How to Select an Effective Dart Flight (for All Levels)
Dart flights come in various shapes, sizes and materials that make the game of darts fun and competitive. Flights refers to any part that goes in the opposite direction from its point and impacts how your dart moves through the air.
No matter your skill level or where you stand in terms of dart flight knowledge, this blog provides all of the knowledge needed for customized or adjusted dart flights – from their shapes, weights, textures to how they affect play.
Looking for the most efficient dart flights? This article can help:
How can I determine the speed of darts?
Beginners searching for an economical dart flight solution.
Beginners looking for the top darts flights available. Here are your options.
Dart flights require extra care when transported across various surfaces, including terrain. In order to keep them protected and functional, the following should be observed.
How Can I Determine the Trajectory of Darts?
Flight is an integral component of darts as it allows it to navigate its way through the air before hitting their target board. As seen below, its slotted design keeps it stable even during movement – see illustration above of flight slotting onto shaft end and keeping dart in place during movement.
Flights come in an assortment of styles and materials to satisfy every player’s taste and preference. While standard (No.2) or shape (No.6) flights tend to be the go-to options for most players, other sizes like pear or kite shapes as well as slim flights are widely available to meet specific player requirements.
Dart Flights Are Essential
Simply put, without dart flights it would be impossible to play darts! These essential elements play an essential part in stabilizing a dart’s path from its departure from your hand to entering and staying within its target dartboard – without them you risk your dart being off target or simply dropping on its target board! Without flights you risk your dart being left off track.
Dart flights offer an easy and unique way to add that special personal touch to your darts, making them truly yours. Select your flights by color and add text – such as your name or a dart’s nickname – for something truly custom made.
Dart Flight Shape and Symmetry
Dart technology continues to advance quickly, giving dart players access to an impressive variety of darts with various designs available for them to select. Flight shapes of darts can make a striking statement about how their dart moves across the air.
The perfect dart flight form depends on each player and their preferred style of play. Some prefer kite-shaped flights while others might find that traditional shapes work better for their sport.
Here is an in-depth guide on the different dart flight shapes available:
Standard flights / Shape darts flights
Standard Darts Flights/ No. 2 Flight For most players, standard darts flights (also referred to as No.2) is the primary form. When selecting no. 6 shape flights can help stabilize dart flight more effectively than short pear flights or shorter flights such as Pear Flight. Therefore this form is often called an No.6 Flight
Similar to Standard flights, but with slightly angled sides. Travels faster but may reduce stability; so this type of dart flight may also decrease stability for darts in flight. Ideal if you want to alter their flight positions; Pear, Kite and Fantail flights all fall under this category.
Kite, Pear and Fantail flights.
Professional players such as Jonny Clayton, Danny Noppert and Ryan Joyce have used these flights.
Smaller flights tend to move through the air faster, but offer less control and can leave room for mistakes. Their smaller size also covers less area when trying to hit multiple targets with one shot – useful when using darts together.
Tips for the Top: If you tend to throw with more force or use lighter darts (22g or under), one or more of these flights could be perfect for you.
Pear, Kite and Fantail dart flights
Pear, Kite and Fantail flights
- These are some of the most popular smaller flight options
- Used by several professional players, including Jonny Clayton, Danny Noppert and Ryan Joyce
- Smaller flights travel through the air faster, but can be less forgiving if you throw a bad dart as you will have less control on how they fly
- The smaller flight size covers less of the target. This helps when trying to group darts together
Top Tip: If you tend to throw the dart a bit harder or have lightweight darts (22g and under), then one of these smaller flights may be suitable for your style.
Slim, DXM and Sigma dart flights
Dart Flight Services currently offers Slim, DXM, and Sigma dart flights as part of their services.
Dart stacking is a game played by those looking to “stack” their darts over each other.
Phil Taylor became well known for his pioneering “Stacking Method”. By dropping one dart onto a wire beneath his bed of Treble 20 darts and throwing two more darts as part of this stacking motion, Taylor would attempt to stack over each dart from above in an “up and over” fashion.
Only a select few players were capable of successfully employing Slim or Sigma flights with their darts.
Here Are A Few Top Tips To Successfully Utilize These Flights It is important to keep in mind that for these darts to land flat on the board every time, straight throws are necessary if we wish for these flights to work effectively.
Arrowhead, V-Wing, Vortex, Mini and Shield dart flights
Arrowhead and V-Wing flights
Slim and Sigma style flights share similar properties while Vortex flights and Mini flights resemble pear-shaped dart flights in terms of their behavior.
Vortex Flight can act similarly; while offering superior stability it also occupies less room, providing more darts with enough room to group together. Mini Flights: An Alternative Approach
Shield flights’ smaller size makes them similar to slim-sized dart flights, while airtight shield flights behave similarly. Our alternative dart flights collection also features Sigma and Vortex shaped dart flights!
Molded Dart Flights A recent trend in dart flights is to use moulded dart flights made of heavier materials designed to last longer and maintain an ideal 90-degree angle when playing darts.
