Progcraft

I choose my line length by what I feel like seeing and doing. Long line = more room to play Short lines = fast paced trick action (for me anyways ) I fly any particular like on lines from 65 to 100 feet. Just depends on wind, mood, and how much room I have to play in. Cheers, P.

Ok, I found one of the pictures: Now to find the Mermaid P

Ummm, you mean the page with the plans for the messenger and kites? That's not my webpage. But feel free to send Anthony an email telling him you like it P.

I'm hunting for two pictures which I'll post as soon as I find them. One of them is a giant inflatable mermaid, and the other is also somewhat relevant to your question P.

Yeah, he's a lot like me in the cute dept. The front of the messenger: Picture - front I use a 1.5 inch steel ring tied into the flying line of the sky anchor as the 'stop' for the messenger. The yellow tubing acts like bit of a shock and absorbs some of the force. When the messenger hits the steel ring, the wire is pushed down the tube. This is the body of the messenger. Picture - The Messenger The yellow tubing is another shock, and it connects the plunger to the trigger. When the wire is pushed through the tube (I call the wire a 'plunger'), it also pulls out the trigger. The trigger is threaded though the short tubes. Between the tubes is where the Moose hangs from. It's also where the bridle for the kite connects. Since that picture, I've rebuilt the messenger. I switched to 2mm fiberglass for the plunger and trigger. And I replace the hangers with a much thinner, lighter aluminum rod. Overall weight savings was substantial. End result: after going up (empty) really, really fast, it wouldn't come back down Plus, the whole tubing system on the front was destroyed. So, I'm going to rebuild it again. Longer and heavier. Ok, so, go here to see how to make it: Anthony's Lifting Messenger (Experimental) Now, I already know that Sgt Renfru is to heavy to send up the line with the Canuckian Eddy, so I'm going to go bigger. I might start with a double parasled design. I just need to figure out how to collapse the sail and make sure it does not get tangle in the anchor kites line. Ok, I've babble enough. P.

Thanks Underleaf. It is fun dropping things from high heights isn't it Here's a picture of the trial toss we did yesterday. A co-worker tossed it off the 5th floor balcony of our office building Cheers P.

I complete my latest project on the weekend. But, the wind didn't co-operate so I didn't get to drop him. Yes, it's a Moose wearing a RCMP coat and hat. On his back is the backpack and parachute I made. He's attached to a device called a Messenger, which is in turn attached to a 1m tall/wide Eddy kite (as a Canadian Flag) which was also made by me. I hope the wind picks up soon so I can try this puppy out. Although, preliminary tests yesterday lead me to believe that Sgt. Renfru is too heavy. So, I may end up makeing another Eddy lifter. The new one will be 2 meters by 2 meters. Cheers, P.

I think what you need can be found here: Peters kite site Click the terminolgy link, then find the bridle section. There is good, detailed, and easy to understand info on what adjustment cause which behavior. But, here's the mainly important part: By moving the bridle adjustment point * toward the nose (forward or up), the nose is brought closer to you, dumping air more quickly out the back of the sail. Effects on the kite are: faster, lighter wind capability, less pull and slower/wider turns. By moving the nose forward in high winds, you will dump more air and lessen the pull exerted. * away from the nose (back or down) sets the nose or the top of the kite away from you which retains wind in the sail longer. Effects are: slower, needs more wind, more pull, faster/tighter turns, and much more responsive. * to the outside reduces the turn speed, reduces oversteer, reduces radicalness and increases the turn radius. * to the inside (towards the spine) increases the turn speed, increases oversteer, increases radicalness and reduces the turn radius. Also, don't remove the upper spreader. That will change many dynamics of the kite and will likely not fly as well. You do need that stiffness there in order to get proper response from line inputs. HTH Progcraft

Hi. Here's the plans for one. You can just go build your own now http://www.pizazzkites.com/kitelife/ Cheers, P.

I build my own kites. Considering the trouble I sometimes have to go through and the number of I times I call it a B***H when I screw up, they are definatly female And, like a female, if you stroke 'em just right, they co-operate and play nice P

A rule of thumb that I use, when the tips of the leading edge's start to vibrate (flap), then the max wind speed has been exceeded for that particular kite. In my experience, that is the only real clue you get that your kite has past it's max ability and will soon self-destruct. Being dragged by a kite does not mean it's at it's maximum wind velocity. Nor does the amount of 'finesse' required reflect a max wind velocity. When those limits are reached, well, they are YOUR limits, not the kites. In general most standard dual line kites tend to max out at around 25 mph. But, in short, if you like flying, and have not seen any negative affects to your kite (cracked spars, overly-stretched sail, holes), then just keep on doin what you be doin Cheers, P.

Aye, what Aiyana said. I've flown an E2 a few times now. I found it to be a worthy kite. But, your right about it being loose in the cornering. No tight patterns with that kite. If you really, really wanted to get tight cornering with an E2, you'll have to build yourself a new bridle and sacrifice many other qualities like it's ability to stall instantly and stay stalled (I really like the way the E2 stalls). Also, you won't have the nice and flat spin tricks and will likley never do another 540. But, if you want tight corners...... Anyways, from reading your post, I'd say your ready to go get an Obsession. Great price, all the tricks, but better cornering. (and better adjustabily to go from real tight to real loose) I like the obsession better then the E2. I find the Obsession to be a nice, tight, responsive kite that can take your abuse and give some back when it want to Cheers, P.

From what I can tell, flowforms are supposed to do at least a little bit of wobbeling in the sky. But, getting to the point of collapse is probably not right (unless your in high wind). Try shortening the middle bridles a little. That's what fixed my problem. (same as you described. Lot's of wobble till it finally collapses). I also increase my bridle lines to twice the length of the kite. (not span) This is with a 2m long FF03a kite (made from an old 8 man tent ) Cheers, P.

are you laying the jar on its side? No upright position it seems like the handle would get hot, No. Just don't use a narrow mouthed jar I guess. And only one hot tool per jar. I know a few others use jars as well. They seem to work well. P.

G'day. I use jars for my hot cutter and hot tacker. I find them to be a good solution. And I too prefer to Hot Cut everything. Even the stuff the ends up getting edge binding put on. Or a rolled hem. I don't know why. I guess like CodyKiteguy, I just do. P.

What did you use for the spine and cross-spar???? I'm totally intrigured. I think I might build a train like this. Thanks, P.

G'day. I put my winders on the vents in my house. They dry fine over night. I do a lot of winter flying and my kites and line are always getting thourougly soaked then dryed in this fashion. I've not noticed any pre-mature degradation of the line. I still use the original 150# lines that my obsession came with. 8 years ago!!! hth Cheers, P.

Here's a plan (in french?) My Whttp://www.vientocero.com/kpb/planos/ace2/ace2.html I don't this language. Might be spanish? http://www.vientocero.com/kpb/planos/doble/doble.html This one is in english http://www.vientocero.com/kpb/planos/classroom/kitc0037.htmlMy Webpage And one more in another language. http://www.vientocero.com/kpb/planos/trlby/trlby.html Hope that helps. P.

Geert made an Eddy kite for the 'Crazy Eddy' kite arch. He also helped Mountain Man build a big a beautifull Dragon called 'Mira, The Lady of the Sky' which you can find here abut 3/4 of the way down. Cheers, P.

I've found the harness and link line to be invaluable on a buggy. But, when standing on a board (be it mountain or snow), I don't really like to hook in. It might be because I use NPW9b kites, but I need to be able to react with my arms to make sure I don't do either a face or butt plant. P.

Thanks guys You don't need a Ft. Worden course to do this Moon. Just dive in like I did. I sewed my first stitch less then a year ago To respond to Kram: The kite is in fact a combination of 3 popular quilting methods. Square-squares, log cabin, and bargello. There was no special meaning for this pattern. The whole thing though was inspired (yet again) by a couple of John Freeman's kites. A couple week ago, the idea of the combined squared-squares and log cabin popped into my head. Then, on that Sunday, a spur of the moment urge made me start building the twin DC kite. I actually had no idea how it was going to look. After I made the first 8 squares (for the box sides), I finally decided on adding a bagello pattern.. Even then, I made up each bargello piece just before I sat down to start cutting the fabric. A real seat-of-the-pants type of pattern. Cheers, P.

Crazy Eddy, my triple stacked kite arch, made a friend at the Edmonton Kite festival. (click the picture for a really big, high res versin) It's the Fort Worden arch. 139 kites! It's normally kept by Sam Houston, but a very nice lady in Edmonton by the name of Bev (and I forgot here last name) was able to borrow it to fly at this festival It's a most wonderfull kite arch. BOTH archs where each built by the sheer co-operation and good-will of dozens and dozens of people. Total count is 242 kites flying there!! It was very cool. Cheers, P.

The festival in Edmonton was held on Sunday. I went up Saturday morning. I arrived at the park where the festival was to be held at about noon I knew the other early day flyers would be showing up throughout the day. So, first thing I did was set up the twin. Before I was finished, Brian (also from calgary) showed up at the park and gave me hand putting it together. I put the two point on the bridle in a postion that I thought would work. Then, I walked out about 25 feet of line. The wind was rather light. 5 - 8 Kph. I wasn't expecting much. I tugged on the line and walked backwards. The twin went straight up And sorta stayed there (wind was light). But, it was flying . I had to let out a whoop of victory After a few bridle tweaks to get it to fly solid, I flew the kite for a while then put it away (it was to be a special surprise remember). After most everyone else showed up, about a dozen people including the organaize Ken Mueller and Ray Bethell, I brought it out again and flew it for a short while. It flew nice. The wind on Sunday was really, really strong. Heavy winds. They lightened up around 10:00 which is when people really started to show up for the festival. I only brought the kite out once for a very short flight. I was a afraid the kite would snap in half. Then... Around 4:30 the wind slacked off enough for me to bring it out. I flew it at about 40 feet high right in the front of the park, and the stage. It was pretty cool to see all of the people suddenly stop and gather around. Lot's of finger pointing and camera clicking And finally, to top off the day: The kite won a prize for 'The most beatifull kite'. I was thrilled I call this kite, A success I love it Cheers, P. ps. You can click on the pictures to get a really big, high res version.

Ray's tails are custom made for him. Check this out: I got to fly this today: It's one of Ray's UL Pizzaz kties today :) Boy was that every cool to fly that kite with hime coaching me. The wind was null to just above null. But this kite (he flys this one from his hips) fles ohhh so ver nice. Wonderfull tracking, beatufulll circles. he he he I got to fly Ray's kite he he he P.

I just completed my latest kite. It's a 3.6m wide Twin Delta Conyne. I just completed framing and bridleing it last night. Here's a picture from just before adding the frame: There's 448 pieces of fabric in it. It will fly for the first time later today up in Edmonton. They are having thier 'Kites over Callingwood' festival this weekend. Really looking forward to it. Cheers, P.