Hello, I am a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and I am in a design class assigned with designing a better kite quick release mechanism. Part of the assignment is gathering data using a survey. I only know 2 kiters here at UMass so if you have time, please answer the following:

The following pertains to a device that will act as a quick release for kite buggying. It will attach to the power strop and allow the kiter to easily detach themselves (and their harness) from the kite in the event of an emergency. The device will also serve to enable you lift the kite off the ground and then attach the kite and strop to the device without using your hands.

Attachment: power_kite_survey[1].doc (22kB)
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1. How important to safety is the strop quick release?
(= not at all, 5 = very much so)

1 2 3 4 5

2. How important is a hands free operation of the kite attachment? i.e. flying the kite and then attach strop to the harness without using hands.

1 2 3 4 5

3. What would be a reasonable life span for this product?

1 year 5 years 10 years 15 years

4. What would be a reasonable weight?

< 5lbs < 10lbs < 15lbs

5. In the event of an emergency, would you rather quick release the kite and strop; or quick release the strop to break the kite?
(1 = detach both to stop kite, 4 = neutral, 7 = stop the kite remaining attached to kite)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

6. What would you be willing to pay for a product that does/is the above?

$50 $75 $100 $150 $200 >$200

7. In what environments would/do you use this type of strop quick release?

Beach
Mountain
Field
Asphalt
Other: ___________________

8. Other requirements/comments?

It is unfortunate that the ONLY release that works is the Dead-Man.
A particularly bad name.

Nothing else is truly quick enough.

Marketing gimmicks directed at non-kiters in order to sell more product.
Any complicated system that works is based on a simple system that worked.

The simple strop between the handles on fixed-bridle kites already works great and needs no complications.

These are my opinions based on over 30 years of power kiting.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

Quote:

Originally posted by coreykite It is unfortunate that the ONLY release that works is the Dead-Man. A particularly bad name. Nothing else is truly quick enough. Marketing gimmicks directed at non-kiters in order to sell more product. Any complicated system that works is based on a simple system that worked. The simple strop between the handles on fixed-bridle kites already works great and needs no complications. These are my opinions based on over 30 years of power kiting.

Do you rely on your ability to shove the strop out of the spreader bar if you suddenly need to be free of the kite? I'm just starting to increase my use of strops and I'm really interested in your experiences with this over the years.

Quote:

Originally posted by PowerKiteDesign 2. How important is a hands free operation of the kite attachment? i.e. flying the kite and then attach strop to the harness without using hands. 1 2 3 4 5

Depends on what kind of kite. Does this only pertain to fixed bridle foils where the kite is usually flown on handles with a cord between them, hooked into a hook on the harness? So many other methods for other kites...

Quote:

4. What would be a reasonable weight? < 5lbs < 10lbs < 15lbs

Where is this device going to be??

Quote:

5. In the event of an emergency, would you rather quick release the kite and strop; or quick release the strop to break the kite? (1 = detach both to stop kite, 4 = neutral, 7 = stop the kite remaining attached to kite) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

I must really be lost cause I really don't know what a strop is.


Steve

Hey Sailors,
The device called a strop is the cord between the handles on a fixed bridle foil.
The function (connecting the controls to the flyer for the purpose of transferring power) is performed by other devices with other control systems (chicken loop on a depower)

I prefer the windsurfer-type hook on my harness rather than the kiteboard-style hammerhead hook that curls around more.

Rather than worry about getting out quickly, I ride with my handles in my hands and hook in when it is appropriate.

I feel harnesses have become like foot straps on buggies where new riders are enthralled by the gear and copy what they see without considering the whole picture.

When things start to go south...
Step 1 - Full reverse on the handles - This stops the kite.
Step 2 - Both handles to one hand while reaching up with the other hand and pulling both brake lines - This inverts the kite and turns it into falling cloth.
Step 3 - Let go of your handles - The kite is completely deflated and inverted. It falls to the ground.

I have not broken, torn, ripped, lost, tangled, mangled, scarred, burned or frozen anything.
I pick up my handles, shake everything out and resume flying.

What is better?

The Science of Marketing is different from the Science of Aerodynamics.
Gimmicks, particularly safety gimmicks, do a disservice if they convince folks to rely on "stuff" rather than skills and knowledge.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

Quote:

Originally posted by coreykite Hey Sailors, Rather than worry about getting out quickly, I ride with my handles in my hands and hook in when it is appropriate. When things start to go south... Step 1 - Full reverse on the handles - This stops the kite. Step 2 - Both handles to one hand while reaching up with the other hand and pulling both brake lines - This inverts the kite and turns it into falling cloth. Step 3 - Let go of your handles - The kite is completely deflated and inverted. It falls to the ground.

I've had several instances where an uncharacteristically strong gust has come along and ripped the handles out of my hands. Yes I could play it safe and always have a kite up appropriate for winds 5-7 mph higher than anything I'm observing, but I'll have a great deal of time where I don't roll anywhere. I understand "size your kite for the gusts" but this is dealing with the "rogue gust" that comes along very infrequently. I'm not sure I would have time to react enough to perform all these steps. I'm not even sure I can arrest things enough to grab the brake lines. I'm not disputing you on this and this isn't an arguement, but instead a discussion. I guess I'd need to see you do all this when you already just got overpowered and I would go to kite killers.

B'Bob,

I have made little quick releases for my handles. I've never had to use one but have tested it under load and it works. Like You I'm always concerned about being able to push out under load. Yet I don't much like a captives set up.

It is just a cotter pin, some Q-line , a tube and some tape. The cotter pin folds over above the knot on my one handle. It has the Q-line run through the eye and also the tube. The tube slides over the folded back cotter pin and holds everything captive until you choose to pull it.
I attach that gizmo to one end of a standard strop with the same piece of Q-line. The other end of the strop is untouched.

I lose a bit of travel on the one side of the strop but otherwise am pleased. I got the idea from NPW fevers DIY God thread.


I understand what Cory is saying and it matches how I was taught to fly.

What I don't understand is this survey :duh:

Hey Sailors,
I think Bladerunner hit the nail on the head.
Re-reading the original post, I don't believe the poster knows what they're talking about either.
My guess is they are looking at some traction kiting but not participating.
Perhaps not even clear on the differences between land and water traction,
and specifically between fixed-bridle and depower kites.

You know... To most people, "sail" and "wing" are just two different four-letter word that mean the same thing.

But if we don't go down those roads we never learn what's there.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

Quote:

Originally posted by coreykite Hey Sailors, I think Bladerunner hit the nail on the head. Re-reading the original post, I don't believe the poster knows what they're talking about either. the coreylama

yeah the tip for me was question #4 about desired weight. those choices might make sense if they were ounces, not pounds.