|
| |
Stryke Fighter page updated.
Because of all the requests received, there will
probably be some additional fighter auctions in 2007. For this
reason, I decided to give the Stryke Product Page
a much needed overhaul. This page now features current information
along with all new photos. Hope you like the changes! |
Sano
SSZ #130 auction winner claims his prize.
This is now the second consecutive SSZ bound for
Ohio, Turns out the high bidder, Dave D., lives just over the
Pennsylvania border. Therefore, I invited him to travel here on
Saturday to not only get his new kite but tour the AeroStar
workshop. He gladly accepted and we had a great visit for several
hours. Dave will also feel like Santa Claus since he departed with a
few additional AeroStar "goodies" for some fellow Ohio
customers. I really hope you enjoyed your visit, Dave, and have a
great maiden flight with that SSZ! |
After obtaining Security Clearance,
here is Dave inside the AeroStar World Headquarters (a.k.a. "Kite
Kave"  ) |
Stryke December Auction has begun!
Winning the Stryke
#145 Auction would make an awesome holiday gift for that
special kite flyer in your life or even as a treat to yourself! And
for sure, this is the final AeroStar
auction for 2006. This 5 day listing will end on Friday 12/15 @ 12:00 PM PST.
And compared to a F-117A Nighthawk, this "Stealth" fighter is
much more affordable! |
Click on the image above to open the
Stryke #145 auction page.
Good luck and happy holidays! |
Sano SSZ December Auction has started!
After putting in some long hours this weekend, I
was able to finish the latest SSZ plus take some great photos as
well. Therefore, the Sano SSZ #130-6 Auction has begun a day
early! Note that this will only be a 5 day listing which ends this
Friday 12/08 @ 12:00 PM PST.
I had high expectations for this color scheme and I'm still in awe how
nice it turned out. For sure, the actual kite looks even better than
the colorizer image. Check out the eBay ad and decide for
yourself! And to reiterate, this will be the last Sano auction for
2006. |
Click on the image above to open the
Sano SSZ-EX #130 auction page.
Good luck and happy bidding! |
Preview of the sixth Sano SSZ!
Shown below is a virtual preview of the sail
layout. On the SSZ auctions so far, two kites have used the 'Z' appliqué with only one
featuring the '2K5 Star' logo. To even things up, seems appropriate
for #130 to have a star as well. Also, I wanted to try another SSZ
without any white panels. Although white is great on an
SUL, the "same old, same old" can get rather dull. As
shown, this SSZ will have the premium 'EX' sail upgrade too! The
plan is to start this eBay auction on Mon 12/4. This will absolutely
be the last Sano auction prior to the Holidays (and for that matter, this
year as well). You'll find the official auction announcement on this
page! |
A colorizer image of the forthcoming Sano
SSZ-EX #130 auction! |
Sano SSL+ #128 Auction
ends...quickly!
Wow, this auction was basically over before it
started! Special congratulations go out to the winning
bidder Jamie S. from Virginia. He has been wanting an AeroStar for
awhile now and this Sano SSL+ will be his first one ever. It was really a
pleasure to speak with you, Jamie, and this awesome kite will be in your
hands soon! As previously
mentioned, this was the first time I tried the Buy it Now
option. The feedback I've gotten so far has been unanimous and
easily summarized in four words: "Buy it Now
sucks!"  So, I probably won't try
this approach again. One of the goals with these auctions is to give
everyone a fair shot of winning. In this case, the auction was over
in under 3 hours and very few people even saw the listing when still
active (a measly 12 hits and a few of those were mine testing the
page!). Ok, I admit this was a bad call on my part, but live and
learn, right? |
Sano SSL+ 128 Auction has started!
The Sano SSL+
#128-4 Auction is officially
underway on eBay and may run until
Friday 12/1 (11:00 AM PDT). Note the 
icon shown with this listing. For those new to eBay, here are two
helpful tips:
1. As long as that icon is displayed, anyone has the option to purchase
the kite at the Buy it Now price. This effectively
makes that person the winner and immediately terminates the auction. 2.
Should the bidding surpass the set Reserve Price, the Buy it Now option
will no longer be available and the icon disappears. The auction
will then continue as normal until the end date. I've
never tried the Buy it Now route before. For sure, it does heighten
the strategy and suspense of the auction! I'll await feedback if
this option should continue on any future AeroStar listings. |
The Purple and Teal panels on SSL+
#128 have a stunning "stained glass glow" when backlit!
(Click on the image above to see additional photos and open the eBay
auction page.) |
Avoid the craziness at your local
mall - AeroStar Auctions to the rescue!
Ok, here is the scoop if you are planning on giving your loved one
or yourself a new AeroStar for the holidays: Auction
#1 (Start/End Dates: Sun 11/26 to Fri 12/1)
A Sano SSL+ will again be available and only the fourth
"hybrid" version produced. Like the previous
"Tuxedo" SSL+ auctioned last month, this kite will also have some nice upgrades
and bonus items. Pictured below is a simulation of the
layout. When sails use more than three colors, it's often difficult
to have everything gel properly. But, this color combo just works perfectly! Currently,
the sail is finished and the overall fabrication is about 80% completed. Note that I'm planning to make this auction a shorter
duration (only 5 days this time). I'm also contemplating trying a
'Buy in now' option which could end this auction even sooner.
