website builder download

Frequently Asked Questions

Prior reservation is required. We maintain an email list of everyone who is interested in flying with us, and send notification out to that list (including to those who purchased Gift Certificates) as to when we have available slots to fulfill Discovery or Discovery Training flights, and that is typically 2-4 days in advance of the actual date we will be flying. This is determined by the weather and our training schedule, and we give first right of refusal to students we are training that have purchased aircraft from us, and then to those who have purchased Gift Certificates. Because of the unpredictability of the weather, as well as people's schedules, we do not provide advanced or future reservations for specific dates, beyond what is described here. You can get on our email notification list by contacting us here. You must also complete our Waiver and Release of Liability, which you can download here, print, fill out, and bring with you when you come for your flight.

Powered Parachutes (PPCs) and Powered Paragliders (PPGs) are similar in many respects. Both are powered recreational vehicles that use parachute canopies as wings. While PPCs are all typically three-wheeled carts that hold the occupants, and are steered with your feet, PPGs are typically worn as backpack units and require use of your legs as "landing gears" for takeoffs and landings (i.e., you run with the backpack for takeoff, and also land using your legs), and steering is done by hand. Some PPGs have small cart options that can be added to allow for use of wheels instead of legs, but steering is still accomplished by hand. Two-seat PPCs require a Sport Pilot License to fly; PPGs are considered ultralights, and do not require a license to fly. PPCs require some type of trailer to transport, whereas most backpack style PPGs will fit in the trunk of your car. New England Chute Flyers deals exclusively in Powered Parachutes, and not Powered Paragliders.

Simply remove the parachute from its bag and lay it out in an inverted fashion behind the craft. As you begin your take-off roll, the forward motion of the craft, the wind if any, and the prop blast is enough to quickly bring the chute up overhead of the craft. Once it is fully inflated and centered overhead, go to full throttle and you'll be off and flying. Click here to see how the chute is inflated. Can I Launch it Myself? Yes. Simply lay the chute out as described above. Even with a little wind or even a fair breeze, the inverted layout will keep the wind from the leading edge thus preventing the chute from inflating until you are ready.

Steady surface winds of less than 4 mph for students, less than 8 mph for low-time pilots, and ideally no more than 12 mph winds for experienced pilots as gusting conditions are usually associated with winds of that velocity. Generally, the higher up you go, the stronger the winds become and at 30 mph headwinds you become a "hovercraft". Strong gusting conditions will accentuate the normal motion of the powered parachute, making your flight less comfortable and will hinder smooth landings.

Powered parachutes do indeed have maximum payload capacities, which are made up of the total weight of the pilot, passenger, and fuel. New England Chute Flyers requires passengers to weigh no more than 300 pounds in order to retain sufficient safety margins while operating the aircraft.

While on the ground, a single hand control stick turns the front wheel. While in the air, foot rudder pedals are pushed, push left to turn left, right to turn right, proportionate to how much you wish to turn. Your hands are kept free unless you adjust the throttle to climb or descend.

The Infinity has a ceiling of around 10,000 feet (also the FAA restriction for altitude), however most pilots regularly fly around 300-1000' above the ground. The "low & slow" capabilities of the powered parachute is truly what makes it a special aircraft.

Depending upon fuel capacity, pilot weight, throttle settings and weather conditions, your flight time will vary. The Infinity models can carry at least 10 gallons of gas, and will burn 3-4 gallons/hour. With no wind and at 30 mph, flying for 2.5 hours will let you travel 75 miles with fuel left in the tank in reserve.

The powered parachute is inherently safe due to its pendulum-like stability and its ram-air parachute/wing. The fact that this craft’s wing is a parachute means that from the time it leaves the ground until it lands, it has a safety parachute deployed. If the wind or thermal conditions become unfavorable, the pilot will be uncomfortable well before he is unsafe, thus allowing him ample time to land and fly another day. 

Move a hand lever to turn left or right on the ground. Push a foot bar to turn left or right in the air. Increase or decrease throttle for altitude adjustment. THAT’S ALL THERE IS TO IT!!! It’s really that simple! Actual instruction to fly the craft varies based on the individual and FAA requirements, but usually can be accomplished in approximately 10 hours with a flight instructor. The two-seat Commander requires a minimum of a Sport Pilot rating to fly.

A powered parachute is priced comparable to high-end road bikes, snowmobiles, and jet skis and uses high octane auto gasoline. The cost of Infinity powered parachutes range from $19,000 - $35,000 for a 2-seat machine. After the initial expense of purchasing your Infinity, there is very little upkeep required compared to any other type of aircraft. Flight training for your Infinity will cost $250/hour. Click here to learn more about flight training.

Most powered parachute pilots use small utility trailers to transport their planes. They can also be nosed into the bed of a pickup, full or mini sized. If not stored in an enclosed trailer, a garage or utility shed will easily accommodate a powered parachute.

Since a powered parachute is a constant airspeed vehicle, the craft is almost impossible to slow to an airspeed where lift and forward momentum are not maintained, with or without power. Its pendulum stability makes it virtually impossible to stall, loop, roll or spin this type of craft.

Yes, your Infinity Powered Parachute comes fully assembled and test flown, and it ready-to-fly when you receive it.


LOCATION

Contact

Email: info@chuteflyers.com
Phone: 856-FLY-4-FUN (359-4386)