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Solid Carbon Swing Arms
Solid Carbon Swing Arms
Solid Carbon Swing Arms
Solid Carbon Swing Arms
Solid Carbon Swing Arms
Solid Carbon Swing Arms

Solid Carbon Swing Arms

$465.00

Light, strong and simply stunning.

3/8" (recommended)
10mm
8mm
Clear
SKU: N/A Category:

Our new carbon fiber swing arms are almost 30% lighter compared to our metal swing arms. This is a huge achievement. It allows us to shave a pound from our paramotor’s final weight putting our machine in a whole different weight class while still being stronger than most swing arms currently on the market. Most importantly they look terrific and are a high-end upgrade to any paramotor.

The complete swing arm assembly including all hardware you see pictured weighs in at less than a kilogram (2 lbs and 2oz to be exact) and yet they can still safely support the highest loads from 99% of pilots.

Why carbon fiber? Isn't it brittle?

These swing arms are manufactured from solid pre-preg T700 carbon which is very expensive but much stronger than the more commonly used T300. It does not experience fatigue from repeated loading like metal swing arms and acts more like a spring to absorb vibrations and shock loads. During our destructive testing we noticed that when the swing arm does fail, the T700 plates specifically delaminate and some layers crush, but they do not snap and continue to hold several hundred pounds of load even after failure. 

Carbon fiber is extremely strong and stiff but does not hold up well in a shock impact. This is a problem for carbon paramotor parts that are very thin and why certain machines from certain brands will disintegrate from impacts. However, this mostly applies to thin carbon fiber parts. Our swing arms are almost 100 layers of solid carbon fiber. When we say solid, we mean they can probably be used in leu of a hammer.

When we started this project, we worked very closely with our carbon fiber manufacturer to develop a mold for the part and went through many design iterations and testing together to achieve our target needs. They even made a custom fixture for loading and testing our parts before sending them our way to make sure everything is in order. We showed no mercy. Many parts were broken which was very sad and painful to watch and it was extremely expensive. The molds were re-machined and adjusted several times. This was our most expensive, stressful and time consuming project. We almost gave up several times but decided to carry on and it has paid off.

What kind of testing have you done on the swing arms?

As always we started with the design stage and ran simulations to get a rough target for our design and molding. The problem is that carbon fiber will change drastically in strength based on how the layers are laid out and what type of weave is used. This was only a very rough starting point. 

Running simulations

After several iterations we achieved a basic break test on the swing arm plates with a 1900 pound MBS. This is the number other competitor manufacturers will throw at you but it is extremely dishonest and misleading to advertise this number. Swing arms are never loaded only in the ideal vertical orientation. The whole system must be tested together which adds twisting forces which will drastically affect this number.

After achieving our desired goal, we tested and improved the individual components to make sure those could support the required loading. We tested the new riser offset blocks as well as the shackles and the rear mounting systems and they all passed with flying colors and zero damage. 

Finally we did testing that takes into account the whole system assembled together. The final result is that we can still achieve almost 10g loading for a 110kg all up weight and 7.8g loading for 140kg all up. To put this into perspective, most paramotor wings that are DGAC certified are only tested to 5.25g’s at their max certified loading. 

We plan to perform test loading on every single swing arm before shipping them out to about 75% of their MBS to make sure every single one is consistent and will perform as expected and comes defect free for your safety.

New Riser Offset Blocks
Weight 2.2 lbs
Dimensions 18 × 8 × 2 in
Mounting Bolt Size:

3/8" (recommended), 10mm, 8mm

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6 S Sapphire Dr
Camano Island, WA 98282
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WARNING: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING!
THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY & WAIVER OF CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS
INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE OR CLAIM COMPENSATION

  1. I understand that each person participating in the Activity is a “Participant.” I am signing this on my own behalf and, if a Participant is under the age of 18, I am signing as that Participant’s parent or legal guardian.

  2. I understand that certain recreational activities that are conducted using equipment and accessories produced, assembled or sold by Iris Paramotor LLC, including but not limited to, paramotoring (also known as Powered Paragliding or “PPG”), paragliding, kiting /ground handling, gear maintenance, storage, transport, assembly and other directly or indirectly related activities, whether guided, instructed, self-directed or otherwise, including but not limited to, use of the equipment and accessories and our facilities (including parking lots, showroom, walkways, event tents) used for service, sale, instruction or for any other related reason (the “Activities”), CAN BE HAZARDOUS AND PRESENT A RISK OF SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH.

