Trio-Twister 203

The Trio-Twister 203 is a German powered parachute that was designed by Siegfried Stolle and produced by Trio-Twister of Eichwalde. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.

The aircraft was introduced in 2005 and production ended when the company went out of business later in 2005.

Design and development
The Trio-Twister 203 was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg. The aircraft has a maximum gross weight of 300 kg. It carries a German DULV certification. It features a parachute-style wing, two-place accommodation in side-by-side configuration, tricycle landing gear and one 55 hp two cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled Hirth 3202 aircraft engine mounted in pusher configuration.

The aircraft carriage is a simple frame design with a central canopy attachment, built from bolted 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 nosewheel steering. The main landing gear incorporates spring rod suspension. The design employs a tilting bench seat to allow the pilot and passenger to see up and backwards to ensure that canopy inflates correctly.

The aircraft has an empty weight of 105 kg and a gross weight of 300 kg, giving a useful load of 195 kg. With full fuel of 20 L the payload for pilot and baggage is 181 kg.