Buckeye Dream Machine
American powered parachute
title: "Buckeye Dream Machine" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1990s-united-states-ultralight-aircraft", "single-engined-pusher-aircraft", "powered-parachutes"] description: "American powered parachute" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckeye_Dream_Machine" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary American powered parachute ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox aircraft"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Dream Machine |
| aircraft_type | Powered parachute |
| national_origin | United States |
| manufacturer | Buckeye Industries |
| status | Production completed |
| number_built | 300 (1998) |
| introduction | 1985 |
| :: |
| name = Dream Machine | logo = | logo_size = | image = | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Powered parachute | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = United States | manufacturer = Buckeye Industries | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = Production completed | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 300 (1998) | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 1985 | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Powered-parachute-flying.jpg" caption="Buckeye two-place model powered parachute in flight"] ::
The Buckeye Dream Machine is an American powered parachute that was designed and produced by Buckeye Industries, introduced in 1985. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft, as a kit, in the form of plans for amateur construction.
Design and development
The aircraft was designed as a two-place ultralight trainer. It features a parachute-style high-wing, two seats in tandem, tricycle landing gear and a single 50 hp Rotax 503 engine in pusher configuration. The 64 hp Rotax 582 liquid-cooled engine was a factory option.
The aircraft is built from a combination of bolted aluminium and 4130 steel tubing. In flight steering is accomplished via foot pedals that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has lever-controlled nosewheel steering. The main landing gear incorporates spring rod suspension. The aircraft was factory supplied in the form of an assembly kit that requires 30–40 hours to complete.
The standard day, sea level, no wind, take off with a 64 hp engine is 500 ft and the landing roll is 100 ft.
Operational history
By 1998 the company reported that 300 kits had been sold and were completed and flying.
The design won Best in Category and both AirVenture and Sun 'n Fun and Grand Champion - Powered Parachutes" at the EAA Northwest Fly-In at Arlington, Washington.
Specifications (Dream Machine)
|ref=Cliche and Purdy |prime units?=imp General characteristics
|genhide=
|crew=one |capacity=one passenger |length m= |length ft= |length in= |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=300 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=800 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity=8 u.s.gal |more general= Powerplant
|eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Rotax 503 |eng1 type=twin cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=50
|prop blade number= |prop name= |prop dia m= |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop note=
Performance
|perfhide=
|max speed kmh= |max speed mph=30 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=26 |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= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=800 |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= |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics=
|see also= |related= |similar aircraft= |lists=
References
References
- Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page D-3. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN. 0-9680628-1-4
- Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition'', page 336. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. {{ISBN. 0-9636409-4-1
- Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', page 80. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
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