II Paramotor-Comparison Ojovolador [May 19-21, 2006]
HOW TESTS WILL BE DONE

Participating Manufacturers:

CREW:
The official Judges of the PPG-Comparison event are experienced pilots and impartial persons to guarantee that the same conditions will be applied to all PPG units on test.
From Ojovolador: Claudia Riquelme (PG & PPG pilot; journalist specialized in flight); Daniel Crespo (PG & PPG competition/test pilot, PR and writer); Claudio Heidel (PG & PPG pilot); and Roman Quintana (PPG pilot; expert in audio measures).
Special collaborator: Airges: Paco Diaz (test pilot & PPG trikes designer with a vast experience as pilot of several aircrafts); Jose Luis Prada (HG, ULM & balloon pilot); Gabriel Garcia (PPG pilot); Eva Maria Andrada (ULM pilot).
We will also count on the support from the experts of Active Flight Systems, who are making special adaptations of their instrument QUEST XC! for this testing event.

NOTE: All the tests are objective bench tests that do not include in-flight experiences. These are very difficult to put in an objective way unless more than 2-3 pilots fly each unit, which is really difficult to do. Manufacturers need time to see the value of such measures, but we believe that the testing session we'll apply to each paramotor this time will provide enough valuable information to convince the manufacturers that this PPG Comparison is a great idea both for the pilots (to know more and make better choices) and for them, to promote their products.

INSTRUMENTS:
The proven precision of the PPG instrument QUEST XC! from Active Flight Systems, will provide the consumption, rpm, and temperature measures, together with the exact air pressure, humidity and time for each measure. All data will be logged by the instrument, and saved to our computer for further analysis.
We'll also use our own test-bench equipped with a high-precision digital dynamometer for thrust and weight tests.

DATA, TESTS & MEASURES:

I. Data – to be registered at the reception of each paramotor by judges of the PPG-Comparison.
(Friday May 19th, between 3 and 8:30 pm)

1. Make and Model of the unit
2. Dimensions - unit and disassembled (cm):
a) number of pieces,
b) type of unions (velcro, clips)
c) average time of assembly and disassembling.
3. Material of cage
4. Weight according to manufacturer’s data: with and without harness
5. Type and Size of propeller
6. Capacity of Fuel Tank
7. Engine:
a) manufacturer
b) Model
c) Power (HP)
d) Cylinder capacity (cc)
e) Carburetor
f) Reduction gear (mechanical, belt, toothed belt, etc.)
g) Reduction ratio
h) Type of start
8. Recommended Pilot’s Weight
9. Hang point type
10. Harness:
a) manufacturer
b) description,
c) materials
11. Emergency Parachute container: preinstalled (yes/no, position)
12. Included at delivery (bag, prop cover, manual, tools, etc.)
13. Retail price
14. Other particular (unique) features - describe

II. TESTS AND MEASURES
*For each unit’s set of test on bench we will register time, atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity.

1. Weight: Paramotor with and without harness; empty tank
2. Start efficiency (cold engine): Ignition will be started according to the manufacturer’s instructions by one of the judges. We will register the number of attempts to make the engine run.
3. Maximum Static Thrust: We will measure maximum thrust (kg) given by the unit during 30 seconds; and register the engine’s RPM of the motor.
4. Fuel Consumption at 30kg of thrust, or the equivalent thrust to level flight depending on the type of PPG unit, in liters/hour.
5. Fuel Consumption at maximum thrust, in liters/hour
6. Noise Level (db): at maximum thrust – on the position of the pilot’s head.
7. Noise Level (db): at level flight (30 kg of thrust or equivalent to level flight) – on the position of the pilot’s head
8. Temperature of the engine after tests - on the head of cylinder (spark plug)

*RESULTS now available in our new PPG BUYER'S GUIDE, go!