Summit Steel Breeze

{{Short description|American powered parachute}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use American English|date=January 2022}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = Steel Breeze | logo = | logo_size = | image = | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Powered parachute]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[United States]] | manufacturer = [[Summit Aerosports]] | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = In production | 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 '''Summit Steel Breeze''' is an American [[powered parachute]], designed and produced by [[Summit Aerosports]] of [[Yale, Michigan]]. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly aircraft.<ref name="KitplanesDec2012">Bernard, Mary and Suzanne B. Bopp: ''Summit Aerosports: Summit 2, Steel Breeze and Mini Breeze'', Kitplanes, Volume 29, Number 12, December 2012, pages 27-28. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref>

==Design and development== The Steel Breeze is intended as a [[light-sport aircraft]] compliant design. It features a [[parachute]]-style [[high-wing]], two seats in [[tandem]] accommodation, [[tricycle landing gear]] and a single engine in [[pusher configuration]]. Engines available include the {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]], the {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} liquid-cooled [[Rotax 582]], the {{convert|70|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Hirth 3503]] [[two-stroke]]s and the [[four-stroke]] {{convert|60|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[HKS 700E]].<ref name="KitplanesDec2012" /><ref name="Specs">{{cite web|url = http://www.steelbreezeppc.com/steel-breeze.htm|title = Steel Breeze|accessdate = 27 November 2012|last = [[Summit Aerosports]]|year = 2012}}</ref>

The Steel Breeze's [[airframe]] is built from {{convert|1.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} [[TIG-welded]], [[powder coated]] [[4130 steel]] tubing. The standard rectangular Mustang S-500 canopy has an area of {{convert|500|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} and is attached at four points to increase stability. The Mustang S-500 allows a gross weight of {{convert|850|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. Optional canopies include the rectangular Mustang S-550 which allows a gross weight of {{convert|950|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} and the elliptical Thunderbolt E-340 which allows a gross weight of {{convert|900|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. In-flight steering is accomplished via foot pedals that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has nosewheel steering controlled by a butterfly steering wheel and the main landing gear incorporates [[Bungee cord|bungee]] suspension.<ref name="KitplanesDec2012" /><ref name="Specs" />

As of August 2012, the design does not appear on the [[Federal Aviation Administration]]'s list of approved special light-sport aircraft.<ref name="FAASLSA">{{cite web|url = http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/gen_av/light_sport/media/SLSA_Directory.xls|title = SLSA Make/Model Directory|accessdate = 21 November 2012|last = [[Federal Aviation Administration]]|date = 27 October 2012}}</ref>

==Specifications (Steel Breeze) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Kitplanes and Summit Aerosports<ref name="KitplanesDec2012" /><ref name="Specs" /> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity=one passenger |length m= |length ft=10 |length in=3 |length note= |span m= |span ft= |span in= |span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=500 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=323 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=850 |gross weight note=with Mustang S-500 wing |fuel capacity={{convert|14|u.s.gal}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Rotax 503]] |eng1 type=twin cylinder, [[two-stroke]], air-cooled [[aircraft engine]] |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=50

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=25 |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=4:1 |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=400 |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.steelbreezeppc.com/steel-breeze.htm}} {{Aircraft Sales And Parts}}

[[Category:2000s United States ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft]] [[Category:Powered parachutes]]