The S-kite is fairly easy to set up. I used a pair of 30m 300Kg dyneema lines and a pair of Flexifoil padded flying handles. On the ground and directly downwind the bridle seemed to be be set very low towards the trailing edge of the kite. Pulling the kite upright it was ready to launch.....but didn't. Is the bridle wrong - it looks FAR too low? Second time around I asked a helper to push the kite into the air. This time it rocketed upwards to the top of the window. I've not flown it enough yet to find a solo launch technique. The pull at the top of the wind window is very low but the kite is stable. It only needs a gentle pull on the lines to send it into the power zone and the pull is phenomenal. The S-kite flies fast and once moving the performance is superb - better than a 3m and 4m Firebee we were testing at the time.

At the edge of the window the S-kite becomes slightly "twitchy" and any control inputs can easily make the kite rotate too far requiring quick corrections. It looks as if it will perform much better if its kept moving with fairly delicate control.

The temptation to try a buggy is too much so we set up a Libre Special! The S-kite doesn't dissappoint. Once its turned into the power zone the buggy speeds off. This going to be really good!!

So...a taster of things to come no doubt. We'll pitch the S-Kite against a few foils soon and see how it compares. First impressions are interesting - its a real head turner and very different which is appealing if nothing else. I don't fancy breaking the frame in a heavy landing since it could be expensive and of course don't forget that this is NOT a "soft" kite so it must be flown with a high degree of common sense and awareness of both surroundings and other flyers / people.

More photos and reports when conditions improve!!