Innova: The flat-top Firebird should be its own mold

The Firebird is an incredible disc.

Back in 2000, it set the standard for overstable nine-speeds. To date, any disc manufacturer that’s serious about its gear offers something overwhelmingly similar. That’s no coincidence, either. The Firebird is a must-have mold for any skill level. And clearly, it’s one worth imitating.

But while the FD3, Felon, Raptor and Hellfire all fall into the “copycat” category, there’s seemingly yet another rival for the Firebird. And incredibly, it’s within Innova’s own lineup …

The flat-top Firebird.

This isn’t because the flat-top Firebird poses any kind of threat to the regular, run-of-the-mill Firebird. Moreover, it’s because the flat-top Firebird is marketed by Innova as a – wait for it … 

Firebird.

And here’s the wacky part …

It is NOT a Firebird.

It’s a completely different disc.

As such, why Innova has yet to make the flat-top Firebird its own mold with its own name and its own marketing is beyond me. To bring you up to speed, generally speaking, there are three types of Firebirds largely accepted by those at least somewhat familiar with Innova’s work:

• The stock Firebird.
• The Sexton Firebird.
• The flat-top Firebird.

* Note #1: Yes, there’s more to it than this, but the above is a good starting point.

ALL are plenty overstable.

Usually, the stock Firebird, however, has some kind of dome to it. Thrown flat and hard, this results in a disc that will soar fairly straight before dumping heavily at the end of its flight.

On the same line and with the same power, the Sexton Firebird will do the same thing, but with a flat profile. This makes it feel great in the hand for sidearms, hence its widespread popularity.

The flat-top Firebird, though?

No glide. All beef.

Pancake.

Commonly available in Champion plastic, essentially, it’s a PG-rated Tilt. So much so, in fact, for most amateur arms, it’s way more of a utility disc than it is an every-round workhorse.

This goes for the Pro Tour, as well.

And for as much as I’d like to rebrand the table-top Firebird something awesome like the “Machine,” “Widowmaker” or “Flat-Earther,” for a mold with its roots firmly entrenched in Firebird soil, it only feels fitting the new name would stick with Innova’s avian theme:

• The Harpy.
• The Martial.
• The Peregrine.

Heck, keep it simple …

The FirebirdX.

* Note #2: I’d even be fine making the “FAF” name official – click here to learn more.

Will this happen?

Not a chance.

But 3-series discs exist to distinguish molds as iconic as the Roc, Leopard and Teebird from their flatter (gasp), more torque-resistant counterparts. And let’s not forget the FL exists, as well. It’s a Firebird that’s Less overstable, and for some reason, Rancho Cucamonga gave it its own name.

Go figure.

Give the flat-top Firebird its due.

Now or never, Dr. Dunipace.

Have anything to add? Take to X to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

Editor’s Suggestions:

• ​​What’s an ‘anti-skip’ in disc golf?
• Disc golf: Tossing a ‘tombstone’ is freaky satisfying
• Disc golf: Please don’t do this when you find an inked disc

Real quick, if you happen to buy something through a link in this article, there’s a chance we’ll get a small share of the sale. It’s how we keep the lights on. To learn more, click here.