The Paraborne Backplane is an American paramotor that was designed by Scott Alan and produced by Paraborne Aviation of Kissimmee, Florida for powered paragliding.^[1][2]

Design and development

As production of the Daiichi Kosho Whisper, for which Paraborne acted as US distributor, came to a close, the company developed its own derivative design, replacing the Daiichi Kosho DK 472 engine with a Hirth powerplant of similar output.^[1][2]

The Backplane was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules. It features a paraglider-style high wing, single-place accommodation and a single 22 hp (16 kW) Hirth F-33 engine in pusher configuration. Original factory canopy options included the Ranger or the Seal designs. As is the case with all paramotors, takeoff and landing is accomplished on foot.^[1]

The aircraft was not a commercial success, production was halted and the company went out of business in about 2004.^[2]

Specifications (Backplane)

Data from Cliche^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Wing area: 340 sq ft (32 m²)
• Empty weight: 42 lb (19 kg)
• Gross weight: 260 lb (118 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 3 U.S. gallons (11 L; 2.5 imp gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Hirth F-33 single cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine, 22 hp (16 kW)
• Propellers: 3-bladed ground adjustable, carbon fiber

Performance

• Cruise speed: 25 mph (40 km/h, 22 kn)
• Rate of climb: 400 ft/min (2.0 m/s)