This term has been tossed around on this site quite a bit, especially in reference to Arcs. I first took it to mean that the kite delivers smooth, even power in gusty conditions.
Now I'm wondering if it means something else. I want a kite that doesn't collapse and drop out of the sky for no reason when flying in turbulent conditions. Does that fall under the definition as well?

its when you let your wife fart in your bag of dorritos.

Gust munching of a PL arc is its ability to slightly deform and absorb the gusty wind, which evenly transfers the pull over a longer instance, compared to an instant pull.

Brian

I expect it is a matter of degrees.

I take "Gust Munching" to mean that when there is a gust then the kite absorbs/munchs some of the sudden pull so that you are not yanked (as hard)... sort of like the bungee on kite killers reduces some of the yank when you deploy them.

I consider "not collapsing and falling out of the sky" to fall into the "luff resistance" category. The Neos, Hydras, etc fall into this category because they don't rely a 100% on the wind through the intakes to maintain their shape (once they have fully inflated) aerodynamic efficiency when there is a lull.

ATB,
Sam

spacemonkey, i am sorry to inform you that there is no kite that is going to fly perfectly in austin, and it has more to do with the shifty nature of the wind there than the gusty nature...

arcs are the best performers in gusts, they dont yank you around as much as any other depower or fixed bridle kite...

when the wind shifts 40 degrees in a matter of seconds, the only thing that will keep you from being in trouble is trying to stay on top of the direction at all times... there is no kite made (and there probably never wil be)that wil fly well n winds that shift like that

i tell you one thing.... i do not miss kite land boarding up there at all.... it is dangerous and aggravating

keep practicing and you will get better

Quote:

Originally posted by dylanj423 spacemonkey, i am sorry to inform you that there is no kite that is going to fly perfectly in austin, and it has more to do with the shifty nature of the wind there than the gusty nature... arcs are the best performers in gusts, they dont yank you around as much as any other depower or fixed bridle kite... when the wind shifts 40 degrees in a matter of seconds, the only thing that will keep you from being in trouble is trying to stay on top of the direction at all times... there is no kite made (and there probably never wil be)that wil fly well n winds that shift like that i tell you one thing.... i do not miss kite land boarding up there at all.... it is dangerous and aggravating keep practicing and you will get better

Tell me about it! Conditions here are so frustrating! I've been land kiteboarding for 6 months, and I haven't even pulled a successful transition yet! I need to make a few trips to Corpus or Galveston beaches before the weather gets nice! Where do you usually ATB?

Nasa wings are great in gusty winds. That is why I fly them.

Susan (npw goddess)

You will never forget your first clean wind experience. It's HEAVEN!

(Enough to make a guy want to move.....)

Quote:

Where do you usually ATB?

galveston island somewhere between san luis pass and the state park... it is kite heaven (at least, as close as i can get)

We used to fly (1994) two line foils. They did not absorb gusts very well. But insert a length bungee (of the appropriate strength, with a length of line as a limiter) and the kite did much better in gusts. The bungee would stretch in a gust, and contract in a lull, smoothing everything out.

Only downside of it was the turning was worse; the bungee would stretch on the side you wanted to be tighter.

Hey sp4cem0nkey looks like you are about 160 or so miles from the coast - some pretty nice looking coast as well. I'm about 200 miles from the beach that I like to go (and the only one I'm allowed at for the time being). Have you ever flown at the coast? If you haven't then you must go - it will be like completely rediscovering kiting. The local area here in Auburn California is terrible - right in the Foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range - all the wind that comes here (whenever it shows up) is gusty and has a tendency to bounce around in different directions as well - completely maddening, even the arcs have a near impossible time when the winds change direction - one end of the kite will slip lower than the other then the whole thing will fall like a weight is on one end of the kite - nothing you can do but set back up and drive yourself crazy all over again. You just have to get used to driving to get your fix - it sucks but there's really no other alternative except for the obvious, which could be problematic if you were to actually move somewhere and they instill a ban on kiting - lameness.

It just means that the kite will absorb gusts well. They will only have a small effect on its behaviour.

And yes, Arcs do it better than anything else I have tried so far.

I would definately recommend getting to the coast - wind coming off the sea is usually really clean.

I'm lucky because the most I have to drive is about 60 miles for the beach that works in Southerlies. Even so I usually take a tent and camp so i get the most time flying and not driving.