     

  3. I understand that in the United States, powered paragliding and some of the Activities listed above are classified under FAA Regulations part 103.7 as Ultralight Vehicles. It states that “An ultralight vehicle is not subject to Federal aircraft certification and maintenance standards.” and that “There is no assurance that a particular ultralight vehicle will have consistent performance, controllability, structural integrity, or maintenance. Your safety, and potentially that of others depends on your adherence to good operation and maintenance practices. This includes proper preflight techniques, operation of the vehicle within the manufacturer’s recommended flight envelope, operation only in safe weather conditions, and providing safety devices in anticipation of emergencies. Part 103 is based on the assumption that any individual who elects to fly an ultralight vehicle has-assessed the dangers involved and assumes personal responsibility for his/her safety.”

    I understand that by the inherent nature of these Activities and current regulations for the equipment and accessories used to participate these Activities, no manufacturing, testing or operational safety standards exist; I am knowingly choosing to use equipment to engage in Activities that are experimental in nature and are are not just uncertified but also uncertifiable. 

  4. I understand that all Activities carry risks, inherent and otherwise, including but not limited to, injury or death caused by: collision, falling, crashing or loss of balance, loss of control, high speeds, strenuous activity, equipment failure (including unexpected engine outs, physical part failure, unexpected behavior) or improper use; and the negligence of the activity operator, instructor, or other participants.

    In addition, each Activity carries certain unique risks, which include but are not limited to, injuries, death, property or equipment damage to the operator (Participant) or others caused by: (a) collisions or entanglements with ground, other people or aircraft, drones, balloons, vehicles, power lines, natural or manmade objects, trees, buildings, cell towers (b) minor or serious crashes caused by main canopy (paraglider) or reserve parachute malfunctions, equipment failures including but not limited to carabiner, swing arms, throttle, safety straps, harness, frame, frame hoop and netting, metal hardware and buckles, which can cause loss of control or unexpected and/or uncorrectable flight behaviors (c) serious injury or death on the ground or in flight caused by contact of pilot’s body or any other whole or part of equipment or accessory with propeller or any other mechanical parts (d) risk of fire due to fuel and oil spillage or improper maintenance, engine tuning or usage, storage or charging of batteries (e) contact with open water, capsizing, swimming, drowning, and cold water immersion (f) unexpected and/or uncontrollable flight behavior due to equipment malfunction, improper maintenance, unsafe equipment, equipment used outside of recommended parameters (such as pilot weight, height, skill level, recommended certifications), improper configuration, tuning, incorrect hang point or strap adjustment, neglected pre-flight and post-flight checks, modification, alteration of any part of the equipment or accessory and any operation outside of standard intended operational parameters  (g) operating in an unsafe or reckless manner such as flying around obstacles, conditions outside of operator’s skill level, flying in turbulence, in close proximity to ground, ground-starting, flying near storm fronts or other unsafe weather systems (h) unsafe or improper operation due to lack of professional training or pilot’s decision making practices.

    I understand that the description of the risks in this agreement is not complete and voluntarily choose for participant to participate in and EXPRESSLY ASSUME ALL RISKS AND DANGERS OF THE ACTIVITY AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE AND LOSS resulting therefrom, whether or not described here, known or unknown, inherent or otherwise.

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6. Additionally, in consideration for allowing the Participant to participate in the Activity, I AGREE, to the greatest extent permitted by law, TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AGAINST AND TO HOLD HARMLESS, RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND AGREE NOT TO SUE Iris Paramotor LLC and all their respective insurance companies, successors in interest, commercial & corporate sponsors, affiliates, agents, employees, contractors, representatives, assignees, officers, directors, and shareholders (each a “Released Party”) FOR ANY INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, LOSS, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR EXPENSE, WHICH I OR PARTICIPANT MAY SUFFER, ARISING IN WHOLE OR IN PART OUT OF PARTICIPANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THOSE CLAIMS BASED ON ANY RELEASED PARTY’S ALLEGED OR ACTUAL NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF ANY CONTRACT AND/OR EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF ANY RELEASED PARTY TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT AGAINST THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF THE ACTIVITY.

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