Newsgroup: it.hobby.aquiloni
Titolo: sito level one

Qualcuno di voi sa darmi cortesemente il link del sito della Level One
perchè l'ho cercato ma non l'ho trovato
grazie.
f...@b.io

 ha scritto nel messaggio
news:96Vc8.2993$l_3.1...@twister1.libero.it...


Lo stavo visitando in cerca di novità proprio ora ;-) 
http://www.levelonekites.com/
f...@b.io
 wrote:
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-- 
             Buon vento, jack.frusciante.
        Vola su: 
http://fly.to/jack.frusciante
        Per rispondermi in privato non volare,
  ma togli FLY TO dall'indirizzo lasciando il punto.

 ha scritto nel messaggio
news:3C74210E...@tiscali.it...


 A presto
-- 


 JACK IN THE BOX.. [cut]> 
Di seguito un'ottima recensione del CHALLENGE fatta da Mike Emer su
re.kites
Introduction. 
------------- 
The 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 competition kite but is
only now being seen in the hands of many other flyers.
 
Presentation.
------------- 
The Challenge comes in a heavyweight kite bag with a pocket for lines.
The kite is held wrapped up with a velcro strap. Generic instructions
(in German but heavily illustrated) are included with a stapled insert
giving spar specifications and a pictorial on ASP (Anti Speed Profile)
adjustment. There are no specific instructions on the bridle although
the quick adjustment feature common to most Level One kites is
covered.
Design. 
------- 
A moderate aspect (neither overly high nor low) ratio wing of around
2.2m span with four stand offs, spaced quite evenly along the lower
spreaders. The stand offs are not adjustable for position. The spine
is slightly cut short, giving a two point stance. The leading edges
are very nearly straight with little sweepback. The wingtips and spine
attached to the sail with traditional Level One looped and tied back
cord. There is a static bridle with a redundant line running from the
upper spreader/leading edge connector to the inhaul which stops the
bridle from snagging around the base of the spine. There is a two
position quick adjustment for the bridle at the upper spreader/leading
edge connector and the bridle can be tuned at the tow point also. A
leech line is fitted to the trailing edge and can be tightened for
silent flight or loosened to enhance the ASP. The symmetrical sail
panel layout combines a number of overlaid panels in areas of stress,
notably at the nose and around the standoffs. The panelling at the
nose is reinforced with several stitch lines.
ASP is a design feature that illustrates the intelligence that has
gone into this design. The trailing edge between the outer standoff
and wingtip does not follow a smooth curve but has a short
straightline section. When the leech line is tight the kite is fast,
tricky and silent but when the leech line is loosened this section of
the trailing edge is allowed to interfere with the airstream and
causes extra drag at the wingtips. This makes the kite slower, tighter
turning and (much) noisier. Adjust to suit your flying preferences.
Materials. 
---------- 
The sail is ripstop polyester with full length leading edge
reinforcement in dacron. As mentioned there are many places where the
sail panels are overlaid to double thickness for reinforcement. The
frame is a mix of 6mm leading edges (one piece each of 152cm) and
upper spreader, an 8mm spine and SkyShark P200 lower spreaders.
Leading edge connectors are APA for the lower spreaders and FSD for
the upper, with glued stoppers above and below on all four. The centre
T-fitting has both internal and external ferrules for durability and
again has stoppers above and below. The end caps on the leading edges
and spine are the enclosed FSD type. All three have a broad vinyl ring
to tidy up the tensioning and leech lines, giving few opportunities
for snags. The standoffs, which are 3mm translucent glassfibre, attach
to the sail with hard fittings secured on the backside of the sail
with an O-ring and with a soft rubber fitting on the lower spreader.
Construction. 
------------- 
The Challenge gives the impression of having a lot of thought going
into the choice of materials and construction options. All of the
materials are top quality and the detailing shows the competition
pedigree of this kite. It is competition ready out of the bag. As with
all Level One kites there is a lot of work in the sail and it is all
neatly executed with plenty of reinforcements that promise a durable
kite.
Flight. 
------- 
Level One rate the wind range of this kite as 7 to 45 km/h (4 to 28
mph). The kite is no lightweight and although it will take to the air
