Parafoil Mini - the stowed away gem

•  Shape: Parafoil
•  Size: 42x57cm, a pen length, packed (due to reel)
•  Weight: not yet 100g with tail on. About 50g for reel and lines.
•  Rods: None
•  Fix:  Medium
•  Bridle: Adjustable
•  Tail Provision: 2 (Tail Attached, 6m)
•  Pull: Light
•  Test Launch Wind: 11.3km/h
•  Launch: Will test at lower speed

In the seas of larger and flashier kite, it often eludes one that a simple pleasure such as ours could be had at any place and any time.  It takes a gentle old man, whose love of kite has taken him to places like Paris, China, etc, meet royalties and nobles, flew in Marina South before even there was road (1983 or 6), kite ambassador for Singapore, makers of countless kites (and the list goes on) to remind me. Among his pile of things in the car are photo albums of his tales kites brought, together with the newspaper clippings to boot.

Strangely, there was a copy of a 1983 ITW catalog in it. I flipped through it, twice.  I have to check the issue dates 4 times and I can attest that other than design and size, the content is similar to most online catalog that I’ve seen, including some of the line laundry.  Some things don’t change.

When asked for his recommendation by the missus, he took this little guy out of his pile. Almost 2 decades ago, this then little company introduced some new designs to our world and has been breaking new grounds since, both single line and sports. I think it had been in Singapore for a while too but nobody noticed them. So is this little kite.

It comes in a nice packaging that will fit any standard store shelf. The packaging says “Ready to Fly” and kid you I not. Within the pack is a reel with 200 ft of 20-pound test line bridled up to the frameless sail. It could be in the sky within minutes (the time taken to launch the kite) from purchase, literally. Spread the tail and sail and you’re ready to go.

Like in most parafoil, the air pockets are on top. It comes with a 20 ft tail of matching colors. The design is simple but the missus and I have a great debate on what it looks like, much like watching the clouds. Guys, with the ladies, it is the conversation, not the content.

It is obviously light on the hand. The kite is very forgiving at launch. Our first launch was from the wrong side yet it right itself raising up. The air pockets need to be filled for lift-off so it helps to pull it up (on the line), despite the nice conditions we have. You could literally throw and lift to achieve take-off. One of the naughties came over wanting a try. She has no problem at all lifting into the air.

It moves a little sideways when line is denied. Otherwise, it reacts to the wind so keep a nice tension on the line. We’re test-flied this in a small opening between the playground and the sea and the missus managed to tangled the lines on the tree. No collapse, though, and it keeps in the air and flew higher after my intervention. The pull feels light in general but it can pull a tail much longer than itself. I can only imagine the pull from their powerfoil.

This little guy wins me over for the sheer simplicity. You can literally carry it with you anywhere and fly it as and when, like when waiting of the bus to the Barrage. No complications at all. Just pure joy seeing the little thing going from your hands to the sky (hmmm, much better than raising a kid or pet).

PS: As for the nice wise man, he still has some cody left. Anybody interested? You guys know where to find him. Hope to review one of his creations.