[DarthVader]

Al is thinking about his new Trike this may be the one.... Any arguments or objections?

- Click on a photo to view an enlargement -


View more ATF ultralight trike photos in the Photo Gallery · View a list of ATF Trike upgrades in the Trikes Price List

View the quality and strength of our wing hardware in close-up photos · Wing Hardware Photo Gallery

View a Light Sport Trike Wing going through extensive strength and airworthiness testing · Light Sport Wing Testing

The new Stratus XP Light Trike Wing!
With the reputation of the Stratus, why would we change a good thing? The Answer: To build an even better Light Trike soaring wing. The new Stratus XP has a 10% better sink rate and 5% better glide! In addition to improved performance, we have maintained the same great handling reputation that the Stratus is famous for.

We have added features that are known to
reduce drag and increase performance:
• Curved fiberglass tips
• New sail cut design
• New rib camber design
• Aerofoil down tubes
• Internal sprog
• Less luffline cables
• Flip tip rib ends (no strings or grommets on trailing edge)

Just one of these changes that add 1 or 2% efficiency may not show an apparent increase in performance. However, the series of improvements together can add up to 10% better performance!
We released the successful "high performance Light Trike Wing", the Stratus 17M, almost 4 years ago. The wing has earned a great reputation for handling and performance, and we now offer two sizes with these design enhancements, to build you an even better soaring wing.




What Customers Are Saying...

"Just wanted you to know that I'm having a great time with my little ATF trike with a Stratus wing. It's a lot of fun to fly.
The glide ratio is terrific..."

The North Wing Stratus XP light-trike wing is designed for optimal performance on our ATF Soaring Trike, and is built with the high quality that our customers have come to expect. The Stratus XP has a new wing design that will give you an exceptional soaring experience. The Stratus XP is designed for improved sink rate and glide, and allows you to shut down your engine with confidence. The state-of-the-art airfoil and a streamlined kingpost ensures you will have great glide as well. The Stratus XP can get you where you want to go!

The Stratus XP uses stability technology from the topless hang gliders to improve performance. By using only one bridle line and an outboard sprog (washout strut), we have achieved excellent pitch stability while reducing drag. The efficient airfoil used by the North Wing Stratus XP provides superb acceleration through turbulence, while displaying very docile flight characteristics in yaw and pitch. The Stratus XP shows excellent stall parameters straight ahead and in turns. Hang Gliders are adequate on the light trikes but let's face it, in light lift... most of the time you will keep your engine on. Not with the North Wing Stratus XP! You will be amazed at how light of thermal lift you can really play with!


Click here for more information about the ATF Soaring Trike
The Stratus XP is available in two sizes:



Sail Area



17.5M



16M



Span



34.7 feet



32.5 feet



Nose Angle



124 degrees



124 degrees



Aspect Ratio



6.33



6.15



Stall at Gross



21 mph



21 mph



Trim Speed



25-30 mph



25-30 mph



Top Speed



45 mph



45 mph



VNE



53 mph



53 mph



Sink Rate



220 FPM



220 FPM



Glide Ratio (L/D)



10.5 : 1



10.5 : 1







17.5M = 390 lbs to 490 lbs Gross
(Approximate Pilot weight: 180 to 290 lbs.)







16M = 320 lbs to 420 lbs Gross
(Approximate Pilot weight: 110 to 220 lbs.)

[DarthVader]

More pictures

[DarthVader]

ATF Soaring Trike with MZ 34 engine · $7,000
Add the Stratus XP 17 wing for a complete package · $11,800
MZ 34 engine has been recently updated with a variety of improvements

[Bill Cummings]

I'm thinking you should find at least a 19M wing. 17M I'm sure will be too small for you to do any power off climbing in thermals. My thinking is that something like a Rotax 440 would be on the very smallest that would work but may not be enough.

[miguel]

Soaring in a trike is kind of like soaring in a Cessna. It can be done but it is not like soaring in an aircraft designed to soar.

Trikes take exponentially more care and upkeep than a simple glider and can hurt you just as bad or worse than a glider.

If you have enough money for a trike, you have enough money to get another glider and go to another area to get a rating.

[Bob Kuczewski]

If you have enough money for a trike, you have enough money to get another glider and go to another area to get a rating.

Come out to California through the end of December. We'll get you in the air safely.

I'm really worried that flying a trike adds complexity to the learning process. I think you're better off getting a solid background in soaring before you add a motor, a prop, and gasoline to the equation.

[miguel]

If weight shift controlling is what scared you, think of weight shift plus a powerful motor pushing you along. Whatever problems you had with weight shift are going to be magnified by the motor. The motor plus the airframe inertia is significantly more inertia than that of hang glider. Mix together for an higher energy crash. Again,