Ultra Flat Light Wind Kite: FAQ

The Ultra Flat Light Wind concept was developed early last year with the intention of having a kite which is more efficient when it came to surface area without compensating stability. Finally, the Monsoonz was produced after being known as "Project Thunderer". There are so many questions when the Monsoonz Ultra Flat Light Wind was launched. In this article, those questions will be answered.

How Light Wind is Light Wind?

As you can see on the wind range chart: the Monsoonz definitely have a lower wind range compared to most kites in the market. And there are reviews which says that the low end of the Monsoonz could be lower. Yes, it could be lower the but we have put the recommended wind range as a guide to purchasers. Other wind factors (wind density etc) have been included before we published the wind range.

The question now is what is the Monsoonz high end? The Monsoonz was tested in winds above the recommended wind range on the WiND-X website. The 7M & 10M is expected to go as high as 30 knots, and the 14M about 23-25 knots. Flying in very high wind is dangerous, therefore we have published a lower high end for safety reasons. The highest recorded wind speed was 34 knots on a 10M Monsoonz.

How light wind is light wind? A kite could fly at 5 to 7 knots, but the question should be: Can it power you up in very light wind conditions? There will never be a day when there is a kite made for "zero" wind conditions. It's about having a much more efficient, smaller kite where almost every surface area is fully utilized. The Monsoonz offer an option for a smaller kite compared to what is needed. Instead of using a 14M C-Kite, the 10M Monsoonz would be good enough due to its efficient projected area. A 14M Monsoonz should match a 17-19M C-Kite or a 16M first generation bow.

Is the Monsoonz for Light Wind only?

No, you can use it the normal wind conditions. Just that you have the option of using a smaller kite compared to what everyone is using; for example; when everyone is using a 14-15m C-kite or a 12M Bow Kite, you will be able to use a 10M Monsoonz Ultra Flat. The Monsoonz is a normal bow kite with an ultra flat profile which will allows you to fly in normal wind range and have a lower end performance compared to the other kites. This kite will still perform in lower wind conditions when other kite of its same size looses power. No, it will not fly in zero wind conditions.

Can the kite re-launch well due to its high Aspect Ratio?

It does not only re-launch but it re-launches easily.

Back to the question: The Monsoonz is a high AR kite, so when the kite is on the water, you get more surface of the Leading Edge on the water which makes it harder to relaunch? Most classic high AR kite don't relaunch that well.

The Monsoonz leading edge is just like any bow kites. The LE is not straight but swept back. Because of this shape, the LE acts as a rocker and only a single point of the leading edge is touching the water. Pull a line, and when the kite turns, you'll still have only one point of the LE touching the water surface. This happens because the wind will push the canopy to the back and with the tension of the back lines, the kite will stand on only one point of the LE.

Image 01

Image 02

Image 03

As you can see from the 3 images above, only one single point touches the water surface. How is this position possible in Image 01? Simple, the wind pushes the canopy to the back, and all sides of the LE are lifted from the water and only the lowest point stays contact on the water surface. With the Monsoonz, it just peels out of the water.

Easier said then done. Still don't believe how a high AR kite could re-launch that easily?

Where can I watch the Ultra Flat Light Wind Kite in action?

You can watch the Ultra Flat Video here:

http://www.kiteforum.tv/component/option,com_videos/task,show/id,1582/Itemid,30/

http://www.kiteforum.tv/component/option,com_videos/task,show/id,1490/Itemid,30/

There are a few flat kites in the market earlier, so why is the Monsoonz's design platform more superior?

There are namely a few flat kites and some of them came in very early. The difference between the the 2 design platforms is that the earlier flat kites were trying to achieve its flatness and efficiency "mechanically" by having bridles forcing the shape of the LE and holding the structures on the struts. They were more like C-Kites being forced to be flat. With such "mechanical" designs, the kites are no longer efficient and it causes a lot of drag. Newer flat kites were achieving this through aerodynamics.

The Monsoonz Ultra Flat Light Wind is a new design platform altogether but carries the bow design concept. With its new straight struts and infill panels, swept-back wings and a concave TE, the flatness achieved is more on aerodynamics rather than mechanical. At the moment, it is more efficient than most kites. "Why ride a 13M kite when you can ride on a 10M"? Does this question answer the first question? Smaller kites are definitely cheaper. More over, smaller kites are faster than the bigger kites. So if you have a 14M which have the power of a 17M but moves much faster than a 17M, which do you prefer?

The Monsoonz design platform is relatively very new and there is so much to learn from it. All, we know is that its a first step of greater things to come.

What about its upwind ability?

Currently in the market, we notice that high AR and fast kites combined with the correct board gives a rider incredible upwind ability. The Monsoonz is a high AR kite and has incredible speed.

Is it easy to jump?

This photo should explain it. A 10M Monsoonz in action in Seattle.

Photo courtesy of: Jason Clack, www.gokiting.com

What does the rest or the world say about the Monsoonz?

You can read them from:

http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2340602&highlight=windx

http://www.inflatablekite.com/sitebow/Testreportsgb.php

http://www.seattlekitesurfing.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6947&highlight=windx

Will WiND-X research and develop this Ultra Flat Light Wind Concept?

As you read this article, the WiND-X R&D division, "Wind-novation" is testing different variables on this platform. The Monsoonz is WiND-X's 2008 kite and there will be more improvements in the future. At the same time, "Wind-novation" is applying this Ultra Flat Light Wind platform on other WiND-X kites. The release of the new kites will be in 2009.

Where do I test these kites?

Just contact our worldwide distributors here: http://www.wind-x.com/welcome/distributors.htm

The way forward?

Again, the Ultra Flat is a new design platform which might be a benchmark for kite designs. With such benchmark, we'll see more efficient designs in future kites. We will also see other design platforms trying to achieve what the Monsoonz can do. The Monsoonz will not replace all the conventional kite designs that is currently in the market. There are so many riders and riding styles out there. The Monsoonz is just another option which offers a different perspective in kitesurfing: an efficient wing which leads to smaller kites that is more economical plus the continuous excitement that we get from this great sport.

If you have more questions, please send it to info@wind-x.com.

For more information, please visit www.wind-x.com

Some photos from around the world.

Monsoonz Ultra Flat.

Courtesy of www.stormriderkites.com.au

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