The moment it starts, you'll definitely find the eBay link on this
page!
Remaining Auctions before the Holidays (Start/End Dates: TBD)
Right now, the plan is to offer a Stryke fighter (Stealth
Tri-Panel). I may also have another fighter or two available since I
get many requests for these. Plus, I hope to squeeze in another Sano
SSZ as well. I'll then assess my schedule, life, etc. and
decide where to go with my future kite building endeavors. My plans
(or lack thereof!) for next year will be discussed on the Jan '07
updates. |
|
|
A preview of the Sano SSL+ auction
coming very soon! |
And the winner of the first Sano
SSZ "Stars & Stripes" is...
John M. from Ohio! Thanks to everyone who
participated and special congratulations to John. After bidding on
every SSZ thus far, he was finally able to snag one. Even better, he
really likes this new layout and thinks it's the best looking SSZ yet.
Guess it was meant to work out this way! Since John only lives a few
hours from me, I'll be trying to secure visitation rights! |
John will now have a Sano SSZ to
compliment his SS and SSL versions.
(Photo taken at my local flying field on the day I hand delivered his pair
of custom Sanos.) |
Sano SSZ "Stars &
Stripes" Auction now live!
The Sano SSZ
#127-5 Auction has
officially started on eBay and ends Friday 10/17 (10:00 AM PDT). It
should be noted that while this is the very first "Stars &
Stripes" edition, it probably won't be the last. In essence,
it's simply too cool for such an early demise! As stated several
times, the SSZ version will be a very rare kite. What will that make
an SSZ "Stars & Stripes"? Close to unobtainium
status! Incidentally,
I'm extremely pleased with how this first "Stars & Stripes"
turned out. The overall appearance, proportions, etc. are
superb. I'm a hopeless perfectionist and even I wouldn't change a
thing! I thought it would be interesting to post a side by side
comparison of the original concept and now the finished product. As
previously mentioned, the appliqué sizes were increased (primarily lengthened).
This gives the layout a more balanced and streamlined appearance as shown
below. |
|
|
Comparison of the initial conception
and the first completed Sano "Stars & Stripes".
(Click on thumbnail for enlarged view.) |
Sano SSZ "Stars &
Stripes" Construction Update.
Since completing the design phase last weekend,
the actual build process has been underway for several days now. As
I was cutting the Patriotic logos sections, that first thing that struck
me was the size. Wow, these were going to be some huge appliqués
(easy to be deceived when viewing things on a small computer monitor!).
Out of curiosity, I went back into CAD
and ran some perimeter calculations. Turns out these pair of appliqués
would involve a whopping 194" of stitching. Subsequently, the
same amount of relief cutting would also take place (Yowza!). The
Sano SSZ was already a time consuming kite to build and this "Stars
& Stripes" edition would tack on several additional hours.
Would it be worth the extra effort? Now that I have a good start on
the sail, I can answer that question with a resounding
"YES!". Shown
below are two fabrication images. The photo on the left depicts the
two wings superimposed on my backlit glass table. Note the perfect
symmetry between the two appliqué sections and sail seams. The picture on
the right shows the sail as it presently stands. It will look even
better once the Black trailing edge binding and leading edge pockets are
in place! Barring any unforeseen
problems, things look really good for starting this eBay auction on Friday
11/10. As with prior auctions, an official announcement will be made
on this page. |
 |
 |
This symmetry test shows
the high degree of build precision.
(Click on thumbnail for enlarged view.) |
No PhotoShop here - this is
the real deal!
(Click on thumbnail for enlarged view.) |
Sano SS/SSL Tail Fitting
Instructions Revised.
The original on-line instructions recommended adjusting and then
re-setting the elastic cord preload for the leech lines. Turns out,
it is actually much easier and faster to simply stretch the elastic when
swapping tail fittings. Accordingly, the Tuning Tips
page has be updated to reflect this "new and improved"
technique.
|
Sano SSZ "Stars &
Stripes" Design Details Completed!
Over this past weekend, a lot of time was spent
finalizing the appliqué designs for the upcoming SSZ auction. After
trying some mock-ups on actual kites, I was able to pinpoint the best size
and orientation. With the Sano, this is complicated since the
ShapeShifter™ drastically alters the sail profile.
From there, CAD software was utilized to
sort out the details and nail down exact dimensions (developed a wicked
mouse callous after that design session! LOL). Next up, some
full size plots and templates will be generated. The design holds
true to the PhotoShop simulation shown on the October updates. The
only changes will be slightly larger appliqués (about 10%) and a more
stylized Star shape. Now
that there is a green light to start fabrication very soon, my goal is to
begin the "Stars & Stripes" auction on Friday 11/10 (but
that will be confirmed later). Must say, I haven't been this excited
to build a kite in a long time - can't wait to see the end
result! |
|
|
A CAD screenshot taken during the
design phase of the "Stars & Stripes" SSZ. |
Sano SSZ "Stars &
Stripes" Preview!
