Description
AT THE CROSSROADS OF LIGHT AND PERFORMANCE
Both light and robust, the STEP X renews the EN-B+ range and optimizes the STEP lineage to keep only the best of its predecessors in a new generation of higher performance wings with excellent durability.
The wing is positioned at the perfect balance between lightness, durability and performance to delight pilots looking for a versatile wing for cross country as well as for walking and flight.
Weight : from 3.8 kg
ABOUT STEP X
All the DNA of the glider resides in its name “STEP X”. The letter X, pronounced “cross”, illustrates the intersection of the two disciplines ofCross Country and Hike & Fly. This is exactly where this new generation EN-B+ is positioned: at the crossroads of lightness and durability without compromising on performance. The STEP X is therefore aimed at leisure pilots who wish to equip themselves with an EN-B sport to go further in cross country while continuing to enjoy the pleasures of walking & flight.
The development team used a wide range of materials to create a wing that is both light and strong. To achieve this, the most exposed areas are equipped with strong and durable materials, while the less stressed areas benefit from light materials for a significant weight saving without impacting on the Life span of the wing. The STEP X allows you to unleash your full potential both on and off the ground flight.
The performance of the STEP X is due to several elements of its design that have been extensively reworked and optimized compared to its predecessors, starting with the addition of a tension band located between the B and C lines. This strip improves the surface finish while extending the speed range of the wing, giving you a precise, agile and reassuring ride.
Secondly, the new layout of its diagonals allows an optimization of the distribution of the forces on the Airfoil, thus guaranteeing a better holding of the wing in time, and thus, a greater durability of your glider.
Finally, the new line branching reduces the overall length of the Line set. This feature improves the performance of the STEP X by reducing drag.
The behavior of the STEP X is reassuring. Its smooth and intuitive piloting allows you to maximize the rate of climb in thermals to go further without tiring you with an unnecessarily complex piloting. Indeed, it is by leaving room for pleasure and safety that the STEP X stands out from some EN-B+ that can sometimes be very demanding to fly. The wing does not try to compete with an EN-C but gives you the means to continue your progression towards performance with confidence.
The STEP X is the logical continuation of an entry-level EN-B such as the LEAF3 or LEAF3 Light and gives you everything you need to prepare for a switch to EN-C.
PERFORMANCE, LIGHTNESS AND DURABILITY ARE THE PROMISES OF THIS WING AT THE CROSSROADS.
Features
- Cross country
- Walking and flight
- Experienced recreational pilot
- Airfoil baby sharknose
- Lightweight ergonomic elevators
- Anti-friction rings
- Smart mini ribs
- Ears kit
- Wingtip dumping system
- Pulley low friction Ronstan
- Extrados: Dominico N20 DMF
- Intrados: Dominico 10D White
- Internal structure: MJ Tex MJ32 HF / Porcher Skytex 27 HF 70000E91
- Reinforcements from Rush: MJ Tex 32 HF
- lines: Edelrid, Liros
- Links: Soft Link Dyneema
- EN Standard
- LTF Standard
- Class B
Technical Data
| XS | S | M | ML | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RANGE FLYING WEIGHT RANGE (TOTAL FLYING WEIGHT) (KG) | 55-75 | 70-90 | 80-100 | 90-110 | 105-125 |
| NUMBER OF CELLS | 61 | 61 | 61 | 61 | 61 |
| FLAT AREA (M²) | 21 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 |
| WINGSPAN (M) | 10.85 | 11.60 | 12.07 | 12.53 | 12.97 |
| CHORD (M) | 2.39 | 2.56 | 2.66 | 2.76 | 2.86 |
| FLAT ASPECT RATIO | 5.65 | 5.65 | 5.65 | 5.65 | 5.65 |
| PROJECTED AREA (M²) | 17.54 | 20.04 | 21.71 | 23.38 | 25.05 |
| PROJECTED SPAN (M²) | 8.41 | 8.99 | 9.36 | 9.71 | 10.06 |
| PROJECTED ASPECT RATIO | 4.04 | 4.04 | 4.04 | 4.04 | 4.04 |
| WEIGHT OF THE WING (KG) | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.8 |
| HOMOLOGATION | EN-B+ | EN-B+ | EN-B+ | EN-B+ | EN-B+ |
| NUMBER OF ELEVATORS | 3/4/3 | 3/4/3 | 3/4/3 | 3/4/3 | 3/4/3 |
| ACRO | No | No | No | No | No |
| SPEED BAR | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TRIM | No | No | No | No | No |
| OTHER SYSTEM OF ADJUSTMENT | No | No | No | No | No |
STEP X, A WING AT THE CROSSROADS
Available from 3.8kg, the “X” designation embodies the notion of compromise between lightness and durability. Designed for pilots looking for a lightweight wing without compromising durability, the STEP X benefits from a wide range of materials to offer great performance at flight and comfort on the ground.
Constructed with a combination of strong and lightweight materials, the STEP X offers a durable structure without sacrificing the lightness of the wing. The most heavily used areas of the wing are reinforced with strong Fabrics for added durability, while the lesser used areas benefit from lighter materials to reduce the overall weight of the wing.
With its well-balanced design , the STEP X is an ideal choice for cross country and flight rando riders. It offers fun performance at flight and a comfortable lightness and compactness on the ground, allowing for versatile Use in a variety of terrain.
TAKE A STEP TOWARDS PERFORMANCE
With its EN-B+ certification, the STEP X is suitable for pilots who already have some experience, especially in flight distance, to accompany them further in the discipline.
Its design puts performance at the heart of the flight program.
Making performance accessible is the goal of the STEP X. Thanks to its great manoeuvrability and reassuring passive safety, this glider does not aim to compete with a competition wing, but rather to give you the confidence to continue your progression in cross country with solid skills and to consider a transition to EN-C with confidence.
The STEP X can be summed up in 3 words: handy, efficient, safe.
TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABILITY
The internal structure of the STEP X is designed to ensure an excellent maintenance of the wing in time by guaranteeing an optimal axis of tension on all Fabrics Component diagonals.
The division of a diagonal into several independent bands not only makes the wing lighter but also ensures an excellent maintenance of the Airfoil over time by distributing the tension evenly and respecting the mesh structure of the fabric to avoid deformation and promote excellent durability of the wing.
Secondly, the sleeker Line set of the STEP X contributes to the overall lightness of the wing while reducing drag for better performance at flight.
Whether it is in the choice of materials, in the design structure or in the Line set scheme, everything is thought out so that the STEP X combines performance and lightness.
A SHARP PILOT
Its lightweight construction, without being ultralight, gives the wing an intuitive and playful behavior. The STEP X communicates air mass information while filtering out unnecessary turbulence, allowing you to be precise in your piloting to optimize all types of air mass.
When it comes to thermal efficiency and turnability, the STEP X is a class-leading performer. Delivered with its steering bars at the back, you have all the cards in hand for precision piloting, whether in thermals, transitions or even in tracking.
The new lines distribution scheme on the Airfoil gives the wing more consistency over its entire span. The transverse band positioned between the B and C line is widened to improve the handling of the wing at high angles of incidence and to facilitate its inflation.
Its 5.7 aspect ratio and the geometry of its Airfoil offer a performance and a pleasant gliding sensation and will delight the cross-country rider who can then set off towards his first 100 km.
