Most skateboard decks are seven layers of maple glued together. Powell Peralta Flight decks are something different: maple, fiberglass, and a material Powell calls AirLam, fused with epoxy. The result, according to Powell, is a deck that's thinner, stronger, poppier, and longer lasting than a standard 7-ply.
This guide covers what makes Flight decks different, the shapes and concaves we carry, the difference between buying a Flight deck, a Core complete, and a Premium complete, and why the Premium builds with Powell's Dragon Formula wheels are worth a look. Our year-round pick is Andy Anderson's Heron Skull, available in two sizes.
What Is a Flight Deck?
Flight decks are made in the USA at Powell Peralta's factory in Ventura, CA. Instead of seven plies of maple, they use U.S. hard rock maple, high-strength fiberglass, and AirLam, all fused with epoxy resin. Powell warrants them against delamination for their useful life, and its graphics are printed in-house with non-solvent inks and paints.
Flight vs. a Standard 7-Ply
| Powell Flight (per Powell) | Standard 7-Ply | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | U.S. hard rock maple, fiberglass, and AirLam fused with epoxy | Seven layers of maple veneer |
| Thickness | As thin as your phone | Thicker |
| Strength | More than twice as strong in Powell's tail break tests | Standard |
| Pop | "Everlasting pop" that doesn't fade as the deck wears | Pop softens as the wood wears |
| Lifespan | Team testing suggests several times longer than a 7-ply | Standard |
| Made in | Ventura, CA, USA | Varies |
Powell also says Flight decks ollie higher thanks to greater rebound and snap. Because they last so much longer, Powell positions them as a better value than buying 7-ply after 7-ply.
Flight Shapes and Concaves
Every Powell deck has a shape number. Here are the shapes currently in our Flight lineup. Graphics rotate a couple of times a year, but the shapes stick around.
| Shape | Width | Length | Wheelbase | Concave | Known As |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 242 | 8.0" | 31.45" | 14" | K20 | Popsicle |
| 243 | 8.25" | 31.95" | 14.25" | K20 | Popsicle |
| 244 | 8.5" | 32.08" | 14.375" | K21 | Popsicle |
| 243W | 8.38" | 32.08" | 14.25" | K26 | Wide popsicle |
| 244W | 8.63" | 32.2" | 14.38" | K26 | Wide popsicle |
| 308 | 8.75" | 32.33" | 14.5" | K26 | Popsicle |
| 289 | 8.45" | 31.8" | 14.25" | K20 | Andy Anderson Heron (link below) |
| 290 | 9.13" | 32.8" | 15" | K21 | Andy Anderson Heron (link below) |
| 301 | 8.7" | 32.3" | 14.5" | K20 | Andy Anderson Heron 2 Egg |
| 311 | 8.4" | 32.03" | 14.25" | K26 | Andy Anderson Hydrant |
| 297 | 8.62" | 32.2" | 15" | K21 | Bucky Lasek Tortoise |
| 192 | 9.265" | 32" | 14.75" | K15 | Cab Ban This Dragon / Skull and Sword |
| 280 | 9.7" | 31.32" | 15.38" | K15 | Ripper |
| 266 | 8.88" | 34.7" | 17" | K24 | Duran Slidewinder |
Powell's newest concave, K26, is a symmetrical double-kick mold with a familiar medium-to-mellow concave. Its nose and tail sit closer together than on the K20, with a larger radius, for smoother, more precise flicks and lots of pop.
Deck, Core Complete, or Premium Complete?
Every Flight graphic we carry comes up to three ways:
| Version | What You Get | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Deck | The Flight deck only | Skaters who already have trucks and wheels, or want to pick every part |
| Core Complete | Flight deck + Core trucks, TGM logo wheels, Amp ABEC 5 bearings, Black Diamond Griptape, risers, and hardware | An affordable, ready-to-build setup |
| Premium Complete | Flight deck + name-brand trucks (Krux, Independent, Ace), name-brand wheels (often Powell Dragon Formula), Independent GP-S bearings, Black Diamond Griptape, risers, and hardware | Skaters who want top-tier parts without piecing a setup together |
Every complete ships unassembled with everything you need, so you can build it your way.
