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Shuriken Omega Strong (Spirit of Air)

DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION
The Omega is a large kite with curved leading edges and a scalloped trailing edge with stand-offs and in tip stretchers. The frame consists a mixture of Avia Sport 2300-pultruded carbon and G-Force Super Ultra Light wrapped carbon in e lower spreaders. It has an Icarex sail and is very well made; all vulnerable areas were reinforced with Dacron. There are gauze panels on each leading edge and in the wing tips. Fittings were all from APA and the tee comes in FSD.

FLIGHT TEST
The Omega Strong flew smoothly and was an assured precision performer. Straight-line flight was steady and snap turns quick and wobble free. The Omega did not pull too hard, but during gusts it did start to generate some traction, which made us wonder whether it had enough vent for really strong conditions. Despite this the speed of the kite was fairly easy to control. Snap stalls were possible even close to the centre of the window. The kite did start to make some noise during stronger gusts but as silent the rest of the time.

FUN VALUE
Despite its size, the Omega Strong was a fairly nimble kite that was light to the touch and quick to respond. The kite axeled easily and multiple tricks were possible if the pilot kept moving forward. It was possible to make the kite belly out and flat spin, but only at the very edges of the wind window. Speed and pull did not feel uncontrollable until the wind really got ballistic and overall the quickness and agility of the kite made it entertaining most of the time.

CONCLUSION
The Shuriken Omega Strong is a large, well-made kite that performs well in precision and will trick in conditions right up to quite strong winds. The frame did start to distort and some problems with spreaders popping out of the tee joint were experienced. The quick and easy-to-fly nature of the kite kept the fun level up, but we felt that it might start to become uncomfortable in really strong winds.