Several people have requested a Patriotic themed
SSZ
for a future auction. However, having already made so many R/W/B
Sanos, I felt something fresh was needed. My first idea was to leave
the center panels bare and then appliqué each wing. Furthermore, I wanted
a different design on each side.
Using
CAD software, I began the actual design process by constructing
matching triangular shapes on each wing. The geometry of these triangles
closely follows the contours of the leading edge pockets and sail seams.
From there, I created the Blue/White Star design on the left and the Red/White
Stripes on the right.
Below
is a quick mock-up made in PhotoShop. I'm still manipulating the
star shape and overall proportions, but this should be a fairly accurate
depiction. Pretty sure all 10 sail panels will be White as shown, but
that could change too. Finally, note how the White background color is an
integral part of each appliqué (just like on the ‘2K5 Star’ logo).
Personally,
I'm really diggin' the appearance of this kite! Super clean yet
still very distinctive. And, while it captures the American
flag theme perfectly, it’s not tacky or overdone like some Patriotic
products tend to be. Due to the extra design and
fabrication time, this auction will be a ways off (around mid-November). |
|
|
A PhotoShop simulation of the next
Sano SSZ auction.
(Since this project is in the early design phases, the finished kite may
be modified slightly.) |
Stryke #144 auction now underway!
The Tri-Panel
Fade Stryke Auction is currently active on eBay and will end on Friday
10/20 (10:00 AM PDT). In lieu of a lengthy written description, I
opted to make a descriptive video featuring this fighter (the link for
downloading is displayed on the auction page). This video
should help interested buyers make a more informed purchasing
decision! |
Sano SSZ #123 Auction ends.
Because of the build number, '2K5 Star' appliqué
and color scheme, I fully expected this latest Sano SSZ auction to
generate a good bit of interest. However, even I was surprised how
quickly the bidding escalated. The price reached $500 within the
first 12 hours (which I think is a record thus far!). A
heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone who participated. The
continued interest in this rare SUL encourages me to make a few
more. And, special congratulations go out to the winning
bidder Dave S. from California! Dave also has the pleasure of owning
#111 (which was the very first SSZ auctioned off). While both kites
will fly the same, the appearance of these two SSZs is vastly
different. That uniqueness is a good thing in my opinion!
After a tearful goodbye, your SSZ #123 and AeroStar hat will be shipped
out. Enjoy both kites, Dave, and send me a Customer
Photo when you get a chance! |
A composite photo featuring both of
Dave's Sano SSZ-EX kites. |
First Stryke Fighter auction
starting soon!
Over the past few years, I've gotten numerous requests
for Stryke fighters. However, this intricate SLK is really
challenging and labor intensive to construct (and yes, I'll admit this
fighter is a tad over-engineered!). For this reason, I have
frequently chosen to limit the number of orders accepted. So while
the finished product is fantastic, I would be ready to take the bridge if
I built them too often!
But, after several Sano auctions, it was time to mix things up a bit while
also offering something more affordable. So a Stryke fighter it
is! And like all AeroStar auction kites, I wanted to produce
something distinctive. Pictured below is a build photo of the Stryke
that will be auctioned (the second matching kite will fulfill a promise to
a friend). Using Rainbow fabric, the center section was carefully
cut to produce a stunning Fl. Pink to Sky Blue fade effect with the solid
colored wings. I've never seen this done before and it works
perfectly for this Tri-Panel sail layout! This
Stryke auction will start on Friday 10/13. I'll be out of town when
it begins (using automatic activation), so you'll have to search eBay to
find it. Upon my return, I will post a direct link to the Stryke
listing on this page. |
|
|
Preview photo of the upcoming
fighter auction - the horizontal fade pattern is quite "stryking"!
(Only one kite will be available.) |
Third Sano SSZ Auction now
underway!
The much anticipated Sano SSZ #123-4 auction has
officially started on eBay and ends on 10/13 (11:00 AM PDT). Oh no,
not the dreaded Friday the 13th! Well, one thing is for sure,
it will be somebody's lucky day!
For the first time, this AeroStar auction will not have a reserve
price. This way, there is a 100% guarantee this kite will
sell. Otherwise, I would have been inclined to set an outrageously
high reserve so I could keep it for myself! LOL I realize
color layouts are subjective, but in my opinion, this particular SSZ is a
perfect 10! |
Click on the star above to open the
Sano SSZ-EX #123 auction page.
As always, good luck and happy bidding! |
Sano SSL+ Auction ends.
Thanks to everyone who bid on this kite - as
always, it was
very much appreciated! Special congratulations go out to the winning
bidder Joe P. from California. Not only with this be Joe's first
Sano, but also his first ever AeroStar. For sure, winning this
"Tuxedo" Sano is a great start! Your SSL+ #122 will be
heading west very soon. |
Sano SSL+ Auction has started!
The Sano SSL+ #122-3 auction is officially
underway on eBay and will run until
Friday 10/6 (10:00 AM PDT). As always, this kite can ship worldwide so all interested
bidders are welcomed. As can be seen in the auction photos, this
bi-colored Black & White Sano has a very clean and crisp appearance.
Sometimes, the "less is more" approach really does work best! |
Click on the image above to open the
"Tuxedo" Sano SSL+ auction page.
(Thankfully, this kite promises to be much more "Entertaining and
Fun" than this awful movie!) |
Preview of Upcoming AeroStar
Auctions!
Yes, auctions is plural since there will be two
held back to back! To enable any interested bidders to plan ahead,
here are the details on both eBay auctions: Auction
#1 (Start/End Dates: Fri 9/29 to Fri 10/6)
Up for grabs is the classy "Tuxedo" Sano SSL+ previewed below on the
left. I haven't made too many of these Sano
"hybrids" (this will only be the third one), but a very sweet
flyer indeed! Since the weight, durability and wind range falls
right in between the current SS and SSL versions, this would be a great
choice for someone who will only own one Sano. Of course, I'm sure
the diehard AeroStar fans wouldn't mind adding this one to their
collection either! This particular SSL+ will have some nice upgrades
and bonus items (details to follow when auction starts - patience
grasshopper!) Auction #2 (Start/End
Dates: Fri 10/6 to Fri 10/13)
Yep, this second auction will start on the same day the SSL+ ends.
The featured kite will be another of the rare SUL versions of the
Sano. For this fourth SSZ, I opted for the classic Red/White/Black
motif (with the full 'EX' sail treatment of course!). In my
experience, this color combo always looks great and pretty much has
universal appeal. This particular Sano will also be quite special
for two reasons: First, the #123-4 build number will really appeal
to serious collectors. And second, this will be the first SSZ to
feature the '2K5 Star' appliquéd logo. As
always, watch this page for any new developments and thanks for your
interest! |
 |
 |
Preview #1 - Sano SSL+
#122-3
(Click on thumbnail for enlarged view.) |
Preview #2 - Sano SSZ-EX #123-4
(Click on thumbnail for enlarged view.) |
Sensational Spicas!
With all the interest in the newer Sano series,
the Spica has frequently been overlooked. That's a shame since this
is great little trickster and just a hoot to fly! Also, flying a 6
foot wing offers a new experience and will really hone your reflexes in
higher winds. Pictured below are a
few Spica Pro EXs just completed. The 'Z' appliquéd kite on the
left is for Zam. This will finally complete her trilogy of Spicas as
she already owns the two matching kites shown. Ultimately, all three
of these Spicas will be stacked which would be very impressive to see! The
Spica on the right was made for Steve. This one has all the
"bells and whistles" and includes the edge hemmed/flush fit nose
assembly, slotted upper leading edge cutouts and YoYo stoppers. In
addition, this Spica has beefed up Easton Strong 14 LLE spars and an appliquéd
oval to frame the Star rub patch. Finally, a special "space
capsule" tail weight system was installed. This is an internal
ballast system that can easily be adjusted with the included Steel dowel
pins and hollow Nylon spacers. |
 |
 |
Possibly the last AeroStar Spicas
ever built.
(Click on thumbnails for enlarged view.) |
Sano SSZ Auction #2 ends.
It was another fast moving auction! The reserve
price was met in only 2 hours and there were several bids
during the opening days. After holding steady for a spell, a new
bidder surfaced and mounted a successful challenge in the final
moments. Congratulations to the winner (who prefers not to be identified
at this time) on snagging one of these rare birds! It was a pleasure
to speak with you and SSZ #117-3 will be in your hands soon. Also,
thanks to everyone who bid on this kite - your interest was
very much appreciated!
I'm already getting excited about the next auction for a couple
reasons: To start, this fourth SSZ will be build #123-4 (gotta love
that!). And second, a few people contacted me and requested that I use the
'2K5 Star' logo. So to confirm, that appliqué will be featured on
an SSZ for the first time. Due to other commitments, this auction
will not take place until very late September or early October.
However, a color preview will be displayed on this page soon! |
Sano SSZ Auction #2 begins!
The Sano SSZ-EX #117 auction has officially started on eBay and will run until
Friday 9/1. As before, this kite can ship worldwide so all interested
bidders are welcomed! And, unlike the first auction, the ending time
(10:50 AM PDT) is now more accessible for all locations. I
also have to quickly mention how striking this SSZ truly is! While
the on-line auction photos capture this to a degree, the appearance is
even more impressive in real life. In particular, both the Teal and
Purple PC-31 sail panels have an incredible "stained glass glow"
when backlit. Plus, the Black highlights really enhance the overall aesthetics. |
Click on the sign above to open the
Sano SSZ-EX #117 auction page.
