Company
Pterosail Trike Systems is headquartered in
North Liberty, Iowa. The town is situated within ten miles of the University of Iowa and has easy access to rural back roads. It is an ideal location to showcase and demonstrate our wind sailing products. The name "Pterosail" comes from the ancient pterodactyl -
the flying dinosaur. The pronunciation is the same as "terra-sail", sailing over land! The Pterosail has been featured on numerous television stations, radio stations and websites.
Our company's mission is to give everyone the opportunity to experience the pleasure of using the wind to
rediscover the Great Outdoors. Innovation and constant creative drive will be the foundation to our success. The company will continue to be at the forefront of incorporating the
latest technologies into its products. Pterosail Trike Systems is committed to being the
premier authority on wind travel within the cycling industry.
The Pterosail Office
Pterosail is based in North Liberty, IA
History
While riding a trike on a windy day in rural Iowa and noticing how the recumbent trike's
low profile kept high winds from slowing it down as it does to a normal bike, Phil MacTaggart had an
inspiration: the two front wheels of a trike could support a mast where a sail could be attached. The wind could then be used
for propulsion. Phil MacTaggart began putting together the first prototype Pterosail. He later emailed his son John MacTaggart, a 26-year-old mechanical engineer.
The USMMA graduate was working as an engineer onboard the USNS Bruce Heezen, an oceanographic ship charting the ocean floor off the coast of the Philippines. John received the e-mail from his father requesting assistance in the development of a sail for a recumbent trike. After having completed his sea tour he quickly focused his efforts on further improving and developing
the Pterosail.