I have just upgraded my 2 line power kite & have purchased a Beamer 5.0m quad line. I have adjusted the lines so they are all the same length as instructed in the manual & set up the brake lines just looser than the power lines.
But when i fly the kite i still sometimes get it spinning wildly in one direction.
Is there anything else i could try or check?

Quote:

Originally posted by Karlosb69 I have just upgraded my 2 line power kite & have purchased a Beamer 5.0m quad line. I have adjusted the lines so they are all the same length as instructed in the manual & set up the brake lines just looser than the power lines. But when i fly the kite i still sometimes get it spinning wildly in one direction. Is there anything else i could try or check?

In the past I have seen new quad line flyers do this. While flying make sure you check that you are not rotating the bottom of the handles. I have also been told “oh I am sure I'm not doing that" but in actuality they were and the proof was in the video. So in short have someone video you flying or just have them watch and see if you are rotating one of the handles. If this does not work then lengthen the bottom lines some more then gradually adjust your lines.

Hey Karlosb69,
Where are you holding the handles?

Another common beginning mistake is to hold them just below the top lead.
I mean, it's where the padding is.
It is a four-line kite after all, you should have control over the four lines.

In truth, fixed bridle foils are two-line kites with the additional lines acting as trailing edge flaps on the airfoil.
Different from de-power.

Hold your handles with the top lead between your index and middle fingers.
I wear gloves.

(Flyers note: I have found sailing gloves to be too tight and not durable enough. My most recent find are Metolious Climbing Gloves. Triple leather padding on the palm, wrap-around padding in the thumb web area. About $25 at my local climbing store)

Control is by toggling... Much like the Revs.
For maximum efficiency, learn to use your controls as little as neccessary rather than as much as possible.

Anticipate where you'll want to be, paying less attention to where the kite IS (which is actually where it WAS).

Manueverability comes at the expense of power.
Flying as an engine, control should be mostly top-line and smooth.
In the park, more brake tension can aid precise control, but it's not mandatory.

The other thing to watch for is bottom line length, as Ted said.
I carry a length of 200# dacron to make bottom lead extenders.
I've had to increase the length over 15" before, but mostly it's in the 6"-10" range.
One knot, anywhere along the length, to make it right.
Then trim the "dangly-bits".

Try these easy solutions first.
Then get back to us one way or the other.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

Would you recommend the handles or a bar to fly?

Quote:

Originally posted by Karlosb69 Would you recommend the handles or a bar to fly?

I would stick with the handles. Are you still having problems? Do you have a picture of the kite in flight? I would like to see what the rear lines look like. Maybe they bridle lines themselves could be a problem.

I will see if i can get a mate to take a picture at the weekend. Have looked through the forum & seen other people with the same problem.
I have the brake lines on the 3rd knot, i have tryed the 4th knot but they seem to be slack & felt i couldn't control it as well. I will also have a look at the kite tonight to see if there is any tangles in it.
Thanks

I may have said this before:

Find an experienced pilot and let them give your kite a go, if the problem is the kite, they will know, if the problem is you, then you will know.

A Further Note:

The Science of Marketing and the Science of Aerodynamics are going to disagree from time-to-time.
We need to be good with this.

Makers, feeling pressure in the marketplace to offer more features, often will add things like multiple knot on leads.
The handles and the line sets usually come from other suppliers.
The KITE is the only thing the maker has that they can adjust.
So they are prone to adding things.

Now it is my kite.

Any "adjustment features" out at the kite don't serve my needs.
In fact, they're inconvenient.

I understand why they're there, I just don't appreciate them there.

So I attach to the ends of all the bridle leads at the kite.
No dangly-bits.

I put any "adjustment features" on my handles.
Where I am.
Now THAT'S convenient.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama