Power Kite Forum

How I launch & Land video

John Holgate - 22-10-2010 at 03:46 PM

One way of handling launching/landing solo.


arkay - 22-10-2010 at 04:24 PM

Nice video!

"sockey the kite winder" was csa_deadon's baby :singing:

Also, if it's windy I make sure to not launch the kite from upwind of the stake. Last think I need is to skud over or fall onto a stake :wow:

aircav1182 - 22-10-2010 at 04:36 PM

Very informative video John. Right on time for me having recently purchased my first two handled kite (PL Core). I like the sock trick!

Bladerunner - 22-10-2010 at 05:00 PM

There is another , safer way to launch if it is windy and you are concerned about being overpowered.

Try laying your kite out with one wingtip into the wind and the other flagging out. Fold a bit of the upwind tip over on itself and place the weight there. Walk your lines out at about a 45 degree angle to the wind. Now as your lines tighten up the downwind wing tip will start to lift. Pause to allow the kite to fill then as the kite takes shape give it a tug to toss the bottom weight off. The kite should sit nice and low at the edge of the window. You can then work it up the edge and start to get a feel for how much power you have.

I " hot launch " 95% of the time but knowing how to launch properly is important in bigger winds.

John Holgate - 22-10-2010 at 05:08 PM

Quote:

Last think I need is to skud over or fall onto a stake :wow:


Yes, good point. I've already tripped over and broken a stake. Using a black stake doesn't help with visibility much either!


Quote:

Try laying your kite out with one wingtip into the wind and the other flagging out. Fold a bit of the upwind tip over on itself and place the weight there. Walk your lines out at about a 45 degree angle to the wind. Now as your lines tighten up the downwind wing tip will start to lift. Pause to allow the kite to fill then as the kite takes shape give it a tug to toss the bottom weight off. The kite should sit nice and low at the edge of the window. You can then work it up the edge and start to get a feel for how much power you have.


Nicely explained and often how I launch when the wind is up. I'll get that on video next appropriate day

Thanks guys.

acampbell - 23-10-2010 at 10:53 AM

Nice! Great cooking tip, too!

Bladerunner - 23-10-2010 at 11:47 AM

I like and at the same time am epulsed at the idea of putting an old sock over my handles. :P

Leojim - 23-10-2010 at 01:45 PM

Great vid and entertaining to boot. Just got a Pansh Flux and enjoyed flying it yesterday. My only problem was how to neatly wind the lines. It sucked big time. Now, finally....a use for my old socks!!!

Leojim - 23-10-2010 at 01:49 PM

Darn...One more thing I forgot:

I've noticed that a figure 8 appears to be the prefered methond to wind the lines up with. Does anybody know why that is? Just curious.

John Holgate - 23-10-2010 at 02:07 PM

Quote:

I've noticed that a figure 8 appears to be the prefered methond to wind the lines up with. Does anybody know why that is? Just curious


A fig 8 twists line one way, then the other so it sort of works out twist neutral. Wrapping the lines around the handle in one direction puts a twist in the line for every wrap - if you unwrap EXACTLY the opposite of how you wrapped them up, you should not have any problem.....in theory. I usually end up in a bit of a mess when I try it so I tend to stick with what works for me.

Leojim - 23-10-2010 at 06:40 PM

Ah, so that's it! I'm "twisted" enough as it is. Don't want my kite lines twisted also!! Now I know.

Thanks