Welcome to www.ppccanopies.com

Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2008 8:20 AM
--- In powerchutes@yahoogroups.com, "Ken" <ken.schwartz@...> wrote:

I purchased and received my new Thunderbolt E340 today. Bought it on Monday and came today from Canada. Had it on in about 30 minutes and was ready to fly. Took it out to the field today to test fly.

Replaced my Quantum 500 with it. The Quantum at level flight was cruising at 26mph, 4475 rpm, climb rate of 1000 fpm at full throttle. The Thunderbolt has me cruising at 31 - 32 mph at 4150 rpm. Climb improved about 100 fpm at full throttle. I am a previous owner of a Chiron and I can tell you this Thunderbolt wing is awesome! It kites up so much easier and is rock solid! It comes straight up overhead with no tendencies of falling off to the side. I had to really power
my Chiron up and this just sits there when kiting it down the field. Really nice wing and handles great! I have it set at the stock 2:1 steering on my Buckeye and brake pressure is high. Going to try extending the bars and going 1:1 on next flight. Used stock risers as well... I was burning 3 gph before. Not sure what it is saving me until I fill back up.

Ken

Date: 11/8/2008 7:24:59 AM
--- In powerchutes@yahoogroups.com, "darrell" <dagwodzz@...> wrote:
I have been flying a Chiron for years A 340 and a 310 While I always liked them. While testing for the Dragonfly I started investigating and flying the Thunderbolt. The 280 is fantastic. Just last week I replaced my Chiron 340 with a Thunderbolt 340. The Thunderbolt does in fact kite quicker than The Chiron and does not rock on kite up, requires less speed to stabilize it .

The reason I found out during testing is although the two wings are the same , some say a copy, is that the Thunderbolt is made of lighter fabric. That being said the lighter wing will kite quicker requiring less speed to fly. I must say I like the Thunderbolt better than my Chiron. I had over 250 hours under the Chiron to compare it to.

----Original Message-----

Sent: Friday, April 14, 2006 10:50 AM
Subject: Fwd: Re: [PPCBuilders] 310 Chiron Wings

--- In PPCBuilders@yahoogroups.com, Jurgen Ziegler
<jurgenw_ziegler@...> wrote:

Why does Craig want a Chiron? I would never by another Chiron I get a
Thunderbolt.

Jürgen in North Pole, Alaska
Mosquito / König 4 Cylinder / "Bad Bad Bad" Chiron 310?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

M D Ignazito <mdipe@...> wrote: Craig:
Don't do it. The Chiron 310 ain't like the Chiron 340. It is made
by cutting two cells out of a 340. Different animal altogether. Of
course you are your own man and can do what you like.

Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2004 - 2006 11:27 PM
Subject: Fwd: Re: PPC Chiron 3xx versus Thunderbolt 340
opinions/arguments wanted..../Brian

In powerchutes@yahoogroups.com, "Walt M" <stewartm@...> wrote:
I've owned both chutes - a Chiron 340 and a Thunderbolt 340 - at the same time. I'd had the Thunderbolt on my machine for about 45 hours when, at the Powrachute Flyin, I decided to put my Chiron back on my Destiny. I had flown three times that day with the Thunderbolt and had no problems at all. The winds were down and EVERYONE was free-flying. I put the Chiron back on and set the steering lines back to their proper positions (I had marked the lines prior to taking the chute off) and started off just like I did the other three times that morning. The Chiron came up swinging. I couldn't get it to kite up without swinging back and forth. I spent the better part of two hours trying to figure out why it wouldn't come up steady. These were the same symptoms that I'd had with the Chiron, more often than not, since I'd first installed it on my ppc. I put my Thunderbolt back on - same risers - and it came up just like a square.

don't know if I got a "bad" Chiron or if this is standard for the Chiron. Mine is the only Chiron that I've flown so I don't have the experience of flying multiple Chirons to see if the trait is similar from chute to chute. Evan Green had come to the Powrachute Flyin with his Chiron and I watched it kite up as steady as my Thunderbolt. I have seen other Chirons exhibit a tendency to oscillate, however. Rarely do I see that happen with the Thunderbolt.