at lower wind speeds, particularly if the bridle is adjusted, the
Challenge is underperforming and can be pulled from the air very
easily. I'd personally not rate the kite as truly usable quite as low
as that. Whilst it will be in the air, you won't get a true reflection
of the kite's considerable abilities and probably won't be able to set
the kite on the second bridle setting at all. If the wind is solidily
at at least 10 km/h (6 mph) then it is truly worth getting the kite
out of the bag. The upper wind speed limit seems reasonable. The
wingtips start to vibrate when you get near to the safe limits.
ASP sometimes makes the Challenge feel like two subtly different
kites. With the trailing edge tight there can be a little hesitancy in
making really tight spins and undercut turns at the edge can slur into
understeer. Precision is definitely enhanced when the kite is noisier
although that is not to say that it is poor beforehand. Tricks are not
really affected to the same degree. It is exceptional in either state.
In conventional precision flight the Challenge is exacting, responsive
and sensitive. Firm and precise hand movements are needed to make the
kite perform. If you are used to more relaxed kites that flatter the
flyer then this sensitivity may be difficult to get used to. It is
very easy indeed to overdo push-pull turns and set the kite onto its
back but it is always controllable and consistent, just sensitive. Not
a kite for the either the beginner or the timid. Speed control is
good, being easily accelerated or slowed just from the arms, although
with the trailing edge tight it is quite quick in a straight line.
Pull is not excessive (150lb line is enough).
Axels and Half-Axels can be a little scary at first as the kite kicks
around a long way, showing the back of the sail to the flyer in a way
that normally spell "tip wrap" but this is rarely the case. Any simple
tip wraps that are encountered can frequently be removed by getting
the kite flat on the ground and snapping the offending line, spinning
the kite around and slipping the line off. More complicated snarl ups
do need a contemplative walk. Backspins and Lazy Susans present no
problem and a Fade can be held steady, although the "spinny" nature of
the kite makes it easy to unbalance the kite if coming into the Fade
from an Axel.
One aspect is particularly notable: pitch manoeuvres (Pancakes, Fades,
Flic-Flacs, Yo-Yos, etc.) are not only easily achievable but extremely
controllable both in speed and amount. I have only ever tried some
very high aspect ratio kites that can match this and even they were
not as controllable and repeatable in this respect. Snap stalls can be
held nicely upright, forced into a Backflip (Turtle) or even really
hammered into a backwards Yo-yo.
Stefan has used this kite to win all manner of competitions across
Europe. In his hands it has won precision, ballet and freestyle
events. Whilst a huge part of this is down to his skills as a flyer he
clearly needs a kite worthy of his own abilities.
Problems. 
--------- 
This is my third Level One kite and the consistency of construction
across their range is noteworthy. It also means that the same small
problems are seen.
One or two of the stoppers (and they are in five positions) have come
unglued and needed replacement.
There are a few places where the dacron has frayed slightly due to not
having been hot cut quite well enough.
The dacron at the nose isn't cut away quite cleanly, giving an
unfortunate catch point when in a Fade.
None of these are in any way major errors and can be resolved easily
but removing them at the manufacturers would elevate Level One to the
very highest quality. As such they are minor irritations.
The quick adjustment of the bridle is quite coarse, giving quite a
large change in flying characteristics. Perhaps an intermediate
position would be possible.
Summary.
--------
This kite in many ways represents the state-of-the-art for a European
dual-line individual competition kite. It has no significant
weaknesses in its flight and, in the hands of a true expert, can show
exactly what can be done with this sort of kite. It is solidly made,
keenly priced and rewarding (if demanding) to fly.
Disclaimer. 
----------- 
I am in no way associated with any company or individual deriving
commercial benefit from this kite. The review model is my own, paid
for out of my own pocket.
www.levelonekites.com
  The manufacturer
www.kite-sales.com/en/
  Where I bought mine from
Mike Emer
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