Features

Do you remember the big question? “What is the best kite for a 6 man team?” The main goal for the weekend was to get a few steps closer to the answer to that specific question. But before we could assemble the kites and take to the air, what are we actually looking for? What features or characteristics should the ultimate 6-man team kite comprise?

Anders, our team captain, had the answer all worked out and he supplied us with a test form with important features …or characteristics if you like. Anders also created a scale for us to score the different kites’ characteristics. This for easing the comparison. Both the requested characteristics and their scoring scales are described below.

1) Speed
The slower the better. A generally slow flying kite allows a 6-man team the required extra second that easily can turn out being the difference between a failure and success.
* Rating: Fast = 1 point – Slow = 10 points

2) Tracking
How is the kite’s tracking? Does it flow trajectories like on rails or does the kite needs tending all the time?
* Rating: Poor = 1 point – Very good = 10 points

3) Cornering
Will the kite do crisp corners almost by itself, or does it have to be controlled and timed significantly by the pilot.
* Rating: Poor = 1 point – Very good = 10 points

4) Steps down
How many – crisp and complete – steps down can the kite do (with 43m lines) and still avoid hitting the ground? The more the better.
* Rating: Clean steps: 2 steps = 2 points, 3 steps = 4 points, 4 steps = 6 points,
5 steps = 8 points, 6 steps = 10 points

5) Stall (from a horizontal trajectory)
Will the kite stop on a dime or does it continue its flight in a stalled position? How much input is required from the pilot to make a clean stop/snap stall? The less the better.
* Rating: Slides = 1 point – Stops dead = 10 points

6) (Snap)Stall (from a vertical up trajectory)
Will the kite stop dead from a vertical up trajectory? Does it keep the stall position or does it want to fall over onto its back? The cleaner stop/stall the better.
* Rating: Backflipping = 1 point – Clean and upright stall = 10 points

7) Halt (stalled position) from a vertical up trajectory)
How about a controlled halt coming from a vertical up trajectory? Is the kite easy or difficult to slow down and control in the stall?
* Rating: Uncontrollable = 1 point – Completely controllable = 10 points

8) Keeping the Stall position
…and when in a stall, is it easy to kepp the stalled position or is tending required? The less tending the better.
* Rating: Wobbly = 1 point – Clean and stable stall = 10 points

9) Side slide
How will the kite side slide? Long or short distances, much tending or little tending? The easier the kite is to slide the better.
* Rating: Short and wobbly = 1 point – Long and stable = 10 points

10) Circle 20% (2 x wingspan)
How easy is it to control the kite in a circle with an approximate size 2 x wingspan? Is it easy to maintain the same speed throughout the circle? How easy is it to exit the circle. The easier to control the better.
* Rating: Difficult = 1 point – Easy = 10 points

11) Circle 100% (constant speed)
When doing a large (100%) circle, how easy is it to maintain the same speed throughout the circle?
* Rating: Difficult = 1 point – Easy = 10 points

12) Wind window
How large is the kite’s wind window? The larger the better.
* Rating: Small = 1 point – Large = 10 points

13) Speed Control
How easy is it to maintain the kite’s speed throughout the wind window? Can the kite be accelerated when required?
* Rating: Difficult = 1 point – Easy = 10 points

14) Axel to Fade
How easy is it to do an axel-to-fade with the kite?
* Rating: Difficult = 1 point – Easy = 10 points

15) Overall impression
What’s the overall impression (based on the fourteen above criteria)?
* Rating: Poor = 1 point – Excellent = 10 points