Aerial by Highly Strung of Australia

Validity and reliability are obviously good things in a review, so, to insure the quality of this one, I triangulated my findings with those of two Master Class flyers (Dodd Gross of DJ Sport Kites and Bob Neiman of Chicago Kite Company) who I knew had flown the Aerial and who I could reach by phone. To my delight they independently affirmed not only my conclusions, but also my enthusiasm for the Aerial.

The Aerial by Highly Strung Kites of Australia is a new stunt kite that has just reached the North American market. Its performance profile is impressive: It travels straight, corners sharply, spins tightly, does not over react, and is smooth to fly.

Let's start with the basics:

• wing span - 2.5 m (8.2 ft)
• leading edge - 1.68 m (5.5 ft)
• wind range - 5 - 24 kph (3 - 14.9 mph)
• sail fabric - Carrington
• line recommendations - 80 to 200 pounds
• comes with three center spines:
  • a fiberglass one for light winds
  • a prospar one for medium winds, and
  • a prospar comp one for heavy winds
• spreaders - Beman
• uses two sets of thin graphite standoffs
• uses a short batten near each wing tip
• price - MSL - $250 U.S.; retail may be less

The first thing I noticed when I took the Aerial out of its packaging was that it felt a bit heavy, and it is, weighting in at about 12 oz. But its mass is certainly not a liability. Indeed, rather than feeling heavy in the air, it feels smooth and responsive, even in choppy wind. Initially I attributed this to the mass of the Aerial, but, upon reflection, it is more likely a function of the shape of the camber of the sail and the slight stretchiness of the Carrington fabric.

The Aerial flies about medium speed, tracks beautifully, and is rock solid right out to the edges. Turns, whatever kind you like, are dead square with little to no oversteer. The Aerial spins with precision on a point about a third of the way up the leading edge and stops dead on command. Aerial stalls and floats may be the best you will see. The Aerial is quiet, except when you spin it, and then it makes just enough noise to remind you to pay attention.

I was amazed and delighted by the Aerial's performance when my wind meter read between 2 and 3 mph. With a little bit of rowing to compensate for wind abbreviations, the Aerial behaved as it had in stronger winds. And the slides, wow. Certainly this is attributable the two pairs of standoffs and pair of battens which give it a high efficiency sail. To be sure, the Aerial is not a zero wind kite, but I wouldn't be surprised if it could be close to one if it were fitted with lighter spars.

While I was testing the Aerial in 4 to 10 mph winds, I flew a 2400 Tracer and an MEFM in its highest aspect ratio as comparison kites. Compared to the Tracer, the Aerial has a slightly faster forward speed, trackes at least as straight, does not pull as hard, corners squarer, and stalls and floats better. The Aerial's spin is comparable to the MEFM's, except that the Aerial has little or no oversteer. The MEFM flies in less wind than the Aerial.

Some observations/comments:

• No bridal adjustments are needed throughout the Aerial's wind range!
• The recommended top wind speed of 14.9 mph is probably conservative, but a wind tamer is recommended for winds in excess of 18 mph.
• A cheat line is probably a good idea as lines tend to get caught in the velcro closures that hold in the battens.
• When the kite is disassembled, you are left holding 4 small graphite standoffs and 2 small battens. Find something to store them in that is stronger than the zip lock bag in which they came.
• Given the size and fragility of the standoffs, purchasing a spare part or two is advisable.
• When I was fairly aggressive with the Aerial I dislodged its bottom spreaders a time or two. Some remedial action may be needed.
• The manual suggests it will take 2 or 3 hours of flying time for the sail to settle into position and the seams to set. Frankly, I cannot say that I noticed much difference: The kite flew beautifully straight out of the bag.
• My manual is a copy of a fax of a draft of the manual and is in need of some work. Likely the key word here is draft, and the manual that comes off the presses will be a better one, but for the record, my manual:
  • does not tell the user when to use each of the three center spines. Use the information presented above. If in doubt, use the prospar comp rod all the time.
  • mentions a second top spreader when only one came with the kite.
  • has graphics that are not quite as helpful as they could be with respect to the installation of the standoffs and battens. In fairness, by default, you will figure it out.

In summary, the Aerial's attributes make it an exceptional individual kite with strong bents toward precision and ballet. If you are a casual flyer, this kite will surely make you look good; if you are on the tournament trail, it may well make you look better. When you get a chance, check out the Aerial. You will be glad you did.

Jim Welsh jim_welsh@umanitoba.ca