By the way, this was done flying BOTH chutes on the SAME day in similar wind conditions - within an hour or so of each other. I sold the Chiron and only fly the Thunderbolt, now...

~ Walt...

From: "Andy Chambers"
Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2003 3:32 PM
Subject: Re: RE: FW: E340

Yes! Unreal! I don't know why... but everyone here agrees that it seems to be more stable than the Chiron on takeoff and definitely out climbs it. The only noticable difference is the fabric. I think that this spring, several of my guys are going to switch to this wing. How is the logo chute coming along?

~ Andy

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Smith Sent: Monday, May 10, 2004 4:04 AM
Subject: Thunderbolt
I have flown the thunderbolt 340E on a powered parachute and was amazed at the incredible lift it has. Having flown an Apco 500 square foot dove tail and the Chiron 340 elliptical this one handles so much nicer on take off and landing as well as in the air. I was curious as to what the loading specs per square foot were on this wing.

My chute arrived today and all I can say is WOW. It is beauitful! The workmanship is great.
Thanks, from One happy customer

~ Bob Fernandez

I fly a condor now with a Thunderbolt using 43" risers attached at the top with one quick link and it is the best kiting, best flying set up i have flown. And I have flown nearly everything out there. I can take off in crosswinds and NEVER has this set up caused me to have a scary take off. It Kites perfect everytime.

~ Scott Malone

I bought a Thunderbolt 340 after flying another elliptical for over 150 hours. I'll never go back. Guys - it rocks!

The TB 340's performance is outstanding in the air. Just as good as any other elliptical, but on the ground is where it really shines. It's ground handling performance is the same as just about any square chute. It kites up steady and straight - even in light crosswinds.

Before the Thunderbolt, I would not have recommended an elliptical for any new pilot. Now I tell everyone to "Go get a Thunderbolt. You won't be sorry". Great job!!

Walt Meziere
Rockwall, TX
Thunderbolt 340

I tested Marty's thunderbolt at Macomb. I went to full power, and stayed at full power until airborn. It kited like a champ, and I did not have to add any inputs/flare. I did my rolling preflight under full power. There was the slightest downwind breeze, and the chute has a higher airspeed than either or mine, so the only thing I noticed was the longer take off roll.

I never tried a Chiron, but the Thunderbolt was the best chute I have flown to date. I actually hesitated in trying the Thunderbolt because I didn't think I would want to buy it. But, now, in the next month or so, I would say that I would be ready to buy it. However, as someone looking at buying a THIRD chute, I think I want to try the Chiron first just to make sure.

Any Chiron dealers want to let me demo the Chute?

YEEEEE HAAAA. Finally got to fly my new E310 on the 447 Spirit last night. WOW! I think I'm gonna love this wing. Super quick inflation, amazing response and it looks good too.

Real short check-out flight. Can't wait to get a real feel for it.

Happy in NY
~ Dale

----- Original Message -----
From: American
Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2005 10:31 AM
Subject: RE: American Spirit Fight Across America II

"I had many equipment problems, but the Thunderbolt E-310 wing was not one of them. The Thunderbolt wing is what made the long flights possible with only 5 gallons of fuel on board. Because of it's reliability and efficiency I will be using it on the next attempt also."

~ Steve

Steve says:
I was just out rearranging the exhaust on the Mini Me when Fed Ex showed up and delivered my new Thunderbolt E-310! I have to say that this wing has the most complete and informative owner's manual that I have ever seen.

Gary says:
With the Thunderbolt 340, I cruise at 37 mph solo. Up to 42 with a good size passenger. I was flying the Skybolt 430, which is slow, so this is a big increase in my speed and range.

Dave, if you want to fly the TB on your Pegasus, you could build a spreader bar.

