Just like a few months ago with Flysurfer. It seems twin skins are all the rage now. And Now I am itching to know since I know the least about these kites.

Self Launch/Land? how hard is it?

I am 99% on my own every time i fly. and I fly on Grass. So i ain't got no sand to hold her down or anything like they always suggest with kites. I can get some sand bags made up though I am dying to try one i wanna know what the rage is all about!

I really honestly think arcs are one of the easiest kites to launch by yourself, i launch them the same way i launch a flysurfer and i land them on the safety (i attach my safety to the front line though, i hate the rear line safety....)

There is probably a slight learning curve but not too much. The newer ones have launch assist tags as well which makes sure the lines don't get tangled round the back, thats the only problem i ever had with my old guerilla... Just watch the instructional video and it really is as easy as it looks.

AUTO ZENITH !!!

they are excellent for self launching and landing. grass is not a problem either just make sure you have some weights handy

personally I use a few 10lbs neoprene ankle weights to load down my phantom 12m. although that sometimes isn't enough weight depending on how hard the wind is blowing.

I would suggest picking up some lead shot scuba diving weights or some big sand bags. preferrably something a little more bulky then ankle weights because mine sometimes roll off of the kite as its flopping around on the ground.

a good dog stake or kite stake might not be a bad idea either so that when you land with your safety you can tie it off to something while you walk up to the kite and weight it down.

personally I don't use them because I just walk my way up the safety line after I land it. its all a matter of how comfortable you are with them and how much wind you're planning on flying in

I'll self launch all the time, but if someone is around who knows to just grab the lower leading edge where the spars are and walk towards you... makes it super easy to relaunch again as the lines do not get twisted. But usually I just tie the kite off to my truck and let it auto-zenith. Unless you crash one, you can go all day and several sessions without ever having to land one.

Key to self launch is getting it as fully inflated as possible.

i think they launch/land easy.

solo launch only.i don't think ive ever had an assist, if i can't launch it solo then i don't need to be flying, general rule keeps things tidy...reusable sandbag is a option.

kite stake not in my game.

watch the video ,,,just like that

It seems a lot of inland kiter's are switching to them. They handle gust incredibly and once you have a kite that auto zenith it hard to fly anything else. Flying fixed bridles and other kites I probably launch and re launch more times than I can remember. The PL's you just let the bar go and up top she runs and sits there waiting for you. How sweet is that, and lift and float is amazing. Try and get out and try someones, as for model as with most kites the newer the better.

"So i ain't got no sand to hold her down or anything like they always suggest with kites".

ya aint got to have no sand (spits)............ Sears and Roebuck catalog, bag of Martha Whites flour, or Uncle Ennus' chaw can will work I recon.........

Quote:

Originally posted by tridude "So i ain't got no sand to hold her down or anything like they always suggest with kites". ya aint got to have no sand (spits)............ Sears and Roebuck catalog, bag of Martha Whites flour, or Uncle Ennus' chaw can will work I recon.........

that's actually a pretty dang good Idea. I'd want to make sure it was in a bullet proof bag though. the last thing I want is a burst open bag of flour in the back of my car

I, too, am pretty interested in these PL kites, and I keep hearing about the 'auto zenith'. I assume that the kite just automatically moves to and stays in the zenith position...? How does that work? What is the design element that allows that to happen that other kites don't have?

I think just the perfect arc shape makes it really stable, no bladders or anything to make any eddies, just smooth flow. Just my guess.

I almost wonder if they auto zenith because of the wingtips being heavier then the rest of the kite.


maybe its like a counterweight scale?

those spars aren't really all that heavy. A wad of ripstop would weigh more than the spars. It's just a great design. It is harmonious with the wind instead of pillaging from it.

I'm totally new to Arcs also.

The only thing I'm not digging so far is the pre-inflation. I've cheated twice using my leaf blower

When the winds are good, launching is no problem.

However, if the winds are gusting/shifting and you don't have enough weight on the sail, it can flip flop all over the place before you get back to the bar.

yep shifting/pre inflation can be frustrating at first but keep in mind the sweet flight ahead........................................sand at the beach, dive belt weights inland or whatever, improvise.......................thats what separates us from the damn communists

Quote:

Originally posted by SecondWind The only thing I'm not digging so far is the pre-inflation. I've cheated twice using my leaf blower

That's not cheating. A guy who flies PL around here rolls with a battery powered leaf blower for pre-inflation. I was out with him once this year where the wind was pretty light and I don't hink that he ever would have gotten off the ground without having the blower for inflation.

Look at Carl's videos!

N'uff said!

winds were on off Saturday, 9 to 14, then 3etc.............. mother nature inflated my Synergy within minutes..............:duh::duh:

Ok, for weights for your ARC, you don't need to purchase any scuba weights or ankle weights or anything...besides once you launch someone will come by and take them!!!

Just get yourself a couple large ziploc bags and fill it with dirt or even rocks. Once you launch nobody is going to take them and you can just dump the dirt/gravel back out when your done and shove the empty bags in with your kite.

the man makes a good point!

Quote:

Originally posted by awindofchange Ok, for weights for your ARC, you don't need to purchase any scuba weights or ankle weights or anything...besides once you launch someone will come by and take them!!! Just get yourself a couple large ziploc bags and fill it with dirt or even rocks. Once you launch nobody is going to take them and you can just dump the dirt/gravel back out when your done and shove the empty bags in with your kite.

Yep...I use some old milk cartoons (plastic) and just fill them with sand...think I got that from the Corey-Lama!

On Higher wind days, just stick the whole cartoons on there and on the lighter days, just stick one or even just part of one.

...so far, no thefts

THE IDEAL WEIGHT FOR INLAND FLYING, ESPECIALLY ON A SUMMERS DAY, IS BOTTLED WATER. A 2 LITRE BOTTLE WEIGHS 2KGS OR 4.4LBS. ONCE YOU HAVE LAUNCHED YOU HAVE TO ADDED BENIFIT OF FRESH WATER. WIN WIN.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAbfkrRyjus

I MADE THIS VID A WHILE BACK ON HAW TO SET UP AN ARC. IT WAS FILMED AT THE BEACH BUT IT WAS OFF SHORE WIND SO CLOSE TO INLAND CONDITIONS.

OH YEAH. WITH A NEW PURCHASE YOU GET A SNOW/SAND BAG. I CANT REMEMBER WHETHER IT CAME WITH THE 07 BAR OR THE SYNERGY, BUT THE BAG ALSO DOUBLES AS A BAR BAG.

i have used my water bottle it just rolls off when ready and yes always need the water.

but after a session the water is gone and it want hold a thing when i'm done

by far the best thing i have is my water board makes a nice shovel... two scoops and you r done without sand on your hands /gloves

gave my daughter a project (7yr. old) cut off half a blue jean leg(old pair) and make a bag with a handle

Another ARC question, what size bar(s) do you guys use for what size kites? is a 50cm good enough for a 19m? is a 60cm too large for my 13m?

i generally use a 55cm bar for all my arcs.

OK, good info. right in the middle Thanks!

same here...using a 55ccm Best bar (heavily moded) on all my arcs 13,15,19.............working just fine!:duh::duh:

'09 51cm naish SLE bar on my 12m phantom

soon to have 55cm North 5th element bar I'm going to mod with powerzones help into a 4line setup for the 15m Phantom