Today I had my first run in the buggy using the arc. Winds were suppose to be decent, but as usual I had several lulls that made for some frustration and slow runs but it was still fun getting to use the arc in the buggy for the first time instead of just static.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVoDilQM_yc[/youtube]


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVoDilQM_yc

Nice job!

You are handling it like a PRO!

Great job! If the kite is stalling like at the beginning you can frag the center lines and pull an arm length in rhythmically and many times coax it back up. If it not going to work, second best is to set it down on the trailing edge so it's more chance of an easy relaunch.

Thanks! I've taken my time and followed the good advice I get on here and it seemed pretty natural. If I would have just had a little more consistent wind it would have been perfect. BB, I reacted too late on pulling the centerlines. It was just about to touch down when i grabbed them. Surprisingly it does not seem that hard to relaunch. I usually tug on a brake until it tacos and then tug the power lines.

WUHOO!!!! Good Job!

I've heard so much recently (mostly from BB) that everyone needs a 12m V2.... Maybe I'm thinking I want one now :D

Why do kites always stall when we sit in the bug. Good job and nice looking grass site.

That was great bro!. Thanks for sharing.
I can't wait for mailman dude to show up with my V2.
Looks like a nice field too.

I think as an inland flier I would be just as happy with a more well rounded fb quiver for the fields I fly in and there is less hassle and set up time, but the arcs are very cool look at and to fly. If I was near the coast or out west I think they would almost be a necessity for fun cruising. For me it took a commitment to try and force myself to buggy with something different. It's really easy for me to just grab the fb's and go since I already have a routine down. I flew the venom and the 5.3 viper today and had about equal success with them in about 8-10 mph. Needless to say I wasn't moving very quick with either. They seem to occupy roughly the same wind range with maybe a slight edge to the venom.

Gotta love janky wind too

Yeah, I couldn't believe it. The second I sat down the kite pretty much fell out of the sky from no wind lol.

The upper wind range will leave the 5m fixed bridle in the dust. That 13 is almost a 1 kite quiver.

Quote:

The upper wind range will leave the 5m fixed bridle in the dust. That 13 is almost a 1 kite quiver.

I have a couple questions for optimizing it for different wind. I had my trim strap pulled in about 8" - 10". Will I need to trim it differently in higher wind? Also, I have the adjustment straps inside the kite pulled tight for the tightest turning in light wind. If I attempt higher winds should I let those out any?

Thanks

Those tight straps probably hurt your low wind performance a bit. You will just have to toy with the internal straps to see what works for you and your conditions.

As the wind increases, you can let the trim strap out more and be able to better take advantage of the power. Then as the wind gets to your upper range, you can trim it back in to take some power out of it. I always set my trim strap so that bar fully in almost stalls the kite. But in light winds, you have to depower it a lot so it can fly.

in lighter winds you want all of the internal straps loose, especially the tip straps- will give you a little lower end. Also will make the bar pressure a little less (kinda funny if you have flown an arc and than a flysurfer) with a little less lift or pop (not a concern in lite winds)

Thanks, I'll loosen the straps next time. I mistakenly assumed I would need them tight for better turning. I assume loosening the straps gives you more surface area. I hadn't thought of it that way. That may have been just enough to make a big difference that day because the wind was right on the edge of being enough.

Ssayre. I have lived vicariously through you the last few weeks on your arc journey. I am an official member of the D'arc side now

That's great 3shot because I lived vicariously through you at jibe. I've barely scratched the surface of the arc potential so you will probably catch up to me quickly. I'm looking forward to working my way up the wind ladder.

The janky wind here is a PITA most days, so it will be trying times as well

Nice run. Success on grass with inland winds. Good work!

Don't be afraid to loop the kite though. That venom should loop even in those winds and you and kite will be happier for it.

Quote:

Don't be afraid to loop the kite though. That venom should loop even in those winds and you and kite will be happier for it.

I thought about that and I was a little afraid of looping it. Not because of the power but because I wasn't sure I could bring it around without crashing. Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try next time I'm out with light wind.

I want my new Venom II up in the air some kinda bad. They just look so dang awesome floating and diving up there

Sean if you aren't sure about looping in lighter winds, all you have to do is get the kite moving a little forward, and reach up and grab a handful of the brake line and pull. That thing will turn inside a wingtip if you manhandle it. The size of the kite doesn't matter really. Just don't wrap line around your hands, but you can grab it and pull to get a tighter turn than you can with the bar alone. Also when you are doing downturns, pull the bar in a little to power the kite up some more. Since it has gravity helping it, it shouldn't lose any speed, but it will turn sharper and give you some extra juice to get moving. One of these days you need to come back out to my beach with me and we can fly the arcs together

I wish we weren't so spread out all over the country. I could ride with you guys every day!
We ought to just pool our money and buy an island in the south pacific. One with a 6 mile beach. All I'd need is a bamboo shanty hut and cold beer.

Quote: Originally posted by 3shot

I wish we weren't so spread out all over the country. I could ride with you guys every day! We ought to just pool our money and buy an island in the south pacific. One with a 6 mile beach. All I'd need is a bamboo shanty hut and cold beer.

Where do I sign up?

Thanks Errol, I'm going to make it back up next chance it works out for both of us. It would be great to have both arcs running down your beach.

soliver and 3shot: count me in on the island deal, it's tough being spread out.

While it is counter intuitive you want to fly the kite with the trim strap in = depowered in low winds . Adding tension to the back is like flying your depower with a bit of break input. Arcs like to fly on the front lines . Turn on the back lines.

The term depower makes more sense in motion and within the kites range.

If the wind is low try and keep the kite in motion as you sit in the buggy. If you are headed off to the right, send it a bit to the left. As you are turning it sit in the buggy and try to time it so you can dive it down to the right without stopping at zenith to take off.