Airframes Unlimited SS-2 Trainer

{{Short description|American powered parachute}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use American English|date=January 2022}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = SS-2 Trainer | logo = | logo_size = | image = | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Powered parachute]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[United States]] | manufacturer = [[Airframes Unlimited]] | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = Production completed | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = At least 8 | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 2003 | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''Airframes Unlimited SS-2 Trainer''' is an American [[powered parachute]] that was designed and produced by [[Airframes Unlimited]] of [[Athens, Texas]] for the [[Trainer (aircraft)|training role]]. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit for [[Homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]].<ref name="WDLA04">Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', page 86. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X</ref>

The SS-2 Trainer was introduced in 2003 and production had ended by the time the company went out of business in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airframesunlimited.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517010211/http://airframesunlimited.com/|archive-date=17 May 2014|title=Airframes Unlimited|accessdate=11 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Design and development== The SS-2 Trainer was designed to comply with the US ''Experimental - Amateur-built'' aircraft rules. It features a [[parachute]]-style wing, two-seats-in-[[side-by-side configuration]], [[tricycle landing gear]] and a single {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] engine in [[pusher configuration]]. The {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]] engine was optional, as was a single seat configuration.<ref name="WDLA04"/>

The aircraft carriage is built from welded [[4130 steel]] tubing. In flight steering is accomplished via foot pedals that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has lever-controlled nosewheel steering. The main landing gear incorporates spring rod suspension.<ref name="WDLA04"/>

The aircraft has an empty weight of {{convert|375|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} and a gross weight of {{convert|827|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}, giving a useful load of {{convert|452|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. With full fuel of {{convert|10|u.s.gal}} the payload for crew and baggage is {{convert|392|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="WDLA04"/>

==Operational history== In August 2015 eight examples were [[Aircraft registration|registered]] in the United States with the [[Federal Aviation Administration]].<ref name="FAAReg">{{cite web|url = http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=&Modeltxt=SS-2&PageNo=1|title = Make / Model Inquiry Results|accessdate = 26 August 2015|last = [[Federal Aviation Administration]]|date = 26 August 2015}}</ref>

==Specifications (SS-2 Trainer) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Bertrand<ref name="WDLA04"/> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity=one passenger |length m= |length ft= |length in= |length note= |span m= |span ft= |span in= |span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft= |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg=170 |empty weight lb= |empty weight note= |gross weight kg=375 |gross weight lb= |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|10|u.s.gal}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Rotax 582]] |eng1 type=twin cylinder, [[two-stroke]], liquid-cooled [[aircraft engine]] |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=64

|perfhide=Y

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph= |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles= |range nmi= |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin= |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |sink rate ms= |sink rate ftmin= |sink rate note= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.airframesunlimited.com/ Company website archives] on [[Archive.org]] {{Airframes Unlimited aircraft}}

[[Category:Airframes Unlimited aircraft|SS-2]] [[Category:2000s United States sport aircraft]] [[Category:2000s United States ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft]] [[Category:Powered parachutes]]