diff --git a/src/k_kart.c b/src/k_kart.c
index d88128a40..acde0305b 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.c
+++ b/src/k_kart.c
@@ -14971,8 +14971,15 @@ void K_MoveKartPlayer(player_t *player, boolean onground)
 							if (ATTACK_IS_DOWN && !HOLDING_ITEM && NO_HYUDORO)
 							{
 								S_StartSound(player->mo, sfx_gsha7);
-								P_Thrust(player->mo, K_MomentumAngle(player->mo), 25*player->mo->scale);
-								P_Thrust(player->mo, player->mo->angle, 25*player->mo->scale);
+								if (P_IsObjectOnGround(player->mo)) // facing angle blends w/ momentum angle for game-feel 
+								{
+									P_Thrust(player->mo, player->mo->angle, 25*player->mo->scale); 
+									P_Thrust(player->mo, K_MomentumAngle(player->mo), 25*player->mo->scale); 
+								}
+								else // air version is momentum angle only, reduces cheese, is twice as strong to compensate
+								{
+									P_Thrust(player->mo, K_MomentumAngle(player->mo), 50*player->mo->scale); 
+								}
 
 								UINT8 numsparks = 8;
 								for (UINT8 i = 0; i < numsparks; i++)