Why Go Premium: Dragon Formula Wheels
Many of our Premium Flight completes roll on Powell Peralta's own Dragon Formula wheels. Dragons are built to roll over rough terrain while still gripping and sliding like hard wheels, and Powell says they rebound far better than ordinary wheels of the same hardness. Here's how the Dragon durometers compare:
| Dragon Formula | What Powell Says |
|---|---|
| 88A | The softest, smoothest, and fastest Dragons. Over 82% rebound; slides with the ease of wheels 10 points harder |
| 93A | Rolls over rough terrain but grips and slides like 99A and 101A wheels, with 18-20% higher rebound than hard wheels |
| 95A | Opens up more skateable surfaces while keeping the grip and slide of 99A or 101A wheels, with up to 20% higher rebound |
| 97A | A smoother ride on more surfaces without losing the control for technical tricks, with up to 20% higher rebound for speed in parks, bowls, and rough streets |
Pair a Flight deck with Dragons, Krux or Independent trucks, and Independent GP-S bearings, and you've got one of the best-riding setups you can buy in a single box. Look for "Dragon Formula" in the product title.
Andy Anderson's Heron Skull
Andy Anderson's Heron Skull is the one Flight graphic we keep year-round. It comes in two sizes: shape 289 (8.45" x 31.8" deck) and shape 290 (9.13" x 32.8" deck). Each is also available as a Core complete and as a Premium complete built with Independent trucks, Dragon Formula Nano Cubic wheels, Bones Reds bearings, and color-matched Dime Bag hardware.
In Stacy Peralta's words, "What Andy is doing is living the creed of what a skateboarder is supposed to be." Artwork by Vernon Courtlandt Johnson.
Quick Picks
| Pick | Best For | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Anderson Heron Skull 289 Premium | Best premium build | Independent trucks, Dragon Formula Nano Cubic wheels, Bones Reds |
| Andy Anderson Heron Skull 290 Premium | Bigger platform | Same premium build on the 9.13" shape 290 |
| Andy Anderson Heron Skull 289 Deck | Building your own | Andy's 8.45" shape with K20 concave |
| Andy Anderson Heron Skull 290 Deck | Wide street and park | Andy's 9.13" shape with K21 concave |
| Andy Anderson Heron Skull 289 Core Complete | Ready to ride | Flight deck with Core trucks, TGM wheels, and Amp bearings |
| All Flight decks and completes | Current graphics | Caballero, Vallely, McGill, Lasek, Hiett, Skeleton, and more |
FAQ
What does Flight mean on a Powell deck?
Flight is Powell Peralta's deck construction: maple, fiberglass, and AirLam fused with epoxy. Powell says it's thinner, stronger, and longer lasting than a 7-ply.
Are Flight decks worth it?
Powell's team testing suggests they last several times longer than a 7-ply, with pop that doesn't fade, which can make them a better value over time.
Where are Flight decks made?
In Powell Peralta's factory in Ventura, CA, USA.
What's in a Premium complete?
A Flight deck with name-brand trucks, wheels, and bearings, plus griptape, risers, and hardware. Many use Powell's Dragon Formula wheels.
How often do Flight graphics change?
Powell cycles graphics once or twice a year, so if you see one you like, grab it. Andy Anderson's Heron Skull is the one we stock year-round.
Keep Building Your Setup
- Sizing Guide for Decks, Trucks, Wheels, Hardware, and Risers
- Skateboard Truck Size Guide
- Skateboard Wheels Guide
- How to Choose Skateboard Bearings
- How to Choose Skateboard Hardware
- How to Choose a Skate Tool
Ready to fly? Shop all Powell Peralta Flight decks and completes.