The Destiny 2000 features bucket seats equipped with a standard 5 point harnes. Landings are controlled both by power and flare. The chassis absorbing landings. Gear legs have built in suspension with fibreglass rods and 22-in tundra tires. With a frame built around such large tires, gives a 4-inch-higher clearance.
Destiny Powered Parachutes’ Destiny 2000 first flew in November 1999.
The Destiny 2000 has no cargo area, but comes with saddle bags. The Destiny 2000 has individual bucket seats in tandem and a 5-point restraint harnesses.
Destiny offered three different canopies. They have 500- and 550-square-foot square canopy models supplied both by Apco and Elan as well as a newer Chiron elliptical canopy. The Chiron (pronounced sha-RONE) canopy is made in Israel by Sycon Aircraft. After being sewn and tested in Israel, the canopies are again tested in Austria, which Brown feels provides extra assurance to buyers. Aluminum airframe, 4130 chromoly steel. Nylon canopy with Dacron suspension lines. The carriage made in the USA.
The instructor works the throttle from the rear, all the student does initially is steer the nosewheel with the hand control on the left. Since it operates fore and aft to steer left and right, it may take some time to acquire comfort with this system.
In light or no winds, the controlling foot bar will be held to a minimum but the instructor can always aid control by hand pulling the canopy’s lines at either side. Pulling in toward you by hand is similar to pushing with your legs in physical exertion and an experienced instructor can stay on top of the controls in this manner.
Despite a 20% increase in glide angle and some boost in handling qualities, most buyers don’t request the Chiron canopy. The added $900 expense no doubt accounts for some of this hesitancy, and the Chiron is somewhat more temperamental in the launch phase. If the lines are sufficiently entangled the canopy won’t inflate. The reliable square canopy rarely has this problem.
The Chiron canopy on the Destiny proved diving turns to 45 mph are possible with the Chiron’s wider speed range. The throttle at each seat is close and convenient; throttle also moves conventionally (i.e., lever forward is more power).
There is no rear steering system; at least other than an instructor tugging on lines by hand. Controls seem counterintuitive for 3-axis pilots: no flying is done by hand (though general aviation pilots all use rudders, which aren’t so different from powered parachute steering bars); and nosewheel steering is non-intuitive until you acquire some experience with it. The higher aspect ratio Chiron canopy brings glide improvement – around 5:1 versus about 4:1. The Chiron is also capable of faster gliding turns. The speed barely passes 40 mph even in a descending diving turn.
The Rotax 503 was standard at $13,800. Standard Features were Digital Engine Information System (EIS), spun aluminum wheels, strobe, adjustable front seat, 5-point seat belts, and side stash pouches. Options were a 66-hp Rotax 582, electric start, and brake. Destiny later added a small roll bar to better protect occupants, especially the rear person.
Destiny Powered Parachutes specialised in delivering a fully ready-to-fly powered parachute with many features built into the base price.
Destiny 2000
Span: 38 ft
Length: 10 ft
Width: 6.7 ft
Wing area: 500 or 550 sq.ft
Empty weight: 370 lb
Gross weight: 850 lb
Top speed: 30 mph
Cruise: 26 mph
Fuel capacity: 10 USG
Rate of Climb: 700 fpm
Take off roll: 150 ft
Landing roll: 150 ft
Destiny 2000 Chiron canopy
Engine: Rotax 503, 50 hp at 6,250 rpm
Canopy Area: 340 square feet
Empty weight: 365 pounds
Gross weight: 850 pounds
Fuel capacity: 10 US gallon
Cruise speed: 29 mph
Rate of climb at gross: 700 fpm
Takeoff distance at gross: 100-150 feet
Landing distance at gross: 100-150 feet
Canopy Loading: 2.5 pounds/square foot
Power loading: 17.0 pounds per hp
Seating: 2-seat, tandem
All Aero 