Power Kite Forum

the V2 16

Looking_Up - 9-3-2011 at 07:26 PM

Well I got the new toy out today and I had trouble inflating it but finally got some air in it and tried to launch but the kite would not continue filling and climbing help
Where should I have the depower set and Wtf on the peter Lynn chickenloop
It came off twice I need help winds are going to be ideal for a shakedown Thursday and Friday would like less frustration and more flying
What is the least amount of wind I should even try in
I would rather not have to worry about carrying my leaf blower around all the time
Do I need to launch with the zipper in front open or closed
If I could actually have a phone conversation with someone I would prefer that 432-889-3276
All help is appreciated :puzzled:

Looking_Up - 10-3-2011 at 08:55 AM

Are there no arcers out there willing to chime in with experience I have receive a phone call that was very helpful
Would like to hear from others as well doesn't have to be by phone more info is always better than a little :bigok:

markite - 10-3-2011 at 09:13 AM

Okay if you didn't get a manual, the first thing to do is go to:
http://www.peterlynnproducts.com/
then go under "support" and then with the small thumbnails go to "downloads" and there are a variety of twinskin manuals.

For set-up you have inflation and deflation zips. Deflation zip only open when you want to let air out and packing up - make sure you zip it closed before inflation otherwise you'll constantly loose air pressure. Use the inflation to fill the kite - and then make sure all zips are closed for flying. Inflate as much as possible before launch - the Venoms will launch soft and depending on wind and skills you can get it to top up inflation once launched. Without practice it could clam shell or collapse especially in gusty winds when under inflated.
Can you tell us what kind of bar set up you have - there are different models - is it a Peter Lynn bar, could be one of the models where the tophat was easier to unintentionally knock and release - there are ways to fine tune everything.
If you have enough wind to easily inflate that's enough wind to fly - I've never been a fan of needing to inflate with a blower but I know there are some instances where it would be beneficial.

arkay - 10-3-2011 at 09:18 AM

What was the wind speed when you were trying to fly?

I just saw this.. launch with all zippers closed. Pre-fill the kite until it's as puffy as it can get then go through the launch procedure. There are a few good online videos for this on the youtube; really you can either just hot launch right up the powerzone, which I don't recommend or you can launch at a sharp angle. I typically just launch right at the edge of the window. I setup my lines dead across the wind (and unlike an LEI you don't need to flip the bar for a down wind setup). So the kite is laid down with the wind and I wright down the upwind edge. To inflate, make sure the deflate zipper in the center bottom of the kite is closed. Then I open the downwind zipper first and get the pocket to hold open on it’s own, then I open the upwind zipper and fill from both ends. Next lines… once the lines are attached properly (center lines front, side/steering lines back) then I walk my bar up wind of the kite with the lines almost taught. I also make sure that my lines stay on top of the kite; on some twinskins you'll have some "launch assist tabs", this will help with the lines. Go ahead and stick your downwind lines through the launch assist tabs at both ends. Eventually you'll figure out if you like to use them at all or if you like to use just one side. but I think they help with keeping the lines from wrapping around the kite and to help the trailing edge not tuck under the kite when launching. then once you have walked almost up wind of you kite, make sure youre depower is pulled in all the way and run back! Pull on the center lines every few seconds to help with finish with the inflate. and take steps back as needed to help get the kite up. Keep tugging the lines til the kite is at and stays at zenith. IMHO this is really the gentlest way to launch an arc. even in bombing conditions the kite will have little power. If the kite backstalls or flays backwards then there is either too little wind for the kite or the trim strap is not in far enough and the kite is too powered for the conditions (meaning too little wind also ;))

So long as you fly it over 14mph it should launch and fly fine. If there are still issues you can try moving the steering lines up to a HIGHER knot and trimming IN the strap on the inside of the kite. This will give the kite quite different flying characteristics...

I fly at the coast and have great air at ground level so I don't need a leaf blower but if there is no wind where you are trying to inflate your kite you'll need something; the kite won't inflate with some good wind. Also I've found that bottom end for the kite is realistically about 14mph for my 200#'s. I was able to fly it an get up in half that but I wouldn't say I'd even try it again, it was more of a desperation thing :)

Looking_Up - 10-3-2011 at 12:29 PM

Thanks for all off the help if the winds cooperate I will fly this evening I am interested more on the launch assist tabs I have them but had trouble following your shakedown I will try and post a report if the wind cooperates:duh:

AD72 - 10-3-2011 at 01:22 PM

Here is a great video by Carl that helped me.
Arc Setup

erratic winds - 10-3-2011 at 01:52 PM

Yup, Carl's arc setup is exactly how I went from never setting up an ARC before to up and riding on the charger12 in 20 min. It's an excellent source of info.

Best of luck Looking_up, I hope you get some pulls in!

Looking_Up - 10-3-2011 at 08:20 PM

Flew today things went better sort of
My inflated was almost inflated and tangled first launch
Open up zipper inflated a little more 2nd launch properly inflated but i think I launched wrong because it tangled again
Third time in the air let out depower a little at a time all is well winds weren't terribly strong so I had to watched out for luffs only had two small airs not enough wind or I am two fat
The bar is the one in the pdf manual one so far I hate it the donkey came in velcroed and the kite left the harness I had enough sense to grab one of the rear lines and haul it in to flag the kite and that ended the session I need solutions for this bar the other one I have is for a tube kite but has more travel and depower below the bar and a superior chicken loop it is the same length I think I will unroll it tomorrow and compare before I fly again awfully dangerous to have it coming loose on both times that I have gotten the kite out

Seanny - 10-3-2011 at 08:49 PM

Are you using a Zero 4 bar?

