ir23

This is an old review, I found lying around my computer... Flexifoils new Viper range has certainly stirred the nest, and it is amazing the amount of people willing to comment about it, in cyber space and on the beach, without ever flying it. So to set the record straight KTV have been testing the Viper 5.0 over the summer and getting some of Irelands top, and not so top, pilots to give us their opinions, some are almost printable, others are the simple soundings of bankrupt hollow men in search of the perfect wind and kite combination. A noble enough quest if you make use of all that arrives, unrewarding and frustrating if time is frittered away by the wishing well waiting for it to come to you! Don't be a lazy kite, love all weather, and try many kites. Millisle is our local testing ground so that's where we headed for, a getting to know you session, watched over by the grazing bison and its brood. The first thing we noticed on the maiden flights, was the tips can get caught in the bridles, vigorous shaking did not always cure it, and sometimes it was quicker to land and let inflation sort it out. This should not be a problem with the smaller asps. The more experienced we became, the less of a problem folding tips became, to the point now, were snags rarely happen. It takes time to master or find the idiosyncrasies of any kite and the Viper 5.0 is no different in that aspect, it is not for first timers and although Flexifoil claim the Viper has "negligible lift", it is possible to jump with the Viper 5.0, which means you could with the 6.0, and we're sure you could be airborne in a good wind with the 4.0 also, in fact we'll let you know! Suprises are in store when you tune the Viper, for your trailing edge should be almost taught, this will enable you to get what I can only describe as a nitro burst when you gently apply a little trailing edge tension. This is also a good opportunity for a laugh, as all sorts of people including those who should know better, come over and say, "let your trailing edge lines out", or words to that effect. When this happens you should let the good helper fly it tuned, and then let out the trailing edge lines to their spec, see if they notice the difference. Billed as a step up from the Skytiger, is bit like saying, "it does what it says on the tin", KTV think it does more than what it says on the tin. A lot of Irelands top parakart pilots made very positive remarks about it, even devoted Blade flyers recognised it as a worthy addition to any collection, mainly because of its upwind capabilities, a few pilots are yet to report, and a few refusniks were not convinced of, "its place in the greater scheme of things," digressing into, "copycat, Predator, nothing new", and to those we can only recommend therapy, - perhaps a day on the beach with some single line kites - only its flyability, durability, cost and smell were under scrutiny, and all came up trumps! The Viper has all the hallmarks of Flexifoils build quality, presentation and aroma. It excerts traction instead of constant unrelenting lift, and has the added bonus of a nitro booster for the fast straight, making it a good choice for novice & junior parakart pilots looking to upgrade their skill level. KTV are looking forward to testing the smaller Vipers in force 5+, our personal favourite; over the winter season we shall also be testing Libre Boras, and any other kites that come our way. By : IR23

There is something cosmic about taking delivery of a new kite, it's something to do with the light or is it the wind? Hell who knows? I took delivery of my new 2.8 Predator Mk lll at the Last Gasp on the day I was to do my pilots licence, new lines, new handles, new kite. I don't know if it was the light or the growing wind but the moment felt illuminatti. So I bottled out and put short lines on, and was still over powered in the f4 ish on shore winds, which had been provided for our pleasure. The 2.8 Predator sat pert & proud despite my cautious 15m line choice, and served me well during my testy day, it provided full on grunt, with the fast responsive agility of it's breed. I must add though, that while the 15m line choice was a last resort, and worked out well, 20-25m lines are the full on dream ticket and change the whole nature off the beast. The increased power band increased attention. A note of caution, don't take your eyes of it when you near the top of your wind range, one second counts. I have been caught twice. Once during a turn at Ballyholme, same conditions force fourish on shore, I put Rhubarb&Custard to the top of the window far to quick, thankfully I was able to turn into it, as I was lifted aloft I was able to pull the buggy along with my feet, only the back axle was on the ground, I landed back on the seat and completed the turn! Nobody saw it; there was nobody else there. The second surprise some say was just as lucky, but in a different way. Someone saw it. Coming in to park up and change down a size at Benone after one of the best runs I've had up there. I flicked the kite to quick to the top and heh presto, always crashing the same car, out sideways up onto the windscreen of my car over the roof, and yes into the tailgate which was open as it would be. This time I've popped myself instead of the kite and by **** does it hurt? Action stations Benone crew, rescue services scrambled. EL Presidente got me to hospital before my screaming destroyed his future as a piano tuner. Subdued on morphine I was now a simpering groaner, deemed safe to travel, no longer a threat to the nights quiet. Boyd limousine driver extradinare delivered me home in my own car packed by pros. That team is tight; I'd cross the dessert with them anytime. Two after thoughts : I'm glad I did it to my own car, and I am glad I wasn't wearing my drysuit. As with the EKKO wipe-out this was entirely my own fault. Unlike the EKKO this kite has style. You also get to pick your own colour or colour combos, and there are no brand markings, subtle. Some people tell me mine's blue and red I'm not to sure as I am colour blind. Or so I'm told. This is a high performance kite that is fast and stable all over the window, with excellent up wind performance, handmade to order they come in their own bag which will all so accommodate lines and handles, which amazingly some manufacturers over look, and they should know better. There is a little label sewn into the seam of the bag with SKY KITES and their phone no, now that is a practical confident statement that merits a mention. Manners count. They are feisty with a smooth power delivery. It is the busiest kite in my bag and always a pleasure to fly. I am so impressed with mine I've called it Flossy and ordered up a 2.2m. Someone will tell me the colour... By : IR23

