Wala XL light-wind/zero wind kite - first flight

My 1,032nd kite video. This kite is designed for light-wind conditions, but it doesn't, so far, seem as stable in them as kites like the Manta and Skate. It can also be flown in zero wind, but you have to be clever to do that, so I'm not qualified.
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[@tru2Seattle]

This reminds me that I purchased a large Wala Kite 4yrs ago and have never even flown it. This year I’m making it a goal to fly those kites I’ve had for years and have never flown. You are the inspiration behind my goal Jim. Keep your back to the wind and be safe.

[@JimNicholls]

I'll do my best. When I get a new kite (much more rarely these days, as I have no money!) I always want to fly it the day it arrives, or certainly as soon as possible. You must have a lot more patience than I do.

[@halaasen3416]

Glad to see what the Wala can and can't do Jim. Thanks for sharing.

[@JimNicholls]

I haven't finished exploring its possibilities yet, Hal. I'm not a fan of zero-wind or indoor flying, so I want to use this just for light-wind flying in the same way as the Manta and Skate, but it definitely doesn't have quite the same characteristics.

[@0KiteEatingTree0]

Possibly one of the few kites that has 2 settings depending on how you place the cross spar for wind or zero wind

[@JimNicholls]

Indeed. There are no instructions supplied with the kite, but the "rule" is fairly widely known.

[@RHINOTACTICAL]

Beautiful kite. Jim, thank you! So awesome.

[@JimNicholls]

Glad you liked it.

[@MarkAGroh]

It's fun playing with the wind every time out...looks like you got it Jim, more than qualified I'd say, always cool watching you fly! Very pretty kite~

[@JimNicholls]

This is a kite that's going to take a bit of experience to really come to grips with, Mark. I like the look of it, so shall definitely persevere.

[@MarkAGroh]

btw, Jim....sweet landing

[@deweygravesjr.122]

Tough day Jim. Still a nice Video. Beautiful day. I would of thought if the Skate went up so would the Wala. Better luck tomorrow. Thanks Jim.

[@JimNicholls]

The Wala XL is not quite the ultra-low-wind performer that the original smaller Wala is, Dewey, but I like it much more.

[@outandabout100]

very nice Jim. I have set notification on but for some reason it did not notify me of your upload. I was just scrolling down and saw your video.. thanks for sharing

[@michael22846]

Hello Jim, I acquired mine - same colours btw - in last year and hoped to be prepared for the lightest breeze possible. But my experience is the same as yours: The kite actually needs a tail for stable flight which of course is quite counterproductive for its low wind ability. And flying it without tail makes it as maneuverable as it is needed for no wind use - but too unsteady to tie it down. The problem seems to be the bowed spine and single bridle point which allows the kite some luffing movement on its pitch axis. I think the Wala is not really made for use in a lull as the Skate or the Manta are. Unfortunately both of them seem to be unavailable in Germany.

[@JimNicholls]

Michael, I'm surprised that Metropolis-Drachen don't have the Skate, as they sell a lot of Into The Wind kites. The Manta might be too expensive to justify stocking it. It's good to know that your experience with the Wala XL is similar to mine, which suggests that I'm not doing something wrong. I'd hoped it would be on a par with the ITW kites in almost no wind, but it's clearly not. I think the Laima is rather better at a slightly higher price.

[@kiteflyingdownunder....car6272]

Lovely colours on this kite and a nice large size. I am sure you will get some better results with a bit more wind. Like you showed in the lighter or zero winds it appears to be designed for coaxing by hand. It reminds me of my old Joel Schultz "Butterfighter" kite which preforms in a similar way. He demonstrated it once flying it like and Indian fighter kite but like you I am not so skilled at dancing with a kite.

[@JimNicholls]

I'd like to see you dancing with anything, Carl!

[@peterdennhey5030]

Jim Nicholls so would i

[@Bambloozled]

A relationship unrequited! Let's hope for firmer winds in the future.

[@JimNicholls]

Indeed, Mr B. Still on holiday?

[@Bambloozled]

Yes mate.

[@danokitemano9316]

Which do you like better, this kite, the Manta or the Skate?

[@JimNicholls]

The Manta is best for easy flying in very light wind, but can't be flown in higher wind. The Wala XL is more versatile (and colorful!) and can be flown in higher wind, and the Skate is good in very light wind but also very small compared to the Manta. If I had to keep just one, it would probably be the Manta, since I have plenty of kites that fly in more wind.

