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Psycho (Flexifoil)

The Psycho, one hundred percent dedicated to radical freestyle.

The Psycho is really interesting between 3 and 5 beaufort which are the conditions where one can develop it's whole potential. At more than 5 beaufort its small size and large aspect ratio renders it extremely fast and more unstable. Its superior wind limit is linked more to the pilot's capacities, than to it's own. On the trick side, turtles are easy, pull/release, the kite is on it's back... Super. However, it is difficult to maintain it in this position since the kite has a tendency to go back to its normal position. You are thus able to put the kite from the turtle position to its normal one and back to the turtle, etc. at a very fast pace (look at the video). Guaranteed effect. The Psycho turns in a flash, requiring a certain adaptation time to perfectly control a turn. In return one can make it do almost correct angles. Be aware, however, that the kite has a tendency to slack after a series of tight spins. Remedy: do an axle with the opposite hand to the turn and you are off again. Sideways are easy to do, but difficult to execute very neatly.

We will end with axles to which the Psycho is partial, although not executed with the grace or amplitude of those done by a full size kite. You can do them, with incredible ease in the whole window, with or without placing a point on the ground. Every combination will seem so easy with the Psycho that the free video delivered with the kite won't even impress you anymore.

Try a trick, the Psycho will do something, such is it's motto. This will help forgive a number of piloting errors, due to proportion as much as to synchronisation of movements. One of the advantages of the Psycho is that it is neither soft nor difficult. It regains itself easily in the air and off the ground and puts up with agitated wind. It is difficult to break the frame,unless you smash it into a wall! Be careful, however, because a utilisation without care and too many scrapes along the ground will get the better of the sail at the level of the whiskers.

For Who, Why, How?
It is a playful and acrobatic kite. In order to quite simply unwind, the Psycho is king. This kite can enable you to have all altogether new flight practice. With 20 metre lines, sneakers and a cap back to front, you will be able to have your trash-kiting session, execute figures one after another as quickly as possible, go forward, go backwards, pull, push and box the kite. You heart rate will accelerate in unimaginable proportions. The Psycho utilised in this way, will advantageously replace a jogging or fitness session. Blow your mind and fly on youngsters!

Tricks and Tips
For the leach line, make a bow at each end. It's more certain and faster to install that the binding instructions provided.
Turn the anti-fouling line around the central spine, to avoid the wear of the Dacron piece which stretches the sail.
Protect the sail at the level of the wiskers with a bit of Dacron which you will imprison under a piece of self-adhesive spinnaker. It's simple and easily replaceable.

Freestyle Practice
Ground work: it is pleasant to do ground work with the Psycho. Pull slightly on one line and release the other, maintain it on very light pressure (by moving forward or backwards), and it will do a sideways with the two points rubbing on the ground. A very low centre of gravity does not facilitate placing it on the point: move forward one point compared to the other, and pull progressively on the opposite line. The rest is just a sensation. The take off on the leading edge are quite tricky but is possible. It is better to twist the kite. If the kite is lying on its right leading edge, pull violently on the left line, then the left wing will pass under the lines and the kite will regain it's normal position. If you prefer a more brutal style, it can also take off, directly from it's belly position: pull briskly on the two lines and follow directly with a tight turn and flat axle.

Sideways: start a loop near the ground and, just before this loop is completed, release the Psycho's pressure while moving forward. The kite's accumulated inertial during the turn will transform itself into a lateral movement after the slacking.

Stop: the Psycho is not keen about this trick. Two possibilities are available for you to do stops: either you launch into a series of very tight spins which you interrupt after three loops by releasing lines, or you adopt the traditional method: a pulled turn and an abrupt release of lines.

Axles: a large assortment of axles are offered with such a machine. The simplest axle is made on the edge of the window, when you feel that the central spine will learn towards the centre of the window, then, pull abruptly from the outside edge of the window. For an axle followed by a turtle or an imposing landing (according to the altitude), start a tight loop and when the turn has fully begun (central spine parallel to the ground) pull abruptly in the opposite direction of the rotation. Move your hands suddenly forward for the flat axle dive, at about 1m from the ground: the Psycho goes flat. From then on, either you put one of the lines back in tension, or you slap for a flat double axle. All this followed by a landing ... divine. The axle cascade starts from the top of the window, it's a sequel of axles, left hand, right hand which brings the kite to the bottom of the window.

Go blow your mind!