Flexifoil Blade IV 4.9M

September 2007
I borrowed a Blade IV 4.9m and had a chance to try the kite over the past two days. I can happily say that the experience was very positive! I am pleased to submit my first RK review...

Pilot's Experience
I have not flown a lot of kites. I own and fly various sizes of Ted's ProFoils up to 2.5m and a Pansh Legend 3.0m. I've been flying quadline foil kites on weekends for 2 months. Consequently, experience fliers may find the technical details of this review insufficient for the kite. However, this review is directed more to the novice-to-intermediate flier considering the purchase of a Blade IV.

Kite Bag
When I opened the shipping box and packing material, I came face to face with the like-new Flexifoil Blade IV 4.9 bag. For those of you who have Flexi products, you'll recognize the quality even on initial inspection of the bag itself! Needless to say, compared to the spartan nylon stuff sack my Pansh Legend came in, this bag with its additional pockets, etc., can easily function as a day-pack--holding accessories, personal possessions, etc. I suppose my only complaint is that the main compartment is only just large enough to accommodate the folded kite/lines/handles; a harness assembly will not fit in the bag.

Material and Foil Features
Unpacking the kite, I discovered a feature I'd read about in other reviews--convenient velcro straps for securing the bridle lines when packing. Of course, they are color coded to match the bridle lines.

The kite material is crisp and feels like a harty thickness. The Blade IV has a mesh material covering the cell air-inlets. While other reviewers have complained that this material degrades over time due to snagging debris, crashes, etc., they were in like-new condition and looked fine at the time of the test. The cell openings maintain their open shape thanks to bracing in the opening interior.

Bridle Lines
Bridle lines unpacked easily without much untangling needed. The lines are conveniently color coded in blue and red for left and right, respectively, with two styles to differentiate between brake and power/lead.

The Blade IV comes equiped with a easy to use Angle of Attack Adjustment (a.k.a. AAA) bridle, making it a no-brainer to adjust the AoA (while the kite is grounded). The kite bag includes a Setup Guide illustrating the AoA settings available. Adjustments are made by simply moving a single larkshead knot on each of the two lead line bridles.

Test Conditions and Equipment
The test was conducted on two subsequent afternoons at Sylvan Beach Park in La Porte, Texas (USA) with nearly identical conditions--steady 10 mph on-shore coastal winds gusting to less than 12 mph. For this flier trying his maiden voyage with a kite as large as this, I was relieved to have such ideal, safe conditions. I used 25m Flexifoil 440# / 220# lines with 40 cm Flexifoil 4-line handles. I occasionally used a custom-assembled harness with quick release to prolong static flying time.

Kite Performance -- "Normal" AoA
After hearing so many stories of the amazing lift of the Blade series, I played it safe and started with the AoA adjustment set to "Normal" which is the setting just under the highest lift. With lines connected and helmet and kite killers on, I took up the slack in the lines; the Blade stood in attention, calmly waiting futher instructions. (Sideline Cam -- Cockpit Cam)

Again, playing it safe, I lauched the kite up and to the side rather than up the power zone. The pull was manageable and not crazy (I was wearing sandles on grass). The kite moved to the edge of the window and parked nicely, allowing me to use my camera phone for a picture.

I then proceded to send the kite to the apex--stable & patient with lift apparent. Moving on to some figure-8's up high, the kite displayed nice control responding well to brake-turns.

So far so good...it hasn't spanked me yet!

With confidence increasing, I tried a lauch directly up the power zone and had some nice 3-4 meter scuds on the grass; the kite went straight up and parked without incident. Oh, and I managed a few butt scuds to the delight of the spectators! I then moved on to testing the agility and stability while powered up. Obviously, the nearly 5m kite generated some decent pull lower in the wind window, so I felt I needed to facilitate rapid turns by brake-turning. The response was wonderful with nearly wingtip turns at 60-70 degrees above the field at 12 o'clock.

Flight Performance -- "High" AoA
This was my first experience with a high angle of attack, so I admit that I don't have much to which to compare this. I also didn't have previous experience with jumping, so you'll have to seek the details from other reviewers. However, I can say this. The launch up the power zone didn't have a very noticeable increase in pull, so it wasn't as scary as I had psyched myself up to be. It was manageable! I felt increased lift at the apex, but it didn't loft my 13 stones (190 lbs) as I'd feared...at least not in these 10mph winds.

Powered up, the kite moved more slowly through the window, generated plenty of pull, and maintained its agility and stability. I'm loving it at this point.

Finally, near the end of the second session, with lid on, I attempted my first ever pendulum jumps based on animations I'd seen on forums. I sent the kite to 2 o'clock, turned it toward 10-11 o'clock and ran the other way slightly upwind. When I felt the power kick in, I redirected to the right and jumped!

Okay, only 25 cm off the ground on my first, but!!! it held me and didn't drop me. Trying again, I gained more height. After 5 or 6 attempts, I was getting 1 to 1.5m with nice floating landings. Never once did the kite let me down. A remarkable experience for a novice jumper like me. If I can do it, you can too!

I flew the Blade IV 4.9m until the daylight was rapidly leaving the sky. By the end of the sessions, I was hot, sweaty (it was 90 degrees F with 70% humidty), and slightly dehydrated, but I was stoked with having flown this kite.

Final Thoughts
I've heard many frightening stories about the Blades, and admit that my heart was racing when I first launched it. However, what people advise is correct--you must respect the power potential of the wind and these kites. In only 10 mph winds, a relatively new flier like me was able to get 1 to 1.5m pendulum jumps in only half a dozen attempts. I know, that in 15+ winds this kite would demand the respect that I've shown it at 10 mph. (I'm ready to give it a go--bring on the higher winds please!!!)

Bottomline: If you have not flown a quadline kite larger than 1.0m before, I advise against trying this Blade IV 4.9m. However, if you have successfully learned to control larger foil power kites in conditions that allow you to scud a few meters--and by control I mean launching the kite through the power zone, brake-turning, landing using the brakes, and reverse launching--then I'd say grab your safety gear (helmet, kite killers, etc) and this kite, and find some mild conditions. Set the AoA adjustment to Normal, launch it, and have stokin' blast of a time!

By : GulfSandEater