[@enegtibabal9176]

Very nice and pleasing to the eyes design. Thanks Jim, I really enjoy watching your Videos. How ever I have similar kite from 5 yrs. and recently it is tiltting towrd the left, how do you think I should fix it? It used to fly perfectly steady when it was new.

[@JimNicholls]

There are many reasons why that might happen. If the fabric has stretched a little, that can upset the way it flies, and can be difficult to cure. I really don't know enough about this kite yet to be able to offer any suggestions, unfortunately.

[@richarddarlington1139]

Great colors on this one, Jim. But it keeps staring at me. P.S. KZbin keeps recommending your videos, and I keep clicking on them. It's a vicious cycle, I tell ya!

[@JimNicholls]

You could just go to my channel and work your way through from 1 to 1,666, Richard, but it might take a while!

[@Phooie]

Jim, I have the smaller Wala kite and am thinking of buying another . Would you know the attachment points for stacking the two? I'd like to give it a try.

[@JimNicholls]

Sorry, I've no knowledge of that. Having only one, I've had no chance to try it, but I guess a bit of experimentation will give you the answer. I see no reason why it wouldn't work well. Good luck!

[@Phooie]

@@JimNicholls Thanks anyways.

[@amycuaresma]

Have you ever tried rotating the connector piece and flipping the spars to the opposite side ? I have and it made it fly better in higher winds

[@JimNicholls]

That's interesting, Amy, but I've never tried it. As I have far too many kites, I tend to just use the ones that are most suitable for the wind at the time, and so wouldn't find the need to experiment like that. It's a good kite, and I'm sure you get a lot of fun with it.

[@amycuaresma]

Hi Jim! That makes a lot of sense, how many kites do you think you have in your collection right now? Give or take ? Maybe next time you fly a Wala try it out, I'd love to get your feedback ❤️ I learn something new from you in every video. Thank you for providing me such a strong foundation to be a great Kite Pilot! I only hope I can return the favor one day!

[@amycuaresma]

Tim Tulis and I spent some.time catching up today. We both are eager for spring to arrive to fly the kites we haven't been able to during the winter up here. Have you ever been to Alaska? New Zeland is on the very top of my bucket list.

[@JimNicholls]

@@amycuaresma I can only give you the same answer I have to give everyone who asks how many kites I have, Amy: Far too many! I literally have no idea how many I have, and don't dare to count them. Good that you and Tim could catch up, and I hope it won't be long before you are both flying again. I've never been to Alaska, and at 80 I think my travelling days are probably over.

[@fotonmom]

I think it likes to be finessed. From other indoor flying videos--it behaves best when its coaxed..

[@JimNicholls]

I'm not into putting on a tutu and prancing around with a kite in zero wind, Priscilla, which is what a lot of folk buy this for. I just want to fly it with my other light-wind kites in gentle breezes, and I think it will be quite reasonable in just a little more breeze next time. I hope you've dried out and can get flying again soon.

[@peterdennhey5030]

Jim Nicholls You in a tutu, that would b a sight for sore eyes.Weather for tomorrow looks promising .

[@JimNicholls]

Carl in a tutu would be more entertaining.

[@peterdennhey5030]

Jim Nicholls I think frightening might be a better word.

[@mrlionel1965]

I need a good light wind kite. I'm just not sure if this one is the answer. The winds here have been very uncooperative here on my vacation week, which sucks. Just can't seem to get over that 3-4 mph mark. Not too good for flying. By the way, you are more than qualified..lol

[@JimNicholls]

I'm not altogether satisfied with the Wala XL, Ken, but I hope to get it tuned better sometime. My favorite light-wind kite at the moment is the Skate from ITW, and I fly it very often when nothing else will go up. It is a lot cheaper (and smaller) than the Manta, which used to be my first-call kite on low wind days. The Skate is very stable since I added a 10c coin to the nose (there's a pocket there to add coins for balance.) I'm thinking maybe the Wala needs some similar treatment.

[@mrlionel1965]

Thanks Jim. I think I will look into that one.

[@thelonekite4661]

I need a light wind kite because there has been no wind this week.

[@JimNicholls]

It's often a problem here in the winter, so I have several light-wind kites.

[@melvyn3426]

Jim All this talk of storms and wind and rain is making me feel cold . We haven't seen any or wind or anything cold up to now we have had three months of 38degrees and more to come in August pheweee!

[@JimNicholls]

Oh well, the seasons will soon change, Frank, and we'll be "changing places" weather-wise - although we don't usually get the hot summer weather that you do.

[@THEKING-eb7pd]

Cara buatnya gimana itu???