I know this probably sounds like something that I should know by now but.....

I have only gone flying with someone there to help me with set-up
The person helping has always held the kite flat to the ground while I layed out my lines and ensured my bridles were free from tangles. When I have everything ready to go that person has helped me launch or ran behind me so I can self launch.

This upcoming weekend I will be setting up alone if I happen to go out. So I was wondering what the best method to stake down a D-power kite. I have a couple one foot spikes from the hardware store, will this work fine or do I risk the kite coming free and possibly blowing away? I also have considered using a screwdriver. I know that I probably should have thought of this a long time ago. Guess I never needed one till now.

There should be a strap connecting the brake lines on your bar. That strap has a little loop on it. Stake that loop to the ground.

Past that it sounds like you remove the lines from the kite between uses? I'd recommend just leaving them attached. That goes a very long way towards avoiding line and bridle tangles to worry about.

Maven, do you leave the lines attached with your scorps? I might consider that for my LEI if it works.

just stick em in the brake loops and then stick em in the ground(angled away from kite). Put some sand or bean bags on the trailing edge(does not take alot),that will keep it from bouncing when gusts hit it. When you secure it this way, it makes the kite want to fly backwards . Which keeps it on the ground. Works a charm on foils, I don't know about depowers or LEIs . As I am strictly a FB parafoil man. With no intentions of converting.

Quote:

Originally posted by Maven454 Past that it sounds like you remove the lines from the kite between uses? I'd recommend just leaving them attached. That goes a very long way towards avoiding line and bridle tangles to worry about.

No I actually leave the lines attached. Only removed once when I had a cross between my two outside lines. But I hooked them right back up again. By little loop on brake handle, do you mean the loop where I would attach my leash. On the black brake handle above my bar there is a couple red loops where the leash is suppose to attach.

If you've got enough snow you can just lay the kite flat and bury the traling edge (or the edges facing the wind) in snow enough that it both holds the kite down AND directs the wind over the kite. The trick is not letting the wind catch under the kite. That'll keep it there all day.

Now, parking more permanently....I carry a four foot chunk of rope with me and a couple carabiners to hold things. At home here I have baseball benches to wrap the rope around, at the lake there are docks and if there's ice I run an ice screw into the lake and hook said rope to the "parking" feature of the kite.

Our ground is frozen solid now. No chance of getting a stake in.

Power, I leave my Scorpion lines on all the time.

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Originally posted by WELDNGOD As I am strictly a FB parafoil man. With no intentions of converting.

Weldingod, maybe you've discussed this already, if so, please direct to that thread, if not, I'm wondering why you choose to be strictly a FB parafoil pilot. So no depower kites for you then? I'd be interested in hearing your views on this.

thanks,
Erin

WolfWolfee- Does it help in the setup time and do your lines ever get tangled when you unpack?

I assume Wolfee packs with the spars in as well. I can't imagine leaving the lines but pulling the spars. I use the same bar & lines for all my arcs so I remove them after each flight. It's the safety that I'm most used to so I swap the bar from kite to kite. A little tangly but when I unhook the lines I just larkshead the front and rear lines for each side together. Minimizes (not eliminates) the tanglieness.

Shaggs, take a look at the Ozone Instruction movie
http://www.flyozone.com/gallery/a/snowkites/downloads/videos...

I take a collapseable shovel with me to help put enough snow onto the kite to hold it. Our snow is usually pretty fluffy and can just blow off if you only kick it on or scoop with your hands.

Mac is right I leave my spars in. The secret is to figure 8 wrap your lines, take real attention to the direction as the line goes on and how your hand circles the bar. When you unwrap them be sure and repeat the same motion and they come off cleanly. I usually weight down my kite with my safety gear or snow or the two home made sand snakes I carry in my truck (got to love Suburban's)...lol.
I also use a ice screw on the lakes, well worth the investment.
Our local lake (15 minutes) is looking good with the current cold weather should be ready next wind.

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Originally posted by power Maven, do you leave the lines attached with your scorps? I might consider that for my LEI if it works.

Nah, with the arcs I detach the lines due to the way they get laid out. It's possible to leave them attached, I know some people do.

Quote:

Originally posted by shaggs2riches Quote: Originally posted by Maven454 Past that it sounds like you remove the lines from the kite between uses? I'd recommend just leaving them attached. That goes a very long way towards avoiding line and bridle tangles to worry about. No I actually leave the lines attached. Only removed once when I had a cross between my two outside lines. But I hooked them right back up again. By little loop on brake handle, do you mean the loop where I would attach my leash. On the black brake handle above my bar there is a couple red loops where the leash is suppose to attach.

That's the place.

Erin, Since I don't want to start a flame war,I'll answer your Q. right here rather than start a new thread. I am really only interested in FB parafoils because 1) All the power, all the time.
2)I can fly the crap out of them.
3) Why would I want to DE- power my kite?( wouldn't that slow me down?) I don't want no parts of slowing down, no Ma'am.
( I would like a MO -power kite though)
4) Just don't see the need, What I fly works just fine. ( if it ain't broke ,don't F with it.)



sorry for hijack
WG

Thanks for explaining your FB loyalty WG, explanation appreciated.

..also sorry for this wee thread hijack...:duh:

No prob ,Airin. You should tell us how your buggyin has been goin.
I see your quiver jumped up there nicely ,and you got a buggy too now.:wee:
Do tell...

WG

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Originally posted by WELDNGOD No prob ,Airin. You should tell us how your buggyin has been goin. I see your quiver jumped up there nicely ,and you got a buggy too now.:wee: Do tell... WG

Thanks for noticing and asking WG. I'll have to start another thread :saint:some time soon for a beginner's buggy update.