Para-Ski XS

{{Short description|Canadian powered parachute}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use Canadian English|date=January 2022}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = XS | logo = | logo_size = | image = | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Powered parachute]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[Canada]] | manufacturer = [[Para-Ski]] | 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 = [[Para-Ski VX]] | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''Para-Ski XS''' is a Canadian [[powered parachute]] that was designed and produced by [[Para-Ski]] of [[Mascouche]], [[Quebec]]. The aircraft was supplied as a completed aircraft or as component kits for [[Homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]].<ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page D-10. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref>

==Design and development== The aircraft was designed to be an all-terrain vehicle, capable of operating cross-country on wheels, skis, floats and flying under a canopy. As such it incorporates some design features that are unusual on powered parachutes. It features a custom made Para-Ski [[parachute]]-style [[high-wing]], two-seats-in-[[tandem]] accommodation, quadracycle [[landing gear]] and a single {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] engine in [[pusher configuration]]. To allow land and water operations the propeller has a rudder behind it, in the manner of an [[airboat]], for steering via a set of handlebars. For surface operations the parachute is stowed in a specially designed compartment under the rear seat and the handlebars steer the wheels or the float-fitted water rudders. In flight the XS is steered either by the rudders, by foot pedals that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw, or by a combination of both.<ref name="Cliche" />

The aircraft is made from welded [[aluminum]] with the axles made from steel. It includes a fairing to provide protection for the occupants and a shield to keep water and stones out of the propeller during land and water operations. The aircraft is capable of taking off from water, provided the wing can be laid out on the shoreline without getting wet. The wing is a high-performance design that allows a fast cruising speed for a powered parachute of {{convert|40|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Cliche" />

In 1998 the XS design was altered to allow it to also optionally mount a [[hang glider]]-style wing, transforming it into an [[ultralight trike]] and allowing faster cruising speeds than the parachute wing permits.<ref name="Cliche" />

==Specifications (XS) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Cliche<ref name="Cliche" /> |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=656 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=340 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=820 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|9|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=40 |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=950 |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=1.30 |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

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

==References== {{reflist}}

{{Para-Ski aircraft}}

[[Category:Para-Ski aircraft|XS]] [[Category:1990s Canadian ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft]] [[Category:Powered parachutes]]