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Feeling (R Sky)

An unusual look for the pilot who likes the exotic

Extra wide and extra low, the FeeIing is a kite with proportions outside the norms which will suit flyers who are also outside the norms.

CONSTRUCTION
Looking at the quality, what do you get for your hard earned cash? The Feeling is very good with flat glued seams which are sewn almost perfectly, reinforcements in Mylar where they are needed and a tape on the trailing edge which gives the kite a clean look. The whole thing is well put together and the hardware second to none; the Feeling has a well thought out bridle arrangement (turbo with knots at the top spreader for adjustment and micro lark's head knots which glip the spars). The only drawbacks: the Dacron nose is not really strong enough to last, the top spreader reinforcement is too small, and the 'T' cutout is punched and not hot cut. The frame is made up from a mixture of 0-Force Ultra Light in the lower spreaders, 6mm pultruded carbon in the leading edges and spine and 5inm pultruded carbon for the top spreader. It is the type of spar mix which is now becoming popular and which works very well.

FLIGHT TEST
The Feeling needs a good dose of flying before you get the measure of it and could quite easily make a fool of a pilot entrusted with a machine which is too good for them. It is very sensitive to the touch and clean angled turns and stops require very precise controls. Cascades are all a matter of timing. From the start, you get the impression that long hours of practice will be needed with the kite to get the best out of it, but on the other hand, the kite's presence on the end of the lines and its medium speed are a nice surprise. The Feeling excels at balancing on a wing tip.

Putting the kite into a fade poses no problems. Flic-flacs were easy with quite a slow rhythm, but very clean and regular. Despite its stretched out shape, the Feeling isn't a great one for yo-yo's. Axels, double axels, black hole, flat spins and 540s are all achieved without great problems but in a slightly ragged style. On the other hand, the elevator was found to be very easy. Without claiming to be an all-rounder, the Feeling is capable of smooth and solid 'basic' flight: controlled turns, good straight lines and nice constant speed which will deliver satisfaction if precision is what turns you on.

CONCLUSION
The Feeling: who's it for, what's it for and why? Perhaps the venerable father of the family, who wants to fly nice big circles and loops and a few squares... and an axel

or two. This kite would certainly satisfy his needs, especially if he likes the idea of a slightly exotic, fine machine with a hi-tech look. A beginner would also find it easy and manageable.

On the other hand, the Feeling also has the elements which will attract the full-on happening tricksters who ask the utmost from their kite. If you liked the Obsession from HQ, you will probably get on well with the Feeling, made as it is with fine materials. This said, the Feeling has relatively little left to offer the few top pilots who have tried out the kite.