thanks

If you are flying a 4 line kite and apply too much brakes, it will start to fly backwards. This is backstall. Smiliarly, with a depowerable kite if you try to power up too much, the kite will stop moving forward through the air and start flying backwards. The problem is that they aren't meant to fly well backwards so control goes out the window. I am sure someone will jump in with a more technical explanation, but you get the general idea...

Seany

Same thing will happen with some kites if you try and "Park" them overhead, the kite will hang there for a couple seconds then start to slide backwards. the problem then comes from the fact that when the kite backstalls the air will start to hit the rear of the kite instead of the air intakes and usually knock the air out of the sail and collapse the kite. Usually backstall happens when flying a kite at the low end of it's wind range. To avoid backstall you want to keep the kite hunting from side to side at the top of the window, you're basically keeping the kites apparent wind up a little to keep it flying properly. You should find when the wind's up the same kite won't backstall.

One other cause with adjustable angle of attack kites is they can be set up too agressive for the wind, making the backstall problem way worst, to the point where they won't even get off the ground. Sheeting or adjusting out all the way should avoid the backstall issue here.

Now a good kite in the right wind, you can fly it like a REV. I know with the Brooza's in good wind you can park them in the middle of the window with some brake, then fly the kite backwards, slide it sideways similar to a REV. then let off the brakes and power away.