Power Kite Forum

Synergy Arcumcision - Peter Lynn has done it again

brplatz - 14-11-2009 at 10:20 AM

Well Gentlemen and Ladies,

I have just recently recieved my brand new Synergy, and I plan to have official arcumcision done by noon today! I am quite excited and cant wait to get her up in the air. Any tips to offer?

Also, the leaders on the bar for the power lines, the knots look wierd, almost like weaved in knots. I assume this is correct?

I have watched the Peter Lynn Video multiple times and Carl's setup video the same. So I think it should go off without a hitch.

Thanks to Mike @BigMikesKites for the great help with the kite.

Brian

acampbell - 14-11-2009 at 10:54 AM

Only one thing I have not heard mentioned in videos or other articles.

When you weight down the upwind tip with a sandbag or whatever, if you do not place it right, it will likely snag a line on take-off. At least this has happened to me several times, no matter where along the tip I put it. Almost like the bag jumps on to the line.

Here is what works for me: Fold the wind tip back about a foot, then put the weight on the edge of the fold, then fold the remaining tip back over the weight, covering it. The object is to make sure that when the kite lifts, the weight is already under the wingtip when it takes flight.

While this works well most of the time, I have STILL had the bag snag when doing this and it took me a bit to figure out why. As the kite takes shape, the upwind wingtip will slide downwind as the kite assumes the taco shape. This leaves the sandbag on the flat beach where the lines can drag along the surface and slip under the bag, essentially scooping it up. My solution to this is to leave the bag untied so that the sand falls out when it drapes over the rising line, eventually causing it to fall off. I doubt this would happen in a field though, as it would be harder for the line to get under the sandbag or weight.

If you are in light winds, remember to be ready to grab the center lines and tug sharply to kill a stall and get the kite moving.

Good luck and have fun. I'm sure you will do well.

sofa king - 14-11-2009 at 12:25 PM

^or just have a friend remove the sandbag :P
got mine from bigmike as well(still waiting for it to come in the mail thou):thumbup:
what wind speed do you all recommend for the maiden voyage?

acampbell - 14-11-2009 at 12:45 PM

Yeah I'm used to ARC ing by myself (and I'm not blind yet).

That's a 15 right? So for land use 8-10 is sweet to start. 6-8 is possible but mushy until you get moving.

indigo_wolf - 14-11-2009 at 12:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by brplatz
Also, the leaders on the bar for the power lines, the knots look wierd, almost like weaved in knots. I assume this is correct?


Back spliced, perhaps?



ATB,
Sam

brplatz - 14-11-2009 at 01:24 PM

Thanks for the tips guys.

Unfortunately we were unable to even inflate the kite the wind was so low.

Tomorrow winds are looking better so I hope for the best.

Brian

herc - 14-11-2009 at 02:49 PM

i really can suggest you to get some sort of akku - quick air pump to fill your arc. i know the synergy does not need to be pre-filled that much like other arcs (especially the scorpion). but in very low winds it can help alot to have such a pump. see my video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG4Hf6WNpTc

good luck tomorrow ! and - it would be nice if you could make a video of the maiden flight of your synergy !

BigMikesKites - 14-11-2009 at 10:23 PM

Y'all tell me how those kites perform. I have yet to see one other than sitting on the Pool table before they went your way. I'll get one for myself soon enough.

Take some pictures and post them for us to see.

brplatz - 15-11-2009 at 11:52 AM

Well, I have just be Arcumcised and I love it!

Pretty sure the winds were 10ish gusting to 15 and the 15m Syn loved all of it.

Here are some pics, video a little later.













About 35 degrees out and my dads fingers were frozen haha

Thanks,
Brian

Bladerunner - 15-11-2009 at 12:29 PM

Nice looking engine !

Congrat's.

lad - 15-11-2009 at 12:42 PM

5 point Arcumcision Penalty for next to bottom photo
Offense:
Near Contractor Crack Exposure
;-)

acampbell - 15-11-2009 at 12:49 PM

Good Job!

BigMikesKites - 15-11-2009 at 12:54 PM

Did you get any air with it? Nice pics, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Mike

herc - 15-11-2009 at 01:30 PM

congratulations!
was it 10-15 knots or mph ? any problems prefilling and / or launching the syn ?

waiting for the video !

brplatz - 15-11-2009 at 02:34 PM

I did get a couple 5-7 foot jumps, but I had it pretty depowered.

Might go out in about 15min for another session, but we will see.

Here are some videos

VID 1

VID 2

The grass was really wet haha

Brian

herc - 15-11-2009 at 03:22 PM

nice videos so far! would be also nice to see a vid of the launching process and more of the kite flying and looping!

f0rgiv3n - 15-11-2009 at 03:41 PM

Duuuude, where are you at? 35 degrees and the location looks like idaho :P. gotta be nw somewhere yes? Looks like my kite ;D we've got the same one btw :singing:

brplatz - 15-11-2009 at 05:19 PM

Haha launching was pretty easy in 12-15mph winds but the second time out, it wasnt fully inflated, and bow tied a couple times.
Next video will have all the launch and setup in it.

