Hey all
I have a Blurr 3.5 with handles. I flew it about 3 weeks ago and everything seemed ok. The last 2 days I flew it, it wouldn't even lift off the ground. I cant figure out whats going on. I feel like its constantly pulling on the brake lines. Ive looked at it and looked at it and everything seems to be hooked up correctly... But still no lift. Anyone have any idea what is going on? Im using the flexifoil lines that came with it. The last 2 days the wind has been pretty light but ive flown it in light wind before without problems.. Im starting to think something is wrong or the wind is just too light. Is it possible for the flying lines to get wet and shrink? =) its just driving me nuts that it wont get off the ground no matter how much I run back .....

any help
thanks all

It sounds like the brake lines are too tight. Try tying knots on the power line leaders closer to the handles to shorten the top lines and lengthen the brake lines. Make sure your brake lines are slack.

Sometimes what happens with my kites, especially my Reactors, is that a part of the bridle somewhere (usually at the intersection of 2 bridle legs) gets snagged on the knot where the lines connect to the bridles. It can look absolutely normal, like nothing is wrong, but either the kite acts goofy or just won't even work... I'd go out to fly again and look over the bridles and see if anything looks to be snagged on something else.

thanks for the replies.. ill have a look at my kite tomorrow when its lighter outside..

When I was at the beach today I did get the kite up once and the break lines looked very tight. The break lines were even tide to the lowest point on the break bridle area.... they didnt have that nice arch. "slack" Im assuming this is why it wont fly

Ssayre:
Ill for sure try tying knots on the power line leaders. Hopefully that works... do break lines shrink? I dont understand why the lines are soooo tight now.. =(

No, your brake lines wouldn't have shrunk... I don't think that's possible... It really sounds to me like maybe your bridles are just hooked.

It's also possible your flying lines stretched a little.. Compare your line lengths between the brake and flying lines.. Try adding a pigtail to your brake lines to amke up the difference if they are shorter.. Where are you located?. I might be able to help you with the pigtails if you need them....

I have that kite and you need to make sure your break lines are slack or loose.
Also try the AAA setting adjustment, I like to run mine about mid way or slightly to the faster setting.
pig tails are a nice thing to have, and you might also shorten your top handle leads by 3-4"
I have had to do this on some of my other kites.
BTW when I say shorten I mean put a knot 3-4" in.
Once you get that kite dialed they are hard to beat, I love my 2.5 and 3.5.

I had to tie knots 6" in on my twister handles. I bought new and the power lines were longer than the brake lines out of the box. No big deal, every kite needs tuning when you first get it.

ive never heard of pigtails before.. I just googled them.. such a simple but effective thing!! looks like something ill have to order online. im going to run my lines across the back garden and see if they are the same size...

riffclown:
im located in nova scotia canada. probably no where close to you. but thanks!

bobsalinas :
This is where I currently have my AAA setting at. Ive been switching between the two spots with the arrows beside them..
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/597x800q90/539/mYd1ce.jpg

Im going to put a knot into my top handle leads today. Ive never thought of doing that untill ssayre and bobsalinas suggested it. great tip yet soo simple..

thanks for all the help guys.

ssayre :
thanks for the photo!!!

No problem. You can use ordinary paracord that can be found in the home improvement stores for pigtails.

ssayre :

550 paracord? how do you make the loop with the paracord? by looking at the photos.. looks like one end of the pigtail is a loop and the other end is just a knot
thanks

You can just tie a loop using a figure 8 knot or overhand knot. The 550 is good.

ok cool. thanks again.

how much longer are the power lines to break lines usually?

That will vary for different kites. Just balance the power and brake lines to your liking. I usually start with the brake lines slack and tighten them to my desired turning performance.

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

That will vary for different kites. Just balance the power and brake lines to your liking. I usually start with the brake lines slack and tighten them to my desired turning performance.

+1 I like a lot more brake than most people bit I accomplish the exact same way. Start loose and tighten to your preferences.

marktrav, there have been some very good suggestions about tweeking your brake lines.
I noticed you registered 7/31 and you stated your running backwards to launch.
perhaps the pilot needs some tweeking/instruction. Back to Basics.(no ofense intended)
Are you aware of proper hand placement on the handles?
When attempting to launch is the bottom of the handles pointing towards the ground or more towards the kite?
What was the wind speed when you successfully flew the kite as compared to the problem days?
Just want you to enjoy that awesome kite.

Quote: Originally posted by marktrav

how much longer are the power lines to break lines usually?

Your power lines and brake ( not break ) lines should all be equal in length.

Beware: the grammar Nazis are alive and well on this forum :smug:

Quote: Originally posted by KAZEDOKA

Are you aware of proper hand placement on the handles?

Great Point!!!

KAZEDOKA:
Im not offended at all. Im totally just learning and I thank you for the input.
When launching the bottom of the steering handles (brake lines) are pointing towards the kite.
The wind has been on the light side lately.. But when I did get it up the brake lines were very tight..
the proper holding of the handles. I think i read somewhere, when gripping the handles your index finger should be over the power line and the middle should be under???


the winds been pretty crappy lately and low tides been at an awful hour.. so i wont be able to fly for a few more days. the suggestion about tying knots on the power line leaders is what I did. I think it should work.

Thanks for all the help guys. I know im new. unfortunately nobody flies around my area of the world so I gotta ask the dumb questions here. =/

We are here to answer your questions. Many of the folks on here were on there own at 1st. Don't be shy to ask.

I'm still thinking that you have a tangle in the brake bridle and here's why:

A. It flew just fine before your most recent attempt
B. Brake lines don't spontaneously shrink
C. Power lines don't spontaneously stretch
D. Again... it flew just fine before most recent attempt

If you are like me, the only thing you've done between the previous time you flew it and the most recent time you flew it is pack it and unpack it. These are primo times for one of your bridles to get caught on the attachment knots. If it's caught just right, this is very easily the result. And it WILL LOOK just like everything is absolutely normal until you start checking out your bridles... As I've said, this very thing has happened to me MULTIPLE times. When I had my 5.1m Core, it would FLY with a bridle wrap like this... I kept looking at it wondering why it was shaped all funny until I gave it a close inspection.

So before you set about adding line or leaders here or there... Unpack it all the way and inspect it.

so the weather hasn't been great at all but I got to fly for about 10 minutes. I checked the break lines and bridle area to see if any tangles were present. Found nothing. As suggested I put knots on my power line leaders to shorten the power lines. In the 10 minutes I had the kite up in air. It launched right away and it flew soo much better then even before. There is a good amount of slack in the break lines now.

Just wanted to say, thanks for the help!

And this is why I LOVE the PKD handles with the clamcleat for the brake lines . It makes tuning a kite a breeze.

http://www.pkdkitesusa.com/products/PKD-Handles.html

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

Quote: Originally posted by marktrav   how much longer are the power lines to break lines usually? Your power lines and brake ( not break ) lines should all be equal in length. Beware: the grammar Nazis are alive and well on this forum :smug:

Lines are usually "tied" instead of "tide" as well! I refrained from the corrections but since Blade mentioned it......

OH! Bladerunner many of the posters here were on "their" own. :o

I tune my "brake" lines so they have some slack with the handles pointing to the ground and I can stall the kite by pulling back on the bottoms of the handles.

good grief. i have dyslexia. but thanks

Well as long as you don't have "to" much fun... Because I TOO like to have TOO much fun going TO the beach TO ride my buggy. Just not in the pink TUTU.