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first vid you want to watch is folding a cquad, an art to itself..i have a set and its important to have proper line length dialed in more so then a reg foil...they require brake input at all times because thats how to turn the kite..very rewarding once you get it nailed down...generate lots of power for the size...i will throw one in the air next week and see if we can get you some proper film

If you look on kiteplans.org under 3-4 line power kites you will find plans for c-quads of different sizes. Some are just pictures, while others do provide some additional information that may be useful. The plans below may have some of the information you are looking for. Its not in English, but you may be able to translate it using google to get a good idea of what the author is saying.

I've not flown one, but there are some members on this group that have flown c-quads so hopefully they will chime in.

http://www.kiteplans.org/planos/cquad/cquad.html

I think if you look on youtube you may find some videos of c-quads flying as well.

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Quote: Originally posted by Fflexikite

Wow! Within minutes of posting I have gotten some great replies!! I have posts on other forums that are days old and no response, this place is fantastic! Abkayak I really appreciate the offer to get some video! Depending on how much information I can get I may try and make a mini-documentary on YouTube (I have done non-monetized education focused videos on the Rogallo Flexikite and the TALA kite anemometer system) and such video would be appreciated as I do not have a C-Quad yet. Thanks to Randy for the link, I translated the article and it is very informative. It even shows the curvature of the kite. yea well i tend to lurk around here often...and being i was entrusted to perpetuate the existence of these legendary kites and your intentions seem pure...there you go! now i got the kites and will have them in WW im sure one of my buddy's will help with some film...besides everyone likes to see these things in the air...its like going to a classic car show

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i have 4 or 5 of them...im sure i have that 1.4..think im missing 1 size, gotta check, my friend gave me them...he sold his "death bar" to another member on this site, i have only flown them on handles, buggied w/ them a 2le of times that was fun...when the beach is busy summertime and i have no room to get in motion they are great fun/entertainment flying static...they are just different. totally different kinda flying then a foil and i appreciate that in itself...i guess NPW like but i have only done that 1ce..will check out those vids at home...this computer doesnt like playing vids...these kites are near and dear to me...they are stained from superstorm Sandy after being dug dug out from a few tons of Queens, NY being on top of them...total pieces of history all wrapped up in a circular package....and you WW folks all know if youd like to give them a go on the beach just ask because they were meant to be flown/shared...wouldn't trade them for a Crono

I started out on C-Quads, surfed with them a couple times but most use was for buggying. I had all sizes up to the 10.5.

I got a pre-production 2.2 from Peter for testing in 97-98. No manual or instructions or lines and handles. I eventually got a 3.2 and 4.2 from Peter for the AKA convention in Ocean Shore, WA in 98. Used them in a buggy at Ivanpah several trips. Kent has helped me with replacement parts in the past - Thanks Kent!.

Your instinct is correct. The C-quad is very unique in how it flies and feels. People often refer to the feeling as flying a Revolution style kite on steroids.

The stiff frame allows you to dramatically influence the angle of attack. Once you get it dialed these kites area true joy!!!!!

I think that it is the potential to damage these kites + the awkward way that they pack up that was their real draw back. A friend crashed a brand new one of mine and a spar + it's pocket were damaged right out the gate. They are a true PITA to pack up and the odd shape makes for some crazy shipping costs.

Like PL arcs. I hate ground handling them. Once they are in the air their magic comes to life. :D Then you have to land them and pack them up.

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good thread. I have never seen or flown one but always that they looked interesting. Like all single skin kites for me . Power is only relevant to wind speed so you might find a couple sizes useful for various winds.

Not sure of what your exact limitations are with arthritis but I always thought about trying weightlifting straps wrapped on the handle to lessen the grip needed and make it easier to hold on. You would need to remove any rubber grip from the handles first because when you let go, the straps would only release from a smooth surface. Warning, just a untested theory at this point. In theory, you should just be able to let go of the handles to release kite in an emergency.

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dont mean to paint all of us kiters w/ a broad brush, but here i go...
seams to me we all enter this sport w/ preconceived notions, and invariable we find out we were wrong...i was
skiers, skaters, surfers, triathloners any extreme type activity does help...but the sailors have wind experience and i think that helps the most...the understanding of conditions and wind experience gets people to where they want to be w/ their flying...im sure this applies to the all 2 line flyers, but even more so w/ 4 line power kites.... i had my mentors, they were correct in their teachings and i was the newb who had it all figured out w/ my 2 line 3m Rush Pro....when i think about the early things that came out of my mouth i chuckle...but you learn from your mistakes if your smart and move on...yes you can apply this to anything in life........I am still learning, and always will be....all this BS being said here I go

Be in love w/ Cquads i get that, more than most...but i want you to fly and reach your end goal whatever that may be
you need to fly depower if your 1st concern is gripping the handles...take the load out of your hands and put it on your torso...unless your holding back other info from us thats where your easiest solution will be

all the above is only my opinion...and i may be wrong it has happened before

Welcome to PKF where we are allowed to pontificate...it makes us feel good about our miserable lifes

I can see a few good reasons for you to take a look at the development of depower kites.

C-quad requires a certain amount of brake input at all times to fly. Probably more wrist intensive than any other power kite other than the Rev' Power Blast. You can mitigate some of that by flying " hooked in " and taking the majority of the power through your core.

