So I finally got the chance to get my 6m access xt out for a test flight. I put on my harness, unrolled my lines, unfolded the kite, checked for tangles, walked the lines back to the bar, and finally hooked in. When ready I gave the lines a tug to inflate, then took a couple steps back and pulled the bar in. I think that there must not have been enough wind though, cuz the kite sailed up about 10 feet and then floated back to Earth.:puzzled: According to weather network, the winds were suppose to be 15 km/h; so, I will wait till there's at least 25km/h winds to try again. One thing I noticed while struggling to launch was that the trimmer straps on the bar ends kept moving out of factory position. It was my understanding that they should only move when I adjusted them. So I don't know if maybe I was doing something wrong as I've never flown de-power before, but it seemed that I was following my manual quite well. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Shaggs

You don't want to pull the bar in when launching. The tension should be on the center lines.

You're supposed to pull on the middle line/lines to launch the kite, not the bar, that may have been part of your problem.

Okay I understand how that would be a problem. Kinda like how when the bar is out it has little power but can move faster through the window, so if fully depowered when launching the kite has the opportunity to build enough speed to launch. Am I right????

I guess I'm just use to the front lines being attached to the bar ends like on my trainer kite. By pulling back on the bar must have been like putting on the brakes a little like if I were to pull the brake line on the trainer while trying to launch it. When I pull on the middle line then it would be like pulling the bar back like on my trainer. Suddenly it comes crystal clear. Damn I wasted what could have been a good afternoon session. Live and learn I guess. Still doesn't explain why the bar end line trimmers weren't staying in position where they were set.

Perfect example of how to launch and land the kite.
Now you know. Next time you'll fly.

Its like learning all over again. There's a third demension to fly a depower. Takes practice. Once you got it. Its the best when your moving. I don't care too much for handles on a board. Can't keep my balance because of slight wind changes. Good luck you will love it that machine :wee:

Try and get down and meet up with the boys in Edmonton, be worth the trip.

Yeah I hope I can get there before Christmas time. Otherwise I have a couple weeks off for Christmas so maybe I'll be able to get together with some of you guys then. Who knows maybe a new years day session might be in order. Hopefully by then we have enough snow too:D

Well we have lift off:wee:

I took the kite out this afternoon and finally got it up in the air. I was quite impressed with how the kite pulled. The winds were about 20km/h not too fast I know but enough for me to get a couple scuds. The biggest thing that I noticed was how different it feels to be pulled from a harness. Steering took a little bit to adjust to as I wasn't quite ready for the control difference between depower and fixed bridle. Also the winds must have been gusty cuz a couple times the kite flew to the edge of the power zone and I couldn't recover without running backwards to keep tension on the middle lines. Had the wind buckle the one side on me causing the kite to twist itself up and fall to earth. But I guess more exp with the kite will teach me how to prevent it from happening. All in all a good time. I can see now how depower kites are more suited to riding than static flying.:roll: