Scout XC Archives - ByDanJohnson.com

North Wing Design Scout XC

Phone: (509) 682-4359

Chelan, WA 98816 - USA

Can a Minimal Aircraft Deliver Maximum Enjoyment …Affordably? Yes, North Wing Does It!

By Dan Johnson || November 24, 2022 2 Comments

A Message of Thanks on a Day of Thanksgiving

Does a "simple aircraft" seem a contradiction in modern aviation? Today, a mid-range LSA is commonly equipped with sophisticated digital avionics, autopilot, articulating fowler flaps, carbon airframes, powerful engines, numerous safety items and quite a bit more. Doesn't everyone want those features?

Is is even possible to fly an aircraft without all these advanced devices and services? Who would want such a simple aircraft? You might be surprised. Over the years I've come to believe that Part 103 ultralights (see a lengthy list of 103s) are selling at roughly the same rate as Light-Sport Aircraft (market stats). I frequently get pushback when making this statement but I believe part of the answer is that these aircraft don't fly where larger, more powerful, faster, noisier aircraft fly. Most 103 aviators fly out of fields or airparks. They don't need space in your hangar. They don't go very far, usually. They prefer to stay out of denser traffic areas. They go up for the view and an hour or so of aerial maneuvering. Some sellers of 103-compliant aircraft say they cannot keep up with orders. Go figure, huh? One reason is a price tag that can come in below $20,000 for a ready-to-fly aircraft. When your new flying machine costs what an average new motorcycle sells for, is it affordable? The answer is different for each individual, of course.

North Wing, Light Aviation Powerhouse

In 25 years, what started out as a shop to make hang glider wings (North Wing, get it?) has blossomed into a full-fledged supplier of light flying gear, from hang gliders to full-LSA two place aircraft and all manner of flying equipment. The company has been led by its founder, Kamron Blevins, since Day One.

A folding mast makes joining wing to trike carriage easier.

In their whole line — and it's extensive; you can browse their website for quite some time — North Wing's most expensive aircraft sells for $62,500. That's their Scout XC Apache Light-Sport Aircraft. On the affordable end is the ATF Trike powered by a 27 horsepower Minari 200 engine with two-blade carbon prop and the Solairus wing for $16,900. According to one survey of 353 motorcycle models, average cost is $15,867.

Just for fun, some references highlight the genuine simplicity of North Wing‘s latest trike. (Not a company diagram.)

However, these two prices merely span the range. In between, North Wing offers many model variations, several choices of wing, and a large number of accessories. For those who want to save a little and learn a lot assembling their own aircraft, North Wing also offers kits. An electric ATF trike is also available, using a 21 kilowatt / 28 horsepower electric powerplant. It sells for $27,900, which surely makes it the most economical electric aircraft on the market. Of course, it can comply with Part 103.

North Wing’s founder, Kamron Blevins, easily lifts the entire trike, not including wing.

Besides saving you money on purchase, North Wing's ATF also eliminates the need for hangar space (yeah, like you can find any at most airports). The trike and wing fold so small, they can be carried in/on a small vehicle and stored in your garage or shed. Super-light trikes like this use so little gasoline, even Part 103's five-gallon limit is hardly needed. I've enjoyed North Wing's aircraft over the years and one of my favorites was the Solairus.

North Wing carefully prices everything they sell — from full-sized aircraft to small accessories — on their website. All shoppers can applaud such full disclosure while budget-conscious buyers especially appreciate the forthright way North Wing does business. I've personally known founder and boss Kamron Blevins since we were both active in hang gliding. That goes back quite a ways and throughout I've found Kamron to be ambitious, honest, and innovative. Check this Facebook exchange where several owners of North Wing's diverse line express their thankfulness for North Wing. That kind of customer loyalty is precious.

A Message of Thanks on a Day of Thanksgiving Does a “simple aircraft” seem a contradiction in modern aviation? Today, a mid-range LSA is commonly equipped with sophisticated digital avionics, autopilot, articulating fowler flaps, carbon airframes, powerful engines, numerous safety items and quite a bit more. Doesn’t everyone want those features? Is is even possible to fly an aircraft without all these advanced devices and services? Who would want such a simple aircraft? You might be surprised. Over the years I’ve come to believe that Part 103 ultralights (see a lengthy list of 103s) are selling at roughly the same rate as Light-Sport Aircraft (market stats). I frequently get pushback when making this statement but I believe part of the answer is that these aircraft don’t fly where larger, more powerful, faster, noisier aircraft fly. Most 103 aviators fly out of fields or airparks.

