Ritlee

I was able to fly in a little bit stronger winds last night, about 12mph according to google. It was a big difference, I suspect the kite would have launch directly to zenith, if I let it, and at zenith wouldn't stall out like it normally does. It's kind of amazing the difference ~4mph makes on this kite, and the power was awesome. I could really use some wheels now.

Looks like a great system for a buggy or board... might have to pick one up.

they're on the furthest knot out, no issues on the breaks, lol it doesn't like to fly with the brakes set even a little... just gotta pump 'em to use. I got videos it was dry enough out that I got out before it got too dark to take videos First one is just of the launch, first launch is without trying to turn it, second one is me deliberately turning it. Winds were about 8mph at the time Next video is just a little bit of fun

I turn it... Otherwise it goes up maybe 10-15 feet and then goes right back down Sent from my Nexus 5X using KiteLife mobile app

It's been almost 2 months, please tell me you've flown with this by now ... it looks very interesting. I wanna know how you like it compared to two handles. With the power transferred lower to you hips rather than your shoulders/chest, can you with stand more power?

OK so had about a month and a half "break" flying my kite, the 110+ degree days I could handle, but when the 70-90% humidity hit, I barely went outside. The temps have dropped off, and some days so does the humidity. Can you imagine thinking it's kind of chilly when it's 90 out? I'm loving my 2015 model PL 4M Kite. Dunno what I'm missing between it and the 2016 model, not really worried about it though . Have yet to fly it in wind gusts higher than probably 15mph, I doubt I will, at least until I get wheels under me. With my current situation, flying is interesting. Since I'm stuck on a Base in the Middle East, I don't have much to choose from for flying locations. The ground is gravel, but only an inch or so deep, below that is sandstone or something else hard packed. Because of this rock solid ground, I have yet to use the stake that came with my kite, instead I have found a couple places where (dead) power cables poke out of the ground and work surprisingly well to anchor my handles. The gravel makes getting drug around tricky, some times it feels perfect, other times I have more traction that I would care to, and other times not enough. Thank fully I have been able to keep everything within my comfort level, and my butt (or face) hasn't met the ground. For setup I've taken up the leave everything attached, it's faster to set up, and I'm usually flying around sunset, and well after sunset, so there isn't a lot of light to see what I'm doing on the cords. Thankfully plenty of light to actually see the kite in flight. There is one problem I've noticed with leaving the lines attached, when winding I get twists in the line. When completely unwound the lines don't show any signs of twisting in them. I figure this is normal and due to wrapping the line around the handles. Is it normal, or normal for low wind speeds, to have to turn the kite immediately after launching to ensure it gets forward momentum to stay in the air? rarely do I have the kite pop up and just straight for zenith, normally I have to get it off the ground a little higher than needed to turn left or right, get a little speed then I have no problem keeping the kite up. I usually launch about 45 deg off from down wind as I don't want surprises, though if the winds are light enough, ie lower than the kite is rated for, I'll do straight down wind launches, but they almost always require effort to get actual forward speed.

Definitely trying to get people interested, usually have a crowd when I do fly. No one was willing to try to fly the PL kite last night, going to have to bring out my stunt kite as well. They may get even more interested once I have a board and moving around . As far as where I am, I can just say that I'm located in an area that there is relatively safe. We can even go in to the city and be tourists, and go shopping.

yeah I think I'll wait for the 30 knots when I have something to ride And maybe a cheap, small flexi foil from Amazon. I see in other forums people seem to love them.

