Leaderboard

Mesh is intended for wind that is strong enough to collapse the frame on a standard sail. The mesh area(s) allow a percentage, large or small by design, of the wind to pass through the sail. This can greatly reduce the pressure of the wind pushing against the sail, usually to a safe or at least comfortable level. In other words the kite won't drag you down the field and slam you into a brick wall at the other end. It also dampens any other effects the wind has on the kite, such as gusts, change of direction, etc. It will take stronger wind to launch and fly it than it would a standard sail.

JB has great training videos on here. Watch them. The best advice I ever got was practice with a purpose. I had a set routine of skills to practice first, then I would do whatever I wanted. Often, I would practice skills the last 5-10 minutes of flying to see how the practice was refining my control. I am a solo flyer so I haven't focused on team that much, but it won't hurt to practice those skills next.

No kite is suitable for light winds - unless the flier's skills are up to it. It takes a lot to learn light wind flying and do it right. Skills - not equipment is the single most important thing needed. Too many have chased that demon and lost. Does this mean that the proper equipment is useless - of course not! In both dual line and quads, there are models for light wind. Quads also offer you a variety of rods to choose from to meet your goals. But the finest equipment means nothing if you don't know how to use it. All about skills ...... There are countless options on a good beginner quad. Most have already been posted here.Any good quad with maybe 2 frame choices, would be a very satisfactory starter kite. Take the time to learn the basics in decent winds, then attempt light wind flying. No fun trying to learn control, when you are fighting to keep the sail aloft. Look for a 5-10 mph wind and get those basics down!

there are some great quad-heads in NJ, you are lucky to live there you need to hook-up with Lisa Willoughby, or Dennis Smith for a personal lesson (Liberty State Park is a frequent destination) There's a four decade level of experience available from this pairs team, Lisa is an excellent indoor pilot too and Smitty kicks my butt in competition MMB almost every time we meet (since 1999). They are both master class dual line pilots besides the quads. Lisa coordinates a festival on Long Beach Island (NJ) in the fall too. You've gotta make a way there and time to join us. night fly, buggies, huge inflatables, quad team, competition, but only the "fun events" <HA!> are held. Naturally demos done all day. A bunch of us are in the Washington DC area if you ever get down there. In the summer-time it's a indoor quad-lined event with an unlimited ceiling almost every time we meet (5 months worth anyway). A coach will save you both time and money, ignore the travel cost fears, you are SAVING big time with a coach and getting to experience a bunch of flight variations w/o any financial commitment. You get to "FEEL" it and see if you connect. Quads are as a variable as any driven vehicles to take you across town, (you can make a quad any way you want with tuning, selections of framing and sail configurations, line choices and handles.) All smooth and graceful or twitchy and responsive?

the 19 foot mesh delta has been flown successfully INDOORS at the National Air & Space Museum Annex by Dulles Airport with Ron Sitnk piloting,... not for long and not for very far, but undoubtedly flight worthy (if you want it bad enough like him)

My bride and i have lighted mesh deltas, 2 nine or ten feet and one a foot smaller. They have 64 lites sewn in, a program flasher and a long lasting rechargeable battery. When assembled the whole thing is darn solid and balanced. Battery trapped into a holder, spars are thread-wrapped & epoxy coated, tapered carbon (TOUGH) The two larger ones are pretty effortless fliers in low wind, surprisingly low wind actually and the lights from a 100 or so feet high will illuminate an entire field below. The further you let them out the less impact on the show below! We bought one big one from "Cobra Kites in NJ", assembled in on the bed and promptly ordered another one w/o even flying it, we were so impressed w/design and construction. These kites are super reliable, you can hand 'em off to spectators and know that they will be just fine, even if never having succeeded in the past. Oh & the thrill on their faces, with your trust in them. Of course they let out more line, just make 'em wind in back in before you accept the kite back. This is an incredible financial value for a show piece at night.....you will love it! (them, you won't settle for one)

You might be definitely are a kite nut if you're on this forum.

Go with the SUL for light wind and your area of the country in general. You will need to put in a couple dozen or more hours with the quad to learn control basics (about the same amount of time it took to learn basic control of the dual) before you start feeling comfy in very light wind. The weight of the SUL can be further reduced if you find the need to. However, make no modifications until you have at least 40 hours on the quad in very light wind. Light wind flying is itself an art that takes some time to master. Your inputs will need to be honed to a keener edge. If you intend to only fly it when you can't fly the Quantum, then you'll be ok. If you want to fly a quad in the same wind as your Quantum you will need one that is a step up from the SUL, or at least a heavier frame to use with the SUL sail.

IF you are looking for the very light wind performance then the Kite marked as SUL would be your best choice. that being said, secondary market, it's really hard to beat a good B-series. I'd avoid the SLE which has a larger diameter leading edge. It is very stiff and avoided by most quad fliers. Those that do have th SLE's typically switch out the LE for a regular frame. The B-Series while not marketed as a beginner kite will do everything the others will do and still be there for you to grow into.. The VERY best advice you will get is to go fly with others and try their kites first..

OK 7 hours..

8 Hours later it's ready to fly..

2001. Airplane!. Gremlins. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Manos, The Hands of Fate.