Kite FLYSURFER Heli - review

Among FLYSURFER inflatable kites, there had long been a lack of an allround model that would meet the needs of everyday kiters. Creating such a model was therefore a logical step.

Construction

The FLYSURFER Heli is designed as a 3-strut kite rigged classically with 4 lines. The construction feels relatively lightweight, but key stress points feature basic protective elements to extend durability and prevent damage during normal use. The steering line bridle includes bar pressure adjustment as well as the option to shorten or lengthen the setup. This is done using two knots and a lark’s head connection, arranged in such a way that accidental complete detachment is impossible. An interesting little feature that practically adds no weight or cost, so why not include it. From the factory, the steering lines came attached in the longer setup position, where the kite felt unnecessarily “trimmed in” to me. After moving them to the knot closer to the kite, everything felt exactly as I would expect, so I would recommend doing this right away if you are connecting the kite to a new or properly tuned bar with correct front-to-steering line length ratios.

Flight Characteristics

From the start, the FLYSURFER Heli felt like a very relaxed and predictable kite with excellent stability and a very rigid canopy that provides precise feedback through the bar. Smooth calm turning, non-aggressive power delivery during window passes, excellent depower and controllability with medium bar pressure, and soft dampened yet accurate feedback. Overall, the handling feels very simple, intuitive, and calm. At the same time, it still retains a pleasant agility. The kite constantly wants to fly forward, and during the entire testing period I did not notice even the slightest hint of backstall. Control remains very good throughout the effective depower range, with progressively increasing bar pressure when sheeting in, supporting highly sensitive response and precise control.

Riding

While riding, the kite willingly accelerates to higher speeds, sits very far forward in the wind window, and because of that climbs upwind surprisingly well. The pull while riding feels very “solid,” allowing you to really lean against it without fear of sinking into the water, directly encouraging a highly active and more aggressive riding style. On the other hand, during relaxed cruising at low speeds and flatter board angles, it drifts willingly and remains stably in place. In light wind it slows down slightly, but still flies forward and upward, which is absolutely essential for effective sineing and generating power in marginal conditions.

Jumping

A big surprise came after takeoff into jumps, where the Heli provides smooth lift high upward and long slow descent with excellent hangtime. These kinds of jumps are something I usually know from foil kites. In this regard, the Heli comes very close. The amount of airtime and confidence from being fully in control practically invites heli loops, which may well have inspired the kite’s name. The overall jump feeling and takeoff timing are also different from most inflatable kites. A later takeoff against the wind, when the kite is already practically at 12 o’clock, transforms into a smooth vertical lift, so you drift less downwind during the jump and landings become calmer, softer, and slower. Jumps, flight, and landings are all very easy and calm, allowing the rider to focus on tricks and progression in jumping technique.

Stability

Even in light wind, the stability is surprisingly good. Most inflatables tend to fall straight forward from the 12 o’clock position when front line tension is lost. In the same situation, the FLYSURFER Heli may release canopy tension, but the leading edge does not collapse directly downward. Instead, it tends to obediently back up slightly and recover once the lines tension again. However, this characteristic still has its limits, and in highly unstable wind it could still eventually fall.

Relaunch

Relaunches are genuinely easy. During angled crashes, the kite often automatically rolls onto one wingtip and drifts to the edge of the wind window where it waits for relaunch. When lying leading edge down, it willingly rotates using a single line even in lighter wind, and if no water has entered over the leading edge, it can also reverse-launch using both steering lines, which is especially appreciated during land relaunches when you do not want to drag the leading edge across the ground. 

Weaknesses and Drawbacks

I would like to write something here, but honestly I do not really know what. I encountered practically nothing that bothered me or limited me in any way with this kite. Perhaps only its very chilled-out, almost lazy behavior in extremely light wind, but with a 12m inflatable and my weight of 63 kg in wind around 5 m/s, this is completely normal. Only inflatables with very thin leading edges and lightweight constructions maintain lively flight characteristics in such light wind and low loading. As the largest kite in a light-wind quiver, I would therefore rather recommend the new Indie2 model.

Who is the FLYSURFER Heli for?

The manufacturer presents this model as a kite with strong potential for freeride and hooked-in jumps aimed more at advanced kiters. I would personally fully sign under the motto “ride by instinct” for this kite. Thanks to its super intuitive handling and predictable calm behavior, I would not hesitate to give it even to a beginner during lessons. Jumping with it is extremely easy, and the feeling comes closer to foil kite jumps with huge amounts of airtime, which is the driving force behind fast oldschool progression. Excellent upwind ability and solid riding speed are also highly useful for long freeride trips and a more dynamic riding style. The FLYSURFER Heli is truly a very versatile kite. While it may not dominate in extremes, it handles everything in between with elegance and simplicity at a very respectable level that exceeds the needs of the vast majority of regular kiters. If you are unsure which FLYSURFER kite to choose, the Heli definitely will not be a wrong step.

Interesting Fact

FLYSURFER Heli is the inflatable kite that, in terms of overall feeling and behavior, comes closest to foil kites out of all the inflatables I have ridden so far. Several experienced riders independently told me the same thing, despite having tested countless kites from many different manufacturers.

Ciao, Leguán