F0rgiv3n, I am actually in Albuquerque, New Mexico. And yes, that is in the United States :yes:

The synergy is a great kite, but a few pitfalls.

It seems to me that when I have inconsistent winds, it tends to invert at the edge of the window. Possibly I need to tighten my internal straps, because they are quite loose at the moment. Either way, I think jumping from the 4.1 Twister to this, really isnt bad at all. Considering I am on this damn forum all day lol.

Pre-Inflate is HUGE!!! I cannot stress this enough. Without this it flaps and falls like a dying bird:wee:

Thanks for the comments and suggestions welcome

Thanks,
Brian

Kamikuza - 15-11-2009 at 06:39 PM

Full inflation is the key!
Be patient - practice your thoughtful, looking at the weather cool guy pose while your buddies are sweating and making like they're humping a dead hippo as they pump up their kites ...

I dunno if this is good advice or just dangerous, but I started doing little jumps static flying my Phantom by doing a very small pendulum jump - parking the kite at like 11, digging in my heels then flying it across to 1 and popping as it started pulling ... the day I broke my wrist, I was sailing over people's heads and landing like Tinkerbell, gently alighting several meters downwind. Gotta love the arcs!

Noticed your harness riding up too ... unfun huh? My seat harness likes to pull the spreader bar up so it flips 90 degrees, off the top of the pad and digs into my ribs. I mean the flab that covers my ribs :laugh:

brplatz - 15-11-2009 at 07:06 PM

Righto Kamikuza

Inflation sometimes takes time, but pays off hugely in the launch.

Static Jumps is what I was doing earlier also, but the wind was pretty inconsistent so the max jump I got was about 6-7 feet.
Talk about float though! The kite just brings you down nice and easy, then auto-zeniths, ready for another!

Can't wait to get on the board with her! I can only imagine it will be great.

Also, I noticed the auto-zenith was not as good when I was depowered quite a bit. There needed to be some tension on the rear lines to have it sit nicely. Once adjusted, it worked like a dream

Brian

BigMikesKites - 15-11-2009 at 08:45 PM

Quote:

I did get a couple 5-7 foot jumps, but I had it pretty depowered.


" He's Down People! " LOLOLOL

Looks like you are pretty close to that neighborhood. Any chance your getting dirty air off the houses and trees?

brplatz - 15-11-2009 at 09:46 PM

Ha, that one was my dad, he thought it was quite funny that the ground was so wet and I still wanted to fly.:dunno:

Here are some more pics of the second, slightly successful session of the day.












http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dgioohFABE

VID3

BeamerBob - 15-11-2009 at 09:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by f0rgiv3n
Duuuude, where are you at? 35 degrees and the location looks like idaho :P. gotta be nw somewhere yes? Looks like my kite ;D we've got the same one btw :singing:


I've got the same kite as well. Haven't even flown it yet! Flew my 19 Venom on friday in the buggy. THAT was an experience.

BeamerBob - 15-11-2009 at 10:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by brplatz
F0rgiv3n, I am actually in Albuquerque, New Mexico. And yes, that is in the United States :yes:

Thanks,
Brian


Oh cool, maybe we should try to fly together. Albuquerque is one of my stop off points on my trip to California. We could get the "Synergy Sisters" together! :smilegrin::yes:

brplatz - 15-11-2009 at 10:01 PM

BB you definitely need to go try the Syn. This thing is a complete beast haha. :thumbup:

Not sure how it compares to a Venom, but I hear good things.

Sounds good on the get together, just let me know when and I'll let you know where

Brian

BigMikesKites - 16-11-2009 at 07:36 PM

Brian,

Watching the video, You live in a very nice part of the country. The scenery there is outstanding!

brplatz - 17-11-2009 at 09:32 PM

Mike,

The scenery is quite nice, however us living in Albuquerque often take it for granted. Only when I travel, do I remember and appreciate the environment in which I live.

The only downfall for visitors is that at 6000 feet, the air is significantly lighter and some people can't handle it:cool:hehe

Just for kicks,
This is from the mountains behind my house at dusk


And this is just a kite picture with the mountains in the backround.


Brian

Kamikuza - 17-11-2009 at 10:56 PM

Hate you :lol: all that grass :eekdrull:

Jack1988 - 18-11-2009 at 09:10 AM

well done dude, im glad for ya. :bisou:

BeamerBob - 18-11-2009 at 10:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by brplatz
BB you definitely need to go try the Syn. This thing is a complete beast haha. :thumbup:

Not sure how it compares to a Venom, but I hear good things.