~ Gary Fisher

-- In PPCBuilders@yahoogroups.com, "M D Ignazito" <mdipe@c...> wrote:

I flew my E310 today on my Buckeye. Geez what a great wing. Cruise rpm 4700 vs 5400 for the Elan 500. Power off sink 400 (need to verify this quick check as it seems too low) vs 650 for the Elan. I also have a technique for takeoff with a 582 that seems to work great. Once the chute comes nearly up I "backoff" from full power to just the point where it would barely takeoff and add flare. When she starts "skipping" like a GA airplane, I ease on full power and off we go smooth as silk. You have to smoothly "dial in" some right foot as you power up to retain control while easing off the flare, sort of a juggling act, but who said it would be easy. Just like an airplane
with the rudder on climbout. I may just get another E310 for the Buckeye instead of the E340 I was planning to get. The climb angle is fantastic. Like an elevator or helicopter. Next outing I'm going to try taxing chute up prior to takeoff just like with a rectum chute.

You Chiron jockies should try this and see what happens.

The rigging is now almost perfect. I have about 3" of right steering trim in to maintain straight and level in solo cruise with CGs dead equal and stock Buckeye riser differential (2-3/4"?). In glide I have to add a bit of left foot as one would expect to counteract the cruise power rigging. I think about 3/8" of left CG extension will get rid of the steering trim as going 3/4" more on the left CG needs about 3" of LEFT steering trim. I'm going to try that later on. It requires a new cross drilled hole as 3/8" is to close for hole spacing in a line IMHO. Touchy stuff eh?

To get 200-300 fpm sink on final approach I'm at 3800 rpm or so which is not much over warmup rpm. I can get it to taxi endlessly at about 15 mph on my ASI on landing rollout with no swaying or oscillations with about 1/3 to 1/2 flare. I have to add a bit of power to maintain this no doubt due to wheel drag on the grass. Cruise IAS is about 30 mph on my Hall Bros ASI solo. The 4700 rpm is a real peaceful cruise vs 5400 rpm. The noise level must be lower. Even with my helmet on,
it seems quieter.

Full throttle rpm is about 6375 which is still in the "flat spot" at the top of the 582 full throttle power curve so I think I'll leave the prop setting alone even though rpm dropped some when I removed my prop tape and polished the prop. This prop is not very steeply pitched (10 degrees at 65% sta) so I think this is OK. I'll run some prop calcs later to see what might happen, but this is a minor point IMHO. This setup looks like it can haul some major butt showing near 700 fpm solo. I have a few bigbutt friends who can act as ballast. Steve no longer qualifies, but we will try it when he comes here soon.

~Marty

---Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 8:20 PM
Subject: Fwd: Re: PPC Chiron 340 for Sale

--- In powerchutes@yahoogroups.com, Walt Meziere <stewartm@d...>
wrote:

Hey Ben,

I have the Chiron 340 and the Thunderbolt 340. I like the Thunderbolt better. Don't need two chutes. :-)

~ Walt

----- Original Message -----
From: Ben Fleming
To: powerchutes@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 4:30 PM
Subject: PPC Chiron 340 for Sale

---Walt why you selling it?? you look good in it at Columbus.

~Ben

-----Original Message-----
From: bnf Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2005 12:40 PM
Subject: RE: off the list

I don't have any photos at the present time with the E-310 on it. I will get some photos to send. I would really like to get some in the air also but I seldom fly with any one, now one around here fly a PPC except me so that maybe a little more difficult to get but I will try.

Thanks for a GREAT wing I have two of them and love both no desire to ever fly a square wing again.

~Ben

Dave says
I thought about the Chiron for a while, but I've witnessed too many Chiron's unloading. I've seen them unload on a take-off run when the rear wheels hit a slight bump. All the Chiron pilots in MN have eaten a Chiron at one time or another. One has eaten 3 of them. I don't know that the thunderbolt won't unload under the right circumstances, but so far I've not heard anything bad about them. I won't consider purchasing a chiron at this point now that there are other choices which may be a better wing.

--- In powerchutes@yahoogroups.com, "Dave Beckstrom" <dbeck@a...wrote:
Gary,

I'd like to try the thunderbolt but it won't fly on a 40" spread. If they ever offer the line sets for a narrow spread I'll try it. At the last fly-in I had a buddy who weighs 225 take up my student, who weighs 290, in a summit with the thunderbolt 340. They lifted terrific with a good rate of climb. I was very impressed with the chute.