The culmination of years of experimenting in a kiwi shed.
Ergonomics adapt to flight phase to ensure minimal compromises to performance and comfort.
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The Blackbird is the first production paramotor made by Paradynamics limited based in New Zealand. It is the culmination of many hundreds of hours of design and analysis, numerous prototypes and over 50hrs of dedicated test flying. It is a careful synthesis of our own innovations, proven standards and minimalism.
Currently available with either the Vittorazi Moster 185 PLUS or Moster 185 SIILENT engines. The Blackbird has been developed with an intermediate paramotor pilot in mind. Calculated trade-offs between functionality and simplicity, innovation and convention, engineering and affordability, lightness and ruggedness have all helped guide the design into it's current form.
Lazer cut aluminium chassis combine with a 19mm carbon fiber tube spoke frame and aluminium outer hoop. Extensive use of 2024 T3 aircraft aluminum provides a frame structure that is rigid and light. The increasingly common mid swing arm geometry with offset attachments is used and offers a very effective balance between weight shift ability and stability and effectively minimizes torque effect. 
An important design consideration from the beginning was to find the right balance between the level of engineering required and affordability. This guided the design towards the use of lazer cut aluminium and away from labour intensive welding and expensive CNC routing where possible. The current production model utilises no welding on the frame and is entirely bolted together. Other advantages of this approach are much improved repairability and the ability to upgrade parts as designs evolve.
One of the defining features of the Blackbird is it's self adjusting seat-back. It basically allows the pilot to fly while seated in a more reclined position without compromising take off performance and also allows the incorporation of a retractable, rigid foot rest. The ergonomics of foot launched aircraft represent an interesting design challenge. There is an ideal body position for take off and another ideal position for flying. Free-flying paragliders have achieved both decades ago but they don't have the increased challenges of requiring a horizontal thrust line and the extra aft weight associated with PPG. Paramotor pilots however have long accepted compromised comfort in cruise due to an upright seating position. Most current paramotor designs maintain a vertical seat back because it's easy to design and manufacture and gives generally good T/O performance. Designs that enable the pilots various ideal body positions to be optimized are not new however the Paradynamics approach utilizes no complicated mechanisms or increase in pilot workload. There are no leavers to set or pulleys to adjust. Simply sit into your harness when airborne and the seat back pivots forward allowing a more reclined posture. Stand up when ready to land and the seat back pivots back. It is a simple solution requiring only an initial fitting adjustment to fine-tune the thrust-line and comfort.
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Adventure need not be uncomfortable. |
The pivoting seat back also improves aerodynamics by moving the fuel tank away from the prop and into a more streamlined position.
The foot extension combined with the reclined seating position greatly improves comfort especially on extended flights. During flight it is easily extended by hooking your heal into a half hoop and sliding it out as you would a speed bar. It is held in the extended position by a latch that is actuated by the weight of the pilots feet. The whole sliding extension is easily removed by depressing two quick release catches if you are eager to remove 780 grams and a couple of moving parts. Ours tend to stay as the added function and comfort has become an expectation even on shorter flights. The footrest pivots, acting as a weight shift assistance input or as a subtle rudder when minor course corrections are required taking photos etc. One more advantage the pivoting seat back offers is the improved versatility when parked on the ground. When stored or transported the frame can be configured to sit within a very compact footprint or alternatively, out in the field, it's front stand can be pivoted forward to greatly improve ground stability. TECHNICAL FEATURES FOR BASE MODEL*
*OPTIONS & UPGRADES
As any paramotor enthusiest will attest, one of the major benefits that a paramotor offers over other forms of aviation is it's extreme portability. Effort has been applied to the breakdown of the Blackbird by use of quick releases on the tube spokes and a quick release outer hoop tensioning system. The safety net quickly and easily tensions by use of two v-cleats and allows an initial setup of around 15 min. The harness is also attached with quick releases and the swing arms are easily removed by use of top harness attach fittings.
All said and done, we are proud of the Blackbird and are convinced you will enjoy flying it as much as we have. * All specifications are subject to change as designs develop.
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