Armstrong A-Wing Feedback

There has been lots of posts on the A-Wing. Basically, they are powerful for their size, the 3.5 is like a 4+ and the 4.5 is like a 5+.

Their chart is pretty accurate. I'm a total beginner, with the 3.5 I needed about 17 or 18 to get up. With the 4.5, 14-15 is enough to get going.

Having the power bar is essential, they help me modulate the power a lot better. The bar is especially useful during starting. You can easily make one with a carbon paddle shaft and some velcro straps.

Lastly, Armstrongs are well-built, expensive and heavy! I got the 3.5 thinking it would be a small wing for me and a larger wing for my wife. She was unable to use it due to the weight. But the good thing about Armstrong stuff is that they hold value well and I was able to sell it on without much of a loss.

Picked up A-Wing 3.5

In comparison to the Slingwing V2 3.2 the A-Wing is much stiffer and less forgiving but feels much more high performance and is great for jumping. I like the windows and did feel like I was using them. The handles are great and much more comfortable and big enough to get hands in easy with gloves. The Power-Bar is a great add-on and feels great. I also like the 2 separate inflation points just feels more bomb proof then the little hose thing usually connecting the 2 bladders. Construction is amazing like all Armstrong products. Comes with repair kit and extra canopy material for fixes which is a nice touch. Comes with coil leash which I like and use on my other wings. Also comes in a nice bag and is easy enough to repack. My wish is a smaller 2.5 or and even 1.5 for high winds.

Select to expand quote

eppo said..
What's have they used for inflate valve. Have a wing (not mentioning brand) that has the two valve - seperate one for the strut (allows for rock hard pumping ) but to deflate you need to unscrew the entire valve head. Which is no issue until one has a wingmare and needs to deflate in the water. I can't see how you would avoid getting water in the bladders.
heavy hey ... that puts me off already. Lighter the better in the waves.

You do need to unscrew the entire valve head to deflate which works well. I don't see why you'd ever need to deflate on the water but that's just me. I also use on fresh water and it wouldn't be an issue. I've heard that if you get salt water in the bladders you should just flush with fresh water and you'll be fine.
I really don't feel much of a weight difference and ride in windy conditions so weight is not much of a factor to me.

Lately after seeing Alan Cadiz talk about always riding powered even when wave riding my style is moving in that direction and a super stiff powerful wing seems to fit that style well.

Select to expand quote

eppo said..
Lighter wings I figured wouldn't twist in your hand nor flap as much on the waves - easier to hold horizontally. Why on earth do you need to be powered in waves? Isn't the idea to get on the wave and then foil it without the wing as much as possible ? Anyhow horses for courses. All good

I think weight isn't much of a factor when flagging on a wave. Good wing design that offers neutral flight characteristics and no oscillation is most important. I think weight can be an issue in light wind when you need to hold the wing up to get going but that's about it.

I'm finding if I stay powered I'm able to hit the lip and turn harder as I've the wing to stabilize myself. Also able to push the foil harder breaching and recovering again because holding the wing stabilizes you. I also like to jump in the pocket of the wave. I should note I'd only ride like this with foot straps. I'm finding this more exciting and would just prone foil if I want to just surf the wave.

So many options with this sport it's awesome!

Here's what the Dart looks like. Seems like a different beast than the Armstrong wing to me.

Select to expand quote

dejavu said..
Here's what the Dart looks like. Seems like a different beast than the Armstrong wing to me.

Ya, nothing else I've seen looks like that. Really interesting, hope they have a 2M.

Select to expand quote

dejavu said..
foilthegreats -- I've seen your videos on Youtube (and the Silent Sports videos) -- great stuff!

Do you mind a few questions?

1) Is the Armstrong 100 cm. mast stiff enough?
2) How do you fit a Cloud 9 foil wing on an Armstrong fuselage?
3) Do you prefer the Armstrong wind wings to the Slingshot wind wings and if so, why?
4) Have you ever wind foiled (I do and I'm now getting more into wing foiling)?
5) How do you like the Armstrong 1250 foil wing compared to your Cloud 9 wings?
6) I'm thinking of moving from Sling Shot foils to higher aspect foils (Axis, F-One, etc.) -- worthwhile?

Thanks in advance.

Thank you, I have lots of fun making!

1) Is the Armstrong 100 cm. mast stiff enough?
Yes

2) How do you fit a Cloud 9 foil wing on an Armstrong fuselage?
It's a modified 80cm Armstrong fuse.

3) Do you prefer the Armstrong wind wings to the Slingshot wind wings and if so, why?
I've only had a few sessions on the A-Wing but I like the stiffness and how well it works for jumping, also the handles are great.
The SlingWing is way more forgiving and just overall much easier to use.

4) Have you ever wind foiled (I do and I'm now getting more into wing foiling)?
No, only prone foil surf experience.

5) How do you like the Armstrong 1250 foil wing compared to your Cloud 9 wings?
The 1250 is amazing and so smooth. It's currently my favorite prone foil wing. Need to try the 1050 and 850 next.
The Cloud9 are also so good, super surfy but still great glide. I can't really decide what I like better on the wing because they're all so good.
I'm also using the KDmaui stabs on the Cloud9 and have ordered for the Armstrong. They are really great and highly recommended to up performance.

6) I'm thinking of moving from Sling Shot foils to higher aspect foils (Axis, F-One, etc.) -- worthwhile?
For low wind situations yes for the extra glide and speed but for high winds I like to use mid aspect small surfy wings. SlingShot is about to launch a bunch of new options. I believe an adapter will be available for the current system.

foilthegreats -- thanks very much for answering my questions (you're way ahead of me in both skill level and gear knowledge). I have to say that when I go wind foiling it's really hard not to just pump up a wing and forget about the sail.

The Phantasm foils certainly look interesting.

I'm a rank beginner and have just a half-dozen sessions on foil with the wing. I'm 73 kgs/160 lbs plus wetsuit and started with the 5.5M A-wing on a friend's suggestion. I was way overpowered on a nuking day and had a hard time keeping the foil (Slingshot i84) in the water until I put the mast all the way back. I picked up a 3.5M A-wing when I saw forecast for more high winds. Damn, that little wing is a pleasure to handle compared to the 5.5. I also picked up an Armstrong foil set-up with 1850 (handles speed way better) & 1250 (which i haven't used yet) to replace the SS. I need to work on gibes and switching feet but i am hopelessly hooked. I guess I'm now an Armstrong fan boy but the quality of their stuff is top notch so no regrets. I am stoked for the day when i can wing on the 4'-11" SKT board!