Power Kite Forum - why make the blade 4m kite

why make the blade 4m kite

Graham - 30-1-2016 at 04:12 PM

I am moving from duel stunt kites into 4 line traction/power kiting. I have a blade 5 4m kite and im looking for a 2m kite just tto get used to the different way of flying. From what I have read, I shouldnt jump with anything less than 5m kite due to lack of floaty effect, but my blade 4m is a lift kite, what was it made to do? And what should I expect when i finally feel im ready to fly it.

abkayak - 30-1-2016 at 05:05 PM

Great kite...it has a lot of qualities people are after in a kite.. but the fact is to get these qualities it will lift when you send it back overhead....try not to do that or be prepared for what's next...which is up and or out
What you should expect is a kite that can do things faster and harder then beginner kite normally does...think of it as highly tuned
Respect it, start in 8-10...get time in on it..then step it up, as you feel comfy

windrider1 - 30-1-2016 at 05:10 PM

The blade is a high aspect ratio performance kite, meaning its fast through the air and has a lot of power and speed for its size. those characteristics are good for traction sports like moving in a buggy, mountainboard and so on. You can fly it static and have fun but in stronger winds its not advisable to jump with it but I used to use my 3m for jumping all the time back in the day but just not in crazy winds. Later on I realized that yes it feels much safer jumping on a bigger kite but a bigger kite also probally will also take u up higher which is just as bad. just fly in low winds until u feel confident under the kite. Any kite big or small can take u up and drop u hard in the wrong winds . whether its 3m or 10m.I have had the blade 3m, 4.9m and 6.6m and the one that slammed me hard one time was the 6.6m so there u go. lol

WELDNGOD - 30-1-2016 at 05:30 PM

Buggy engine

Bladerunner - 30-1-2016 at 06:00 PM

To go real fast, REAL FAST !!!!!!!

skimtwashington - 30-1-2016 at 06:38 PM

Fair question....smart question also.

You don't have to jump with a blade of any size. Pilot control will allow you to get lift or not get lift generally.

But even with that in mind, pilot error or lack of pilot skill..and sometimes crazy gusty winds can be a real problem though....one where a different kite should be used...( or if you should use any kite on a crazy wind day and should instead wait for a better day to fly).

There is high aspect, medium and low aspect kites . The speed and power they generate is different given the same meter size.

There is also Angle of Attack(AoA) to consider. Kites can be designed with different angle of attacks that will make one more 'lifty' than another. The speed through the power window and the 'grunt' also varies by the angle of attack.

There are less lifty kites designed with a lower angle of attack, but even those can launch you if you 'send it' right. It could happen by accidently from poor pilot skills, getting distracted..... or you may intentionally send it to jump with it.

The Blade with it's angle of attack can make lift easier... but also much more dangerous for pilot error or novice skills. This is why it is not generally recommended to newbies.

This still doesn't answer your question:

If you should have about a 5m+ for float ....why make a 4m with that angle of attack to make it easier to jump?..or a 3m or a 2m?

Well... an experienced pilot may still may want to jump with a smaller size. You may have much less float but pilot control and steady winds can make it possible to not go too high or come slamming down. You may go up only several feet.. (but you might, say, travel 30 feet - depending on speed before sending it)

I would not use a 5m Blade in 25mph winds at all-never mind to jump ( I would be overpowered)- but I might use a 2m or 3m Blade to ride and also jump in those winds.

Blades do make good buggy engines when piloted well. You don't have to jump with them.

Jumping in general has increased risk for any pilot of any skill over those just using it for ground motion(buggy, board, skis...)

New powerkiters are therefore cautioned to become well accomplished in flying before even attempting jumping.

You may even be half the weight of another pilot. A 4m Blade would in theory-I think- allow as much float as a bigger 5m one if you are so light weight.

I have jumped with smaller kites.

** A very important note about your Blade 5 4m kite:
I don't know if you know your Blade 5 (late model) has a bridal adjustment you can make to change the angle of attack. You can make it less lifty. You may want to use this adjustment feature starting out.

This newer model gives you good options.

Graham - 31-1-2016 at 03:58 PM

Nice, I have a decent buggy kite, which is what I am wanting to get into eventually. I now also have a 2.5m rage on its way to get me used to the crazy power compared to my stunt kites.
Thanks for the information about the adjustable bridle on my blade skimtwashington, I will have a look at that when I first take it out. Thanks everyone else too.
I can't stop thinking about kites, I have some more curiosities regarding this sport, easy ones to answer when you know, but I don't have a clue.
I've watched some awesome videos of buggies, skis, landboards, bicycles and even kayaks being pulled for miles. When you stop can/do you tack back like in sailing or is it a case of being picked up at the end or a long walk back to the car?
Do you fly in the rain?
My blade has 250/200 lines, can I use these on my 2.5m rage when it comes or on many other kites?
Thanks in advance

abkayak - 31-1-2016 at 04:34 PM

Kayaks tend to get pulled sideways so skeg and rudder help then you have a better shot at getting back to where you start
Not much flying in the rain an inflatable tube kite will fly best
It's important to not forget about the family during this whole kite thing
Those lines are fine for the rage...but you will want a set for its own eventually

hiaguy - 31-1-2016 at 04:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Graham

...I've watched some awesome videos of buggies, skis, landboards, bicycles and even kayaks being pulled for miles. When you stop can/do you tack back like in sailing or is it a case of being picked up at the end or a long walk back to the car?...

Generally, the direction of travel is across (perpendicular to) the wind, not downwind. So, yes, getting back to the start is much easier then dragging the buggy back to the starting spot.

ssayre - 31-1-2016 at 04:51 PM

you need an lei for rain. One of the greatest buggy videos.

bigE123 - 1-2-2016 at 05:18 AM

IMHO the blade V is not the beast the earlier models were, still needs respect but it is a much more progressive kite than of old. Like said before each kite with their own lines is definitely the better way. Just keep it in lower winds till you really understand the way it pulls, I have two Blades 4.9m and an 8.5 and fly them without the aim of using them for lift purely for the traction. Always bear in mind when sending it straight up that's when it'll kick. I have mine on the mid adjuster and is worth trying moving it one up towards the kite and it'll fly faster with less lift.

Bladerunner - 1-2-2016 at 12:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by hiaguy

Quote: Originally posted by Graham

Generally, the direction of travel is across (perpendicular to) the wind, not downwind. So, yes, getting back to the start is much easier then dragging the buggy back to the starting spot.

When your kite is down low like a sail you are essentially a sailor. The added dimension comes into play as you raise the kite. At that point your sail acts more like a wing and now you should think paraglide.

If you already sail the principles will come easy once in motion.

Having to drag your gear back upwind is dubbed " the walk of shame " . :smug:

You will learn to like the 4m Blade as a buggy engine. Just be aware it is an advanced kite and will be much less forgiving of mistakes!