Im getting better at jumping controlled but still having trouble with landing my bigger pendelum jumps. I have 4.9 Blade IV. We took it out in real puffy 15-35 mph today it was lifting me straight up off the ground 3-5 ft (im 180lbs ) just flyin parked at zenith in the puffs. we had no prob getting up 10-15 ft but im still coming down with a good amount of forward speed. wondering how i see these guys on youtube getting similar height but having smoother landings. is 4.9 too small to be floaty or is there some magic redirection technique. not all my jumps are fast landing, some are smooth but im wondering if there is a trick to kite steering or if it's more of a size thing and the terribly gusty conditions we were in. also for kites with adjustable AOAs is the liftiest setting the best for softer landings? any insight appreciated!

You need to redirect the kite, very important or it provides little to no float.
http://chris.m.whittaker.googlepages.com/pendulumjump
Should help alot.
A five is about the smallest kite that will provide float, so you should be fine. It takes practice, go out on a really low wind day, so the kite provides little tug, with the kite on the least lifty setting. Pracice that routine a good 100or so times (yes you will look absurd jumping and getting no air, but laugh when you out jump the rest!) HAA HAA! :smug: Then do it for real with the kite on the lifty setting. With something smaller like a five and if you are good you can cross the power zone multiple times for extra height!!! :P

Yeha, thats the way - just jump jump jump. You'll learn your kites timing, power, maneuverability etc.

One thing i found with my blade (6.5 IV), is that it produces quite a lot of power at around mid window, so try and keep the kite higher in the sky - closer to the zenith when you jump, and it will have more up-grunt and less lateral.

The thing to remember here is, theres always less power up top, so you'll need to be out in higher winds!

Fly safe, but hard.