U-Turn Butane 5.5

Firstly, I would like to thank BigEarl for the opportunity to give this kite a try. He is just good people.



The Butane is U-Turn's mid range kite, but after having a look at one in person I can comfortably say that there is nothing compromising in this kite. Stitching, bridling, materials used, and construction are all on par with other high end manufacturers (due I'm sure to U-Turn's para glider background.) The bridles are color coded and while more extensive than some of it's competitors are easy to sort out (bridle keepers on the trailing edge help with this.) Reinforced leading edge vents, and lots of them, hint that the Butane will fly in relatively light wind as well. On a special note, there are adjustment knots to change the kite's AOA which are located directly behind the power line connections. This positioning seems to produce rather dramatic alterations to the flight characteristics but does require some attention to avoid tangles (I believe this location in the bridle is also to facilitate easy removal of these parts. U-Turns are billed as readily convertible to de-power.)



In flight, the Butane is impressive to say the least. My first flight was done done on a 25m (I think) climax line set with the bridle knots set on the original full power/lift setting in 18 mph wind gusting to the low 20's. A hot launch sent me on the longest, fastest scud I have ever had, and I'm not entirely sure all of the stains on my pants were from the grass. Huge pull, great lift, but no feeling out of control. Wow. After setting it down and working the kinks out of my fingers, I changed the AOA setting to a lower lift/higher speed setting and took off again. The kites behavior was totally different, and though I was not able to give it a go in the bug, I am confident that this would be an excellent kite to ride with. On the speed setting the Butane is surprisingly fast and agile, but does begin to display some of the behaviors of other speed kites, like a tendency to overfly and requiring some attention to keeping it moving so that it doesn't collapse (not unexpected or unmanageable by any means though.)

I was only able to fly the Butane one more time due to weather and a profound lack of time away from work. I launched it in a puff of unstable 5-6 mph wind at which point the wind dropped away completely. As long as I kept it moving, apparent wind was enough to keep it flying- a testament to the Butane's low wind ability. While the number of leading edge vents is higher than a lot of full blown race kites and as such could eventually limit the Butane's top speed, it would take an awful lot more kite, and a much better rider than I to even approach that point.

Final thoughts- If you are looking for a very versatile, well built, and truly enjoyable kite to fly that is something a little different, the Butane is well worth a look. It looks great and flies like a dream.

Thanks again, BigEarl. Have fun with this bad boy, Willard.

Thank you BigEarl :bigok:
& Thank you Hellboy50 for doing the in-depth review this is more of an account of my day at the beach, /w clifs notes of the kite.

Well the Anemoi dont seem to care much for me, Finely got to fly it today, 14mph SW.
Lots of peaple at the beach due too spring break. Some little snot with a single line on a fishing pole w/ 5 millon feet of line was cutting the beach in half, thankfully he left after about a half hour. Mister dumb-ass decided to have his family reunion today, I'm in the midst of conicting the lines to the kite when he and about 10 relatives walk over and decide five feet down wind of a 5.5m power kite is the PERFECT spot to build sand castles. "Is that a kite?", "Yep I'm gona use it to pull that buggy", incredulous look "Really? We'll see." smile "Yep".
Pack up and move, then launch. :wee:
WOW this is fast.
Great up wind.
Couldn't get the hang of downwind, I'm sure this is the pilots fault however.
Recovers from tacos and stalls very well, a copple of well timed jerks on the handles, she opens up then waits a-bit for you to get set, then inflates and your OFF.
Did a couple of small jumps static to test the lift. However I'm not much for jumping, so will withhold comment. I also left the AOA on low lift so that was a bit useless.
I was kind-of surprised at the amount of side pull, but I am comparing this to a cult:dunno:.
Felt a little over powered but that was FUN.
Overall I love this kite, it has a steep learning curve but with more experience I'm sure I could set some real PBs with it.
Pics are forthcoming.
Will be shipping the Butane to Power on Friday. Sad to see such an awesome kite leave.

Pics

Getting set up.... nope.
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Now all is good with the world.:saint:
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First flight.:wee:
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FASTER!:tumble:
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Pilot error.:embarrased:
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The bane of all kite beaches... Leaving!

Quote:

Originally posted by WIllardTheGrey I had a lot of fun, thank you so much for the opportunity.

Ditto- Hooj thanks, Big Earl.