1) You need a leash. Connect it to the front line where it locks with the leader line. When you disconnect via the chicken loop, the kite will flag on this line because it is the only one still connected to you.

2) The Zero 4 CL (chicken loop) sucks, it's common knowledge. But, while it's not the greatest out there, it will still function and do it's job. Just make sure you pull the pin all the way out, and reset it correctly each time. Also, if you have the donkey dick in correctly, it is impossible for the CL to fall out. Put the donkey dick through your spreader bar hook first with the CL OPEN, then pass the loop of the CL OVER TOP of the donkey dick and set it. With the donkey dick secured in the velcro and locked in place beneath the CL, it will not fall out.

3) Make SURE you KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING before switching out a PL bar with a blimp bar. They are more than likely VERY DIFFERENT.

4) When you set up the kite, it will be laying with it's length running parallel to the wind, like a giant wind sock. If you're launching by yourself, there is nothing you can do to change this; the kite's position will shift with the wind. In all honestly, it's quite difficult and quite unnecessary to launch the kite at a 45 deg. angle to the wind direction, unless it's blowing stupid hard. I almost always hot launch my kite and have no problems. Seeing as the kite will be facing in the direction of the wind, you will have to set up your lines perpendicular to the wind. I find that sticking BOTH the front and rear lines in the downwind launch assist is the most effective, because that helps to prevent them from slipping beneath the kite and causing all sorts of trouble. Now, keep a little bit of slack in the lines and move upwind, so that you're at about a 45 deg. angle to your kite. This is the optimal position for tugging at that downwind tip to allow it to catch the wind and pull it up.

5) More front line tension = kite will fly higher. When launching the kite, yank the front lines. In low winds when the kite starts to sink down, tug them and the kite will fly back up. Avoid flying with the front lines wrenched in on the trim strap, though; while front line tension will help to get the kite up, it will fly with very little stability and power, and sheeting in on the bar will have no effect. This means that the kite will promptly overfly the zenith, and you can't sheet in to stop it. It just takes practice to find the sweet spot. You did the right thing by slowly letting out the trim strap. :)

Keep at it! You'll get it! Launching ARCs is a pain in the ass. Trust me. Especially when you're alone, and especially even more so when you're not alone, but your "helper" has no idea what to do. Just the way it is. But the process will definitely become less painful with practice.

Looking_Up - 11-3-2011 at 10:34 AM

Thanks the chicken loop is on properly the velcro on the dd just came undun
The day before that it was the top hat going to fly again today but will defiantly compare the bars first

Looking_Up - 11-3-2011 at 09:09 PM

:D
Compared bars and the liquid force bar is superior in every way
So I put it on and flew
I had total control and perfect auto zenith and leashing below the bar
A few 4 to 5 footers and a collapse that ended with a ground to zenith hot launch where in I could not move my feet fast enough and I did the paratrooper roll the kite was just waiting for me at the zenith
Needless to say I had a blast
I also have a bran new bar for sale complete with very slightly used lines

How long should I get used to this kite before I add the landboard
It handled the gust well but I don't develop a whole lot of power static in 15 to 20 :bouncing:

zero gee - 11-3-2011 at 09:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Looking_Up
How long should I get used to this kite before I add the landboard


about 25 minutes :wee:

Seanny - 11-3-2011 at 09:35 PM

Looking_Up, make sure you test the safety with the VII and that LF bar. Don't wait until you're in trouble to figure out that it's not going to flag right. Also, what's the throw length on it? ARCs generally like 15.5" or so of throw.

arkay - 11-3-2011 at 10:52 PM

they safety is the big one. The venom's need a safety attached to one of the steering lines. chances are the lf bar doesn't quite have this setup. If it does have landing straps you can hook a leash into the landing strap but you won't be able to twist your bar to unwind the lines of you loop the kite. the PL bars have a separate leash that connects through the center of the bar so that the bar can spin freely. the v216 can bet a beast even in 15 so make sure you've got a way to kill the kite power.

07 bar


04 bar -- this work differently but I don't trust it one bit :thumbdown:

AD72 - 12-3-2011 at 12:55 AM

I have a 07 chicken loop I bought from Dakitez on a 04 bar. It takes the best aspects of both bars. The push away chicken loop and the front line safety. I connect the leash to the spinning loop on the chicken loop.

I have also wanted to try out a North Trust Quad bar but I would need to make sure there is enough line in the mini 5th to flag out the kite like on the Navigator bar.

Looking_Up - 12-3-2011 at 09:41 AM

I have over 24" of throw and my chicken loop works perfectly as for leashing I am ok with the below the bar it will pull the kite to full depower when I release the chicken loop and it is an 07 bar that I am selling with lines both only used lightly I think the bar has only been used 3 or 4 times
Price 200 obo

Looking_Up - 17-3-2011 at 07:40 PM

:( the wind was a little light today but it was smooth I got on the board and the same problem presented itself as when the wind was strong the only difference was I was wearing my dakite skirt and wouldn't get aggressive with it gusting to 25 but today diving it right through the powerzone I could get moving but I couldnt make the sign it just dropped out off the sky even though I was already going up wind

in the high wind it was the same but I was just dipping into the zone little and as soon as I was moving ok it just puffed and dropped be for I could sign

I know its me but I don't know what I am doing wrong I get moving across the wind little less than 90 degrees and then stay straight or turn up wind but nomatter the result is the same

please forgive my skirt and ignorance