Supair STEP X

Technical data

Size	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

Colours

Standard colours: Earth, Lilac, Ocean

Package

• COMPACT CASE
• Rear steering bar
• Repair kit

Optional  extras

• Backpack

STEP X: AT THE CROSSROADS OF LIGHT AND PERFORMANCE

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 AT THE END OF THE LINES

With its EN-B+ certification, the STEP X is a "Sport" wing. Its design and its entire process of design are designed for cross country flying.

PERFORMANCE IS AT THE HEART OF STEP X'S FLIGHT PROGRAM.

Therefore, it is suitable for pilots who already have some experience, especially in flight distance, to accompany them further in the discipline.

Making performance accessible is the goal of the STEP X. Thanks to its great handling and a reassuring level of passive safety, this glider gives you the confidence to progress in flight distance and acquire solid skills in cross country. What to consider a passage under EN-C serenely.

STEP X can be summed up in three words: powerful, agile, safe.

• 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 PRIMARILY FOR CROSS COUNTRY RIDERS BUT ALSO FOR RANDO ENTHUSIASTS FLIGHT .

Its performance is pleasing at flight while it offers a comfortable lightness and compactness on the ground, allowing a versatile Use in a variety of terrains.

The STEP X is the "all-landing" wing designed for distance.

• TECHNOLOGY FOR DISTANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

The design of the STEP X prevents deformation of the Airfoil over time to ensure maximum performance at flight for the life of the wing.

INDEED, THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE AN OPTIMAL AXIS OF TENSION ON ALL FABRICS COMPONENT .

The division of a diagonal into several independent bands not only makes the wing lighter, but also ensures excellent support of the Airfoil 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 CORNERING ENJOYMENT, THE STEP X IS RIGHT UP THERE WITH THE BEST IN ITS CLASS.

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.

Features

Other reviews

“I found that the Step-X managed well all the harsh conditions without any tip fluttering, and still delivered a very prompt brake authority for the pilot to stay in control. Alternating flights and test flying the Mentor 7, I think that the Step-X is also a highly comfortable glider for that category! I was really surprised by the educated feedback and balanced movements of the Step-X in overall conditions. The Step X has slightly more feel than the Mentor 7 while remaining very comfortable to fly.  To place it even further, I think it resembles the Swift 6 accessibility for the same size. 

The Step X can be flown easily at 93 all up but it would be slow to enter the airmass. I found out at 95 to be nice overall, and to be even more efficient and more compact with good penetration fly it at 97,98.  When a product is nice, readers are expecting the testers to find the negative points, when they are difficult to find… My B comparison will shortly be updated. Easily placed among the high B’s in terms of good overall performance, the Step X is an enjoyable glider to fly while being well-balanced and quite comfortable during long XCs. The passive safety seems quite high for that category delivering a solid and light-to-carry companion for your adventures. Supair never stopped to amaze me… It would be quite an interesting high B to test fly!"

— Ziad Bassil, Dust of the Universe (full review)

Materials

• 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

Supair product registration

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Downloads

• Manuals
• Certification reports

Go to Supair Downloads