This is a full review of the Powell Peralta Flight skate deck. Over the past few months, I’ve been reviewing and comparing all of the carbon fiber skateboard decks lately. The flight deck is one of the most popular decks for a reason. It is reinforced with carbon layers and nearly indestructible.
Here are the snap shot specs of the flight deck.
Powell Flight Deck Specs
Pros:
- One of the strongest skateboard decks you can buy.
- Holds its shape the same on the first and last day you skate it.
- Excellent pop – The carbon in this makes the board retain its shape and it gives it a dream level of pop
- Mello concave
- Slides well
- Made in America
Cons:
- The maple on the sides of the deck chips easily.
- The shape took some getting used to. It runs a bit wider than advertised right over the trucks.
Sizes:
It is available in 8.0″ x 31.45″, 8.25″ x 31.95″, 8.5″ x 32.08″, 8.75″ x 32.95″, 9.0″ x 32.95″ sizes. It is also available in two concave shapes. One is traditional and there other is symmetrical.First Impression of the Flight Deck
When I first set this deck up, it felt lighter and stronger than any other deck I’ve stood on. That said, the shape took some getting used to. I bought the 242 shape and it comes in a length that is .2 shorter than what I’ve been used to.
The detail that felt off was that it felt wider than what I ordered. I wound up measuring it and it is slightly wider right over the bolts. I ordered an 8.0 and in those particular spots mine measured 8.1. I eventually got used to the shape and even grew to like it. It made landing on the board easier.
Why Did I Buy the Powell Flight Deck?
Growing up skateboarding, I never had money to buy decks. As a result, my skating suffered because my boards would quickly lose their pop and feel soggy whenever I skated. The result is my boards always felt lackluster, and I would bail anytime I would try tricks off higher drops.
I bought the Santa Cruz VX deck because I wanted a board that had that crispy new feel whenever I stood on it. The fact that it is incredibly difficult to break is an extra benefit and boost of confidence to not bail. As a result, I’ve landed tricks I never landed as a younger skateboarder just learning.
What do I like/dislike about the Powell Flight Deck?
I grew to like the wider nose and tail as it helped with locking in, and perfecting my tail slides.
I liked that it was a lighter deck with a similar sturdiness and level of pop to the Santa Cruz VX deck.
I dislike the shape I got. It felt oval shaped, and it actually got wider than the size I ordered right over the bolts. It took some getting used to. The odd part is it looks slightly in between the two shapes that they offer.
Here is a pic of the deck I got matched with the chart Powell Peralta share.
I disliked the quality of the wood used in the deck. Maybe mine was a defective deck. In the first five hours of skating this, I got a chip from bailing a flat ground trick. That bail turned into a vertical crack.
The board was still rideable after this thanks to the carbon layers. It just would flick differently because it wasn’t complete piece of wood. It ultimately became the reason I swapped the board out for another deck.
Who Is the Powell Flight Skate Deck a Good Fit For?
Any skater who wants a deck that has a consistent feel with great pop.
Intermediate skaters will love this because it can take impacts off higher drops without needing to land perfectly over your bolts. A deck like this allows you to practice your tricks off stairs or loading docks without worrying you are going to break it if you don’t land perfectly.
I also think beginners will love the flight deck because it is light and it has a consistent board feel. If you have a board that always felt the same, it would reduce your learning curve.
What Other Benefits to the Flight Deck are There?
It slides well. The wide nose and tail make this thing a dream for rail tricks. The carbon layers make it firm, so when you put your board on the rail, it locks in beautifully.
The main draw to this deck is its rigidity. This is not a deck that will get bouncy or soggy on you. When you stand on it between the bolts, and try to bounce, you will get a feel for how solid its construction is.
Overall Rating
| Considerations | Rating Out 5 |
|---|---|
| Strength of Skate Deck | 4.4 |
| Wood Quality (Chips / Splinters / Breaks) | 3.8 |
| Pop | 4.5 |
| Shape & Feel of the Deck | 4.6 |
| Overall Quality | 4.5 |
Editor’s Rating: 
Would You Recommend the Powell Flight Deck?
Yes. I liked other decks I skated more due to the shape and the fact that this split vertically for me.
I doubt that will be your experience. The boards come in various shapes, so I will try another at some point and update this review. Until then, just know you are getting one of the strongest carbon and maple skate decks you can buy.
Where Can You Buy a Powell Flight Deck?
You can get a Powell Flight deck right here. These sell out fast, so get yours while it is still in stock.
Looking for more skateboard reviews? Check out the other reviews I’ve written
- Girl Pop Secret Deck Review
- Powell Peralta Dragon Formula Wheels Review
- Best Skate Shoes for 2022s
- Santa Cruz VX Deck Review
- Element Flat Bar Review
- Foundation Skateboards Review
- Braille Skateboards Deck Review
- Cariuma Skateboard Shoe Review
Steve Weber is an avid snowboarder and skateboarder. He has been snowboarding for 26 years, skateboarding for 20, and is always looking for a new board sport to try out. When he is not riding or skating, he runs a marketing agency. Board of the World is Steve’s blog for skateboard and snowboard gear reviews. The blog’s goal is to help people find the right board for them and encourage people to have fun outside.