This kite was released by Pansh last Thursday, and quickly spotted by certain Racekite members ...
Been first off the block meant I had the first Pansh Ace in the UK in my hands on Tuesday. Quick delivery from Pansh!!
Unpacking the box revealed a simple stuff sac. Handles like a low quality version of HQ beamer, and some lines. While one person has said the 170/110kg Dymeema line are better than previous Pansh, I'd hate to see the originals, these seen thick and braided. No instructions, keyring or stickers.
As I was home late from work and it was getting dark grabbed a set of Ozone lines/handles and headed out across the fields.
Unpacking the kite avoiding the country pancakes, and can confirm:
- Well made and stitched. The fabric is a crisp ripstop, doesn't feel too heavy
- It has a race kite AR (4.5 ish)
- All edge reinforced with grey soft nylon tape. Its not Mylar that Ozone use, but it looks serviceable.
- White diagonal internal braces just inside the LE, act as supports for the A bridle.
- The Air intakes are set back slightly from the LE. Means the front profile of the kite is aerodynamically rounded
- The orange scrips at 30% chord are also diagonal bracing from mid rib to front surface. And act as reinforcement points for the B bridle. Can't help but think white, red or black, would look better in the air.
- The tip dirt outs are very small - 5cm long velcro, but its good to see them.
- The bridle is FULLY STICHED, I wasn't expecting that. The bridles are a little thick with coloured flecks and "rough", but look serviceable. No line retaining loops or velcro
- Bridle attachment points are taken into the kite and stitched back onto the rib in a diagonal v shape. Very nice and strong detailing
So far so good, lines out and kite attached. Ace sitting up into the wind at 50% height very nicely.
Back at the handles and pull, kite rises, inflates very quickly, 10ft scud and straight up to zenith. Try the brakes, they are a bit off/on, but the kite deflates nicely and controllable, and sinks back to ground. COOL! Flew safely out of the bag.
Spent the next 10mins flying the kite across the window, more 10foot + scuds (not a good idea in that field!). What I found out.
- Pulls steadily and hard, and defiantly generates apparent wind. It accelerates across the window
- Needs a lot of power line input to turn sharply, but can be turned on a wingtip on the brakes.
- Due to the apparent wind you can fly it out of the window, or overfly the zenith. However I was able to recover the couple of luffs, and in this wind the kite re-inflated in the window smoothly, without fuss.
- You can park the kite at the top, which I did for a few gusts and a rest. Yes there was a little lift, even in that wind.
- Inverted take off - no problem
- I was figure 8ing the kite in the window really enjoying it, when I realised the wind had almost entirely died. By keeping the kite moving I was flying on apparent wind alone. To prove it I stopped the kite and it instantly fell out of the sky!
All but dark now, packed up stumbled back across the fields, to see the smoke rising vertically from our chimney. Huge smile on my face.
So ended possibly the first Pansh Ace outside China (?). If I can't claim that, I can at least claim to have the first ever Pansh Ace to smell of Cow P**
Second flight up on the Downs last night, gusty as hell 20mph, with huge holes, but the Ace was stable and pulling like a truck. A real workout. It has some lift and some report it even gave a "significant member" of our club an accidental "jump" (lofting).
Comments from other club members included:
* "shaped like a blade 4" ...
* "fabric seems a bit absorbent"
In conclusion a great kite for £100 quid, let alone half the price. Got to try it in the buggy next, but its natural home might be up against the Blade on a Board.
By : andya
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