Power Kite Forum - Can FB kite luff if you're lofted?

Can FB kite luff if you're lofted?

pongnut - 3-11-2011 at 02:21 PM

If you nail a jump and manage to keep the kite pretty much over head, I find it hard to believe that your kite would luff until you're back on earth. Should I honestly ever need to worry about my canopy luffing while I'm hanging from it in mid jump?

Keep in mind; I'm talking FB in non-gusty conditions...

BeamerBob - 3-11-2011 at 02:24 PM

Unlikely in smooth winds, but your level of quality redirect makes it or breaks it.

Bladerunner - 3-11-2011 at 05:03 PM

IF !

If NOT !!!

:evil:

For me. As much as anything the trouble with the FB kite luffting is once I have landed . Even in clean wind. My 5m Ace is famous for this. Nice jump and landing . Seems all ok and then it crumbles?

WELDNGOD - 3-11-2011 at 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bladerunner

For me. As much as anything the trouble with the FB kite luffting is once I have landed . Even in clean wind. My 5m Ace is famous for this. Nice jump and landing . Seems all ok and then it crumbles?

Uh ,BR , it's a Pansh Ace. That is what they do best.

Bigbear97e - 3-11-2011 at 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WELDNGOD

Quote:

Uh ,BR , it's a Pansh Ace. That is what they do best.

Bladerunner .. I have a bit of an issue with my 4.5 ace ... static flying, it likes to fly over my head and luff

pongnut - 3-11-2011 at 06:18 PM

My Twister will luff in lower dirty wind but once it the bottom wind speed stays above 15mph, it never luffs.

Was just wondering if anyone has been dropped out of the air due to luffing - doesn't sound like it merits worry.

Kamikuza - 3-11-2011 at 06:36 PM

Well of course it'll luff, if you're dangling under it and moving downwind while it moves upwind. Even depowers & LEIs will front stall.
Redirection is the key.

WELDNGOD - 3-11-2011 at 06:48 PM

Bbear, put just a little brake on it to hold it back,so it does not overfly zenith. But not too much!(that's the tricky part)

Pong, it needs to stay in motion to stay inflated,but if you have enough wind it can sit still and fly just fine. I can't really talk about jumping because I rarely do it,and if I do ,it is just little bunny hops. Not interested in seeing the inside of my femur outside of my skin. Be careful. WG

snowspider - 3-11-2011 at 07:42 PM

pongnut before you think you've got it all figured out take a look at some paraglider accident videos, it will give you a sense of what can happen while hanging under a canopy, kites are no different. My limited experience has proven to me its safest to go with a large kite in light wind. I'd been slapped around by my 5m kites to the point where I thought jumping just is'nt that much fun but when I started jumping with my 10m apex(not my 10m blaze) I got that "ooh this is fun." For any 5m jumping, smooth wind is a must , big gusty wind will almost always bite you. Pad up and good luck.

Seanny - 3-11-2011 at 08:13 PM

Three crucial factors…

1) Kite size

2) Wind

3) Redirect

Any kite will luff if the wind dies, but having a larger kite in the proper wind is essential to preventing this. Redirecting is key, and you should be aware of the kite's position in the sky at all times. Don't let it go too far overhead, or it will backstall and luff. It just takes practice. Don't ever jump on a kite less than 5m...

pongnut - 6-11-2011 at 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by snowspider
pongnut before you think you've got it all figured out take a look at some paraglider accident videos, it will give you a sense of what can happen while hanging under a canopy, kites are no different. My limited experience has proven to me its safest to go with a large kite in light wind. I'd been slapped around by my 5m kites to the point where I thought jumping just is'nt that much fun but when I started jumping with my 10m apex(not my 10m blaze) I got that "ooh this is fun." For any 5m jumping, smooth wind is a must , big gusty wind will almost always bite you. Pad up and good luck.

Thanks snow - I can guarantee you that I will never have it "all figured out" in this sport :spin:

with so many different styles of kites, handles/bars, ways to get in motion...:wow:

Yeah, I see a much larger wing in the crystal ball, until then, my Twister is my goto for everything (static, jumping, motion...). I do have a healthy fear of injury, so practice healthy amounts of caution which keeps me out of big gusty wind with that animal.