Moulded flights come in many shapes and sizes, from standard (no. 2) and shape (no. 6) flights to custom shapes such as those preferred by Jose De Sousa and Ryan Searle.
Mission Force 90 dart flights
- Mission Darts’ all-in-one shaft and flight system – Mission Force 90 – features premium composite materials to maintain an exact 90-degree angle every time, as well as smooth edges which reduce deflections while encouraging precise flight paths using Condor dart flights.
Condor dart flights
- Condor dart flights are highly-sought-after all-in-one dart flights that integrate the shaft and flight into one piece for easier preparation as well as being lighter weight than traditional shaft-and-flight combinations that may alter how darts move.
- Condor flights are particularly useful with heavier darts but can also be used with any type of dart. An Condor flight has proven more durable and long-lived compared to standard dart flights; both Cosmo and Clic Dart Flights use this technique.
Cosmo and Clic dart flights
Cosmo flights utilize an innovative push-in system to secure their shaft within its flight and reduces the chance of either breaking during play.
Top Tip: Cosmo flights can only be used with Cosmo shafts, so if you choose this solution you will also need to acquire their entire shaft and flight system.
Clic flights resemble Cosmo flying systems by pushing on and locking off the shaft with one push, similar to how Cosmo dart flights work. Their primary difference lies in being heavier; Clic dart flights may be suitable if additional weight needs to be added behind your dart, while Robson dart flights could also provide this weight boost option.
Solid dart flights offer one of the most innovative flight methods – no shaft required! This innovative method means no shaft is involved when taking flight compared to Condor or Cosmo flights – just the flight itself!
Robson dart flights
These flights can be mounted to any dart shaft with four prongeds, such as alloy and nylon shafts, for weight distribution across your dart’s back side. Furthermore, their edges have been reinforced for increased toughness.
Flight slots provide cover to shafts to protect and increase their lifespan.
How to Select the Appropriate Dart Thickness
Flight thickness is crucial when choosing effective dart flights, with micron thickness ranging from 75 microns up to 300 microns – however these flights are seldom used by players.
Poly-flight aircraft (of 75 micron diameter) tend to be cost-effective and lightweight, appealing to consumers due to their adaptable designs that facilitate replacement at reduced costs. People often select these flights due to their competitive costs of ownership.
100 micron flights are the go-to choice for darts players serious about darts. Though more costly, their durability and premium nature more than make up for it – feel and weight differences between these flights is remarkable; an incredible sight when compared side-by-side! Their thickness also allows darts to travel lower due to air resistance than with 75 micron flights.
One hundred fifty micron-sized flights are highly resilient and resistant to damage or wear; they’re even made out of tough and resilient material so darts may bounce off of them instead of landing on the board.
How Much Do Darts Weigh?
The materials used to craft dart flights determine their weight. Polymers made of plastic, nylon and hard foil are commonly employed as dart flight materials and their various effects will have on how your dart flies through the air; weight and thickness consideration should always be taken into account prior to making your decision on how best to use your dart.
Hard Polymers Flights are well-known for being durable, and allow darts to move freely between each other, helping organize darts neatly. Darts Corner’s Mission Alliance-Union Jack Flights are particularly well made; constructed of tough 150 micron material. Unfortunately, hard plastic cannot be quickly repaired so when broken or damaged they must be promptly replaced as soon as possible.
Soft polymers offer similar strength as their hard plastic counterparts, but are far less fragile. While soft flights may bend or tear more easily than their harder counterparts, your hands should be capable of repairing any minor scratches that occur while using this material.
Nylon flights have quickly become the go-to choice among gamers due to their increased durability. Our Designa Longlife flight is among the best-selling nylon options on the market and comes equipped with interwoven reinforcement fibres which add strength and resilience for long lasting gameplay.
Feather flights pay tribute to the past and can add an air of nostalgia and old-world charm into your dart game. Though less common today, feather flights provide stability in flight while their feather composition provides a truly authentic dating experience!
Darts flight texture: Dimples vs no dimples
Dimpled dart flights can have a major effect on their dart’s performance. Embellished with small dimples across their surface, dimpled dart flights add extra drag while offering greater durability than flights without dimples.
Dimpled flights could be ideal for use with heavier darts as their dimple effect reduces wobbles when approaching a board. On the other hand, using dimpled flights with easier darts might make throwing more challenging as their dimple effect causes darts to land sooner upon impact with ground due to dimples in flight material causing it to cause the dart to collapse sooner than usual upon impact with earth.
Designer Raw 75 Dimplex flights feature dimple-like textures to help slow the speed of dart flight while maintaining a constant trajectory during its flight path. Their surface has an abrasive quality which increases surface area, slowing it while keeping trajectory constant during flight.
How Will Dart Flights Affect My Throw
Your selection of dart flights will have an effect on both the direction and angle at which your dart lands on a dartboard, but generally speaking longer flights help ensure straight landings on their target surfaces.
