Hi all, sometime ago when I was a newb I bought a PL Guerilla 10m, got it for a good price at the time.
Now is the next step in my learning curve, my main question is with older arcs how do you reverse launch them.
Is there any particular quirks with this kite.
Any info appreciated.lamrith - 5-11-2011 at 03:56 AM
While I am not a Guru, and Indigo will likely come up with a better video, maybe this one will answer your question?
bigkahuna - 5-11-2011 at 04:10 AM
Not a guru either, but I did own a quiver of PL Guerillas at one time. I don't know how easy it would be to reverse launch (or hot launch as we
called it) a PL might be, I never tried it. I did it plenty with the Flysurfers I had and I hot re-launched my PL's on occasion if I dumped it by
accident. I sort of think that without a bridle it would be pretty hard to get it to fly up off it's trailing edge as you might want it to. PL's are
pretty much designed to launch from one wing tip and that's pretty much the only way I ever launched one.
Incidentally, there are a couple things you can do to a Guerilla to make it a better kite, like adding a velcro to the zip to hold your downwind lines
for launching and adding an internal line from wingtip to wingtip to firm up the kite's turning like the internal straps of later models have. I did
both those mods to my Guerilla and they were well worth the effort.flyjump - 5-11-2011 at 08:37 AM
Glenn, you can't reverse launch them like foils (flysurfer, ozone, HQ). howerver you can pull the steering line from one side to get the kite into
taco position and then relaunch from there.
You wont be able to get the reverse/ upside down launch like you would with a fixed bridle kite.
the only arc i've ever seen fly backwards/upside down was the phantomII proto at NABX
I have seen a post once before with a snowkiter who relaunched a 12m phantom nose down just like you would a FB, but that's all i've ever heard.
Anybody ever have luck with thisBladerunner - 5-11-2011 at 08:46 AM
Relaunch can be iffy with arcs. Even using the taco method. The one that works best for me.
Get kite in Taco. move toward edge of window and tug front lines / nose int wind. Kite will open and launch very similar to launch style.
I would suggest you can't reverse lauch arcs but I said that about C kites ( just 'cause I wasn't taught that way ) and was proven wrong?
Good news is that with auto zenith crashes come much less often.
If you can get that internal strap mod I think you will be glad you did?bigkahuna - 5-11-2011 at 08:50 AM
I used to reverse land my Phantoms and Venoms: put the kite at the zenith, grabbed the outside lines and pulled them in. The kite would gently drift
backwards until it was about a foot over the ground and then I'd let go of everything but the leash. This way I could get the kite to nicely flag out
directly down wind. And in case you're wondering, I always did this standing behind some sort of wind block (trees usually). It worked fairly well
and I did it all the time back in Hawaii. Doing the opposite would be a lot harder. The kite doesn't have a bridle so you'd need some way of filling
the kite up so it was rigid enough to fly up instead of just rolling over backwards. I've never seen anyone do it nor try.Bladerunner - 5-11-2011 at 09:05 AM
YUP,
I back my arcs down often in light winds. I think I have made desperate stabs at reverse launch but I go Taco !zero gee - 5-11-2011 at 09:39 AM
Only the S-Arcs could reverse launch.carltb - 5-11-2011 at 11:03 AM
i cant say ive ever seen a reverse launch but the stall technique is what i use to land all the timeFeyd - 6-11-2011 at 04:11 AM
Let's be clear here he's looking at REVERSE launch like an bridled foil, not HOT launch direct in the wind window.
As Zero-G stated the only Arcs that could REVERSE launch were S-Arcs. Other Arcs DO NOT.
"Reverse Landing" is a matter of tail stalling or back stalling the the kite (usually in light winds) by shortening the backlines to the point that
the angle of attack allows the kite to loose power and slide in reverse to the ground. A very handy technique but one that should be done with
caution as it involves landing in the center of the wind window.
Getting a modern Arc to reverse launch like a bridled kite would be handy. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm........nocando - 6-11-2011 at 04:29 AM
thanks for the answers, I am the only one in my area.
I hope to get the right info so that I dont screw up too much.
And have that info for newbs that I come in contact with.
More input is needed :wee:Bladerunner - 6-11-2011 at 09:34 AM
Don't waist time trying to launch without getting the arc well filled or you will be frustrated.
Push the air down to one end and top it up if needed to get a good fill.
A 10m will want wind that is a bit intimidating to fly proper. DON'T be put off by the size. be sure the wind is over 10kts .
Backing the kite down foil style is less easy if the wind is strong. The SAFE way to self land is bring the arc down one edge of the window then let
it flag to safety.
If the kite is flying but sort of stalled out, reach out and grab the front lines to coax it into motion.
:wee:Feyd - 6-11-2011 at 05:01 PM
Second Blade's comments. Internal air pressure is everything to getting the kite launched and flying easily.lamrith - 6-11-2011 at 05:40 PM
NoCan - Thanks for asking these questions.. I have a "new" arc and will be going thru similar learning pains soon enough!!nocando - 6-11-2011 at 10:42 PM
Lamrith it is my pleasure is good to know a bit before putting your head on the block.
