Date:	Tue, 17 Jan 1995 17:24:54 -1000
From:	n8skier@aol.com (N8SKIER)
Message-Id: <3fi1m6$oqn@newsbf02.news.aol.com>
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Subject: KTA Trade Show Orlando

Attended KTA Show this year.

As previously mentioned, weather did play a big part.
People are fantastic.

I have read other reviews about the show, but some important note I felt
were left out.

There is big noise about "Broad Seaming" or "Sailors Stiching" in the
industry.  This means stronger sails, with better shape retention. Leetch
lines are not as necessary no because the sail shape is much more well
defined and cleaner. 

I also flew the Air F/X. Nice kite, but I don't feel I had to have one.  I
did buy a K2 S.I. from Arie because I really feel this company is putting
out top quality kites. 

I did not hear anyone mention a new company, Flying Wings. 
They were very well recieved by many retailers for having a comprehensive
product line that was priced extremely well.
I did notice that they recieved many inquireies from some of the larger
retail outlets on they East coast. They semed very happy when they left,
so I am assuming that they did very well. Check out the Jeager,
Thunderbird and the huge 11 foot California Condor. The kites are made in
Taiwan, but they were designed and developed in California. They have an
agreement with Coastal Breeze (distributor), and they have spent 9 months
developing this product line. Quality was very evident, especially for a
new product line. All the hotest materials for prices I couldn't believe.
The guys from Coastal Breeze were working very hard to let people know
that they were going to do what ever it takes to make the customer
(retailer or kiteflyer) happy.

Dodd Gross has a new video out, and it is very helpul and entertaining.
This new video has a six step plan to help any flyer create a foundation
for advanced flying. I have tried to axle my kite for over 6 months, but
Dodd's video (with a little one on one help from Dodd himself) had me
doing them in about 30 minutes. This system he has developed als help me
to evaluate many new kites I flew very quickly and with complete
confidence. He also had a kite called the Aerail by Highly Strung Kites. 
This kite I did fly, and it looks and flys very nice.

Bought one.

I also did notice the Opus 8, but found leading edge spar flex when
turning the kite in winds over 8 m.p.h.

I was greatly dissapointed in the latest kites from Spectra, being the
biggest I was looking for quailty in their production models. Frayed
edges, spliting nose material, excess adhesives on all of their display
models.?

Prisim had tons of kites out, and their Eclipse model now comes in a
vented model....nice.

Troy Tako had 1 new model, with a vented sail that works similar to a
Jabberwocky (sp). It basically fills a 2 panel sail with air to sustain
sail shape. All of their kites had incredible fit and finish. One of the
best.

All in all the experience has motivated me to really get into this sport,
bad news for my wallet. 

The people were the real story. Dodd Gross, Kathy Goodwin, Dorthy Wolff
and nameless others were very helpful and more than willing to share their
vast knowledge of the industry with me.

Kudos to all.

N8
Owner 
Beach Winds


 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =