Power Kite Forum

Solo flying Peter Lynns

barnes - 12-4-2009 at 02:46 PM

So, I've had my Scropion 17m for some time now. I have one single complaint...and its not much of a complaint, because I think it can be solved with the right info.

Solo flying: I took it out today by myself, thinking I had it under control, that I could land and launch on my own. I was wrong. It flailed more then ever, and eventually got out of hand. Granted the wind was a bit gusty and strong. I need some advice on how to land and launch solo, and I'll be ecstatic. I'm confident in launching, but have issues keeping it on the ground while rigging. I usually use my board, but it has turned out to be to light. Should I use sandbags? Just kite stake it? Landing I haven't tried on my own yet...I assume I just take it out to the edge, low to the ground, and let it out on the safety and just let it flag out. Right? wrong?

Another annoyance: The spar end caps have all fallen off, and got stuck in the sleeve...now I can't get them out to glue them onto the spars for good.

So, I just need some solid launching and more importantly landing advice.

Thanks everyone!

BeamerBob - 12-4-2009 at 06:11 PM

I'm a newbie at this too but I have 3 of those gallon zip lock bags mostly filled with sand. I put all three on the leading spar while inflating and preparing to launch. It goes off without a hitch even with me just starting to figure it out. The 3 bags have been enough in the winds I've flown in so far. 2 would probably be enough in lighter winds. You can sand bag the trailing edge to keep the kite from doing all the flailing about. I haven't done that yet so I'm not sure how you get rid of trailing spar sand bags at launch.

macboy - 12-4-2009 at 08:08 PM

I don't really have much trouble except when the wind is shifty. In bigger wind (which we rarely get) I get everything set before I inflate the kite with loads of slack on the lines. The key for me is securing the kite in such a way that the wind can't get under the upwind tip - easy to do in sand/snow, not so easy on a grassy field. In grass I use more weights all along the folded over upwind tip to ensure the wind doesn't get under and work quickly.

Landing in light winds you can back stall it at the edge of the window near the ground and roll it over to it's trailing edge. Not ideal because the next step is a hot launch. I find it easiest to leave it in the sky until I'm done with it, then - as learned from Phreerider - I unhook the leash from the chickenloop ring, hook it to my harness and let the bar go. I used to pull the pin on the safety but since learning that little gem I haven't had to reset it as often.

A word of caution on the backstall - last time out I tried landing the V19 that way and the kite rolled over to it's TE at which point I started yarding in one line (QUICKLY!!!) only to have the kite power up and launch inside out on me. As much fun as it was flying looking at the graphics I was done for the day and wanted it down ; )

I'm no pro but that's by experience.

BeamerBob - 13-4-2009 at 03:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by macboy
then - as learned from Phreerider - I unhook the leash from the chickenloop ring, hook it to my harness and let the bar go. I used to pull the pin on the safety but since learning that little gem I haven't had to reset it as often.



I'm having a hard time picturing what you're talking about here. What was gained by unhooking your leash and reattaching it somewhere else on your harness?

PHREERIDER - 13-4-2009 at 06:51 AM

IN HIGHER WINDS THE STALL LANDING WON'T WORK THE STALL THRESHOLD FOR MOST WITH AMPLE THROW TOP AND BOTTOM IS AROUND 18+ MAYBE A SMALLER KITE WOULD BE HIGHER.

THE EASIEST LANDING

-PUT THE KITE AT THE 12, MAKE SURE YOU ARE HOOKED TO THE SLIDE RING ON A FRONT LINE WITH THE SAFETY LEASH (AND THE LEASH IS ATTACHED TO YOU )

_ UNHOOK THE LOOP

-KITE WILL FALL STRAIGHT DOWNWIND IN FRONT OF YOU THE LENGTH OF THE LINE

- WALK UP THE LINE TO THE KITE, SECURE IT

- IN 20+WINDS THE KITE WILL FLAG SOMETIMES FLIP AROUND . BUT IN LESS IT GENERALLY LAYS DOWN WHEN YOU MOVE TOWARD IT, THEN I USUALLY WALK ON THE LINE TO THE , "that's walk on the line " KITE AFTER IT LAYS DOWN .

IN HIGHER WINDS 25+ THE FLAG LINE TENSION WILL BE HIGH, GLOVES MANDATORY!

THE AREA NEEDS TO BE CLEAR, ABSOLUTE..

I DON'T USE A KITE STAKE BUT ONE COULD BE USED TO SECURE THE FLAG LINE THEN WALK ON THE LINE (IT STILL WILL JUMP IN SOME CASES) TO THE KITE.

A GOOD DROP SPOT IS ESSENTIAL

I HAVE DROPPED ON A STRIP OF BEACH ABOUT 10FEET WIDE REPEATEDLY (SIDE SHORE)

BeamerBob - 13-4-2009 at 07:04 AM

Staking your flag line would make some sense, if you had a safe way to have one with you. If you were back at base, that might be a good way to hold the line still while you secure the kite. Phree, I look forward to watching you setup and pack up next time now that I have enough experience with the ARC to absorb what all you are doing. I'm also interested in taking a look at your bar setup again as well. Always the student.

mgatc - 13-4-2009 at 07:32 AM

I had an interesting experience this weekend on just this topic. Took the new (to me) Guerilla and Phantom out for a solo introduction session. I have flown my 19m Venom many times alone with no probs using Phrees techniques so I was not anticipating any problems. Started with the 10m G1. Winds were gusty and 45 minutes later I was still trying to get airborne after inversions, bow-ties, flips, you name it. AAAAARRRGGGH! Going to have to sew on some "launch Assists".
I staked the kite out on the chicken loop and untwisted the lines and kite for the umteenth time. The property owner showed up about this time and we began to talk.
Then, shish, boom, bah, the kite launches on its own! I started toward the stake and bar. Before I could get there, the kite goes to the zenith and pulls the bar off the stake and up into the air. It then proceeds rapidly downwind toward trees, power lines, and buildings. Kite and everything is going bye, bye.
I did my best Kobe Bryant jumping impression and managed to just hook my fingers over the bar as it passed overhead.
Lesson learned. Never stake the kite at the chicken loop without some backup such as a stake in the safety leash. At a minimum, stake the chicken loop so that it cannot slip off if the kite is at the zenith or even beyond. This kite was overflying the zenith which is what pulled it off the stake.
To reiterate what Phree said about landing, dump the kite by removing the chicken loop from your harness and letting it go while the kite is directly downwind. This is preferable to dropping it at the edge and will help to prevent the kite from rolling after it lands. I always place a kite stake in the safety leash while I walk to the kite and secure it with sandbags.
These kites are unbeatable in the air but can be very frustrating on the ground when you are by yourself.
I had to retrieve a spar tip from the pocket the other day. No easy way. Keep sliding it up and be patient.

PHREERIDER - 13-4-2009 at 08:59 AM

secure the kite , that means the kite with bags,, sand,, boards and thing about 15-20lbs.
ON THE KITE!

i have never staked a PL

the kite is like a loaded gun (not to be left loaded,HOOKED TO ANYTHING) in any fashion with all the lines on

hooking the lines up is like putting a car in gear ..KITE has to be secure

Taper123 - 13-4-2009 at 09:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
Quote:
Originally posted by macboy
then - as learned from Phreerider - I unhook the leash from the chickenloop ring, hook it to my harness and let the bar go. I used to pull the pin on the safety but since learning that little gem I haven't had to reset it as often.



I'm having a hard time picturing what you're talking about here. What was gained by unhooking your leash and reattaching it somewhere else on your harness?



he's talking about using a PL Zero 7 bar. The leash attaches above the chicken loop except for when launching and landing. During those times you hook it to your harness so that if you let go of the bar, the kite safety is activated. The safety line is configured to one of the rear lines if done like the PL manual says to do. Older bars and a lot of people hopok the safety to the front lines which might help with the corkscrew in the sky they make when the safety is activated.

Not to mention... that's the way the PL gude says to do it. "You should not be hooked in when launching one of these."


Below is Copied from the PL TwinSkin manual.

Tips for launching your kite
• Make sure you are not launching in an area with obstacles like poles or cars, make
sure the area is free of people or other kiteflyers. Do not fly your kite near powerlines,
airports, highways, or in thunderstorms.
• Make sure the ground is free of sharp objects to prevent the fabric from getting
damaged.
• Pre-inflate the kite as much as possible. The more you pre-inflate the easier the
launch.
• When launching, keep the rear lines tensioned until the kite is completely filled up
with air.
• Do not launch while hooked into a harness.
• When in doubt of the wind strength, try a smaller kite first.
• Check your flying lines properly. Before attempting your launch, make sure they are
free of twists and tangles. Also check if they are not hooked behind any part of your
bar or spreader bar before you launch.

.

macboy - 13-4-2009 at 09:44 PM

Right you are. I've got a figure eight shaped setup on my chickenloop. With a frontline hooked to the leash, the leash hooks to one of the circles, the other serves as somewhat of a spinner. I can only assume it's an Airush chickenloop (the red "eject" loop says Airush). If I want to land without pulling the pin I unhook the leash from the figure eight thing and attach it to my harness, bring the kite to 12 or, in good, clean wind, the edge of the window, unhook and let go of the bar.

I think I read somewhere that front line safety lines reduce the flip and whirl of the kite as it comes down. Haven't verified that one though.

On the snow I grabbed a few loops of the leash line, wrapped it around my skis and stabbed them into the snow to hold things as I rapidly made my way to the kite to secure the upwind tip with ample amounts of snow. Generally I've landed to pack up so I secure the kite and then open up the zippers and remove the downwind lines. Once those lines are removed the kite can't really do much but flop away if it comes free so I relax and start to pack up.

PL_Release.jpg - 182kB

ripsessionkites - 29-4-2009 at 02:43 AM

here you go:

http://vimeo.com/4262447

jknight_706 - 29-4-2009 at 03:36 AM

Guys, thank you for this thread. Great kite but still have never really got the hang of the landings. Thanks. Great video