North Wing ATF Soaring Trike Flying In Central Texas

[@nickcaci7238]

Nice airport and ATF soaring trike. But it’s just another part 103 machine unless it’s put to use in soaring conditions engine off. I would love to see it in soaring action and show its performance based on what model wing is used and its sink rate figures show. I look forward to a video on that.

[@SunShine-yd5xu]

I love the way Scott maneuvers in the air. It gives a feeling of a small airliner. 👍😍

[@scottv3337]

Thanks

[@briancoia8218]

Scott, where do you fly out of? I’m looking to buy a Northwing elec atf and live in Waco/McGregor. Would be cool to meet you !

[@scottv3337]

Hello Brian, I am currently not flying, but I flew my trike at Gatesville, Lampasses and Granite Shoals airports. They are really nice options to fly a trike. Granite Shoals is a grass strip and the other two are hard surface. Good luck with your purchase and please get some training is you have never flown a trike. If you need the number to a good instructor let me know. Stay safe…

[@huffpappy]

Hey Scott, what brand of helmet are you wearing? Nice flying, BTW.

[@scottv3337]

In this video I’m not wearing a helmet. I do own a Skyhero 3M PPG helmet, which was a complete waist of money. It’s made in China and customer service is almost nonexistent. I had issues from the start with the PTT not working and a speaker wire not connected properly. I plan on purchasing a new helmet from qhaviation.company.site/. I’ve purchased items from them before and they are great.

[@huffpappy]

@@scottv3337 Thanks for the info.

[@scottv3337]

@@huffpappy your welcome…

[@SunShine-yd5xu]

What ATF stands for? Secondly, this trike you have, suitable best for evening hours for flight, or any time of day with variable wind factors?

[@scottv3337]

ATF Soaring Trike = Air Time Fix, this allows you to adds power to your hang glider so you can climb to some thermals and then power-off for lightweight trike soaring! FAA Part 103 allows you to fly 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset.

[@SunShine-yd5xu]

@@scottv3337 Thanks for responding so fast. However, what is the purpose of spending $17K - $20K on a trike to be limited by FAA to the mentioned 30 minutes flying time? What if I feel like going for a flight at 10 AM or 2 PM or any any other time for that matter? For the money spent, what if I want to plan a 2 hours flight with the ATF trike? It really sucks. I am disappointed.

[@scottv3337]

You can fly during the day time. You just can’t fly at night except for 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes past sunset. Sorry if I wasn’t very clear on that.

[@scottv3337]

I normally go flying early morning for an hour or so at a time, I have 5 gallon fuel tank on my ATF trike which can give me about a 2 1/2 to 3 hour flight time.

[@jasonjacobs2095]

Where in central Texas is this? I live in Austin area and have passion for trike flying. Would love to buy an simple light trike like ATF trike.

[@scottv3337]

Hello Jason, This airport is in Lampases Texas, KLZZ. I also fly at other airports in the area. Central Texas. If your interested in lessons there is an instructor near Austin Texas in Granite Shoals Texas, www.flytexas.com/

[@jasonjacobs2095]

@@scottv3337 many thanks!

[@jasonjacobs2095]

@@scottv3337 great I have a good friend living in Lampasas so I have a reason to fly from austin to Lampasas to visit him

[@scottv3337]

@@jasonjacobs2095 sounds great, stay safe flying…

[@SunShine-yd5xu]

Dear Scott, how did you learn to fly your ATF trike ? Are there flying schools and NorthWing dealers in your area in Texas, or you had to travel to Washington hub for training and purchase ? 😎

[@scottv3337]

I purchased my ATF through Cowboy Up Hang gliding in Wharton Texas. They ordered it for me and provided/recommended a trainer in central Texas that taught me how to fly and Cowboy Up had my trike delivered to my instructors hangar were he helped me set it up. The only travel was to Wharton Texas for introductory flight and then to my instructors location which was only an hour away. It took me 10 hours of training and then I was ready for my solo.

[@whisperingeagle]

Hey scott looks like your enjoying your atf. I have atf with polini 250 and solairus 16.9. You just cant find a better combo and hassle free flying for us old hangies . Was wondering what engine you have climb rt looks good.

[@scottv3337]

Hello Whispering Eagle, I am flying with the Polini 250. It really does fly great and I have no complaints. Hopefully the weather will get better so I can get some flying in and post another video. Thanks for the comment.

[@SunShine-yd5xu]

Deeply appreciate your timely response. Last question: do you rent a spot in the airport near you to park and safeguard your ATF, or after each flight you fold the wing for storage? Where is the storage place, in container or the back of the house ? I live in nyc area in a very populated place. If I purchase the same trike, I must come up with a solution!. Thanks.

[@scottv3337]

Currently I store my trike in my garage. It takes me about 15 minutes to load it onto a trailer and another 30-45 minutes to setup at the airport. I don’t mind it though. I do have my name on multiple waiting lists for 3 airports located close to my house. It’s sometimes hard to get hanger space. As of today, I may have found another solution, I was just offered a job working on small planes at one of the airports I fly at and they may let me keep my trike in their hangar. Will find out more info tomorrow hopefully. If you have more questions please feel free to ask, I don’t mind.

[@scottv3337]

I would recommend trying to get hangar space before you purchase unless you have other storage available.

[@SunShine-yd5xu]

@@scottv3337 Thanks for sharing your experience handling the beautiful trike. So, I understood that before each and every flight, there is some effort involved setting up wing and after flight folding it for storage. Apparently, in my case living in New York City, a container is a necessity. Another way to find a hubby was considering paramotor gliding. Very easy to storing it even in an apartment. But, it is relatively safer flying with soaring trike rather than paramotoring. Congratulations on your new job offer. Must be a satisfying job working with “birds”. In the same token, are you an airplane mechanic?

[@scottv3337]

@@SunShine-yd5xu There is some effort, but for me very much worth it. I do hold an FAA A&P mechanic license but have never worked on airplanes before. I do however have 23 years experience working on helicopter as a mechanic.

[@SunShine-yd5xu]

Dear Scott, thanks for responding to us. However, does your ATF come with transponder, in case of emergency in the middle of nowhere to be found and rescued, or you can install it for additional cost ? 👍✌️😜😎

[@scottv3337]

My trike does not come with a transponder, I do not fly in the middle of nowhere and if I had to make an emergency landing, it would be in a farmers field. There are plenty of places for me to walk to to get help. I also carry my hand held radio, backup radio and cell phone. I also leave a detailed flight plan with my wife in case she needs to find me if I don’t show up on time.

[@patrickmckowen2999]

Nice vid 👍 I like that camera placement -- a good pilots perspective without having on the helmet and making people nauseous with head movements. Great looking airport and not too busy by the looks of it. Whats your radio/comms setup? Cheers

[@scottv3337]

I have the Rugged Air RA200 headset and the PJ2 radio. I also have a push to talk hooked up to it as well.

[@patrickmckowen2999]

@@scottv3337 Thx -- yes I noticed the PTT

[@bo4638]

That looks like so much fun! any future plans for maybe a 2 place Trike ?

[@scottv3337]

Hello Bo, I do not plan on getting a 2 place trike. I'm enjoying not dealing with having a "N" numbered aircraft. It is a blast to fly this North Wing ATF trike.

[@steelpix]

@@scottv3337 Scott, what motor on that ATF and are you still liking it?

[@scottv3337]

@@steelpix This is the Polini Thor 250 Dual Spark, and I really do like it. That being said, I only have about 23 hours on this engine, so time will tell. It is powerful and so far reliable.

[@SunShine-yd5xu]

In Texas, they spend money on infrastructure. Just flying over this runway with its brand new asphalt, gives the pilot a sense of orgasm. Let’s alone sitting in this lovely NorthWing ATF. 🥰