All-American and Affordable — North Wing Has an Expert History in Washington State

By Dan Johnson || May 22, 2022 4 Comments

Let's return to affordable aviation after two wonderful shows full of shiny new aircraft. Turbine engines and sleek composite fuselages interest plenty of pilots but then most of us come back to reality and start looking at aircraft we can afford.

Some can pay the invoice on a high-end aircraft to enjoy its capabilities. That's terrific. Who knows… you might score their used aircraft for a large discount in a few years. For many, though, new is nice yet something much more modest will suffice if it gets them safely up and down to enjoy the view of their surroundings or simply practice a few touch and goes. Any way you can fly is a good way, I'd say. I've been around recreational aviation a while. So has been North Wing, the company formed by Kamron Blevins. He started building wings for trikes 26 years ago in 1996. He expanded from earlier years of experience with hang glider wings. If you pay attention to this corner of aviation, you either know Kamron or you know his work. He's a full-line supplier from factory-built aircraft to flight clothing but he made his mark by building some of the finest delta wings in the business. Many other trike carriage makers have employed his wings with great success. Kamron has built a following for his responsive wings and sturdy trikes at prices most of us can afford. Let's check out some of his current-generation trike designs.

Magical Weight Shift

I love the handsome, innovative European designs reviewed recently (Aero Day 1 and Aero Tour and Aero Wrap-up). I am pleased these companies continue to show their passion and technical prowess. However, I live in America so I also like to boast about our home-grown companies. North Wing is a gleaming example. Note to fixed wing pilots: If you haven't flown weight shift you may not appreciate the simple elegance of this control system. No, the controls are not really "backwards." Pulling the control bar toward you is not like pulling the joystick aft; what you are really doing is moving your weight (and the trike carriage) forward relative to the wing.

"In 1998, we designed and built our first single place trike (the Maverick) featuring a strutted wing," related Kamron. He was first to use struts on a delta wing, he reports. Yet even while Kamron created a growing number of trike models, he kept supplying the wings for other trike builders in the USA and other countries. "At North Wing, our main design criteria is to offer … a choice of wings that deliver easy handling, making them fun to fly," said Kamron. I can confirm his opinion; I have described the wonderful handling his wings offer in numerous articles (on Apache or Maverick or his Solairus).

Some regard weight shift trikes as "motorcycles of the air." This image conveys that fun-loving image.

"On our quest for optimal safety, we feel our #1 goal when designing wings is precise control and handling even at low speeds," he elaborated. "When conditions out there get a little rough, we hope you will agree handling is going to be your biggest concern." Trikes can be flown in fairly windy conditions but handling can then be more challenging because they are weight shift, relying on the pilot's technique and muscle to control the wing (technique is the more important; trike flying is a thing of finesse). Easier handling is a godsend. "Each wing design must pass specific parameters such as coupled feel in handling between pitch and roll, and a nice gentle stall," Kamron concluded.

North Wing's Full Line-Up

The Washington state company is one of the most successful trike producers not only in the U.S. but in all of recreational aviation history. "We have manufactured thousands of wings and hundreds of trikes," North Wing noted.

For many Americans, buying in the USA is important. "North Wing is an American company, and we maintain a large inventory so parts availability is only a few days away," assured North Wing. That in-country service and availability will relieve you and can help keep your insurance cost lower. When you visit the main North Wing website, you'll be quite amazed at the volume of information available. Yet they also have another site that deals with some of their accessory, clothing, spare parts, and other elements business. Check out North Wing Sports for even more information. Seriously, you can spend a while on these two websites and learn about everything you could want.

Do you want to experience float flying? No problem. North Wing customers have enjoyed using their company's trikes for a variety of missions.

