Power Kite Forum

First Buggy Ride

Txshooter38 - 17-3-2010 at 04:12 PM

My wife and I made our maiden voyages on the buggy this weekend. I am surprised to say it went REALLY well. No flips, out of control runs, or scares in general. We both got going easily and figured out turning and going up wind pretty quick. Thanks you all for the great tips and tutorials...they REALLY helped. Wanted to share our success with you all....lots of learning ahead!

As a side note....is it normal that when flying the 4m Beamer static (wind maybe 10mph) it feels somewhat scary still....very powerful sweeping through the window....

However moving in the buggy it feels completely manageable even maybe like it is not enough kite. (for the given wind...maybe 10mph)

I don't know...it just feels different flying it in the buggy...not as scary... My wife (125lbs) commented on it and brought it up...after I thought about it I agreed.

Maven454 - 17-3-2010 at 04:20 PM

Pretty normal. Yes. The kite will spend more time toward the edge of the window where there is less power when you are moving. When you're flying it static, you tend to fly it back and forth across the center of the window where there is a lot more power and it comes in a scary burst.

awindofchange - 17-3-2010 at 06:05 PM

Flying static also puts the kite in a - no power, tons of power, no power type of flying. This can make it much harder to manage as the power is always on and off. In the buggy you keep the power more constant which makes it much easier to manage - that and you can use the buggy to burn off excess power while you ride by turning towards / away from the kite as the power increases and decreases.

While moving, you will find that you can handle (and want) a bit more power in the kite than you would normally fly static.

Congrats on the first ride - it only gets better from here! Now you gotta get out here to NABX!

Txshooter38 - 17-3-2010 at 07:07 PM

I keep seeing that term NABX...I have no idea what it is. Thanks for the info guys...I think I am starting to understand the larger FB thing now that I have started moving with the kite.

Hardrock - 17-3-2010 at 07:12 PM

Congrats Tx. Sounds like your buggy ride was A+.

Mine and my GF's first try included some dirt eating. But a hill is not a place to learn. :smilegrin:

indigo_wolf - 17-3-2010 at 07:13 PM

North American Buggy eXpo

More info here.

ATB,
Sam

BigMikesKites - 17-3-2010 at 07:13 PM

Reactor II 5.5m or 6.9m That is where it is at as far as fixed bridles go.

macboy - 17-3-2010 at 07:47 PM

Wahoo! And another one gets bitten! Congrats!

What you describe - "not enough kite".......I know exactly what you mean. For me it was the calm that takes over after you get moving that sunk the kiting hooks deep into me. The contrast between the aggression of the launch and flying static while you get your kit together and the pure "one with nature" feeling you get once you're moving is amazing.

rocfighter - 18-3-2010 at 03:14 AM

Congrats Tx. Things will just get funner the more you learn to control the kite to buggy to wind angles. What size kite were you using?

vwbrian - 18-3-2010 at 10:15 AM

If you launch your kite while seated in the buggy you don't have to fight it to get from static to buggy. Just point the buggy down wind, grab your handles, sit down, and go. works great for me.

revpaul - 18-3-2010 at 01:53 PM

iirc someone wrote that if the current kite/wind combo does not generate enough power not scud you (while static) then the kite probably won't do much for you in a buggy. go bigger.
i find this to be pretty accurate for me. i lay out kite and usually launch kite statically and do a scud test before getting into buggy. if scuds are a'plenty then parS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-n ride rides are too usually. i know i did this often when i started buggy'n but can't be sure that i still do it as much.

nocando - 18-3-2010 at 11:02 PM

Hi guys I am in that state now. After an afternoons buggying, just wanted to go bigger,

Have others to go bigger with, but am very wary of getting pounded, have experienced those joys from static flying.

Can you guys point me in the right direction for info on the use of depower foils, use of depowerbar etc, when to sheet in and when not to etc.

Cheers:thumbup: