Chicago Fire Bee (I-A,Pr,T) $$$$ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Sam Rouse May 1993 Manufacturer: Chicago Fire Kite Company sail by Flexifoil Int'l Material: Sail - .75 oz Carrington ripstop Spars - Beman "Diva" graphite Wind Range: 6-18mph (2.7-8m/s) Span: 8'2" (249 cm) Height: 3'8" (112 cm) Type: Delta, "Fire Dart" shape Flight Review: "The Chicago Fire Bee seems to be oriented toward the precision and team flier. It moves through the air fairly slowly but turns quickly with little oversteer. I've found it to be very fun for team flying (non-competitive); the quickness and precision with which it turns makes for exciting flying. I find its slow flight speed makes it relatively uninteresting for individual flying, however, but the factors that make it boring may be desirable in precision competition. Although the manufacturer gives it a minimum windspeed rating of about 3mph [1.3m/s], I would have to rate it at 6mph [2.7m/s] - while it is certainly possible to fly at 3mph (at least when new), at that speed it moves unbearably slowly and the wind window is too small for it to be enjoyable (at least to me). The Bee is the team kite of choice for me and the friends I fly with, but we don't get them out until the wind hits at least 7mph [3 m/s]. Construction Review: The Bee is a well-constructed, well-finished kite. All seams are double-folded and stitched (no raw edges). Standoffs are capped at both ends, and in fact end caps are used instead of the traditional vinyl tubing on the lower spreader to accommodate that end of the standoffs (very tidy, but not quite stiff enough). Bungees are knotted and glued with no dangling ends - also very tidy, but precludes adjustment (and they come pre-set from the factory at a very high tension; excessive IMHO). Vinyls are color-coordinated with the kite (black in my case). Interesting design point-installing the standoffs makes the sail taut and imparts a slight curve to the leading edges, which in turn puts a pronounced wrinkle in the sail parallel to and just behind the leading edges. I believe it is this factor that keeps the kite's speed low and steady."-Sam Rouse, May 1993