The chart below shows the extensive list of weight shift aircraft North Wing presently manufactures. As their voluminous website demonstrates, it would take a long article to cover their entire line, so I'll select one of their top designs for a quick review. Those that want more have only to visit their websites; that will keep you busy for some time. Lots more information on North Wing can be found here on ByDanJohnson.com or on Videoman Dave's YouTube channel. Before getting into some additional detail, let's check the price point (although, as always, for current information contact the manufacturer because prices change over time). North Wing's top-of-the-line Scout XC Apache is a Rotax 912-powered trike that lists for $59,890. This is the most expensive aircraft North Wing offers. Single place trikes from North Wing are priced as modestly as $16,900, ready to fly. Somewhere in that range you might find something you like and can afford. Scout XC Apache — This LSA airframe is a "revolutionary design" said North Wing, incorporating Scout aircraft design suspension, welded 4130 aircraft steel main structure (back frame), a 4130-steel dual mast, and trailing link front steering. "Unlike trikes constructed using a tube-and-gusset-plate configuration with their single support mast, drag struts, side support cables and bungee cord suspension, the Scout XC airframe will maintain its structural integrity for years to come," boasts North Wing. "You can enjoy years of sturdy and confident flying knowing your trikes' rugged and well-designed suspension won't get worn out." Scout XC Apache features as standard equipment several design elements that have arrived over the years…

The single place Solairus is a sleek soaring-flight-capable trike of particular interest to some pilots (like your friendly author).

An airfoil mast that reduces drag and improves tracking at higher speeds by reducing yaw and twist of the mast thanks to a stronger, more aerodynamic mast profile. The airfoil mast shape provides extra space for your passenger and eliminates the "helmet buzz" of the aft seat occupant touching helmet to a single mast that transmits engine vibrations. A nosewheel steering dampener provides adjustments to reduce the "shimmy" that may occur during landing. You will appreciate the solid yet responsive feel of its trailing link suspension. The front suspension works so well, it can survive a full front wheel landing at 60 mph!

This truck-based test rig is used to load and stress the company's wings. This unusual "real-life wind tunnel" vehicle can dynamically test the wing for ultimate loads. In more advanced tests, the wing is turned around backwards and tested for negative loads, earning this beast a "torture truck" label.

"Finned wheel fairings also reduce drag and improve tracking, and look great too, believes North Wing. Aircraft-grade Matco brakes ensure firm control on the runway. Aluminum leaf spring suspension reduces drag with a slim profile, and is built from rugged and strong 7075 Aluminum. An adjustable front seat conveniently changes the position of the front seat, very handy when using Scout for flight training. Prices for all North Wing trikes can be found at the end of this article. Scout XC Apache can be ordered with a variety of options. Scout XC is accepted by FAA as a Special Light Sport Aircraft when paired with the powerful and reliable Rotax 912UL engine — the 100 horsepower Rotax 912S is also available — and their Conquest Light-Sport Aircraft wing. For more details, see the video below. "You can also fly the Scout XC as a Experimental LSA when using any other engine and/or wing configuration," said North Wing, noting they supply kit versions plus ready-to-fly models. Scout XC Apache provides a nice layout of gauges with room left over for your custom needs. Visit their comprehensive website to see all the ways you can personalize your North Wing trike.

North Wing is very upfront about it prices. Every item they sell is on one page for your easy comparison.

https://youtu.be/0Nky0tYk8io

Let’s return to affordable aviation after two wonderful shows full of shiny new aircraft. Turbine engines and sleek composite fuselages interest plenty of pilots but then most of us come back to reality and start looking at aircraft we can afford. Some can pay the invoice on a high-end aircraft to enjoy its capabilities. That’s terrific. Who knows… you might score their used aircraft for a large discount in a few years. For many, though, new is nice yet something much more modest will suffice if it gets them safely up and down to enjoy the view of their surroundings or simply practice a few touch and goes. Any way you can fly is a good way, I’d say. I’ve been around recreational aviation a while. So has been North Wing, the company formed by Kamron Blevins. He started building wings for trikes 26 years ago in 1996.

North Wing — Scout XC (2012)

By Dan Johnson || August 19, 2016 4 Comments

North Wing builds, well... wings, as you might expect from their name. They do this for trikes, or weight shift aircraft, and for many producers of the carriage part of these aircraft as well as their own full aircraft. North Wing also builds hang gliders, which means just the wing, for those pilots. In this video we look at their Scout XC two seat model and visit with designer Kamron Blevins.

North Wing builds, well… wings, as you might expect from their name. They do this for trikes, or weight shift aircraft, and for many producers of the carriage part of these aircraft as well as their own full aircraft. North Wing also builds hang gliders, which means just the wing, for those pilots. In this video we look at their Scout XC two seat model and visit with designer Kamron Blevins.