Kite Makers
Archives Archive
"LiteFlite Radial" retrospective
Posted on April 24, 2008 | No CommentsI have often described this kite as the worst that I have ever paid money for. Perhaps I ought to put this comment into some sort of perspective. At the very beginning of the rise of modern stunt kites (the very late 80s and very...Level One "Challenge" Review
Posted on April 8, 2008 | No CommentsThe Level One Challenge was introduced in 2001. It is a design from the Swiss flyer Stefan Furter and has been his competition kite for the last few years, built and refined by himself. The Challenge has a formidable record as a dual line individual...PBSK "Stiletto" Review
Posted on April 8, 2008 | No CommentsThe Stiletto is the latest design from Peter Betancourt, a 2m kite coming in at a lower price point than most of the rest of his range. As a custom kite maker Peter is able to offer personalised kites in the form of frame options...Airdynamics "Outsider" Review
Posted on April 8, 2008 | No CommentsThe Outsider is Airdynamics’ latest design, a full-sized all-round competition grade kite. It takes several of its design cues from previous Airdynamics kites, most obviously from the T2, although it can claim to be a fresh design. As usual Airdynamics offer a “standard” specification that...Buena Vista "Catalyst" Review
Posted on April 8, 2008 | No CommentsThe Buena Vista Catalyst was brought to the market in 1997 and underwent some subsequent modifications when Buena Vista was incorporated into InVento, the German parent company that produces HQ Kites and designs by Chris Matheson, Pierre Marzin and Dodd Gross. The Catalyst stands at...Airdynamics "Dharma SP" Review
Posted on April 8, 2008 | No CommentsAirdynamics’ Dharma was introduced in 1996 and is aimed at intermediate level and above flyers who want a kite capable of being flown in a variety of styles. It is available in three different models: the standard version made of Carrington K42 and 6mm UL...Mullin Kites "Area 51" Review
Posted on April 8, 2008 | No CommentsAnother picked up in a trade, this was one kite that slipped past me when it was current (manufacturer Mullin Kites ceased business a couple of years ago) that I felt I ought to spend some time with. It’s turned out to be a smart...PBSK "Warrior" Review
Posted on April 8, 2008 | No CommentsI picked up this in a trade. It’s the second Betancourt kite I’ve owned although I’ve flown a handful of others. This kite is dated 2001 although the Warrior was introduced in late 1998 and is still available today. This one is framed throughout in...Cerf-volant "Azur Tandem" Review
Posted on April 8, 2008 | No CommentsAs we appear to be living in an age of dittohead, cookie cutter, all-the-same kites I thought I’d transport us all back to an age where they dared to be different. This is the Cerfs-Volant Azur Tandem, from about 1992 and straight outta Montreal. This...








