{{Short description|American powered parachute}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use American English|date=January 2022}} <!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. --> {{Infobox aircraft | name = Excel | logo = | logo_size = | image = | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Powered parachute]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[United States]] | manufacturer = [[Skymaster Powered Parachutes]] | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = Production completed (2008) | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = at least ten | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = 2001-2008 | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = [[Skymaster Single Seater]] | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''Skymaster Excel''' is an American [[powered parachute]] that was designed and produced by [[Skymaster Powered Parachutes]] of [[Hartland, Wisconsin]]. 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 85. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X</ref>

The aircraft was introduced in 2001 and production ended when the company went out of business in late 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.flyskymaster.com/ |title=Fly Skymaster |website=Internet Archive Wayback Machine |access-date=12 August 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flyskymaster.com/Company-History.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514011349/http://www.flyskymaster.com/Company-History.htm|title=Company History|archive-date=14 May 2008 |work=flyskymaster.com|access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>

==Design and development== The aircraft complies with the [[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale]] [[microlight]] category, including the category's maximum gross weight of {{convert|450|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} and also the US ''Experimental - Amateur-built'' aircraft rules. The aircraft has a maximum gross weight of {{convert|385|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. It features a {{convert|550|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} [[parachute]]-style wing, two-seats-in-[[tandem]] accommodation, [[tricycle landing gear]] and a single {{convert|65|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Hirth 2706]] engine in [[pusher configuration]]. The {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] engine was also offered.<ref name="WDLA04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flyskymaster.com/STAND-EQ.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514011445/http://www.flyskymaster.com/STAND-EQ.htm|title=Price For The Skymaster Excel|archive-date=14 May 2008|work=flyskymaster.com|access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>

The aircraft carriage is built from bolted [[aluminium]] 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|421|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} and a gross weight of {{convert|850|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}, giving a useful load of {{convert|429|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. With full fuel of {{convert|10|u.s.gal}} the payload for crew and baggage is {{convert|369|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="WDLA04"/>

==Operational history== In August 2015 ten 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=EXCEL&PageNo=1|title = Make / Model Inquiry Results|access-date = 12 August 2015|last = [[Federal Aviation Administration]]|date = 12 August 2015}}</ref>

The design won many awards, including 2001 [[Sun 'n Fun]] Grand Champion, 2001 [[AirVenture]] Oshkosh Flex-wing Champion, 2002 AirVenture Oshkosh Flex-wing Champion, 2003 AirVenture Oshkosh Flex-wing Champion, 2003 Sun 'n Fun Innovations and 2004 Sun 'n Fun Best Trike.<ref name="WDLA04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flyskymaster.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014132742/http://www.flyskymaster.com/|title=Skymaster|archive-date=14 October 2008|work=flyskymaster.com|access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref> It was later developed into a smaller single seat design, the [[Skymaster Single Seater]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flyskymaster.com/SINGLE%20SEAT.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080318233256/http://www.flyskymaster.com/SINGLE%20SEAT.htm|title=Single seater|archive-date=18 March 2008|work=flyskymaster.com|access-date=18 August 2015}}</ref> <!-- ==Variants== --> <!-- ==Aircraft on display== -->

==Specifications (version) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Bertrand and manufacturer<ref name="WDLA04"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flyskymaster.com/SPECIFICATION.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514011405/http://www.flyskymaster.com/SPECIFICATION.htm|title= Skymaster Excel Specifications|archive-date=14 May 2008|work=flyskymaster.com|access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref> |prime units?=imp<!-- imp or kts first for US aircraft, and UK aircraft pre-metrification, met(ric) first for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show --> <!-- General characteristics --> |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity=one passenger |length m= |length ft=10 |length in=0 |length note= |span m= |span ft= |span in= |span note= |height m= |height ft=7 |height in=1.5 |height note= |width m= |width ft=6 |width in=0 |width note= carriage width |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=550 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg=191 |empty weight lb= |empty weight note= |gross weight kg=385 |gross weight lb= |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|10|u.s.gal}} |more general= <!-- Powerplant --> |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Hirth 2706]] |eng1 type=twin cylinder, [[two-stroke]], air-cooled [[aircraft engine]] |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=65

|prop blade number=3 |prop name=composite, ground adjustable |prop dia m= |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop note=

<!-- Performance --> |perfhide=

|max speed kmh=47 |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=800 |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=1.5 |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.flyskymaster.com/ Company website archives] on [[Archive.org]]

[[Category:Skymaster Powered Parachutes aircraft|Excel]] [[Category:2000s United States sport aircraft]] [[Category:2000s United States ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft]] [[Category:Powered parachutes]] [[Category:Homebuilt aircraft]]