Good luck and happy bidding! |
Sano SSZ Auction #2 Preview!
My goal is to have one SSZ auction per
month. For how long? Heck, I'm not even sure but I suspect
there will be very few SSZs ever produced. And just this past
weekend, it occurred to me that August is rapidly winding down.
Definitely time to get busy preparing for the second auction! For
this SSZ, I wanted to prominently feature Teal. Therefore, this
color would be used in the panels plus the appliqué and leading edge
pockets as well. After modeling several candidates on the colorizer,
the layout shown below was the clear winner. Although I typically
opt for some White in SULs, I know from previous experience that Purple
and Black compliment the Teal perfectly (just a killer color combo!). And to
confirm, this will only be the third SSZ ever built. As shown, it
will also have the 'EX' sail upgrade. The eBay auction should
commence in roughly a week (maybe even as early as this Friday
8/25). As always, watch this page for the official
announcement! |
|
|
A preview of the upcoming Sano
SSZ-EX #117. |
Sano SSZ Custom Tail Ballast
System.
Speaking of the recent SSZ-EX #111 auction, I
wanted to relay some information regarding a novel tail ballast system
featured on this kite. For all the details along with some photos,
see the Sano SSZ Product Page. For sure,
this is a must see for all bonafide kite nerds!
And Steve T. (owner of the first SSZ), I'll be sending out one of these
new tail ballast kits so it can be retrofitted to your kite. |
Sano SSZ Auction ends.
Thanks to everyone who bid on this kite - it was
very much appreciated! Special congratulations go out to the winning
bidder Dave S. from California. It was great to speak with you this
past weekend, Dave, and I hope this special kite brings you a lot of enjoyment!
There's still a lot of interest and demand for the SSZ. It's clear
to me that I simply will not make enough of these SULs to accommodate
everyone. For this reason, there may be more SSZ auctions (or maybe
even a raffle?) in the future. This will give everyone an equal
opportunity of owning one. Of course, if and when this happens,
you'll read it here first. So, make sure and check this News/Updates
page frequently! |
Sano SSZ Auction begins!
The Sano
SSZ-EX #111 Auction has officially started on eBay and will run until
next Friday 7-21-06. This kite can ship worldwide, so all interested
bidders are welcomed! Originally, I had intended for the auction to
end mid-morning PST. However, I inadvertently uploaded the
information prematurely making for a very early 5:40 a.m. finish for West
coast bidders. Sorry about that, but I guess the 540 flat spin
reference was meant to be! |
Good luck and happy bidding! |
Sano SSZ Auction Preview!
Build #111 was coming
up in the next batch of Sanos. Not only is that a cool number, but
there has been a lot of interest shown in the new super ultralight SSZ.
So, the timing seems right to conduct an auction. This way, anyone who
really wants this number and version will have a fair opportunity. Wish I could make more SSZs (this will only be the 2nd one), but
at the moment still very busy finishing the order backlog. And
besides, these auctions can be fun and entertaining! It's been awhile too - the last
AeroStar auctioned off was Sano SS #001. This
special Sano is currently under construction. After completion next
week, the auction details will be posted on this page so check back
frequently! Pictured below is the colorizer image showing the sail
layout. These three colors are superb together and should pretty
much have universal appeal. As shown, this Sano will also feature the
premium 'EX' sail upgrade (see May updates). Also displayed is a
teaser construction photo of the actual kite. Hmm, maybe I won't be able
to part with this SSZ after all! |
 |
 |
A preview of the upcoming Sano
SSZ-EX #111.
(Click on thumbnails for enlarged view.) |
Artistic AeroStars!
These AeroStars were just finished yesterday (6/23/06) and are
currently en route to Ron O. in Washington state. Since these are
Ron's first custom kites, he really wanted something unique and
special. Ron is also a talented artist specializing in Southwestern
style pen and ink drawings (view his on-line gallery here)
. After several phone discussions and computer simulations, we opted
for the layouts shown below.
Just like many of his drawings, the sails are predominately White with
Red, Sky Blue and Black highlights. It was also important to
maintain a strong family resemblance between the Sano and ZeroStar.
Finally, almost every seam is highlighted with narrow strips of Black
fabric along with layered appliqués (see detail photos). While
these small "extras" made the kites quite time consuming to
build, they are both visually stunning and have a very crisp
appearance. I enjoy collaborating with you, Ron, and hope the
finished kites exceed your expectations! |
|
|
Ron's new matching Sano SS and
ZeroStar SUL.
(Click on thumbnails below to view additional detailed images.) |
First Sano SSZ Shipped!
Over the past several weeks, the Sano SSZ
underwent some thorough testing. Thankfully, the weather really cooperated
with light and steady breezes almost every evening. As mentioned on
prior updates, the SSZ was already very good on its maiden flight.
