Paraplane PSE-2 Osprey

The Paraplane PSE-2 Osprey is an American powered parachute that was designed and produced by Paraplane International of Medford, New Jersey. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.

Design and development
The PSE-2 Osprey was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 254 lb. The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 235 lb. It features a Hi-Pro 370 sqft parachute-style wing, single-place accommodation, tricycle landing gear and a single 50 hp Rotax 503 engine.

The aircraft carriage is built from aluminium tubing. In flight steering is accomplished via foot pedals that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has foot pedal-controlled nosewheel steering. The main landing gear incorporates spring rod suspension.

The standard day, sea level, no wind, take off with a 50 hp engine is 200 ft and the landing roll is 75 ft.

The manufacturer estimates the construction time from the supplied assembly kit as five hours.

Variants

 * PSE-1
 * Designed by Dan Thompson and only sold to the military.


 * PSE-SF
 * Special Forces version of the PSE-2, with 12 delivered for use in Operation Desert Storm.


 * PPSE-WD
 * Highly modified version of the PSE-2, made exclusively for Disney World use.


 * PSE-2
 * Version for commercial sale, designed by Scott Kelly.