markite already brought this up here, but I thought it was fascinating and wanted to hear other peoples' thoughts. This is from the most recent PL newsletter

"Another reason is that a few years ago we showed conclusively that NASA style single skin kites are surprisingly better upwind than I expected theoretically.
NASA's pull very strongly for their size, but don't fly at a very high angle. However, they are the best light wind traction kites there are; will fly in almost nothing, especially when made of now available lightweight (like 15gm/sq.m) fabrics.
We found by repeated comparative testing using two identical kite cats, that a 20sq.m NASA would always beat a 20sq.m Arc around any upwind/downwind course up to at least 15km/hr true wind.
Which can't be true but is."

Based on a lot of what I've read here, a lot of people don't consider NPWs to be "real" traction kites, partially due to a an inability to go upwind (esp in light wind). I haven't flown one so I have no idea, but the above might imply that an NPW would be a great choice for a light wind landkite (I suppose unless you're looking to boost big air).

There are clearly some hardcore devotees as well (Bobalooie, kitemaker, etc.)

I'd love to hear peoples' thoughts on an NPW as a low-wind, low-lift (is this true?) landboard/buggy machine. Does PL's comment suggest that those of us flying FB should take another look at NPWs, or is it also a comment about arcs not doing as well in light wind?

I was flying my 2.4M NPW5 by HQ in this video. http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=20380 Wind was SE at 18-28, and coming over the trees, making the little kite jumpy, but if you look at the direction of my windsock, you can see I was able to get upwind pretty well. In less wind, I wouldn't get upwind quite as well, but then I'd pull out a bigger one...

I remember when you posted that video - looks like such a fun day - captured in the soundtrack too.

What would you say are comfortable wind ranges for you to stay upwind with each of your npws?

In less than 10 I'll fly the 7M, it gets scary after 15 or so, 10 to 20ish I'll use the 4.8, after that it was the 2.4 in the vid. I just recently got the 3.4M NPW9 from Lad, and I've only flown it in the buggy once, the same day I did the Round and Round vid, and a bit of a gust had me up on 2 wheels without trying! I can't wait to get that one out again! NPW's main advantages, as I see them are, a single layer of cloth, they are lighter in weight, and less expensive. My 7M NPW9 weighs 450g, just under a pound! It will fly in a puff, and start pulling me in the buggy in about 5-6mph. It was custom made for me by a member here, kitemaker4, brand new and delivered for just over $200(7M!), if I remember right. And it's a beauty to watch in the air. I do love a nice foil, but for my location, with the narrow beach/trees, the NPW's seem the best choice to me.

I do a lot of inland flying which tends to be very gusty. That is why I fly nasa wings.

Susan (npw goddess)

More info (from some of the same people) here

Susan has made most of my NPW's from 2m up to 15m. The 15 is a gentle giant with the power of a tank and the ability to buggy in 1 to 2mph wind on short lines, which I did a NABX a few years ago.
Only draw back that I have found is it is not near as fast as some of the race kite type or as lifty as some of the others, which is a plus to some.
As stated earlier it has the ability to get you up wind, if you are unable to you might want to practice a bit more. It is a fine line between POWER and just not quite. Only wish I had more time to master it. Great kite that has yet to be given its due.

Thanks Bigkid - that answered half of my next question, which is, what conditions are people using the 10m and up NPWs to buggy in? It sounds like a 15 allows you to go as long as the wind isn't zero. Are you on short lines at that point because it's the only way to get a reasonable turning speed with that size kite and wind conditions?

Also - Phreezone if you're reading this - looks like you used to board on a NPW - did you ever have any success jumping with it?

is susan still making kites?
I'm jealous I got my friend such a friendly 6.5 pepper (which he hardly uses!)
I'm curious about 7m after I lost out on the FS section.

Yeah, "any kite can lift you" BUT, you prob. don't wanna even THINK about "jumping" with an NPW.
Very little lift, and definitely not made for any float, glide or landings!


(A historic note...The Nasa Power Wing came from designs Rogallo proposed for actual astronaut/pilot rescue 'chutes...but the designs for such were quickly shelved...you might guess why!)

You could more than likely fly the 15 on longer lines with no wind(another story), shorter lines, longer lines, no lines, NPW's fly with or with out. Just happen to be the size that was on the kite when I got it out.

As far as I know Susan is still making them and looks like she is in the camo business to.

I didn't want to mention it(because there's no video, it didn't happen! :D ), but 2 weeks ago I had my best session ever snowkiting with the 7M NPW9, by Susan. I first had the 7.5M Apex out and couldn't keep power in the kite, so I decided to go with what I know, and got out ol' Rasta's fury. I was up and going crossswind, toward the back of the field, brought the kite up and over, slowing me to a stop, then dove in the other direction for a smooth transition, back to where I started. That's where the crap hit the fan. A friend had drove his ATV over the road (rural), and was parked on the side watching me. The farmer, (who I cleared the use of his property a few years back, but hadn't reconnected since) stopped to ask my friend "Who is that and what is he doing?"(He had forgotten about our conversation) A mini-van, with family of four came down the hill, apparently watching me, didn't see the farmer stopped until it was too late. The driver, knowing if he went off the side would likely roll off the shoulder, so he gave it the gas and turned deliberately into the corn field across the road, coming to a stop like a stunt car driver! Anyway, as I was helping the farmer get the minivan hooked to the tractor, and sorting out the mess, ol' rastas fury was doing a ground dance, and one of the bridles pulled free(possibly started by the treeing incident)and also a short section of the LE Nylon, which is wrapped and stiched around the cord that goes around the circumference of the kite was torn. I have since repaired these issues and she flys great again, but one never knows when the next tree will try to eat your kite! That's why I grabbed airin's 7.6, which looks like it could be Rasta's Fury's Big Sistah! Sorry about the book. :embarrased:

Bob, clearly you DO need Rasta Fury's sistah as a back up 7 m npw! Good story kite pal!

The conditions for flying a 10 meter a lot depends on how much you weigh and what type surface you are going to buggy on. For me buggying on the beach the winds would be less than 10 mph. I can buggy with my 15 meter in less than 5 mph winds. My lines can be very short or 100 ft. long. Hope this helps some.

Susan (npw goddess)

Quote:

Originally posted by Statistic Thanks Bigkid - that answered half of my next question, which is, what conditions are people using the 10m and up NPWs to buggy in? It sounds like a 15 allows you to go as long as the wind isn't zero. Are you on short lines at that point because it's the only way to get a reasonable turning speed with that size kite and wind conditions? Also - Phreezone if you're reading this - looks like you used to board on a NPW - did you ever have any success jumping with it?

Yes I am still making nasa wings. I can make any size you want.

Susan (npw goddess)

Quote:

Originally posted by dandre is susan still making kites? I'm jealous I got my friend such a friendly 6.5 pepper (which he hardly uses!) I'm curious about 7m after I lost out on the FS section.

I just finished making new side rail covers and a new seat for Beau. I am now working on my new seat.

Susan (npw goddess)

Quote:

Originally posted by bigkid As far as I know Susan is still making them and looks like she is in the camo business to.

mmmmm 20m nasa wing..... holy freaking hell that is epic!

i still have my 1ish meter bed sheet npw kite somewhere... i made it as an experiment to see if i could actually make one... lol it flies, but is SO inefficient it wont pull anything... i still want a 'npw goddess' wing.... just gotta find the funds... i may hafta look at a 15+m for those low summer winds