Why does my buster 2 go 'zzzzzzz!' when the lines are tense? It isn't a warning or something is it? I'm guessing it's the sound of the core of a line rubbing against the outside.

Pete

Humming lines are quite normal, you'll usually get them when properly powered up, the lines are tense and the wind passing them will cause them to vibrate like a guitar string, really tense gives them a high pitched sound.

Main flying lines on that should be rated for 250kg if I'm not mistaken, brakes 110. I've jumped with the original lines and original bridal without braking anything, I'm 245lbs.

Ok then.. Does line drag actually change anything?

Drag result in changes???
Where did you get that silly idea?

Actually line drag is responsible for perhaps one of the more noticeable performance changes.

The saying "Double your lines - Quadruple your drag" is oh-so-true.
Fortunately the opposite is also true.

Notice that most indoor kiting is done on lengths under 20 feet.
Not only a result of low ceilings, short sets give much quicker response and significantly reduce the power-robbing drag of longer lines.

Back in the day, store-bought sport kites typically flew on 150' sets.
Now they go out the door with 85' sets.

Flying mega-teams at international events in the early 90's, we'd often rig 140'/137'/134'/131' x 300#.
Slightly different lengths to keep the following kite in clear air and thick lines to slow the kites across the sky without affecting turn-rates.

Another example of clever tune-up tricks.

Maybe I read this in a book...?


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

mm some helpful info. Maybe i'll change my lines one day

Just a bit of idle rambling and random musings...

As humans (most of us anyway) we go to memory first.
As kids, a kite line pulled so taut as to begin to audibly hum usually signalled impending disaster - A broken kite line and a lost kite.

Modern spectra (or dyneema) fiber lines (flown on virtually all power kites) have no stretch so they are taut under minimal pressures.

That audible component we hear now signifies "all's-right".

Instead of thinking of the lines as screaming in protest we have come to understand they are actually singing the praises of the wind and the energy we tap for our play.

I have not yet been able to come up with suitable lyrics.
I guess this song is destined to remain an instrumental.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama