naicidrac - 25-10-2004 at 07:06 AM
Hey Guys,
well I went out fo my first weekend and had a blast. I fly a Stylus 2.8 and had some very strong pull on Sunday. Saturday was mild with winds around
10 mph, but Sunday the wind speed was 20-25 mph and that was great. I live in the Texas Panhandle and we have some strong winds here. Here is my
question about flying. I was in control while flying, but I had some troubles landing while in the high winds. I was by myself so I used a rock to
hold down the trailing edge before tack off, but when I would try to come in for a landing the kite kept taking off again. I would fly in a figure 8
and bring the kite to the edge of the envelope for landing, and most of the time the kite would take off by itself a gain. My arms were getting tired
and I am a strong guy, I bench 360 lbs. Finnaly the kite landed long enough for me to run out and grab it. Is there any better way of bringing the
kite in fo a landing on a windy day and is this the correct way to land a power kite, by bringing it to the edge of the envelope?
kitemaker4 - 25-10-2004 at 09:39 AM
Several years ago when I first started all I had was a Stylus 2.8. The problem with that kite I am assuming you are flying a 2 line version is
keeping it on the ground after you hand it. To land it I would fly to the edge of the window and only put one of the handles on the kite stake. That
way it will not relaunch itself. Another way of landing it was to get to the edge of the window and get it on the ground then let if flip over with
the leading edge touching the ground that way it would not relaunch. Put both handles on the kite stake and run to the kite and flip it back over and
put bean bags on it. When you are ready to fly again all you have to do is launch it. I am now flying quad line kites and do not have that problem
any more. You might want to start flying quad lines they are easy to land and do not take off like a 2 line.
Susan
naicidrac - 25-10-2004 at 11:48 AM
Thanks for the great advice! That is exacty what i was looking for. I am new and the only advice that I am getting is from you guys on this forum.
I have seen some other guys fly in this same area, but there are never out there when I am there. So just to be sure that I have it correct. I
should fly the kite to the edge of the window either flipped over or right side up and get it on the ground. Then I will just attach one hanlde on
the kite stake and leave the other one on the ground, and go get the kite. So if the wind picks up will the kite just flop around and pull the other
handle?
I am very new to this sport infact that was my first weekend flying, and I do plan on getting a quad line. When I was looking for a kite I found that
the Stylus 2.8 was changeable and could fly in either dual or quad line, but I found a brand new one that was a little older and was only made for
dual line. I got a great deal on it so I decided to use it for a while until I really get a grasp on the sport. In the future I will go ahead and
get a quad, but for now I think this kite is enough for me. Plus my wife would not go for another kite purchase any time soon. Thanks again Susan
for the advice.
kitemaker4 - 25-10-2004 at 03:00 PM
Yes. As long as you only have one handle on the kite stake it can not relaunch itself. It will just flop around on the ground.
Susan
TexasBuggyRider - 26-10-2004 at 06:59 AM
If you can't find bean bags to use as weights, buy some ziplock freezer bags (gallon size) and fil then with sand or small pea size gravel and
you'll have some good weights to hold down the kite.
naicidrac - 27-10-2004 at 06:58 AM
Thanks guys,
I have two bright colored beanbags that I use for juggling at my house that would be perfect. I got a piece or rebar, bent a hook in it, and painted
it red for my kite stake. I did not know about placing one handle on the stake until Susan told me about it. Last Sunday I was having trouble with
my kite relaunching. I was flying in 20-25 mph winds and my 2.8M kite was pulling very hard. I was having a great time until time to land. I could
not keep that kite on the ground. Finally on about my tenth try the kite landed and stayed on the gournd. My arms were tired. I have not been able
to get out and fly again, but I am ready to try out my new tips this weekend.