I’ve just bought my first foil kite - a psycho 10m and have been trying it out in fairly light winds (8-12 knots) to get used to it. I can launch in
the powerzone, launch from in the water leading edge down or up, land using the FDS or back stall the kite using the red and green leader lines.
However, I’m struggling with the self launch. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I’ve read Flysurfer’s manual and looked at their video on
youtube.
First I think the wind strength is probably too light – I’m guessing I should be looking for 15 knots minimum..? My technique is as follows:
1. Pre-inflate the kite as much as possible – however I notice the kite looses most of it’s air quite quickly – by the time I sort the kite out and
get the bar attached alot of the air has gone!
2. Lay the kite out parallel to the wind e.g. if it’s blowing SW then turnover and lay the windward tip with weights and lie the kite out laying SW to
NE
3. Stand in line with the kite and pull the leeward tip over gently. I move left and right to keep the raising tip vertical. This is where I struggle,
the tip seems of fall over either way or I just end up dragging the tip towards me flat of the windward edge.
4. As the kite pre-inflates it will eventually stand up. Move around either myself and / or the kite so that the kite launches at the side of the wind
window
Advice greatly appreciated!
Finally what’s the most wind it’s safe to launch in the powerzone?Bladerunner - 8-11-2009 at 09:17 AM
Sounds like you are going about it right. A agree it took a pretty good wind before my 10m Psycho II would fly.
In lower wind you can Hot launch downind. Set up using a kite stake ?
If it is losing air that quick I suggest checking for Pin holes ? It should stay inflated for a little while. Newer ones stay inflated a long time.
Flysurfer has come a LONG way. I was amazed at how much better my 7m Pulse flew than my 10m PII .highlystrung - 8-11-2009 at 09:27 AM
Thanks for reply - good to hear I'm on the right track - was getting a little frustrated!
When I say deflates - I don't mean it goes completely flat but it doesn't hold all the air that was in it. I was wondering if the way the kite stays
inflated is at all related to the wind strength. I've seen a Speed 2 15 that seems to hold the air for a longtime sat on the ground so maybe my
comparison is not appropriate?
regards,
NeilBladerunner - 8-11-2009 at 09:37 AM
I am thinking you have some kind of issue with the air ?
Like you suggested it should hold for a while . A LONG while in the case of the newer kites. That abilaty to hold air is essential if you want to use
it on water .
I would be investigating where you are losing the air.
Of course launches are much easier with a properly filled kite.snobdr - 8-11-2009 at 09:59 AM
LolMaven454 - 8-11-2009 at 10:01 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Bladerunner
I am thinking you have some kind of issue with the air ?
Personally, I have issues with the air... I think I'm addicted to it. I get all light headed when I stop using.Flying G Zeus - 29-11-2009 at 06:26 PM
Highlystrung, I've had a Psycho 3 10m for about a year and a half. Great kite. Sounds like you are launching at the edge of the window just fine,
but the wind (8- 12 knots) is too light. By now you've no doubt figured out that the kite handles differently in stronger wind. The stronger the
wind - the faster the down wind wingtip will rise and take the rest of the kite up with it! Sheet in to get better steering control and slow the kite
from taking off! Your launching problem will disappear in 15 knots, or so. In 15knots and more I do not preinflate the kite because it flaps around
and can cause bridal tangles, etc. Don't worry it should inflate quickly in stronger wind.
I prefer downwind launches because you can lay everything out and be sure there are no line tangles. You can do this in up to 13- 15knots without
issue. Again, a good trick is to sheet in to slow the kite's ascent and redirect to the edge of the window to prevent being lifted.
In the beginning self launching can seem pretty sketchy, but with more experience you will realize its not bad at all. From a safety stand point, I
much prefer selflaunching/landing my flysurfers over my inflatables. Persist with it.
