth 3503 two-strokes and the four-stroke 60 hp (45 kW) HKS 700E.[1][2]

The Steel Breeze's airframe is built from 1.5 in (38 mm) TIG-welded, powder coated 4130 steel tubing. The standard rectangular Mustang S-500 canopy has an area of 500 sq ft (46 m2) and is attached at four points to increase stability. The Mustang S-500 allows a gross weight of 850 lb (386 kg). Optional canopies include the rectangular Mustang S-550 which allows a gross weight of 950 lb (431 kg) and the elliptical Thunderbolt E-340 which allows a gross weight of 900 lb (408 kg). In-flight steering is accomplished via foot pedals that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has nosewheel steering controlled by a butterfly steering wheel and the main landing gear incorporates bungee suspension.[1][2]

As of August 2012, the design does not appear on the Federal Aviation Administration's list of approved special light-sport aircraft.[3]

Specifications (Steel Breeze)

Data from Kitplanes and Summit Aerosports[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 10 ft 3 in (3.12 m)
  • Wing area: 500 sq ft (46 m2)
  • Empty weight: 323 lb (147 kg)
  • Gross weight: 850 lb (386 kg) with Mustang S-500 wing
  • Fuel capacity: 14 U.S. gallons (53 L; 12 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 twin cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine, 50 hp (37 kW)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed GSC Systems ground adjustable Tech 3 propeller, 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) diameter

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 25 mph (40 km/h, 22 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 4:1
  • Rate of climb: 400 ft/min (2.0 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 1.7 lb/sq ft (8.3 kg/m2)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bernard, Mary and Suzanne B. Bopp: Summit Aerosports: Summit 2, Steel Breeze and Mini Breeze, Kitplanes, Volume 29, Number 12, December 2012, pages 27-28. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  2. 1 2 3 Summit Aerosports (2012). "Steel Breeze". Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  3. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (October 27, 2012). "SLSA Make/Model Directory". Retrieved November 21, 2012.
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