Heldeberg Marathon

{{Short description|American powered parachute}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use American English|date=January 2022}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = Marathon | logo = | logo_size = | image = | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Powered parachute]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[United States]] | manufacturer = [[Heldeberg Designs]] | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = Production completed | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''Heldeberg Marathon''', also called the '''Blue Heron Marathon''', is an American [[powered parachute]], that was designed and produced by [[Heldeberg Designs]] of [[Altamont, New York]].<ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page D-8. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref><ref name="KitplanesFeb2005">Downey, Julia: ''2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 50. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="WDLA04">Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', page 80. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X</ref>

==Design and development== The Marathon was designed to comply with the US [[FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles]] two-seat trainer rules and today is marketed as a [[light-sport aircraft]]. The aircraft takes its name from its design goal of an aircraft with long range and endurance and features a range of {{convert|115|mi|km|0|abbr=on}}. It features a [[parachute]]-style [[high-wing]], two-seats-in-[[tandem]] accommodation, [[tricycle landing gear]] and originally a single {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]] engine in [[pusher configuration]]. The {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] was the standard engine used on later models.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="BH">{{cite web|url = http://www.blueheronppc.com/marathon.htm|title = Blue Heron Marathon|accessdate = 14 March 2012|last = [[Heldeberg Designs]]|date = |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120229212501/http://www.blueheronppc.com/marathon.htm |archivedate = 29 February 2012}}</ref>

The aircraft is built from a combination of bolted [[dural]] [[aluminium]] and [[stainless steel]] tubing. It features a double ring propeller guard that has been roll-over tested. The {{convert|10|u.s.gal}} fuel tank is made from aluminium. In flight steering is accomplished via foot pedals, or optionally a control stick, that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has lever-controlled nosewheel steering. The main landing gear incorporates gas strut suspension. The aircraft is factory supplied in the form of an assembly kit that requires 30–50 hours to complete.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="WDLA04"/>

Originally marketed by the factory under their own name, the aircraft was later marketed under the brand name ''Blue Heron'', although the manufacturer remained the same.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="WDLA04"/><ref name="BH" />

==Specifications (Blue Heron Marathon) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Manufacturer<ref name="BH" /> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity=one passenger |length m= |length ft=9 |length in=8 |length note= |span m= |span ft=39 |span in=6 |span note= |height m= |height ft=6 |height in=6 |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=500 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=308 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=850 |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=

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=32 |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=115 |range nmi= |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=900 |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=1.7 |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

{{aircontent  |see also= |related= |similar aircraft= |lists= }}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.blueheronppc.com/marathon.htm}} {{Heldeberg Designs aircraft}}

[[Category:1990s United States ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft]] [[Category:Powered parachutes]]