Power Kite Forum

3D Kite Flying (Tethered Man-Lift)

elkiter - 22-8-2007 at 11:59 AM

I think this is the topic from previous post.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK9xqjfz0I4

5m1FF - 22-8-2007 at 04:27 PM

I may well have to set something like that up now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pablo - 22-8-2007 at 07:50 PM

Can't find the vid, but there's a number of hazards to deal with before trying this, one is two anchor points, with one point you can swing side to side really easily and get way out of control in no time, 2 points make a triangle and will help to get rid of the side to side swinging,

two, movable anchors, usually best if it's a couple buddies on the end of each line to control your accent/decent, fixed objects won't budge when they need to.

three, good chance of overloading snapping the harness and falling, or putting too much power through it and bending the spreader bar and pinching the pilot in the process.

I'm not saying don't try it, just be ware of the number of people that have been seriously injured before by doing exactly this. If you don't fully understand jumps and landings and have flown 10ft+ already, I wouldn't even think of trying it.

Bladerunner - 23-8-2007 at 09:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pablo


I'm not saying don't try it, just be ware of the number of people that have been seriously injured before by doing exactly this. If you don't fully understand jumps and landings and have flown 10ft+ already, I wouldn't even think of trying it.




AWW Shucks, there goes my weekend plans :wink2:

BigSiler - 23-8-2007 at 01:26 PM

Screw that...

I was out jumping the frenzy with my Dakine, and the Power Clips Bent Straight and I came un hooked.. that was just jumping..

The Pull when man lifting must be Crazy on those clips...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbZihw4XZT4&mode=related&...

5m1FF - 23-8-2007 at 02:44 PM

Then fly unhooked for a shorter amount of time; If you loose the power in your arms, land and you'll get stronger over time!!!

But Pablo raises a good point; its pretty dangerous by the looks of things.

Sthrasher38 - 23-8-2007 at 05:39 PM

Do they not have rated weight and kite size limits for harnesses? If so how does that work? Thanks.

Pablo - 23-8-2007 at 05:46 PM

Once again, I'm not saying don't do it, I'm just saying to do it smart if you're going to do it. There's lots of things you don't see in the vids, lots of the huge air snowkiting ones they're running dual harnesses, the main one and a simple rock climbing one, If anything on the main harness fails there's a second one to prevent them from falling, most guys going big replace their lines at least once a year as well. Multiple anchor points, movable anchor points(people)

And lots of other little safety bits along the way, most important is the vid camera to show us what you've done and how it's turned out. Just be safe, lots of people have gotten hurt getting in way over their heads without doing the research first. Pushing the envelope does grow the sport though.

Sthrasher38 - 23-8-2007 at 05:48 PM

Thanks Pablo:cool:

SoMoney - 31-8-2007 at 01:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sthrasher38
Do they not have rated weight and kite size limits for harnesses? If so how does that work? Thanks.


Hmm, thats a good point. Since nobody polices kite harnesses, anybody with an arch welder and some steal can manufacture a spreader bar. With that said, anybody with a sewing machine and some nylon can manufacture a kite harness.

Pablo - 31-8-2007 at 04:30 PM

Kite size means nothing, a 2.5m race kite can put a huge load on the harness in the right conditions where a 9m will barely pull in others.

One problem has been people using a windsurf harness in a buggy, while windsurfing the harness is under mostly front/back loading, while in a buggy it's mostly side loading. If you're going to buggy lots, make sure to get a harness where the hook is completely welded all the way around to the spreader bar, also a fairly beefy looking hook is an asset. There has been a couple times where the hook has started to rip off the spreader bar on some models.

5m1FF - 6-9-2007 at 09:18 AM

Btw, do you use bungee elastic for something like that?

awindofchange - 6-9-2007 at 05:54 PM

Another thing to remember is that if you are being lifted the kite is usually under extreme stress. Any gusts then you take the chance of ripping the kite or breaking one of the flying lines/bridles/harness. If that breaks, you go straight down.

I recall hearing that at one of the kite conventions they were doing some kite lifting similar to what is being discussed here. A huge gust hit the kite and the extreme pressure from the front and back of the harness tow points actually crushed the person's pelvis.

Personally....I would not suggest doing this type of activity.

BigSiler - 7-9-2007 at 07:33 AM

I understand the guys Holding you down while its windy, but what keeps him up when it dies down.. Hope they stop pulling down too..

Going up looks easy.
Landing fast with out wind looks to be Rough..

It would have to be a huge kite to float you down if wind just died..? Since they are so high..

NPWfever - 30-9-2007 at 10:20 PM

what size kite would i need to do this in like 15 mph wind?:puzzled:

Pablo - 1-10-2007 at 05:21 PM

Probably something in a 7.5m to 10.5m, depending on kite and pilot weight. I'd guess at a Blade 8.5 to start with.

Sthrasher38 - 1-10-2007 at 05:57 PM

If the only kites you have are 3-5.5 meter. Please dont start with an 8.5 until you are ready.Welcome to the forum. Have you flown long? how much do you weigh? Are you ready to jump? Let us know. Be safe.:saint: And IMO you should never teather to someone else or the ground. Big kites in big wind can lift the weight of three men.:borg:

Pablo - 1-10-2007 at 07:19 PM

Good point Sthrasher, should probably track down something like a Blade 4.9m-6.5m before getting into the big stuff. Start off in low winds, do lots of research before contemplating man lifting. You should be comfortable doing 10ft high jumps without a teather, and never hook up to a stationary object, use buddies to act as an anchor, reason for this is they'll move if you get hit by a gust.

NPWfever - 1-10-2007 at 11:41 PM

I have only been flying for a few weeks but feel fairly comfortable, however i wouldn't try this until i can jump correctly. (right now i can jump about 4 feet in 15mph wind without doing anything put pulling the power lines (my NPW is too slow for a pendulum) Oh and i weigh 130 pounds. Im thinking about making another NPW (about 9 meters) for super low wind for buggying and jumping in 10mph wind. (I like the concept of a foil but the NPW will fly in far less wind) however i did consider foiling my NPW to increase the lift.