OK went out a second time, this time it was just enough wind to keep it up with a little work... Interesting how even in the power window if it doesn't have any forward speed it will steal out, but even with I'm assuming 5 to 8 mph winds this thing still tried to drag me when I worked the power window. I think I see a mountain board in 3 or so months and a buggy when I get home. Sent from my Nexus 5X using KiteLife mobile app

The kite came in today... thought about taking a half day off from work... but the winds were gusting up to about 30 knots... so I decided not to take off of work early, because I would want to fly even more.... Waited until about an hour before sunset, winds dropped down to 10mph gusting to 15, a little high to start learning maybe, but I kept the kite out of the power window... thank god for that . Never had to use my kite killers but damn did I get drug every where... Definitely a learning curve on just getting it set up, you can watch all the you tube videos in the world but they always seem to go way to smooth with just trying to set the kite up. The biggest problem I had, was once the handles were laid out and the brakes set on a "stake" the kite would actually get wind under the whole thing and jump up flip around and become a mess. I ended up alleviating that problem by using a weighted bag to hold the center of the trailing edge down. I'm thinking maybe too much brake being set? Another thing never mentioned, that I kind of figured but didn't realize to the extent. These things are a huge work out, I was only able to last with 3 flights of about 15 minutes a piece. might go back out in a little bit now that the wind has had a chance to die down to less than 10 mph gusts. I'm definitely hooked

LOL, well there is tracking... and I check it ever so often... problem is, the kite is going APO, it is handed over to the military in 1 of several hubs, to actually make it out to me... so this package has been in Chicago IL for the past couple of days... But yeah I track everything that has a tracking number... even if it's a $5 item...

Well my Birthday is Monday, as long as there aren't any delays I'm expecting it Monday or Tuesday But yes, I am chomping at the bit for it to arrive

The "m" I've found actually stands for Meters Squared, most sites have dropped the little superscript 2, but they're sized on how many square meters the foil is, when laid flat on the ground. Though be careful too... I can't remember the brand but there's at least 1 brand out there that likes to report the wingspan instead of the area of the kite.

Lol hopefully me being 40 lbs heavier with a 4 meter kite I won't get surprises like that [emoji12] Sent from my Nexus 5X using KiteLife mobile app

I definitely intend on using the kite killers... and maybe a buddy holding my belt , but really I'll probably wait until after sunset when the winds die below 10 mph and start there.

Last night was flying my kite by flood light, and had a couple of curious visitors come out and try to take my kite. A pair of brave foxes came over and chased my kite all over, I'd make a pass, they'd chase it down, turn around they'd chase it the other way, fly it up to zenith they'd stare at it. Finally wanted a break and landed the kite, and I had to go out and bring the kite back to where I was relaxing because they were trying to run off with the kite. Even then the one fox I got pictures of, came up within 6 feet of a group of about 10 people to try and steal the kite. Attached are some pictures, the close ones just had the kite between the fox and me. He was a brave sucker. Checking out the kite. Tasting it, and trying to drag it away Anyone else have wild life encounters?

Got a hold of, I'm assuming, Mike at Big Mike's, and the kite is on the way... I still liked the red patterned old version over the lime new one so got it. I'm sure it will be good enough for me Should see the kite in about a week

This kite is a traction kite Sent from my Nexus 5X using KiteLife mobile app

Sadly I attempted to get the red /grey kite from big Mike's... I put in my APO address and get the error saying that they didn't ship to the United States!? Is the design change that much of a difference to go for lime green instead? I am a bit partial to the red/grey, and not because it's cheaper I have emailed him about the issue... Hopefully it can be resolved Sent from my Nexus 5X using KiteLife mobile app

wait wait, what's the difference between the Red/Grey 4m Peter Lynn and the Lime Green? I'm assuming model years and due to availability the lime green one is the newest... but performance wise is there a noticeable difference?

Thank you, everyone who's replied so far. I included my weight but not the winds around here, and while we're on the subject. Here is currently the middle east, deployed until early next year. Here the winds are regularly 25 knots during the day, and die to calm winds after sunset. I like to fly around sunset because it's way too hot to do it any earlier. But the kicker is when I get back home, which is Sacramento, a breezy day is 15mph winds, more average 5-10 mph winds. DeafThunder: I do intend to landboard first, water may be later. 4 lines 2 handles does sound better than 3, you can release one handle and lose all power from the kite from what I understand. As far as barrowing/testing out some one's kite, it's not really possible as long as I'm deployed, beings that I am the only one here that is flying any type of kite. That being said I believe I have the discipline and the respect to learn solo and not exceed my limitations with an appropriate kite. By the time the kite gets to me I'll be 36 years old, with 18 years given to the Army. As well as I have taken the time to learn to fly RC Helicopters and Airplanes. If anyone has done either, they can tell you time spent not flying is more important than time flying. Although it's above my suggested price range I think I am going to pull the trigger on a Mikelp's suggestion, the 4m Peter Lynn. Now that I know of that kite, I'm finding a bit of literature and it sounds like a good fit for me.

I'm looking at getting a power kite to not only learn with, but to be able to use as a traction kite. I'm hoping for something close to $200, but should be able to talk the wife in to something up to $300. If the price range is at all possible. I currently have a ~6 foot 2 line delta (Chinese made) stunt kite that I can't really do tricks with but can put it anywhere within the window I want with ease, as well as do spins and loops. And I've gotten a little bored with it. What I want to get in to is Kite Boarding, and maybe eventually a buggy or eventually kite surfing (considering I live about an hour from Sherman Island). I currently weigh 175 lbs. I've been looking at 3+ line kites, the "brake" feature sounds like even though it adds complexity to flight, it adds greater control and possibly safety? I've been searching around and the kites that are in my range don't have a lot of literature that I can find. I'm think all the "flexifoil" 'branded' kites on Amazon are Chinese, and hear they may not be up to par, though if they're good enough might try one. There's also the HQ series, looks good, but not a lot on this forum/site about them. I've also looked at various kite selling websites but most have the same ramble about the kite. At any rate, I was hoping to get some input on kites that might fit what I'm looking for, it's all of you that know more than me.

One other question... what the heck is this sleeving thing? I think I've gathered that it's basically a jacket on either end of the line to designate which line is which, is there anything more to it than that?

Now that you mention it, I have been thinking that the lines streeeeetch, especially when I get the kite loaded up. I see what you mean about spectra being a bit pricey, doubt it would be that great of a boost above Dyneema, so I'll see about getting some dyneema line, at least it couldn't hurt, and could be backup for a future kite if it doesn't wake this kite up. Any advice about the weight of the line? What about length? As for "normalizing" this line every time I fly it, it's different. So I really should replace the line . I don't know what the spars are made of, but I think your right about fiber glass, thankfully they're hollow but they do see to be a bit heavy compared to some CF rods I've worked with on planes Thank all of you for the advice.

So yeah new the forum, and new to kiting in general. A little background, around 25 years ago I got a stunt kite from Big5 if memory serves me right. The kite lasted all of about 10 seconds in the air as it went up fine, I attempted to do a spin, and as a novice I got it as far as the nose pointing straight down. Short story shorter, one of the spars was shattered upon impact and I didn't try again. Fast forward, I'm currently stuck deployed in the middle east where there isn't any shortage of wind, so I've decided to make the best of it. I bought a cheap kite from amazon, and after two days, and 3-4 hours total, I'm hooked. This time, remembering my first experience, after I launched the kite I let it get some altitude, and then wiggled it, feeling out the controls, then spun it and flew it from one edge of the window to the other. I can now put the kite pretty much where I want it. A few questions, This kite feels sluggish in responding, is this because I'm a novice, or because some tuning is needed, or (my guess) because of the kite itself? The kite has a tendency to "porpoise" in flight, usually during fast flight. I use the term fast loosely as the kite seems slow, taking probably 8-10 seconds to go from one edge of the window to the other. My flying site is relatively open and flat. When I start flying the wind is below 25 knots, reported by a local airport. I fly until the wind is too slow to hold the kite in the air. I am quite interested in power/traction kites, and looking for suggestions on something that I might fly that can be a ground trainer and possibly move me on land/water/something. Outside of kite flying my other hobbies include R/C Planes and Helicopters, and SCUBA diving.