Went out today for the first time Flexifoil sting 3.3, hardly any wind... then loads of wind came with a storm.
The kite kept trying to launch despite the brakes being on the tighter knots, so I thought this would have kept the kite down.

Anyway, the kite launched due to the high wind and immediately twisted so I had no control and kept flying up really high, then dragging me around on my feet. in the end I lost my temper and killed it using the kill cords as the brakes were doing nothing. I had to get my girlfriend to jump on it so I could wrap it all away.
Scared me the power that it had... was dragging me towards the tide so I'm glad I killed it!

Right learning from experience time:
How do you guys set up and wrap away the kite?
I didn't know whether its best to totally disconnect the lines from the kite then wrap up or coil it up then straighten the tangles when its hooked onto the stake? please guide me through the process. thanks again guys.

(PS ill only go out in very very low winds next time!!!)

Dany,
Welcome and that happens, glad you finally killed it on the safety rather than get hurt. Smart move, not to be upset or embarassed about that's why they are there!

There are a ton of ways peopel like to wrap/pack thier kites. let me dig up the thread and I will show you how I like to do it.

Kite Field packing

Thanks mate, I'd appreciate that.

A very good read, I loved the sock idea!! Thank You.
Could you please give me the basics what to do once I have the kite off the ground to control it, and prevent getting dragged everywhere

I believe the zenith straight above is the best place to hold?
How do I control the kite? I know if I pull back it powers up, and move forwards the kite drops and collapses.

What does pulling the whole handle do etc?
I would get lessons, but not a single person in my area does the sport.

Thank You in advance,

Tell us where you are located. Maybe someone can catch up with you. Nothing like flying with a veteran.

Welcome to Quads. An unknown fact by new fliers is that having the brakes on can make the kite pull harder as the kite deforms and holds more air. Racers will often do this to increase power and speed and keep the kite in the "sweet spot". To a point, then it stalls. I tend to keep my brake lines set so they are slack/sagging in straight flight. BUT so I know if I pull them fully they will stall and bring the kite down. This will also let you stake your handles then setup and open your kite safely. All you have to do is pickup the handles and release the brake and she will fly, maybe with a good tug to get her started...

There are 2 primary ways to turn a quad power kite.
1. Give brake input on only one side of the kite. This deforms that side and it will turn that direction.
2. With brake lines slack pull back the entire handle on the side you want to turn to.

You can also do both. pull the entire handle and give it brake on that side to make it turn really tight.

Safest spot is out by the edge (left or right) of the wind window. Zenith may seem/be safe one minute, and not the next depending on the kite and wind. a gust will create lift and potentially lift you off the ground.

Check this link for wind windo basics.
Wind Window from AWOC

Maryport
Cumbria
United Kingdom

Yeah would certainly be good.

Quote:

Originally posted by lamrith Welcome to Quads. An unknown fact by new fliers is that having the brakes on can make the kite pull harder as the kite deforms and holds more air. Racers will often do this to increase power and speed and keep the kite in the "sweet spot". To a point, then it stalls. I tend to keep my brake lines set so they are slack/sagging in straight flight. BUT so I know if I pull them fully they will stall and bring the kite down. This will also let you stake your handles then setup and open your kite safely. All you have to do is pickup the handles and release the brake and she will fly, maybe with a good tug to get her started... There are 2 primary ways to turn a quad power kite. 1. Give brake input on only one side of the kite. This deforms that side and it will turn that direction. 2. With brake lines slack pull back the entire handle on the side you want to turn to. You can also do both. pull the entire handle and give it brake on that side to make it turn really tight. Safest spot is out by the edge (left or right) of the wind window. Zenith may seem/be safe one minute, and not the next depending on the kite and wind. a gust will create lift and potentially lift you off the ground. Check this link for wind windo basics. Wind Window from AWOC

Golden Information!!!!
Thank You Man.

I believe my brake lines are too tight then! Ok so I need to be to the left/right of the wind window... so I keep it there by tugging the right or left power line slightly? are brakes used to turn tighter only?

No you have the choice, turn with brake, turn with power, or both. Different kites like to turn differently, some like allot of brake, some don't, it's all part of the fun and experementing.

Can't claim the info, just sharing. the Sock thing I got from Mr Holgate in a video.

If the brakes are to tight the kite should have fluttered around if anything there is a fine point. It may have just been to windy for your skill level that day. A Flexi sting 3.3 I'm sure someone will help you out better I only have a 1.9. In 15mph winds the kite was moving fairly well and with decent pull through the window. In 40mph winds the kite really comes into its own there. I would believe a 3.3 would do the same around 20mph winds. Like I said I don't know much about this kite but this is just my opinion. Someone else should be able to clarify. Wind speeds from your session and weight would be nice also string length to. If they are to long the kite will have way more pull throughout the window as it is in the window longer.


Oh and welcome to the forum and the addiction.

Quote:

Originally posted by pyro22487 If the brakes are to tight the kite should have fluttered around if anything there is a fine point. It may have just been to windy for your skill level that day. A Flexi sting 3.3 I'm sure someone will help you out better I only have a 1.9. In 15mph winds the kite was moving fairly well and with decent pull through the window. In 40mph winds the kite really comes into its own there. I would believe a 3.3 would do the same around 20mph winds. Like I said I don't know much about this kite but this is just my opinion. Someone else should be able to clarify. Wind speeds from your session and weight would be nice also string length to. If they are to long the kite will have way more pull throughout the window as it is in the window longer. Oh and welcome to the forum and the addiction.

