james3055 - 1-4-2010 at 09:00 AM
Hello all,
I've been reading the boards for a while now and just recently got a Beamer IV 4m. I've taking it flying twice with decent success and wanted to know
if there's anything I should be working on technique wise. I can generally steer it around, land and launch most of the time. I haven't tried
scudding or jumping but I'd like to soon.
Also; What is a de-power kite? Is the Beamer a de-power because it has breaks? This might be an obvious question but I'm lost on it.
Thanks for the help,
James
indigo_wolf - 1-4-2010 at 09:18 AM
The Beamer is a quad-line fixed bridle kite... specifically you can't alter angle-of-attack or camber on it.
Click here for an explanation of depower kites and how they work.
ATB,
Sam
mougl - 1-4-2010 at 09:18 AM
Hi James!
Glad to hear you are having a good time with your Beamer. As far as technique goes, when I first started flying I just kept doing what you are
doing: launching/landing/working the kite thru the window untill I could literally fly it with my eyes closed. As you progress you will need to be
able to fly the kite just be the feel of it. (not to sound like a jedi here but its true) If you havent already, try some reverse launches too, they
will come in handy 
Scudding should be fine with the beamer, but I wouldnt
recommend jumping with it. The beamer wasnt designed to jump with. When you feel confident enough to begin some small jumps you should look into a
larger kite like a Twister II, Crossfire, or a Blade. These kites offer a lot more lift than the Beamer, and make sure you get one in the 5m+ sizes.
Dont get me wrong, a 4m will pick you up just fine, but with a smaller kite than a 5m, it will bring you back to earth as fast as it launches you.
(this can be quite painful)
The Beamer is not a depower, it is a Fixed Bridal (FB). I am NO good at these explinations but I found a pretty good one here.
http://www.racekites.com/reviews/getReview.asp?reviewID=1607
I hope that helps!
Fly safe!
Txshooter38 - 1-4-2010 at 03:16 PM
Welcome to the addiction. The guys on here will have you spun up to speed in no time! BTW....these kites are like Lays chips....you can't have just
one. Get ready to have the "But honey...if we are going to fly with the wind like this I need" negotiations soon. Again....Welcome.
Txshooter38 - 1-4-2010 at 03:21 PM
Almost forgot....dido to everything Mougl said. I really felt my flying progress when I stopped looking at the kite all the time. You will start
only being able to do it for a couple seconds and then before you know it you don't have to look at all. I would highly recommend it.
nocando - 1-4-2010 at 04:29 PM
Hi there here are a couple of links for info and kite handling.
www.aksonline.com.au
www.coastalwindsports.com