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| June
'10 Highlights |
Last
Update: Friday 6-24-10 |
'J' is for Jenna!
To celebrate my niece's high school graduation,
the Stryke Fighter shown below was custom built for her. After experimenting
on the computer, the personalized 'J' appliqué was first created. Once
the time came to construct the kite, the color selection was a no brainer.
She will be attending Northwestern University this Fall so the official
school colors of Purple & White were chosen. Congrats Jenna -
your Uncle Paul is very proud of you and everything you've
accomplished! |
Class of 2010 Stryke Fighter for
Jenna.
(Click on thumbnail for enlarged view.) |
ZeroStar SUL Page Updated.
My apologies for the lack of postings, but
there's been little time to devote to the website during the past
month. However, the ZeroStar SUL product page has
just been completely revised. All the photos and specifications have been
updated to reflect the changes made on the 2010 re-issue of this fantastic
SUL. Hope you enjoy the new layout! |
Check out the revamped ZeroStar SUL
Product Page.
(Click on the image above to go there now.) |
March Stryke Auction Underway!
The Stryke
#165 Auction is now live on eBay. This 7-day listing will end on
Good Friday 4/2 @ 12:15 PM PST. I couldn't be more pleased with how
this fighter turned out. Growing up, my mother always told me it's
rude to stare. Hope that doesn't apply to kites, because I can't
take my eyes off this beauty!  |
The completed '2K5 Star' Rainbow Stryke Fighter.
(Click on the image to open the auction page.) |
Preview of Stryke Auction for
March!
As shown below, this Stryke Fighter will feature
the classic '2K5 Star' logo oriented within a framed Rainbow circle.
This will be the first of its kind. Based on the PhotoShop
simulation, the finished product should be amazing! Currently, the plan is to start this eBay auction this
coming Friday 3/26 - whew, I better get busy! |
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A preview of the upcoming '2K5 Star'
Stryke Fighter.
(Watch this page for the official auction details!) |
ZeroStar Sail Update.
The 2010 ZeroStar SUL re-issue is now available with an enhanced
8-panel sail design. The more intricate wingtips really improves the
appearance of most color layouts. A perfect example is the Patriotic
themed ZeroStar shown below (note how the white slice really
"pops" at each wingtip!). For
future owners of this kite, the ZeroStar
SUL Colorizer has been updated to show the new 8-Panel graphics.
Also displayed are three different appliqué options including the basic
Star Halo (see Mango colored ZeroStar pictured under January 2010). |
2010 ZeroStar SUL with the new
8-Panel Sail.
(Click on thumbnails for enlarged view.) |
Sano SSL+ Auction now live!
The Sano
SSL+ #152 Auction has just started. This 10 day
eBay listing will finish on Monday 2/1 @ 12:00 PM PST. Since this
kite
comes with several bonus items (Tail Ballast Kit, Line Leaders
and matching TwinSkin™ Airbrakes), this is the total package! For those who want this
Sano quickly or if you anticipate inflated bidding, there is a "Buy it Now" option.
Update: Listing ended early
using "Buy it Now" - Congrats to Jim B. and thanks to everyone
who participated! |
Paul
Shirey narrates the details of the Sano SSL+ #152 Auction.
(Click 'Play' to watch the video.) |
Sano SSV (the 'V' is for Vented)
Prototype!
Whew, one last January update: I’ve
been working together with friend and customer, Steve Tapp, on making a
vented Sano SSV. Despite Steve's relatively short involvement in
this sport, he has already amassed a lot of experience
"tweaking" sportkites. In fact, due to his methodical and scientific
approach to venting sails, I've good-naturedly nicknamed him
Dr. DeVento.  Steve
currently has a variable vent SSV prototype burning up the Indiana
skies. After just a few iterations to the vent geometry, he already
has positive feedback on the prototype. Not 100% sure if I'll ever
make any production SSVs, but it sure would be nice to finally complete
the Sano family circle (which already includes the SSZ, SSL, SSL+, and SS
versions). Below is a quick PhotoShop simulation of how the kite may
appear. Steve will soon be sending SSV P1.0 my way for further
evaluation. Hopefully, more info will follow on subsequent
updates! |
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AeroStar Sano SSV.
(Illustration only - subject to change ad infinitum!) |
Stryke Fighter Page Revised.
It's been long overdue, but the Stryke
Fighter product page has be overhauled. Now included are some
nice detail shots of this fun little SLK. Also added to this web
page is a Stryke Gallery featuring some of the more popular sail layouts
produced over the years. Hope you like the changes! |
Check out the revamped Stryke
Product Page.
(Click on the image above to go there now.) |
New Sano SSL+ Coming Soon!
Alrighty, a brand spankin' new Sano SSL+ will
soon be available. This "hybrid" version is best described
as a robust UL and probably the most versatile of any Sano. I'm
calling this a 2010 model since this is the first Sano to feature the new
Sky Shark ‘PX’ carbon tubes in the LE and Spine. These spars
have a great stiffness to weight ratio plus the aesthetics are fantastic
(shiny woven finish). All Sanos now come equipped with a pair of
anti-snag lines on the bridle as well. The actual kite is shown
below and an auction will be posted in the near future! |
2010 AeroStar Sano SSL+
#152-12.
(All finished and ready to rock!) |
Return of a Classic SUL!
Ever since the Sano series came along, focus shifted away from the
ZeroStar. But over the years, I've gotten quite a few requests to
make this model again. Accordingly, the fact kite enthusiasts still
admire and desire (whoa, that rhymes!) this design has finally gotten
through my thick skull.
Admittedly, the ZeroStar is a bit of
an "Old School" kite (let's say "Semi-OS"). But,
for many, it excels at the very maneuvers most fliers love to do in near
zero wind. Fly a ZeroStar and you'll quickly discover this kite is superbly
balanced and optimized for light breezes. Really excels at all the
flat spins maneuvers (like Multi-Axels, 540s, Pinwheels and Coin Tosses)
plus great Fades and Flares too. Throw in a wonderful glide ratio
during Fly Aways, near pivot spins (unusual for an SUL) and great durability
for a sub-6 ounce kite and this is a winner for sure!
In fact, I recently dusted off the
templates {cough, cough} and shipped out the first 2010 ZeroStar to
my friend, Shannon, in North Carolina. As shown below, Shannon
requested just a simple halo appliqué around the star rub patch along
with some aesthetically pleasing wingtip pinstripes. Based on the
golden yellow color, we named it 'Mango Tango'! |
The first 2010 ZeroStar SUL Re-Issue.
(Click on thumbnails for enlarged view.) |
Rest assured, the 2010 ZeroStar SUL
will have the same bridle geometry and sail aspect ratio as the original.
Even better, the re-issue will have the following enhancements:
Flush fit/edge hemmed nose assembly.
Lighter and stiffer hollow carbon
standoffs.
More durable next generation Sky
Shark II 2PT conical spars.
Additional layer of PC-31
reinforcement at all four leading edge cutouts.
As before, a wide variety of sail appliqués
will be available. Presently, it looks like the number of 2010
ZeroStars SULs will be limited to around half a dozen. If you're
interested in acquiring one, please give me a holler! |
Limited Run of AeroStars for 2010!
This year marks my 15th anniversary of building
and designing sportkites. Bearing this in mind, I've decided to
fabricate a limited run of AeroStars throughout the Winter & Spring of
2010 (and maybe beyond?). Anyhow, I've already
laid out a good chunk of cash to replenish the dwindling inventory of
PC-31 fabric, Sky Shark spars, fittings, etc. Guess there's no
turning back now!
Currently, the plan is to do
a small run of Sanos (primarily the SSL+ version - see above!), ZeroStar SULs and Stryke Fighter
SLKs. Like any
"boutique" product that is 100% hand-crafted by the designer,
these limited edition models will not be inexpensive. However, I can
confidently say the quality, attention to detail, innovation, performance
and post-sale support are all exceptional! Please check back
here for more details as they unfold. |
The sewing machines will be hummin'
at the AeroStar factory once again!
(Circled is me supervising my latest team of seamstresses. ) |
Happy New Year!
Wishing everyone all the best as we start the
second decade of the 21st century! As before, archived links to the
previous years' News/Updates are conveniently
located at the top of this page. Got a few minutes? Then please pull
up a chair and check out this rather extensive list of January 2010
updates! |
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