The inflatable depower kites take the principles to the next level. The inflatable parts taking up the job of the spars and the change in shape making them more stable.

Combining the ram air with closed cell technology also makes for a more rigid canopy than the " soft " open cell foils you refer to.

If becoming a pilot is in your future and you have arthritis issues with your hands then the LEI ( leading edge inflated ) kites are something you should look into.

So I guess I am suggesting that you should consider that with depower kites you can shop for styles that have LOW bar pressure. Typically these kites don't turn as fast but they allow you to take lots of power through your core while not taxing your arms so much.

You are absolutely right that C-quad was a pivotal kite but there are reasons that they sit in my shed almost last in line to be flown.

That method you show of hooking in is the PL back strap. Still available, I think ? Kind of a cool concept. Your method of QR ( quick release ) is to go turtle and let it fly off your back !

Indeed, Bladerunner...The harness in video appears to be a Peter Lynn Backstrap harness. can be seen(still available) here @ bigmikes kites:
http://www.bigmikeskites.com/products/peter-lynn-backstrap

Simple harness and unlike other WAIST harnesses doesn't cinch in front to hold snug around you.

I believe this 'open' belt feature provides a safety feature of being able to remove yourself from it(and kite) in emergency by bending your torso over as it rides up your back and over your head to release you from it and kite.

I have tried the C-quad and they do have good power. They are similar to Canada's ParaskiFlex brand.

Paraski Flex:
The C-Quad and Paraski Flex both have a leading edge rod/stiffener. Paraski Flex is generally flown on shorter lines. This was MY very first kite back in 2006 used on ice w/skates and then skis.
It was so adjustable with 4 modes that you only needed almost just one kite for a huge wind range . It had a unique design of a zipper to shrink it's size that ran parallel to leading edge! In second video you can see some flying in 'taco' shaped storm mode(curled with tip edges close together) for high winds.

These were HUGELY popular in Canada (still?) with big festivals unrivalled in the US with regards to snow kiting.

Newer models are streamlined..long tapered w/likely much more power and upwind ability. You can jump. Even used on the water(launching is difficult!).
These are of course single skin like the C-quad, and the Peak and shed snow instantly. Seems the NPW's, C-quad and Paraski Flex may be the forbearers of the FlySurfer Peak 'craze' that's happening now.

I hadn't thought about paraskiflex . I live on the wrong side of Canada for that. Huge following in the Quebec snowkite scene.

Very unique bar control system.

Another kite worthy of investigation for your project!

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Actually the Paraski Flex kite winds up being about 10 meters away from you-not 3-4m. Flown it on longer lines with extensions too.

The kite also uses about 5 rods to make it's arc..not one. Watch it's assembly in first 12 second in 4th video( video at St. Plac) of my previous post

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Paraskis are pretty amazing. The ability to simply lay them down in high winds is a real plus. They can get into tighter spaces than we do on long lines. They fall into the sweet spot between kite and Kite wing (which is not a kite)

Like SKIMTWASHINGTON states the new racing versions of Paraski Flex are beautiful. Razor sharp and very efficient. I wonder how they down wind.

I've never flown one. Would like to try sometime.

I have flown Paraskiflex and was completely unimpressed. It is a 2 line kite so power control was none, much worse than a regular FB. Directional control was awfully slow and - when lightly powered – nonexistent. On smooth surface of ice and snow it was a hassle to get it up in the air – the pancake just kept on sliding towards you. As always, with more time on it one would appreciate it more but I could not see any advantages of the design to make it worthwhile. I'll take Kitewing anytime, though it needs more wind.

Quote: Originally posted by Prussik

I have flown Paraskiflex and was completely unimpressed. It is a 2 line kite so power control was none, much worse than a regular FB. Directional control was awfully slow and - when lightly powered – nonexistent. On smooth surface of ice and snow it was a hassle to get it up in the air – the pancake just kept on sliding towards you. As always, with more time on it one would appreciate it more but I could not see any advantages of the design to make it worthwhile. I'll take Kitewing anytime, though it needs more wind.

I have a hard time understanding how they turn. looks like power lines go to front of bar and back lines go to one point on the back of bar. Do you have to twist the bar as you turn? definitely looks like a kite that you need to put a fair amount of time in on to figure out.

They do a pretty good job in promoting the product and one of the selling points they emphasize is the perceived ease of steering by turning the bar like a steering wheel in a car. There has to be a lot of tension in the lines to transfer the turning moment of the bar to the turning moment at the kite some meters away. The less tension and longer the lines the less of that happens. My feeling was that even the standard length was too long to get the response we are used to. One other item that originally drew my attention was what appeared to be a possibility of pitch and therefore power control by orientation of the bar. They never advertised this as a possibility and when I tried it I knew why – it didn’t work. May be it would work with a bar twice as long (?).

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Made me get the 6.3 out today.

One of the viewers said "it looks like a spider web". He was taking about the bridles.

I bought it a while ago and never gave it much of a thought. Today, I flew it with skills I did not have back then. It is a better kite than I remember.

I am looking forward to trying it out at Ivanpah with 5m lines. Could be entertaining!

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great to have all this old film in one spot...these guys are nutz for now forgetting this is the earlier years

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