Guide on how to choose your Miniplane paramotor
Miniplane's choice is to cover, with the basic version, the widest range of use. The Miniplane can be successfully used when learning to fly or when competing, by light or heavy pilots, and even for tandem.
The best characteristics for Miniplane's design, in short:
- Very light weight
- Optimized aerodynamic shape for improved performance of engine and propeller
- A reliable engine and easy to use
- Design features for easy and economical maintenance and repairs
- Special attention to passive safety, with careful choice of frame geometry, materials and heat treatments
- Easy assembly and disassembly to facilitate transport, repairs and international air travel.
Nothing is left to chance, every solution is studied carefully considering the advantages and disadvantages, taking into account all the feedback from Miniplane's customers. The level of on-going satisfaction from the pilots confirms the validity of the choices.
Whether you are a new user or already an experienced pilot, you must be eager to fly a Miniplane Paramotor and you may need some advice on choosing your ideal paramotor.
The size of the paramotor is chosen to fit a pilot’s weight and height.
The Top 80 engine is light and offers enough power to suit lighter or heavier pilots alike. Heavier pilots need more thrust than lighter pilots, and it is the size of the propeller that dictates the amount of thrust available.
Longer propeller = higher thrust.
Although the engine is the same, different propeller sizes require different sizes of frame, cage and reduction gear.
It is also important to consider that a larger cage may cause more interference with the initial inflation of the glider (this is more of a factor in smaller gliders because they have shorter lines).
With these considerations in mind we recommend the M size frame and cage, only for pilots who are very light (under 70 Kg) and/or not very tall. The M size frame is available only in PSF version.
link: How to determine the various sizes of Miniplane frames
Please consider also these issues before making your decision:
For specific use (such as a training school or on a trike) you can use a larger cage/frame with a shorter propeller to increase the gap between the propeller and any frame/cage part.
If you use longer propellers than those that come standard with each frame/cage size to gain more thrust, the propeller will have less clearance from the frame and cage parts than recommended.
The use of a propeller spacer (M7A/1A) is another way to increase the gap between the propeller and the cage.
The L1 size cage on the L size frame allows the use of a larger propeller for heavier pilots.
Pilots who like to launch with a power inflation technique may wish to consider using the optional cage reinforcement kit, that also offers protection from high speed contact with competition slalom pole (T9RG).
2016 Model
|
M |
L | XL | |
| Standard propeller (cm) | 115 | 125 | 130 |
| Maximum propeller diameter (cm) | 120 | 130 | 135 |
| Cage diameter (cm) | 123 | 137 | 141 |
Which system: ABM or PSF?
To choose between the PSF or ABM harness systems is a very personal choice, and if possible we would recommend a flight test before your final decision, as to switch between one version to the other is possible but expensive and not so easy to accommodate.
Pilots with previous paragliding experience will usually prefer the ABM harness system as it most closely resembles the free flying weigh-shift sensations. The ABM version is only available on frame sizes L and L1.
Harris Christopoulos the 2012 Greek Champion winning on his ABM Miniplane .
The PSF harness system is enjoyed by pilots who are seeking more stability in a more relaxing flight.
Harness size:
PSF harnesses are available in sizes M, L and XL.
As a reference, you may consider that the L size harness is aimed at a pilot of 75-90 kg
For tall pilots up to 2 m and weighing up to 120 Kg, we suggest the XL size harness and with XL curved sidebars (T1DC).
ABM harnesses only come in M and L sizes, because the ABM geometry allows for a greater range of adjustment for all pilot shapes, covered by the two harness sizes.
As a reference, size M is aimed at pilots up to 85 Kg.
No table can be a substitute for a test with your local dealer.
Gearbox ratios:
The ratios are chosen depending on the size of the paramotor frame/cage (M, L or L1)
The first number is the number of cog teeth on the engine shaft, and the second number is the number of cog teeth on the propeller shaft.
For example, a 20/72 gear box gives the engine 3.6 revolutions for 1 revolution of the propeller.
The 19/73 gearbox is "shorter" or "slower" than a 21/71 gearbox.
A faster gearbox produces less torque.
For lighter pilots we suggest a gearbox ratio of 21/71 together with the M size frame.
For the L size frame we recommend the 20/72 gearbox ratio as the best compromise, the associated longest propeller length for this gearbox ratio is 125cm. For longer propellers this ratio would produce too much noise, so we recommend a 19/73 gearbox and a L1 cage.
When using longer or heavier propellers with a "shorter" gearbox ratio, the propeller bolts are put under higher stress, so we suggest the use of stronger T-nuts from the catalogue (M7DT).
Colour:
2009 World champion 2008 Michel Carnet showing some of the Miniplane frame colours
The latest list of available colours is available on the Miniplane Paramotor Engine Page