Normal flight provides greater control of dart’s path in flight, acting like a parachute to maintain height on either end of an arc and onto the board. It helps prevent low scores while improving scores when targeting triple 20 segments.
What role do different dart flights play in dart play?
What Darts Do Professional Dart Players Use?
Professional dart players employ various dart flights depending on their personal preferences and style of play. Most often, top players opt for standard (no. 2) or shape (no. 6,) flights but an increasing trend among professionals is to test different shapes of flights in order to increase percentage in their game – many well-known players have tested various flight styles with positive effects on their play.
What flights do professional dart players use? In 2024, Premier League Champion Luke Littler employed shape flights when using his darts – these special versions feature slightly inclined sides to enable his darts to fly faster while changing how they’re placed relative to one another and altering angles with respect to tables. Check out our blog “How To Play Darts Like Luke Littler” to gain more insight into his dart setup!
Ryan Joyce has become known as an adept user of Mission pear flights that match perfectly with 21g Mission darts. Pear-shaped flights may prove more effective with darts that weigh 22 grams or under; Joyce has noticed his darts moving through the air more efficiently when smaller-sized flights cover only part of their coverage area.
The best dart flights for any budget
Once we have provided all of your queries regarding suitable dart flights and shapes for any budget, the next step should be selecting an affordable dart flight option. Don’t expect expensive dart flights; some options offer higher quality materials at increased costs.
The best value dart flights for beginners
Beginners looking for the most cost-effective dart flight should prioritize cost. At Darts Corner, we carry thousands of these affordable dart flights at various price points – we even offer bulky flight packs that could offer great savings! Purchase multiple sets to maximize savings!
Designer Poly Plain Original Flights provide an ideal introduction to darts for novice players, offering competitively-priced sets at bargain costs in various colours and designs to choose from. Measuring 75 microns on their scale thickness scale, they tend to weigh less than thicker versions but may not last as long; spare sets can easily be purchased as replacement sets!
Ruthless R4X Dart Flights are among the most effective dart flights for experienced and novice players alike, constructed of 100 micron material with affordable quality design features such as customizable colors (white, black blue red or blue). Plus there’s no hassle in organizing or fashioning them to fit your dart equipment! Available in multiple styles including white black blue red blue – Ruthless flights will keep your dart equipment organized while remaining fashionable!
The best dart flights for intermediate players
Flights come in various shapes and dimensions, so all players should familiarize themselves with them. Experienced players looking to improve their throws may benefit from our research pack for flights; by testing various routes you may discover which works best.
Unicorn Dart Flights are among the most-coveted collections at Darts Corner, and we carry an array of sizes and shapes including pear, standard, kite designs. Players looking for something different than their typical configuration should try something from our Super Maestro DXM Dart Flights Collection – something like Unicorn Super Maestro Dart Flights
Mission Precision Fitting at Darts Corner provides fans of darts an exclusive opportunity to discover their ideal flights! Headed by an ex-PDC professional, Mission Precision Fitting will guide you in finding which darts offer optimal performances while fulfilling all of your preferences for shaft and flight configurations.
An hour-long session during which you test over 200 sets of high-quality Mission darts as well as various shafts and flights will help you discover which flights best suit your style of play. Mission Precision Fitting can assist players in selecting effective dart flights tailored specifically for them.
Personalize Your Dart Flights. Bring an original touch to your darts layout by purchasing customized dart flight tickets from Darts Corner. Customized dart flights allow you to express yourself by having words or phrases of your choosing printed onto them – perhaps an expression, expression’s meaning, your dart’s nickname, an individual’s name or date that inspires you etc.
Customizable flights make an amazing present for darts fans of any age! Add one to our dart shafts or dart collection for something truly memorable.
Personalise your darts flights
Protecting Your Dart Flights
Dartboard offers an outstanding selection of flight protectors designed to preserve and extend the lifespan of your darts. Once applied, these products can help ensure their condition stays in tiptop condition for longer.
Flight protectors provide your darts with extra protection during flights. Our selection of Mission F-Protect Flight Protectors features different colors – find one today to give your darts maximum protection!
Our dart rings and springs collection is an intelligent investment to safeguard dart flights. Design Springs are popular dart springs that easily attach to stems to keep flights neatly placed during play and reduce chances of dislodging or dislodging during game play, thus decreasing chances of dislodging that could potentially cause damage.
Thrown dart flight punks will provide a more secure grip between their shafts and flights, while flight punch can create an opening in each flight for increased gripping power by keeping its ring securely inside its shaft.
Dartboard can assist in selecting an efficient dart flight. There are various factors to take into consideration when choosing an efficient dart flight; even though small in size, a good dart flight plays an integral part in how darts travel through the air before landing on their target board.
As you select flights for darts throwing, keep in mind that there’s no easy way to determine the ideal darts flight; rather it depends on personal preferences and what best fits with your style of throwing. Even professional players utilize various aircrafts based on personal preference and throwing style when selecting aircrafts; no single aircraft works best for all players! Which aircraft you decide upon entirely up to you!
