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Matrix Super Vent (Flexifoil)

DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION
The Matrix Super Vent was developed by Carl Robertshaw for Airkraft and is not strictly a production kite, although it is available as a special order from Flexifoil. The shape of the kite is high aspect and the sail is deep right up into the nose area. It has twin standoffs and a tip stretcher on the back of the small winglet. The vents run from just below the tee across the sail and out to the wing tip. The Super Vent has Velcro panels enabling the amount of vent to be changed. The fittings are the Tradewinds low profile type and the overall quality of construction was very strong.

FLIGHT TEST
The Matrix flew slow and tracked very well. Once the kite got on a line, it would stick to it. Some time was needed with the kite to get used to making it turn crisply. It is not for the lazy pilot. Requiring some work on the part of the pilot to get the most out of it. During gusts, the Matrix started to pull quite significantly, but the changeable conditions during the test meant that we never took all the gauze covers off.

FUN VALUE
Having said that the Matrix Super Vent was hard work, once the pilot got used to the required flying style it would do some tricks very well, especially when the wind was lighter. The Matrix was not so much fun to fly as some of the other kites in the test as it was such a lot of work: then again it was probably the best precision kite in the test.

CONCLUSION
The Matrix Super Vent is a high quality piece of team flying equipment. The adjustable amount of venting gives it a winder wind range than most. The frame and construction quality were top class. The kite did start to pull quite hard in gusts, but remained controlled and highly precise. A lot of effort was required to make the most of the Matrix.