The goal now was to extract that last bit of performance (always the
toughest to achieve!). After many
hours at the field and subsequent modifications in the shop, the optimal
configuration was realized. Make no mistake, the SSZ is simply not a
reframed SSL. The SSZ has an altered aspect ratio (slightly lower)
which proved superior for this SUL configuration. In addition, the
bridle geometry was also changed thus enhancing feedback on the lines and
overall responsiveness. Finally, a custom 5 grams tail ballast was
fabricated. (On a kite this light, that small amount of weight is noticeable!)
To make adding and removing the ballast super easy, the brass portion fits
inside the carbon tube on the "no weight" tail fitting. My
last session with the SSZ was pure magic! Testing was finally over
and I wanted one last validation flight. This SUL just felt perfect
and it was one of the best outings I've had in all my years in
kiting. The next day, the kite was inspected and shipped off to
Indiana. And yes, I'm already experiencing withdrawal pains!
At least it's comforting to know this SSZ will have some good company with
Steve's other Sanos (see picture
below). |
|
|
The first Sano SSZ shown beside the
SS and SSL versions.
(Photo submitted by Steve Tapp.) |
AeroStar Hats now in stock!
As pictured below, the new AeroStar caps have just arrived. I
must say, the aesthetics and quality of the finished product have exceeded
my expectations! Thanks to everyone who pre-ordered these
hats. All those shipments will go out in the next day or two.
Please refer to the AeroStar Hats page for all the current product details,
pricing and ordering information . |
The first batch of the new "second edition" AeroStar hats.
(Can you pick a favorite? I couldn't so one of each style now
resides in my personal collection!) |
New AeroStar Hats Preview!
The first run of AeroStar hats proved popular and sold out
quickly. Since that time, I have steadily received requests for
additional caps. (Now that the warm weather is here, I wouldn't mind
some fresh replacements myself!) So yes, this will officially happen
and an order has already been submitted. For this
second run of AeroStar hats, I wanted to offer something that was both
bold and distinctive. After researching all the major apparel
vendors, some superb new cap styles were discovered. Pictured below is a
simulation of how these hats will appear once embroidered. In my
opinion, the multiple panels and tri-color layouts compliment sportkites
perfectly. Without a doubt, this is a "must have" accessory for any kiting
enthusiast! As shown, there will
be three different layouts to choose from. And like before, the back
of the hat will also be embroidered with small 'AeroStar' text as
shown. As you can imagine, these "premium" hats commanded
a higher purchase cost as well. Therefore, the retail price will
have to be raised slightly. An announcement will be made on this
page when these new hats are in stock (should be around mid-June). |
|
|
A preview of the new "second edition" AeroStar hats.
(A matching AeroStar kite is recommended but optional!) |
Sano SSZ Video Preview.
Prior to downloading the Sano SSZ Video Clip,
it should be mentioned that the quality (both of the video and flying!)
isn't that great. Mainly, this was a good excuse for me to learn how
to use the video editing software. While originally not intended for
public viewing, what the heck, I'll post it until something better is
made. Consider yourself warned though! Of
course, this video will let you see some of the kite's basic flight characteristics.
Pretty evident that the SSZ has great forward drive. And despite
being an SUL, it performs flares, backspins and lazy susans nicely.
Another surprising trait for an SUL is that the SSZ is very willing to roll-up.
Just put the kite into a turtle and then feed a bit more slack and around
it goes! (You can see how deep the kite backflips at 1:34. I
purposely fetched up the lines to stop the pitch rotation since YoYo
stoppers were not yet installed.) By the way, do you think the
grounded cartwheel at 1:12 was intentional? In all honesty, it
was! Fun to do and sort of a "controlled crash" you might
say. |
Sano SSZ Flight Impressions.
Finally was able to fly the SSZ yesterday evening. As mentioned,
there were high expectations for this SUL version of the Sano and I wasn't
disappointed. Winds were a little strong to start (about 6 - 8 mph),
but the SSZ handled it fine. No shudder or tip shake and, more
importantly, nothing broke. Still, in those winds, it felt a little
out of its element and I preferred the SSL instead. However,
as the winds steadily died down, the SSZ really started to shine! At
first, the spin radius was a bit wide for my tastes and not enough
feedback on the lines. A quick bridle adjustment remedied both
issues. Like all SULs, tricks were best when executed smoothly and
with finesse. But wow, is this kite capable of moves I didn't think
were possible with such a light kite! Despite
the amazing trick potential, the lift and forward drive were not
sacrificed. In fact, a direct comparison was made with a ZeroStar
SUL. The ZeroStar's standoffs were set at the innermost holes while
the Sano's ShapeShifter™ was biased full inboard. When flown on identical
linesets, the SSZ was a bit faster and would climb slightly higher in the
wind window. That is an accomplishment since the ZeroStar is no
slouch! Speaking of which, I have
to say that without a doubt the Sano SSZ is now my overall favorite
SUL. While the ZeroStar still has a slight edge with flat spin
tricks, the SSZ is just a major leap forward in SUL performance.
That's tough for me to say since the ZeroStar has been the "go to
SUL" for myself and several other flyers for sometime now.
While still fun to fly, that design has definitely lost some of its luster
after flying the SSZ! Future plans
are to experiment with small amounts of tail ballast and various bridle
geometries. YoYo stoppers have already been retrofitted as
well. Must say, I'm still on an emotional high after this first test
session. And the final SSZ can only get better from
here! |
Sano SSZ comes to life!
Pictured below is the first Sano SSZ ('Z' = Zero). This version
was first proposed by Steve from Indiana. Already a big fan of the Sano SS
& SSL, he asked if I would consider making him an SUL as well.
Given the Sano's awesome light wind performance, I was certainly eager to
see the potential of a dedicated SUL. However, I always like to test
any new projects thoroughly before offering them for sale. In this
case, permission to experiment with his kite was granted. Thanks
Steve for your friendship, assistance and motivation in bringing this SSZ
project to fruition! By the way, did I mention that testing won't be
completed until Spring 2010? Some
additional Sano SSZ photos plus preliminary information and specs can be
found here. Per the norm, the weather
conditions have been terrible for flight testing an SUL (20+ mph winds for
the last week). But, a high pressure front is approaching and I'm
really looking forward to that maiden flight! It will be interesting
to see how it compares with the Sano SSL and ZeroStar SUL. For sure,
I have high expectations for the SSZ! |
|
|
The first Sano SSZ in White/Fl.
Pink/Sky Blue.
(Shown with an optional '3D Z' layered appliqué.) |
|
Sano Colorizer Enhancements.
The Sano Colorizer Applets have been
updated. The two images are now larger (640 pixels wide) and also
feature a realistic sky background. These new colorizers have been
tested successfully in both the Explorer and Firefox browsers.
However, if you are experiencing technical difficulties, please contact
AeroStar. Hope you enjoy the improvements! |
|
Sano 'EX' Edition!
Kim Shaffer, a talented local flyer
and good friend, has been waiting for his new Sano SSL for some time.
While finalizing the order details, we agreed on two things: First,
the sail colors would pay tribute to the world champion Pittsburgh
Steelers (Kim is a major fan!). And second, he wanted me to go all
out and make him something extra special.
After a few minutes on the colorizer, a fitting motif in
Black, Mango (Golden Yellow) and White was created. That was the easy
part! Now, what to do for that "something extra"...hmm?
This proved more difficult since the Sano is already made from the finest
materials and has outstanding attention to detail.
After giving it some thought, I decided to first focus
on the '2K5 Star' logo. The appliqué was constructed with multiple
fabric layers and then carefully relief cut on the back and front of the
sail. The end result is a bold Black border which really lets that
star "POP"! In addition, narrow strips of Black fabric were
laid over the pair of upper sail seams. This further compliments the appliqué
and really sets off the Mango and White panels.
These minor details ended up adding a few hours to the construction
time. However, the end results speak for themselves...truly
stunning! I'm calling this version the 'EX' edition since it is
EXtra nice, EXtra cool...well, you get the idea!
|
The first Sano SSL-EX.
(Click on thumbnails to see enlarged view.) |
|
Sano SS/SSL Tail Fitting Installation
Tips.
Instructions on how to swap the tail ballast fittings on your Sano
have been uploaded
to the Tuning Tips page. I've
sent out a lot of "no weight" tail fittings and these tips
should make the installation very easy!
|
|
Sky Shark 'Black Diamond' Spars.
A fresh batch of Sky Shark spars recently arrived, including the new 'Black
Diamond' tapered models in both 3PT and 5PT. These premium spars are
sanded smooth and then treated with a clear lacquered finish.
Obviously, the lack of pronounced ridges will reduce bridle line wear when
executing maneuvers like Lazy Susans. Furthermore, the clear finish
produces a slick surface which will further extend bridle
life. And yes, the aesthetics are superb as well! I'm especially keen
on these spars for Sano lower spreaders. The
ShapeShifter is now easier to adjust (no speed bumps for the standoff
fittings!). If you're interested in ordering some fully prepped spars for
your current Sano SS/SSL or upgrading your pending kite order, please contact
AeroStar.
|
The first Sano SS with upgraded
Black Diamond 5PT lower spreaders - enjoy the kite Dave! |
Century Sano Delivered!
When the Sano was first introduced, I received many requests from
people wanting "numero uno". To handle this
diplomatically, I opted to just place build #001 on eBay and let the best
person win. Ultimately, that first Sano went to John N. from
Washington state. Once
I realized #100 would be coming up in the future, I contacted John and
offered this build number to him. He eagerly accepted and we made a
verbal agreement. After months of waiting for me to complete
previous orders, it finally happened and pictured below are his two
special Sanos. The sails are done in reversed Patriotic themes. On his
new SSL, John also elected to add the optional '2K5 Star' appliqué. These
Sanos really look awesome together! To
reflect a bit, I'm proud of the interest the Sano has generated and the
number of kites built thus far (and I'm not done yet!). I realize
producing a hundred kites isn't a big deal for mass produced models.
