So I finally took my ParaAvis out for the first time today, seeing how it was the first time we had any real wind in almost three weeks. after getting everything set, I got the kite up in the air with ease. but it wasn't long before it was to much for me to handle. while the kite handled beautifully I dont think it was meant to handle gusts up to 30mph hour. The ParaAvis Winnie that I have is set up on handles. I got one good jump in but it wasn't long before a big gust of wind hit the kite and I hit the ground...hard. I have a big bruise on my arm and I was dragged for a bit but I was able to land the kite without any real damage to myself or the kite. I wasn't hurt to badly but it scared me. my 3m scout did not prepare me for that. Needless to say I will be investing in a set of kite killers before i take it out again.

I suppose the big lesson here is to always size for the gusts. Try not to spend too much time with the kite overhead. Get in the habit of keeping it off to the side when winds are strong.

Get out and fly again soon. Allowing that scared feeling to take over can really set you back. I know, it happened to me when starting out.

I hope you aren't hurting too much in the morning.

blowing to 30 w/a 7m nice...yea you need to lay off watching Seabonse videos....they get you all stoked up but will also get you into trouble

kite killers aren't a safety feature but more of a kite recovery system IMO. You can always let go of a handle when you get in trouble.

I am a little sore this morning but I ordered me a pair of kite killers first thing so that I would be a little more comfortable letting go of the handles and not thinking I am going to destroy my kite by getting it stuck in a tree. I am going to go back to flying the crap out of my trainer before I take my bigger kite out again.

I wouldn't fly that 7m in gusty wind ever, and on top of that, I wouldn't recommend flying it in anything over 12mph to begin with. 20mph is the top end, and I would only ever consider that if you were on a beach with onshore wind and not a cloud in sight... A kite that size in 30mph gusts; forget your kite getting stuck in a tree, you are lucky YOU didn't get stuck in a tree. Now you know better at least. Take it as a lesson learned and remember to read forecasts before you go out so that you go prepared for the weather you are flying such a large high aspect wing in.

Do as I say not as I do.

If you are flying in a location that means letting go of the kite will result in it landing in a tree then you don't have enough space down wind and may want to look for a safer spot ? As mentioned above, it could be you in that tree.

That said I HAVE ended up in a tree. Flew too close and as I passed it my brake line grabbed. Before I knew it I was about 8 - 10ft up in the tree and unhurt. The kite slammed into the ground. Right then a group showed up for the Thursday night intro to kites fly. I wasn't bruised but my ego sure was !

I fly + jump too close to a statue in my local park. They put a fence around it to keep kids from climbing on it this year. I still flew and jumped there yesterday. :duh: