Cruiser

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The bridge to the future

Certification: DGAC

Re-designed from the ground up, this conservative tapered planform wing, the Cruiser – combines the advantages of both worlds, offering the perfect blend of enhanced performance, speed and handling, with ease of use, extreme safety and user friendly nature of our well known veteran PW and Hybrid. It is an easy wing to fly, suitable for students as well as experienced pilots, with significantly faster trim speed and superior glide (L/D). Since its launch the Cruiser has proved to be #1 choice of PPC wing for both students and intermediate pilots worldwide. Every pilot that transitions to the Cruiser from a rectangular chute is overwhelmed with excitement!
The wing, its performance, safety and pilot friendly nature on the ground and in the air is praised and appreciated by all.

DESIGN FEATURES

  • Reinforced heavy-duty design for extended life span and heavier loads
  • Advanced conceptual philosophy
  • All metal parts: Stainless Steel or Aluminum
  • APCO legendary standard double coated siliconised cloth – built to last
  • Heavy-duty Superaramide® lines
  • innovative tapered planform
  • Flexon® battens system for ultimate durability and spotless launch- pioneered by APCO
  • BT2 – The Cruiser was updated in January 2019 with BT2 (Butt Holes 2) for auto clearing of debris accumulating inside the wing
Cruiser Planform

Cruiser Planform

NARROW ATTACHMENT VERSION

Originally only available in a standard (wide) attachment point version (55-63 inch / 140-160 cm spread), and many pilots with the Narrow attachment points were left wanting.

Following numerous requests, the cruiser is available in a narrow attachment point version (43 inch / 110 cm spread).

No retrofitting needed, you can use any narrow attachment Trike / Frame with this version and enjoy the same performance as already proven on the standard Cruiser.

Apco Cruiser Wide vs Narrow Connection Setup Sketch

Download Technical Drawings here:  Wide Version, Narrow Version

Cruiser Colours

Use the Arrows to see each colour in detail

Leading Edge: Black

Top Surface: Green

Bottom Surface: Green

Leading Edge: Blue

Top Surface: Light Blue

Bottom Surface: Blue

Leading Edge: Blue
Top Surface: Yellow
Bottom Surface: Blue

Leading Edge: Black
Top Surface: Orange
Bottom Surface: Red

Leading Edge: Red
Top Surface: Yellow
Bottom Surface: Yellow

Leading Edge:Blue

Top Surface: Red

Bottom Surface: Red

Leading Edge:Red/White*

Top Surface: Blue

Bottom Surface: Red

*Leading Edge pattern random, 50/50 chance – either white or red center section of Leading Edge

Colors  available for Cruiser 400

Leading Edge: Black

Top Surface: Green

Bottom Surface: Green

Leading Edge: Blue

Top Surface: Turquoise

Bottom Surface: Blue

Leading Edge: Red

Top Surface: Yellow

Bottom Surface: Yellow

Leading Edge: Blue

Top Surface: Red

Bottom Surface: Red

BREEZE #23 –  Cruiser 400 Only
Leading Edge: Blue

Top Surface: Orange

Bottom Surface: White

400500550
Cells303032
Area [m2]37.1 (400 sq. ft.)46.5 (500 sq. ft.)50.3 (541 sq. ft.)
Area (projected) [m2]31.238.842
Span(incl. Stabiliser) [m]11.5712.9413.88
Span (projected) [m]9.1810.2711.01
Aspect Ratio3.63.63.83
Aspect Ratio (projected)2.722.722.89
Take-off Weight*
(all up + trike) [kg]		130-250230-400300-500
Canopy Weight [kg]81011
Root Chord [m]3.664.14.1
Tip Chord [m]1.031.161.16
Length of Lines on B [m]5.095.696.09
Total length of line used [m]334374401
V-min [km/h] @ optimum wing load27
V-Cruise [km/h] @ optimum wing load52-58
Min Sink [m/s] @ optimum wing load3.8

Click here for hook-up points spread distance

*All up take-off weight: includes weight of the Pilot / Passenger, Fuel, Canopy, Frame and Accessories

Warning: any different setup is outside this frame of certification for the wing

Quality, Durability and Attention to every Detail

"Crown" reinforcement stitch on stabiliser line attachment points

CROWN Stitched, Reinforced Stabiliser line attachment points

“Buttholes”  – Auto debris clearing from the wingtips

Flexon Reinforced Leading edge
Gives a perfect inflation every time!

MaterialDiameter [mm]Strength [kg]
Top ; st topSuperaramide1.8230
Bottom AB,CDSuperaramide3290
Brake CascadesDyneema1.8230
Steering LinePolyster5450
Sail Cloth42 g/m2 "Zero Porosity" Ripstop Nylon 5.0450
Rib ReinforcementFLEXON® batten system
Warranty3 years / 250 Hours

Read and download our 3 Year / 250 Hour warranty certificate.

Learn more about our outstanding factory service.

Order replacement lines from our Line Shop.

Cruiser 550 :: JOHN THOMAS STINSON MD :: USA

 just recently flew my Powrachute Airwolf Rotax 912 ULS with your Cruiser wing. I want to tell you how happy I am with it. Inflation is easy and it wants to get up and fly.Thanks, APCO

Cruiser 400 :: Bill Wallace :: USA

We test flew the 400 Cruiser this morning. It did not disappoint. You guys have done another fantastic job of producing an excellent flying chute.  I have gotten many excellent reviews from pilots on Facebook. I believe that they will generate into sales. Please let the Apco team know how much we like the chute. 
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Cruiser Review by Phil Dietro

Flew my nice new Apco cruiser 550 today, solo. Did 15 minutes, landed to take someone up to try with additional weight.
Here’s how the solo test flight went. Kite up was quick, cells open, no waiting for
read more

Pilot Comment: David, USA

Hi, I have a single seat powered parachute made by Powrachute in 2002. It is a Skyrascal. It meets regulations part 103. I would like to know what wing made by Apco that you would recommend. I was looking at the lift II ppc 400 The halo is 31″ wide. I would need to also…
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Pilot Comment :: Jeff :: USA

Like to thank you for the chute. I’m sure you’re aware of its performance, but I really didn’t expect it to fly so well. Every factor is great, lift, kiting, and steering. I’d recommend it to anyone.
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Pilot comment: Steve, USA

I just started flying your 550 Cruiser and I love it. I lost about 20 FPM climb rate from my Thunder Bolt 340 but way better climb than a Rectangle chute. But I gained a whole bunch of confidence in take off and landing. I felt unsafe with the Thunder Bolt. I have never seen…
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What the hell? I just found that my quick link is rated to only 400kg?!?!

Hey Everyone.This misunderstanding / issue comes up every few years (WLL vs MBL).

Quick-Links (Mallion Rapide) are rated in WLL (Working Load Limit), they have a MBL (Minimum Breaking Load) of 5x the WLL.
So A Quick-Link with a WLL of 400kg, has a MBL of 2000kg, and will hold more when used correctly.

Definitions:
Working Load Limit (WLL) – the allowable load for use at work. This term originates from general industry use.

WLL is the static load that is allowed to be loaded on the part in normal use.

While using the part, the work is not static, there are accelerations!  (As in flight during turning).  For example a crane that starts to lift or moves from side to side and then stops.  In the case of the Peguet’s quick-links the manufacturer sets a 5G safety factor that the accelerations should not pass while working.

Maximum Breaking Load (MBL) – The ultimate load the part can tolerate before failing.

According to the above, for Peguet’s quick-links this is 5 times the WLL, therefore 5X400=2000 [Kg].

 

Apco’s PPC wings are also designed for a specific WLL. (for the Cruiser 550 this is 500 [Kg]).
According to the certification requirements, the G rating/Safety factor required is 6G.
Therefore the total max load the parachute can carry is 3000 [Kg] (6613 pounds ).
On each PPC there are 4 Quick links, each of them can carry 2000 Kg=> the capacity of the quick-links together is a whooping 8000[Kg] (17637 pounds)

If taking only 2 quick links into consideration (Load of the parachute is always distributed equally between the left and right sides) – this is more than enough!
4000 [Kg] vs the designed weight of the parachute which is 3000 [Kg]

There is always a bigger, heavier, more expensive option.  The question is: What is really needed?

Hope this clarifies the issue – All of Apco’s pilots can be reassured they are in good and capable hands!

 

Quick Tips: it is Super important the quick links are properly tightened.

A few do’s and don’ts:

 

  1. Do not over-tighten the Quicklinks and destroy the thread repeatedly.
  2. Do not knock on it with a hammer to open a locked thread
  3. Do not knock on it with a hammer to change the shape of the Quick-Link
  4. A Quick-Link that does not turn with reasonable force (reasonable force – the closing torque determined by the manufacturer) must be replaced!
  5. Do not fly with Open / un-tightened Quick-links !!!
  6. Always fasten the quick-links to their manufacturer recommended torque, using a proper sized torque wrench. (Recommended torque is attached on a label to the quick-Links with each new Apco PPC wing )

Which color has the best UV protection?

The limiting factor for deterioration of the fabric in terms of porosity is the coating which is colorless.

It is true that different colors absorb a different amount of UV radiation, but this only affects the Nylon thread which in any case outlasts the fabric regardless of the color cloth chosen.

50011: Custom Colour

Apco Gliders can also be ordered with custom colors to suit your needs, be it a personal preference or for advertising purposes.

Read More

Wing Suitability

Characteristics

  • TAKE OFF

    Open the throttle and the wing will come over head i a perfect manner.

  • LANDING

    The Cruiser has a flat glide angle and a very gradual and good flare. you will be able to touchdown as smooth as liftoff

  • HANDLING

    the tapered wing allows for much better handling then any rectangular parachute. lighter brake pressure with improved authority will give the cruiser agility and excitement to the pilot.

  • PERFORMANCE

    Best in its class.  High cruising speed, the flying is enjoyable, simply relaxing.

  • PILOT FEEDBACK

    I currently have two of your Cruiser wings on a couple of Airwolfs. We love them. Great job on the design.

  • CONSTRUCTION

    According to Apco’s legendary tradition for durability – the construction of the wing is bullet proof! Extremely durable cloth combined with proven construction designed to withstand abuse for as long as necessary.

  • CRUISER

    The bridge to the future, it is a step up over any rectangular parachute out there.

Features

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    DSC

    DSC – Double Siliconized Cloth

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    L/E FLEXON battens®

    A system for improved launch, lighter weight, prolonged lifespan

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    BT2

    BUTT HOLES 2

Certification

SizeCertification Type
400EN 926-1 Load Test
DGAC Pending.
500EN 926-1 Load Test

DGAC Approved.
550EN 926-1 Load Test

DGAC Approved.

Manual

Reviews