Sounds good on the get together, just let me know when and I'll let you know where

Brian


Hey Brian, U2U sent on the meet up.
I've flown a 15 syn before and owned a 12m syn so I know how great they are. I do want my relationship to move forward with my 15 though and get to know her much better. I think this might be a long term relationship.

FloRider - 18-11-2009 at 05:39 PM

I am also jealous of all that grass. I've got a 15m Syn and have to agree that the pre-inflate is hugely important on those moderate or light wind days.

brplatz - 18-11-2009 at 09:47 PM

Ever heard of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta? Biggest balloon fiesta in the world. And there field is about a 10min drive away.

I cant wait till I get a chance to fly there lol

350 Acres of well groomed grass and not a tree in sight.:eekdrull:

Brian

BigMikesKites - 19-11-2009 at 06:27 AM

Quote:

Ever heard of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta? Biggest balloon fiesta in the world. And there field is about a 10min drive away.


I might need to plan a road trip sometime.

lad - 19-11-2009 at 07:19 AM

live2hover,

You need to search on the threads here about inexpensive, portable air pumps for arc pre-inflation.

sofa king - 5-12-2009 at 04:42 PM

finally tired mine the other day without success :(
turns out i had the leading line and the rear lines mixed up, but didn't know until i reread the instruction manual when i got home.

i have one question for you all though, am i supposed to remove the line attached to the foam padded things on bar? (their about a foot long on the left and right red/gray)

EDIT: i mean these

brplatz - 5-12-2009 at 04:47 PM

No, those are your leader lines, you hook the main rear lines to those.

Brian

markite - 5-12-2009 at 05:55 PM

Like Brian said those are your leaders. If you look at the photo you sent you the pigtails for the front line attachment and when you pull in the bar those leaders now have attachment point for the rear lines at the same level as your front line attachments. Normally you have flying lines all the same length and the leaders account for the difference you need in back lines .... except for a few line extensions which have been needed on PL bars with a few kites but that's a whole other thing to go into.

tridude - 5-12-2009 at 06:02 PM

those are rear or steering line leaders...............why would you remove either side? Your emergency system is activated off the left side........................sounds like your not at all familiar with depower, arcs, and your kite..............never omit a thorough read of the users manual..................at this point you sound like a ban waiting to happen...........................

sofa king - 5-12-2009 at 06:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tridude
those are rear or steering line leaders...............why would you remove either side? Your emergency system is activated off the left side........................sounds like your not at all familiar with depower, arcs, and your kite..............never omit a thorough read of the users manual..................at this point you sound like a ban waiting to happen...........................


i wasn't asking if should remove one or the other, i was asking if i was supposed to remove both or keep them both on. The kite manual showed them attached, but the bar manual showed them not attached(lines connected directly to metal part that the leaders are connected to), so i figured i'd ask. also whats wrong with the saftey system on the left side? thats what the manual showed....:puzzled:

zero gee - 5-12-2009 at 07:27 PM

The bar manual shows how to assemble the bar (i.e. attach the lines, leash) because with a new bar the lines and leash are not attached. The kite manual assumes you have a complete bar. Nothing wrong with the safety on the left as long as it is assembled properly and functional.

BeamerBob - 6-12-2009 at 07:44 AM

Read both manuals a dozen times, then it'll all start to click. Tridude is being direct but is right. Don't fly again till you have both manuals memorized. You should have a clear understanding of how every part of the bar, lines, and kite work together, for your safety, the safety of others around you and least of all, to keep you from tearing up your kite. I read my manuals over and over and talked to several other kiters lots before I launched my phantom. It worked out fine.

tridude - 6-12-2009 at 08:09 AM

when it comes time for steering leader and depower line replacement, your steering leaders lengths are one of your reference points for trimming/tuning............Ive noticed a lot of folks have made the move to depower/arcs, some maybe too quickly................keep one thing in mind.......auto zenith is not auto pilot..................arcs require keen awareness, and flying skill................they can and will yard you........................

acampbell - 6-12-2009 at 08:09 AM

The Syn is set up so it should be impossible to rig the lines backwards. Your troubles indicate you have not looked at the manuals thoroughly. Maybe you got the kite used w/ out them?

Based on the kinds of questions I get from customers, I have prepared this...

http://www.coastalwindsports.com/SynSetUp.html

Note how the little pigtails attach on the rear lines. This is so you larkshead the KITE BRIDLE to the line, not the line to the kite as we are used to. The front lines attach "normally" (larkshead the line loop to the kite bridle) and this is what is supposed to keep you from hooking up backwards.

You will see that the main line opposite the safety side does not attach to the bar leader with a larkshead as we are used to; instead the entire line is slipped through the loop at the leader. This is the only thing not made real clear in the manuals.

If you do not have the manuals, (for kite and bar) they are available on-line at the PL site. Note that the bar manual was printed after the kite manual, so if there are discrepancies, go with the bar manual.

And watch the video until you can't stand it any more and you start talking like the narrator.