Just wondering what it takes... i'm referring to being lifted by a kite at the base of a hill, and basically floating there, due to the updraft.


ive seen it mostly done with LEIs, just wondering how this happens, why it happens, and can you use foils/arcs... or is this a LEI playground only

Thanks guys!

edit: of course FS speeds can do it

This video looks to be using Flysurfers! They are several others with Flysurfers being used as well as others using LEI kites.

Looks like the same principal being used by remote control gliders flying slopes. Not sure exactly how it works, except that when we were at JIBE, I put my kite right over top of the leading edge of the Sand Dunes on the southern end of the beach, doing so gave the kite a little extra boost. I think it has something to do with thermals.

Here's one I was thinking about!

Kite Soaring

Paraglider pilots do this- it's called ridge soaring. Prevailing wind blowing against a slope or cliff face makes an up draft which can be used for lift. Pilots better than I ride the dune at the north end of my home beach and can do 3-4 mile runs up and down the beach and remain in the air indefinitely. To do it with a kite, I would think, would require a longer slope and higher winds because the kite obviously would be sitting much higher than the pilot. Also, be careful of rotor effect that can be produced on the back side of the hill.

They're just ickle ones - that snowboarding guy Chasta does some monstrous glides, then there is of course Clo-clo ..

Herc would be the man to ask too - he's into his paragliding ...

Now the loaded question... Can arcs do it?

If I find a hill, ill let you know.... Nebraska isn't known for its hills tho lmao!

A technical answer:

1. The wind hits the hill and has to flow up over it. As the wind from the bottom meets the wind nearer the top, a compression zone occurs that speeds up the flow. This happens out in front near the crest of the hill. This is the sweet spot of best lift.
2. Due to the hill the wind is deflected upwards. Lets say that this upward flow is at 14 degrees i.e. 5 ft up for every 20 ft. Let’s just say that this is at 25 mph. Also, lets say that this is happening just a bit above the sweet spot.
3. Now, let’s say that you have a kite that has a glide ratio of 4:1 (such as 20 ft forward for every 5 ft of drop) at an air speed of 25 mph.
If you fly your kite in the sweet spot you will rise above it until your glide / airspeed match the wind. Get below the sweet spot and you sink out and return to earth.

good answer! damn!

Yes, an arc will do it. Look at carltb's dune jumping vid on you tube.

Jim is a hangglider pilot and ridge soared for years. Most of the videos that I see of people gliding down hills start at the top including the paragliders. The ones that start at the bottom look to have the perfect conditions with the perfect spot. The paraglider you met not long ago could probably point you to the nearest public good spot if he would tell you. Many of them are very safety conscious and aren't tolerant of kites at a paragliding spot. Something about collisions and fall out of the air. If you lived closer to the sandhills you could find better areas. I used to live in Valentine and it has plenty of ridges the wind direction would have to be right though.

Check this spot out!

(Nice boat too. Wouldn't mind one of those to chase wind and waves. Alast we common folk can only dream.)


http://kiteboardingmag.com/video/2011/06/28/video-paraglidin...

Valentine! Whoa dude, that its out there! I always thought scoblo was secluded, but valentine is all alone out there!

always had fun in valentine tho.... Floating down the river... Ahhh!

I have floated the Niobrara several times. Scottsbluff was huge to me back then. I still have family in Alliance but haven't seen them for years.

Last winter there were a ton of videos of guys gliding down hills. I looked for a bit and found one but there are tons more.

http://vimeo.com/19056881

ps. I want video of when you winch over snake falls, but maybe it isn't deep enough. Better scout it out first

I forgot to add that this one doesn't show much gliding but it does show LEIs gliding. I think the guy Brad Gordon does alot of gliding. Also you can look for videos from Jackson Hole. I think they do a lot of gliding.

still waitng on my free motor lol.. then its on!