Power Kite Forum

reverse flying

strictlycarved - 14-2-2008 at 10:45 PM

so i was wondering what reverse flying was im a little confused and can you launch a kite in reverse or does it have to be on the leading edge? thanks.

BeamerBob - 15-2-2008 at 08:26 AM

most all 4 line kites will let you reverse launch. If you are nose down, you just pull both brakes and then relax one brake after it lifts off. Then feel your way through spinning the kite and flying away. Reverse flying is where you stop the kite with brakes and then with some more brakes and finessing the handles, cause the kite to fly backwards. I have a hard time with that going across the window. Only easy way is from zenith down to the ground.

acampbell - 15-2-2008 at 11:51 AM

As bobby implies, if the kite is on its leading edge (on the ground) then reverse launch is required with brakes. Kites usually launch with the trailing edge on the ground.

BeamerBob - 15-2-2008 at 11:55 AM

Thanks Angus, I knew what I was saying but wouldn't have been clear to anyone else. Not really a good form of communication. Thanks for the assist.:thumbup:

strictlycarved - 15-2-2008 at 02:30 PM

i know how to reverse launch by turning it over but can you launch and fly in reverse?

acampbell - 15-2-2008 at 02:44 PM

I'm not sure why you would want to besides backing it down for landing, but as Bobby says above it is tricky.
Sometimes it useful to back a kite back from edge of the window if it overflies, such as when the brakes are loose for light wind but you get a gust and it overshoots.

elkiter - 15-2-2008 at 03:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by strictlycarved
i know how to reverse launch by turning it over but can you launch and fly in reverse?


If your fying a framed four-line kite such as C-Quad or Rev, you can make a pass across the window with nose (leading edge) pointing downwards. It's even possible to go straight upwards with tail (trailing edge) pointing up, but I doubt you can do that with a foil. You can reverse lauch a foil from the power zone, but you would have to rotate the kite right away otherwise the kite will fold and collapse.

e

Bladerunner - 15-2-2008 at 03:32 PM

There is a fellow around here that can do some amazing stunts with a Sami. He can fly forward and back across the window similar to a rev. but he has major skills !

KYTE SLINGER - 15-2-2008 at 04:37 PM

With some wings I can do it just like a rev ,reverse clock work dive stops... the old quadrifoils X were pretty good at them

bbrex - 16-2-2008 at 03:32 PM

You can fly NPW's in reverse across the window also.
Brad

speleopower - 18-2-2008 at 08:38 PM

Yeah, the Quadrifoil X kites can fly backwards but it takes a lot of finesse. Very rarely can I make it all the way across the wind window without rolling out and going forward again. On occasion it's cool to flip the kite around and fly it backward for a second just to ham it up if there are people watching. Otherwise it's not that great while surfing, buggying or ATB riding.

But do practice going in reverse 'cause you never know when you'll need it. There has been two times in my kitesurfing career that I was able to reverse launch a Quadrifoil X kite out of the water while still surfing on the face of a wave. Without a lot of practice at flying backward I would have just dropped the handles and kept on surfing.

Later-Scott

Scudley - 26-2-2008 at 07:49 PM

My Firebee 3m used to fly backwards beautifully. Which is odd as almost no one ever says they flew beautifully forward.
Not much point in doing other than for show.
S

Bladerunner - 27-2-2008 at 09:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Scudley
My Firebee 3m used to fly backwards beautifully. Which is odd as almost no one ever says they flew beautifully forward.
Not much point in doing other than for show.
S



Ha Ha,
There's my morning chuckle !
This is one of the kites offered up to be used as one of our trainers ! :smug:

Scudley - 27-2-2008 at 05:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by snowbird

Ha Ha,
There's my morning chuckle !
This is one of the kites offered up to be used as one of our trainers ! :smug:


Hey nothing the matter with learning on tricky kite. Teaches control...... and patience.
S

sodfarmkiter - 31-3-2008 at 10:39 PM

when the wind is light I like to hover the kite on one side of the window a few feet off the ground. And try and hold it in a stall facing up and swing it to the other side of the window.
Might not seem to complex but It's a good skill builder.

WELDNGOD - 4-4-2008 at 04:58 PM

I love my Rev 1.5 SLE,everyone needs one in the quiver. Good skill builder and sky show!;-)