home
welcome
kite reviews
kiting terminology
coping with wind
Beaufort wind scale
kiting dangers
UK kite stores
US kite stores
UK Festivals
kite fest photos
design & plans

Buggying
how to buggy
buggy: first lesson
buggy tricks guide
buggy photos
tandem buggying
kite buggy e-list

Power Kiting
kite jumping
kite surfing
kite skiing

Flexifoils
stacking Flexis
Flexi launching
spar maintenance

Misc
kiting links
KiteAstrophy
kite fest photos
the kite bag
sky surfer
sanibel 18
holder 14
aquaria
guitars
about me

Mirage High Aspect 4m (Skybums)

DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION
The Mirage is a high aspect ratio rectangular plan foil developed by Paul Morgan who is a well known kite maker and buggy enthusiast on the UK circuit. The kite is well made and bridle attachments are securely sewn in to the risers. The air intake does not have gauze over it but there didn't seem to betoo much of a problem with sand filling the kite. The handles provided looked a little slim, but proved more than adequate; indeed, some pilots preferred them to the chunkier type.

STATIC TEST
The Mirage took off easily and was easy to fly. All the testers agreed that it had reasonable power and medium slow speed across the window. The Mirage held the edge well and generated reasonable power. Turns were slow and wide. the kite was easy to relaunch and would even recover from a ball. The kite was easy to stop. land and park safely.

BUGGY TEST
The Mirage performed well scoring highly on all cards. The kite was reasonably fast and its good edge handling meant it was an easy kite for less experienced pilots to use. In the hands of the more skilled pilots. the kite lacked the speed of others but again it was felt to be an ideal starter model and represented excellent value for money. 

CONCLUSION
The whole panel were in agreement that the Mirage was excellent value and would represent an ideal kite for someone starting out. Its construction quality was good and the nylon sail would last well even though it couldn't match the polyester sailed kites for pure speed. The handles provided were strong and some found them very comfortable despite their slim appearance.