But I can honestly say that 100% of the fabrication on every Sano (or any
AeroStar for that matter!) was done by me. Only this way can the
customer be assured that both the quality and build precision are at the
highest level. Also consider that every Sano was a full custom, even
down to the color of the smallest reinforcement patch!
Since demand has always outstripped my limited production resources, I
sometimes wonder if this build approach was the right way to
go. For sure, I could have moved tons more kites if I
had them produced cheaply overseas. But in the end, I'll always be
proud of the legacy associated with AeroStars! |
|
|
A composite image of Sanos #001 and
#100. |
New Website for Fly
Pittsburgh Kite Club.
The Fly Pittsburgh Kite Club now has a dedicated website. The
webmaster, Sim Graves, is doing a great job with this project! It's
still a work in progress, but rapidly evolving from day to day. To
check out the site, simply click on the club logo displayed below.
Furthermore, if you are a kite enthusiast living in the Tri-State area,
check out the upcoming schedule. All interested flyers are welcomed
and encouraged to participate! |
The official logo of the Fly
Pittsburgh Kite Club. |
"Ghost" Sano SSL!
Throughout the life cycle of each AeroStar model, at least one
customer will specify an all white sail. And, having already built a
few monochromatic Sanos, I was really anxious to see
a pure white version as well. Finally, on build #099, the first Sano
with all 10 panels in White PC-31 was made! Pictured below is the
end result. This SSL has a very light appearance which is perfect
for an ultralight kite. Plus, due to the variations in the fabric
bias amongst the panels, the light is reflected in a slightly different
manner. Very cool effect when viewed outdoors! This kite is
now en route to Minnesota - have fun with it Mark! |
|
|
Pink kites making a comeback?
In my first decade of a building custom kites, Fluorescent Pink was consistently
a popular color. However, demand really plummeted awhile back as
customers gravitated more towards Gray fade or Patriotic
layouts. For this reason, I decided to discontinue offering
this color. But just
recently, I've received a few inquiries in regards to pink. Like
they say, trends run in cycles! So, I dug up that leftover
roll of fabric and will be able to accommodate most of these
requests. On the flip side, some kiters are really turned off by
this color. For one, it has a bad reputation for fading
quickly. And yes, this is true with most Ripstop Nylons (the old
joke being you can watch the kite fade as you fly it!). However, the
PC-31 Polyester sailcloth has about 5x the UV fade resistance, so not
really an issue. In
addition, some flyers (mostly males) are adamantly opposed to using
pink. In reality, the Fl. Pink PC-31 is not a feminine rose
color. Rather, the hue is darker and more saturated making it closer
to magenta.
Personally, I like Fl. Pink if used in moderation and with the proper
mating colors. The Sano SSL pictured below meets this criteria perfectly!
This kite is now on the way to Kevin in NYC - enjoy! |
|
|
"Pink - it's like red but not
quite..." from the song Pink by Aerosmith. |
Sano Gallery Revisions.
To permit faster loading and easier navigation, the Sano
Gallery has been completely overhauled. Still have quite a few
Sano orders to fill, so this page will be updated periodically. For
those of you still trying to decide on your final sail layout, these photos should provide some inspiration. Also, if a particular
Sano really appeals to you, I can (and frequently do!) make exact
duplicates. |
Sano SS/SSL Bridle Installation
Tips.
Instructions on how to replace your Sano's bridle have been uploaded
to the Tuning Tips page. In addition,
an important tuning tip regarding the Sano is mentioned as well.
These instructions should prove useful to owners who have worn out their
original bridles. This installation information is also valid for
most other AeroStar dual-liners. As
mentioned in the November '05 updates, the new high-test Spectra
replacement bridles (now standard on all production Sanos) have proven to
be more durable. This is especially true when the kite is frequently
flown in sandy conditions! If you would like to order a Sano bridle
kit, please contact AeroStar. |
ShapeShifter™ Animation.
This image depicts a Sano undergoing a full range of
ShapeShifter adjustments. To see a more detailed animation and read
an in depth explanation, please refer to the Sano SS
Product Page. |
Trailing edge view of a
Sano being "tweaked". |
|
Happy New Year!
Wishing everyone all the best throughout the entire year! Local
newspapers always feature the first babies born at the beginning of each
new year. Well, here is the formal unveiling of the first AeroStar
for 2006. Actually, make that plural since it's "fraternal
twins"!
Seriously, these Stryke fighters were actually finished on January 1st and
feature matching 'ArrowStar' appliqués designed by John Chilese.
Background colors are Sky Blue and Mango Yellow. Both kites are
currently en route to Ireland - hope you enjoy them Dave! |
The first kites to roll
out of Ye Olde AeroStar Kite Shoppe for 2006. |
|
Site
optimized for Explorer 5.0 or higher at 1024 x 768 screen resolution.
All content Copyright © 2001/2006 by AeroStar Sportkites. All
rights reserved. |
|