Hey man, Thanks for the kind welcome all!
Yeah the lines are 25m and the speed of wind was... high! it came from no where..

the kite didn't flutter at all, it just took off with massive power dragging me behind it with no control as the lines crossed over and I couldnt restore.

kind of scared me, scary part was when I collapsed with kill cords, it was collapsed partially then kept taking off about 1m above ground giving some serious pull still, and my brake lines are on the second knott making them tigthter. hehe. Thanks all

Welcome!
Congrats on your first out-of-control thrill you'll learn patience with this sport like no other

Check out the post under 'kite, lines & accessories' titled 'unwanted flight'.

Try this for some general pointers:




and this for some parapacking ideas...




Sounds like you simply had too much wind for the kite and your level of skill/comfort on the day. Some days the wind is so shifty and gusty that the kite keeps surging forward and collapsing. And in too much wind a 3.3m can easily do you serious damage.

There he is.. Mornin John!

If you were getting dragged towards the tide, you were likely flying in offshore winds (the wind blows from the land to the sea). They are usually quite gusty (uneven in direction and strength) and much rougher to fly in than winds coming from the ocean (onshore) which are usually smooth and steady.

Unexpected storms are a nightmare!

Hope your next flight goes much better!

Thanks for the videos John.
I wanted to try a para-pack today but I instead took all the time untangling the massive tangles from Fridays disaster!

I have disconnected the lines and rolled them onto two holders.
So everything is nicely packed but, may take ages to unpack, I plant to use parapack next time but for now Ill unpack like...:

1) stake in ground, attach handles and brakes onto the stake
2) lay lines down wind
3) attach lines to rolled up kite
4) open up kite
*ready*

Is this an ok method? or will it not work?

Thanks again, apologies for the nooby questions, again..

When I first got into this addiction I did something similar. I unattached my lines from the kite after each session and rolled them onto the spools much like you have done. Only difference in set up for me was, I would lay the kite out and put sand on the trailing edge or if in a field, I used water bottles. Then I'd attach the lines and up up and away.

Since then I para pack unless I'm feeling lazy. When laziness hits, I figure 8 the lines on the handles. I rarely disconnect the lines from the kite these days.

Para packing seems to be the best for me though, just have to practice the technique a bit to avoid unwanted tangles. Even when the lines do tangle while unpacking a para pack, they are usually a breeze to straighten.

All just my opinion though. Try a few different methods and see what works best for you

Yep, ever since I saw Srewy's parapacking video I've parapacked. It's so much easier than wrapping the lines on winders or even figure eighting them on the handles. Set up is a breeze, just stake the brake lines and walk downwind with your backpack and the lines come out flawlessly and I'm ready to go in no time! And like mougl said, usually if there's tangles they're super easy to get out because they're just loops. Just shake the line a bit and they come right out.

I had the same problems as you did my first few times out but eventually got it down. Parapacking will make most of your problems go away, though.

hey after watching johns video on packing after folding the kite do you put the kite in the bag he really doesnt show that part is the trailing edge facing the top of the bag or the bottom? i think i really like this method and will try it tomorrow. it seems almost to hard to mess up. its fold kite put in bag, hold the line in one hand as a guider and use your other hand to place them in, then wrap the line around the handles 3 or 4 times and "lock it" between the handles place then on the other side of the kite and done.

what i dont get is why do you make a "U" with the bag walking back to the handles? how come you dont just leave it straight?

You might find this of interest....

Newby question: brakes and turns

The Sting is a brilliant kite to learn on, but I have had at least one instance of one where the kite left the factory with the kiteside brake line leaders where cut and tied too long. They were so far out of adjustment that the even when the you hammered on the brakes and had the handles inverted, no brakes were applied.

The next time when the winds are more moderate, check the brake line adjustments, using this as a reference.

And welcome to the sport. :D

ATB,
Sam

Google up Coastal Wind Sports and go in to the tutorials. There are good tutorials on everything you want to know.
Welcome aboard!

http://youtu.be/HZVCD-Kzu9k is good

my flexi 3.3 dragging me around
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1893239/powerkitforum/MO...


edit: this was an old post that someone digged up....

You might want to check SPKA.org (Scottish Power Kite Assoc) for mainly buggy, land board and some kite surfers and then KCOS (Kite Club Of Scotland) to see if there is anyone in your area. I thought I once came across talk of bugging just north of you around Allonby.

I know just what you are talking about. I just had all most the same think happen.
Well the weather was very good here in south west Michigan today. In the 50+
and sunny. I had a great time out flying today. Wish I had photos, I don't.
I am teaching myself to fly a 4 line kite. I flew "Snake Eyes" today for about 2 hours. The wind was out of the south at 4 to 15 mph. That made it hard for me to fly the npw 5, seeing I don't know what I am doing to began with. I crashed and burned a lot. I went right back at it. When the gusted came the kite pull me around like a doll. I was thinking about making a 10 foot npw 5, but not now, I think I am going start with a 6 foot one. That will be about 4.4M2, 2X the size and 4X the area of "Snake Eyes", I am very happy how my npw fly, they do have some power.
renny