North Wing Apache Explained

The North Wing Apache is an American two-seat ultralight trike designed and produced by North Wing Design of East Wenatchee, Washington. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1] [2] [3]

Design and development

The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 4500NaN0. It features a "topless" strut-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight shift controls, a two-seats-in-tandem open cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.

The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, with its double-surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 31.51NaN1 span wing is supported by streamlined struts, in place of the more commonly used cables and kingpost. The Apache is controlled with a conventional weight shift "A" frame control bar. Standard features include a fiberglass cockpit fairing, wheel pants, nosewheel brakes and stowage bags. Dual control steering and throttle are optional for flight training use. The supplied engines include the Rotax 503 twin-cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled powerplant of 500NaN0 and the Rotax 582 twin-cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled powerplant of 640NaN0.

The strut-braced wing provides a number of advantages over the traditional cable braced wing, including reduced overall height for hangaring, reduced drag and improved appearance.

A total of 72 examples had been delivered by February 2005.

Variants

Apache 582 Contour
  • Model with Rotax 582 twin-cylinder, two-stroke liquid-cooled powerplant of 640NaN0, Contour strut-braced wing, cockpit fairing, gross weight of 9500NaN0, circa 2003-05. Price was US$$18,950 in 2005.
    Apache 582 Mustang
  • Model with Rotax 582 powerplant of 640NaN0, Mustang strut-braced wing, cockpit fairing, gross weight of 9500NaN0, circa 2003.
    Apache ST
  • Model with Rotax 582 powerplant of 640NaN0, stripped down for off-airport operations, with no cockpit fairing, circa 2003.

    Notes and References

    1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page C-15. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001.
    2. Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 48. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    3. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 105. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X