Just wondering what it takes... i'm referring to being lifted by a kite at the base of a hill, and basically floating there, due to the updraft.
ive seen it mostly done with LEIs, just wondering how this happens, why it happens, and can you use foils/arcs... or is this a LEI playground only
Thanks guys!
edit: of course FS speeds can do it
shehatesmyhobbies - 7-7-2011 at 04:53 PM
This video looks to be using Flysurfers! They are several others with Flysurfers being used as well as others using LEI kites.
Looks like the same principal being used by remote control gliders flying slopes. Not sure exactly how it works, except that when we were at JIBE, I
put my kite right over top of the leading edge of the Sand Dunes on the southern end of the beach, doing so gave the kite a little extra boost. I
think it has something to do with thermals.shehatesmyhobbies - 7-7-2011 at 04:59 PM
Paraglider pilots do this- it's called ridge soaring. Prevailing wind blowing against a slope or cliff face makes an up draft which can be used for
lift. Pilots better than I ride the dune at the north end of my home beach and can do 3-4 mile runs up and down the beach and remain in the air
indefinitely. To do it with a kite, I would think, would require a longer slope and higher winds because the kite obviously would be sitting much
higher than the pilot. Also, be careful of rotor effect that can be produced on the back side of the hill.Kamikuza - 7-7-2011 at 11:05 PM
They're just ickle ones - that snowboarding guy Chasta does some monstrous glides, then there is of course Clo-clo ..
Herc would be the man to ask too - he's into his paragliding ...Drewculous - 8-7-2011 at 08:02 AM
Now the loaded question... Can arcs do it?
If I find a hill, ill let you know.... Nebraska isn't known for its hills tho lmao!Leojim - 8-7-2011 at 10:23 AM
A technical answer:
1. The wind hits the hill and has to flow up over it. As the wind from the bottom meets the wind nearer the top, a compression zone occurs that speeds
up the flow. This happens out in front near the crest of the hill. This is the sweet spot of best lift.
2. Due to the hill the wind is deflected upwards. Lets say that this upward flow is at 14 degrees i.e. 5 ft up for every 20 ft. Let’s just say that
this is at 25 mph. Also, lets say that this is happening just a bit above the sweet spot.
3. Now, let’s say that you have a kite that has a glide ratio of 4:1 (such as 20 ft forward for every 5 ft of drop) at an air speed of 25 mph.
If you fly your kite in the sweet spot you will rise above it until your glide / airspeed match the wind. Get below the sweet spot and you sink out
and return to earth.Drewculous - 8-7-2011 at 11:15 AM
good answer! damn!heliboy50 - 8-7-2011 at 03:56 PM
Yes, an arc will do it. Look at carltb's dune jumping vid on you tube.stetson05 - 9-7-2011 at 11:19 AM
Jim is a hangglider pilot and ridge soared for years. Most of the videos that I see of people gliding down hills start at the top including the
paragliders. The ones that start at the bottom look to have the perfect conditions with the perfect spot. The paraglider you met not long ago could
probably point you to the nearest public good spot if he would tell you. Many of them are very safety conscious and aren't tolerant of kites at a
paragliding spot. Something about collisions and fall out of the air. If you lived closer to the sandhills you could find better areas. I used to
live in Valentine and it has plenty of ridges the wind direction would have to be right though.area420 - 15-7-2011 at 11:54 AM
Check this spot out!
(Nice boat too. Wouldn't mind one of those to chase wind and waves. Alast we common folk can only dream.)
ps. I want video of when you winch over snake falls, but maybe it isn't deep enough. Better scout it out firststetson05 - 15-7-2011 at 08:41 PM
I forgot to add that this one doesn't show much gliding but it does show LEIs gliding. I think the guy Brad Gordon does alot of gliding. Also you
can look for videos from Jackson Hole. I think they do a lot of gliding.Drewculous - 19-7-2011 at 10:52 AM
