Manufacture: Air Affairs
Name: Sutton Flow Form 8
Price: $47.89 (FWW club member price)
Description: The Flow Form is variation of a airfoil design.
Skill Level: Well suited for older children and adults

Test Results

We flew/tested the Sutton Flow Form 8 in wind speeds
from about 6 to 14 MPH.  In this range the kite flew very well. Note: A small drogue is recommended/needed for wind speeds greater than 10 MPH to improve flight stability (as well as visual appeal). The enclosed instructions do not state the recommended wind range for this kite. We estimate the recommended/realistic and safe wind range to be about 6 to 17 MPH.  FYI: Around 18 MPH sand starts to move/blow across the beach where we test our kites.

Kite Contents: Sutton Flow Form 8 kite, 500 feet of 80 pound test flying line on a 6 inch yo-yo winder, clear plastic carry bag, ripstop nylon storage bag.

The dimensions of the kite are 2.5 feet wide x 3.5 feet high.

The kite requires no modifications to the bridle.  It is a fixed bridle.  Assembly is quick and easy.  Just attach your flying line  to the steel ring which holds the heavy duty bridle.

The sail is made of ripstop nylon.  The sail and 3 keels are hemmed for durability.

The somewhat small sail area of this kite lends itself best for visual appeal at a height up to about 150 feet.

This kite provides moderate lift/pull, thus it is suitable for attaching a small windsock or other similar sized line laundry to the flying line (at wind speeds greater than 8 MPH).  There are 2 tail attachments on the bottom sail. The enclosed instructions describe in detail how to create a Y shaped line to tie to the tail attachments when using a small drogue.

NOTES to Air Affairs: There are 3 bridles lines with 6 ends. Our ends were not burned to prevent fraying.  Consider burning the ends during the assembly process.  The enclosed square shaped ripstop storage bag was a little too small.  A larger bag is recommended. A couple of the round air holes on the sail were not cut-out cleanly.  Providing the possibility that the ripstop holes may become larger/deformed over time. Better quality control is recommended during the manufacturing process. The enclosed instructions do not state the recommended wind range for the kite.  Update the instructions with this information.

It is a safe kite to fly for older children and adult kite fliers (in the recommended wind range) since it uses no rods to form the shape of the kite. It is classified as a soft kite.
 
Summary: At a club member price of $47.89, the Sutton Flow Form 8 is a good value.  If you want/need more lift/pull than the Flow Form 8, then try the Flow Form 16.
 
The Flow Form comes in various color designs.