I learnt a lot at the Last Gasp, including the fact that I needed a small kite for the full on that I love so much. After flying the EKKO I knew that flaffing around with shorter lines had it's limits. A smaller kite with long lines is better. An opportunity arose and I seized the moment. Bill Williams Scotland's and possibly the UK's rep for Airea, Had read the Viper review on a site that no longer exists. After a lot of haggling, and what the lads said amounted to emotional blackmail, Bill agreed to lend me the kite to test and do a write up. He He He... That whole thing about getting a new kite to fly all over again, only this time it was the other option, waiting for the wind! Boy did I wait? Worth the wait? Hell it most certainly was. An Easterly arrived, the likes of which had not been seen or felt forever such a long time. A rare treat, perfect conditions at Millisle, and a 1.7 Raptor to make the best of it. The beach was in a state that it only achieves in darkest winter. Big moguls everywhere and firm sand where normally you would need Bigfoots. Infact this is what the lad's up North have wanted for years, buggy-cross. It took a while tweaking and twiddling, adjusting lines etc, when it was tuned, it was wicked, everything I expected. The Raptor 1.7 is one stonkingly good kite Airea have something to be proud of in the Raptor series. I could tell immediately that Bill would not be getting this kite back, as it was performing the miraculous at will. It has all the qualities that I usually witter on about, it is fast, stable and at home all over the window with awesome power. There is a local that walks his dog at Millisle and has watched our progress, he watched me do the wall of death stunt that Steve and I have been perfecting, then he came over and said "your going well today; new kite then". Well he was right. For over four hours I worked the 1.7 stopping every now and again for a smoke as you do, and loved every minute of it. When it was time to wrap I had a closer look at the marvel. The finish on the kite is second to none. It is robust and sturdy. The colour scheme wouldn't be my normal choice, but I'm no great authority on colour, so I'm told. The one thing that pissed me off about the package is that there is no room in its little bag to accommodate lines and handles. Now what's that about? A bit of a slip up if you ask me. I like to keep lines and handles dedicated to each kite I have, and I don't think I'm the only one that does that. A small detail ok but relevant to a review. The next time I was about to fly it was at Benone just before the New Year. Steve El Presidente fly past me at a rate of knots sporting a 2.5 Raptor, I was flying my predator 2.8 over powered, and losing, now I really hate that. I realised that by moving down to the 1.7 it wouldn't allow me to catch Steve with his 2.5. All of that became immaterial as I went airborne into the front of my own car finishing off my years kiting with a spectacular. It was this incident that made realise that there is too much of a gap between the 1.7 and the 2.8. So I have ordered up a 2.2 Predator and Steve is taking my Raptor 1.7, and is changing his entire fleet to Raptor's. Airea's Raptors are superb kites, truly high performance and friendly with it. When I phoned Bill to tell him so, he replied with, "I told you so", he also told me he had been kitesurfing. Shame on him. By : IR23

The house of Elliot first came to my attention when my good mate Brian came flying past me at some speed shouting "Sky Tigers are for pussy's", or perhaps he said something else, the funny thing is I didn't know him at this time. We were on Dollymount Strand, I was helping some Dudes with a pop promo they were shooting, by flying my kite in the background of some shots, and "if you could do some kite buggying, that would be great" kind of thing. The lads were well lucky for the wind was stonking; on the first major charge down the beach toward the cameras, it happened; Brian overtook me and yelled something, and that was our introduction, the camera crew were giggling like loons, over come by the drama of it all. A star was born, Brian has never been camera shy since, I met a new friend, and his EKKO and my old Skytiger are pop stars, I'm told the pop promo was broadcast on RTE at sometime. He He He... It is true, that my old Sky Tiger still has a spring and a growl after being tended by the vet, sorry Flexifoil. Alas Brian's EKKO 1.7 had shall we say, a "Rock'n Roll" end. It burst on Tyrella, with no vet on call, within Europe. Brian and Colly Wobbles had come up from Dublin to check out Tyrella, for a bit of kite surfing. Collie's gizmo thing reconded the wind was 25 gusting to 30-35 mph and the water they told me was "boiling". The Dudes sat in the car chatting to an acquaintance Brian had re-encountered at the Gumball, while I had the ride of my life flying Brian's 1.7, two and a half hours of full on hyper-adrenaline mainlining, aquaplaning, powerslidding thing. The first runs were spent cautiously charting the hazards and charms of the beach. Tyrella when it is kind is vicious terrain, and on that fateful day it was Armageddon, you think I jest. As the tide withdrew more and more surprises were revealed, soft sand traps, deep pools, shallow pools razor sharp shingle, rocks, goats, burning cows, beasts from hell, locals and the rest. The 1.7 reacted like a total Demon, and I mean that in a nice way, it was everything you want, it was fast, stable and loads of power, there were a few twitchy moments there always is in a getting to know you scenario. For two and half-hours I was at one with the kite and the universe, the goal of all Pantheists. Check that one out. In true "Rock'n Roll" style that last performance was it's best. I like to think so anyway. When it was time to wrap the 1.7 went for a power dive while I was dreaming about putting an offer on it. The POP was mighty. There was no chance of recovery. Brian's face was a picture. After wrapping and bagging he said "that's yours I want one too". Short pause then, "or do I". hmm too Zen. I took it to two sail makers in Belfast, they marvelled at the craftsmanship and the development in kite technology. I looked at it too, it certainly had popped, and surgery would not be a cost-effective option locally anyway. I e-mailed Elliot for repair advice to no avail, several times. I got an e-mail to say the house of Elliot would e-mail me in the future, but that was about something else and they never did. Brian decided he didn't want one. He retired from parakarting and took up kitesurfing full time, in Forteventurra. He's a lucky devil and will do well. Ireland lost a parakart champion. Brian lost a kite but gained a bag. I heard from a normally reliable source that Elliot have added a Velcro valve on the trailing edge. Maybe they read their e-mail after all. I think they should. By : IR23