Date:	Mon, 20 Dec 1993 22:08:39 -1000
From:	tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com
Message-Id: <9312210806.AA08129@enet-gw.pa.dec.com>
Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Subject: New Products

There's a couple of new things on the market that you stunt kite flyers
might be interested in.

Instead of connecting spars with vinyls, I flew a kite outfitted with
Power-Tite Connectors.  The connector consists of a clamp/nylon screw/
spreader end cap assembly.  You put the clamp on the leading edge, the
end cap on one end of the spreader, and join the two with a screw and
nut unit.  Once on, you never have to remove a spreader from its end cap
because it is joined by the screw in such a way that the spreader folds
up nicely in an arc around the screw.  Some of us fold up the spreaders
this way without taking them out of the vinyls, although this makes for
a loose fit in the normal position, and is hard on vinyls.  What I really
liked about this system though, is that I think it makes the kite fly 
better by making the frame stiffer at the joints, and thus better
preserving sail shape.  I flew the setup on a set of matched team
Skyburners, and the one with the the Power-Tite connectors, easily outflew
the other two, in my opinion.  The company that makes these connectors:
L & M Innovative Engineering
P.O. Box 39162
Redford, MI.  48239

Skyshark makes three rods.  It used to be that the 3P was used in ultralights,
the 5P was used in normal wind kites, and the 7P was used for spines, and
heavy wind kites.  Now, the new 3P is stiffer than the old 5P, and still
lighter.  By comparison, the new 3P is 17 423936ghter than an Advantage 250,
2 wrap, but 66tiffer.  The 5P is the same weight as the Advantage, but
85tiffer. These statistics were the results of testing done by
David Lord, who also authored a very comprehensive spar report in the 
late SKQ magazine.  They come in 3 sizes: short, for the top spreader;
standard for regular length, and long (36") used mainly for 10' kites.
Skyshark sells wholesale only.  However, if you need to know where the
nearest kite shop to your area is located, you may write to them at:
Skyshark
216 Loma Vista, Suite G
El Segundo, Ca. 90245

Good Winds,
Bert Tanaka
West Covina, Ca.


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