Introducing the World's Lightest and Strongest Kites - Aluula

[jakemoore]

Both are hydroscopic and hydrophilic meaning the material absorbs water and the surface attracts water. Dacron fiber is PET (same as a soda bottle) polyester. Nylon is poly-amide e.g. PA 66. Nylon holds 10 times as much water as PET and has a lower contact angle with water. Nylon also loses strength when wet.

https://omnexus.specialchem.com/polymer ... n-24-hours
https://www.accudynetest.com/polytable_ ... tact_angle
https://www.climbing.com/skills/wet-rop ... -debunked/

The surface treatments of the fibers make a difference. Most are covered with polyurethanes. I thought the Flysurfer Lotus cloth was especially nice because it stayed drier and picked up less sand. People with dry air and sandy beaches did not like Lotus so well because in those conditions it picks up dust and stained. I'm guessing the dust stuck due to static electricity in dry air. I'm suspect Lotus was a Sil-Nylon but I don't know.

I'm a big fan of foil kites but they do fly so much better when they are dry. I store mine in a room with a dehumidifier. Fly a foil kite in a humid environment and see how much sand it picks up compared to a tube kite when you land it on the beach. Just get wet and they lose some flight performance. Roll em in sand and you are done for the day if its light winds.

To be fair and conservative with regard to the Aluula discussion: the area affected by water adherence to the surface is probably more significant in the sail cloth. I am cautiously excited about the improvement in materials even for the tube. Hopefully it proves a winner and they lighten the sail cloth as well. A 50% improvement in density as Dacron to Alulua in the sail cloth would improve weight by 200 grams for a 10 meter kite new and that is a small but real boost. But I think the real benefit in changing the sail cloth would be realized by shedding water and sand.

[speedreef]

14m
Big kites need love too

[iriejohn]

If you want a light kite flying in a humid area, hygroscopic materials are a poor choice

Are Dacron or nylon hygroscopic i.e. absorbs moisture from the air?

Hygroscopic (not hydroscopic or hydrophilic).

Both are hydroscopic and hydrophilic meaning the material absorbs water and the surface attracts water. Dacron fiber is PET (same as a soda bottle) polyester. Nylon is poly-amide e.g. PA 66. Nylon holds 10 times as much water as PET and has a lower contact angle with water. Nylon also loses strength when wet.

https://omnexus.specialchem.com/polymer ... n-24-hours
https://www.accudynetest.com/polytable_ ... tact_angle
https://www.climbing.com/skills/wet-rop ... -debunked/

The surface treatments of the fibers make a difference. Most are covered with polyurethanes. I thought the Flysurfer Lotus cloth was especially nice because it stayed drier and picked up less sand. People with dry air and sandy beaches did not like Lotus so well because in those conditions it picks up dust and stained. I'm guessing the dust stuck due to static electricity in dry air. I'm suspect Lotus was a Sil-Nylon but I don't know.

I'm a big fan of foil kites but they do fly so much better when they are dry. I store mine in a room with a dehumidifier. Fly a foil kite in a humid environment and see how much sand it picks up compared to a tube kite when you land it on the beach. Just get wet and they lose some flight performance. Roll em in sand and you are done for the day if its light winds.

To be fair and conservative with regard to the Aluula discussion: the area affected by water adherence to the surface is probably more significant in the sail cloth. I am cautiously excited about the improvement in materials even for the tube. Hopefully it proves a winner and they lighten the sail cloth as well. A 50% improvement in density as Dacron to Alulua in the sail cloth would improve weight by 200 grams for a 10 meter kite new and that is a small but real boost. But I think the real benefit in changing the sail cloth would be realized by shedding water and sand.

[Windigo1]

I demoed a 10M Roam Aluula yesterday only 10M are available rigth know. The Ocean Rodeo rep said in May they get all the other sizes. The wind was very bad like 4 to 12 knots on the ice with skis so you don't need much power. The kite is incredibly smooth and responsive it's so light it just hangs there in the sky in the lulls it doesn't want to come down it's like flying a helium balloon it's impressive. The combination of a super stiff airframe and a super light kites makes the kite behave like no other kite everyone who tried it was really impressed. Having less weight means less inertia that translate into a smoother and responsive feeling in the bar. Definitively this is a winner!

[OzBungy]

Curious to see how self launching and landing works with a super lightweight kite.

During launch will there be a greater tendency to slide down the beach? Will the Aluula material tolerate abrasion and scratching from dragging across the ground?

During landing will there be a greater tendency to roll over if the landing is not spot on?

[OzBungy]

I am wondering if COVID-19 might be bad timing for Aluula kites.

The Australian stock market has just lost all the gains since 2016. Businesses will be shut or working under reduced service. Lots of people won't be able to go to work. Schools are being closed.

People will be less likely to spend up big on a luxury item like an Aluula kite. That loss of 6-12 months of market penetration could make things very difficult for them.

[GregK]

I suspect OR would welcome a bit of a cool-down period.

Right now, it appears demand far exceeds supply, so would give them a chance to catch up with the demand.

[kiteswede]

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wu2yE ... FBTxq7nA4A


Intresting interview! Like the point where he was flying with aluula kite on foiling with 5 knots and then doing more hardcore jumping the day after with same kite. Maybe see less specific kites In the future

Didnt know that they also are gonna make aluula canopy and aluula leading edge bladder.

[Dustfarter]

Anyone remember the Hellfish?

[kiteykitekite]

That podcast seems to be for various companies to pimp themselves, much like the kitemags which it is based from.