lmoaks - 10-9-2011 at 03:10 PM
Hi all,
I need some help getting my Hornet to fly. I just bought this Hornet off this forum last week and I can't get it to fly properly. It will go up with
much help but it really does not fly. It feels like the brakes are being applied constantly but the brake lines have a lot of slack. It also wants to
pull to the right and do a loop. I've only been flying power kites for 5 or 6 months. I have flown Ozone Quattro 2.5, flow 4.0 Flexifoil Rage 2.5 and
others, enough to know that something is just not right with this Hornet. I strung out the lines and they look just fine.(equal sizes L&R, No
kinks). I checked over the kite both sides top to bottom and all looks fine, no tangles on the bridles. I don't know what to look for next any help
would be great.
Thanks, Mark
shehatesmyhobbies - 10-9-2011 at 08:29 PM
Is it possible that maybe some sand got in the kite and settled to one side. Where are you located? Maybe someone close to you.can come check it out.
The usual issues you have already checked. Did you look inside and make sure no cells were blown out? You could ship it to me if you need and I can
check it out if needed.
nocando - 11-9-2011 at 02:04 AM
Where you fly are there trees buildings upwind of you
you may have a nasty wind shadow
may also be worth checking that main bridle lines are of equal length, compare one side against the other
Pulsar - 11-9-2011 at 03:45 AM
Sounds like you're not (used to) pointing the bottom of your handles towards the kite, causing one or both of sides of your kite to have a bit of
brake applied. Most Peter Lynn kites require you to actively throw the brake line forward as to not apply the brakes.
Your best option to solve the problem quickly (rather then getting used to pointin the lower side of your handles towards your kite more), is to
shorten the apparent length of your powerlines by adding a knot about 2 inches from the end on the upper side of your handles, and attaching the power
line around those. Click for a pic. This should easily solve your problem.
lmoaks - 11-9-2011 at 05:38 AM
Hi Guys,
Thanks for your quick responses. I don't think it is the trees where I fly otherwise the Ozones and the flexifoil that I fly would do the same. Also I
don't think it is the way I hold the handles or my other kites would not fly. However I think the photo that Pulsar attached just might explain the
problem, where your photo shows the break line with one knot the power line with two. The handles that I received with this hornet the brake lines and
the power lines both have three knots. So I'm thinking that I need to remove at least one knot from the brake lines. Let me know what you think.
Thanks, Mark
shehatesmyhobbies - 11-9-2011 at 05:48 AM
That could possibly fix the problem. But if you say the brake lines have plenty of slack in them, maybe not. First make sure the brake lead knots are
all equally spaced out (the same on each handle when held together). Move your lines out to the furthest knot. Even if the handle leads have three
knots, it still doesn't explain why your kite dives in one direction.
lmoaks - 11-9-2011 at 05:58 AM
shehatesmyhobbies,
True that it does not explain why it wants to turn to the right. But everything on the handles and lines look equal. No sand or anything in the
kite and as far as I can see that there are no blown out cells or rips. I will try the knot thing next time I can go fly, not sure what else to try.
Omni - 11-9-2011 at 06:55 PM
This is the kite that he purchased from me, I purchased it used from Dakitez this spring as my first "and only" four line. I had some issues with
getting it flying and posted a thread on here. With some work and a few knots I was able to get it flying but it was a constant battle to keep it in
the air and going unless the wind was really whipping. From what I could find on the net I thought it was just me and all four line kites were a pain
to keep in the air.
lamrith - 11-9-2011 at 07:25 PM
I know you said you checked over the bridal, but maybe lay the kite out in your house or garage. Then pickup the kite by the two main bridal lines.
Are all the bridal lines equal, and does the kite have a symetrical shape left to right? Look for anything that is not the same on both sides. Then
try the same with the brake bridal. Maybe a line stretched, or a bridal line is cinched down on the side of a tab? It may be something quite minor
like a bridal knot twisted or looped thru itself
I was flying my Buster earlier today in less than optimal wind. On one try the kite just handled poorly, it would turn left great, but trying to go
right and it would not respond, even collapse a bit sometimes. Once the wind died down, very frustrated I grabbed the kite and was laying it back out
for next launch. On a whim I picked it up as described above and sure enough a single line was hooked on one of the bridal knots. The kite looked
fine in the air, and even when I was carrying it, but suspended in my hands the loop jumped right out at me. The way it was hooked it would never
have self released even with full wind..
I wish you the best these 3m are a BLAST!
awindofchange - 11-9-2011 at 09:02 PM
You can check the bridle lines by unhooking your fly lines and then folding the kite in half in the middle. You can then check every line from the
right side by holding it right next to the left side, comparing them for any differences.
If the bridle lines are exactly equal, and your flying lines are the same length and your handles are connected the same on both sides then you have
an issue with the kite.
If it is the kite, you can probably get in touch with your closest Authorized Peter Lynn dealer and they may be able to get it sorted out for you.
lmoaks - 12-9-2011 at 01:01 PM
OK, I just went through the kite top to bottom again. The bridle lines all match up equal and the flying lines are equal. The only thing that I can
try now is the knots on the handle lines but I need to wait for some wind to see if it does anything. Does any one know of a Peter Lynn rep in my area
(central Ma.)? Or any other suggestions would be great.
Thanks, Mark
indigo_wolf - 12-9-2011 at 01:09 PM
As the crow flies, the two nearest are probably going to be:
Do you ever make it out to any of the spots further East in MA or RI?
ATB,
Sam
lmoaks - 12-9-2011 at 01:36 PM
Indigo Wolf,
Thanks for the info. No I have not made it out that way but I would like to. Where do you fly mostly? I static fly so far. Have not tried anything
else yet and I don't know that I will. I'm kinda getting too old to try stuff like that.
Mark
shehatesmyhobbies - 12-9-2011 at 01:49 PM
My offer still stands. Try to hit up buggydanny I am not sure where he is in relation to you but he may be able to help if he is close enough. I am in
DE. Try and take all the knots out and start over.
lmoaks - 13-9-2011 at 02:51 PM
Hey guys, I just got back from the school field. I untied all the knots on the handle lines except for two on the power lines and one on the brake
lines and guess what???? The kite flies great now. I'll take it as a very good learning experience. Like I said I have only been flying since this
spring so I never ran into anything like this. Thanks for all your advice.
Mark
lamrith - 13-9-2011 at 02:59 PM
Awesome!! Glad to hear you got it sorted. nothing is worse than a new hobby/toy not functioning correctly and being unable to figure out why..
Had that with RC heli's and finally had to strip my 1st one down to bare nuts and bolts and rebuild from zero. Good thing is now I understand how it
all works!
hiaguy - 13-9-2011 at 03:00 PM
lmoaks,
thanks for the learning exp. I haven't had anything to contribute, but will remember all the steps you've had to go through.
shehatesmyhobbies - 13-9-2011 at 03:01 PM
Glad you got it flying great now! :bigok:
Pulsar - 14-9-2011 at 05:12 PM
So the pic worked huh? Glad you got her flying 
lmoaks - 14-9-2011 at 06:17 PM
Yes thanks Pulsar,
I set it up just like your handles in your picture and It works just fine now.
Thanks again, Mark
Powerws - 14-9-2011 at 06:23 PM
These forums are the deal! Awesome! I wish I had this technology when I was a Kid!