In October 2004 the AERIALIS Team Flyers started to look for another kite to replace the WSOs that we found lacking something in the team/precision department. We collected eight now classic kites to a big test and here’s the story!
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The 26th Nordic Kite Meeting
Blokhus Denmark
May 13th - 19th 2024
Blokhus Wind Festival
Blokhus Denmark
May 18th - 19th 2024

Blackbird

Blackbird
Blackbird

Flown by the famous Team Overdrive, and anyone who has seen those guys in action will know what this kite is capable of. We found it’s a bit troublesome when doing groundwork (tail wraps) but most of the other characteristics we were looking for were very useful. This was probably the kite that suffered most by being flown in the lower end of its wind range.

Test result

8,4 Speed
8,8 Tracking
8,6 Cornering
5,0 Steps down
7,2 Stall (from a horizontal trajectory)
8,2 (Snap)Stall (from a vertical up trajectory)
8,6 Halt (stalled position) from a vertical up trajectory)
7,6 Keeping the Stall position
8,0 Side slide
7,4 Circle 20% (2 x wingspan)
8,8 Circle 100% (constant speed)
7,8 Wind window
8,8 Speed Control
2,6 Axel to Fade
7,4 Overall impression
113,2 Total Score

Test pilot comments

  • Groundwork is difficult
  • Very good tracking
  • Good speed control and acceleration
  • Sometimes hard to land controlled (due to low winds?)
  • Decent overall qualities, but lacks the little extra
  • Groundwork is difficult, too many tail wraps
  • Surprisingly light pull
  • Cool looking kite, good appearance in the air

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See you at the 26th
Nordic Kite Meeting!

Blokhus, Denmark

May 13th - 19th, 2023

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