American Kitefliers Association

And by the way, I never heard from anyone with experience of the Mega Macaw, so I can assume only that no forum members have flown one or that if they have they are not interested in posting a reply.  I've decided that if I buy, it will be the new smaller version - easier to handle and less to lose if it's not as good as I expected.

Jim

Jim,

I have seen the Macaw in flight. The main issue was the front beak. I don't know if it was a bridle problem, but it kept deflating and hanging like loose cloth in front of the parrot. It also seemed to need a good steady wind to keep it inflated. The one I watched did have this problem and looked like a loose sail many times. It was being flown at the beach in winds varying from 10 -20 mph. Hope this helps.

sncflyer

sncflyer,

Thanks, it's good to have an eye-witness report at last.  I'm sure you would have taken particular note, in view of your obvious interest in parrots!

Jim

Jim,

In case you haven't seen it, here is a link to a video of the Mega McCaw being launched and flown.  Decent video for your purposes I would think.  No direct statement of wind speed but the noise on the camera, the trees in the background, and the sport kites around all suggest a pretty good wind.  Which then to my mind leaves this kite at a very low flight angle.  It does not look like something that you could stake down and have fly all afternoon - looks like it requires constant attention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl … AhcuogttLQ

Ben

Thanks, Ben,

You're quite right - a very low angle.  And it took several people to launch it, so not for me, I think.

Jim