Ribcracker

Yes! Thanks, Bill. I remember that tail. I think I used it for a wind sock in my back yard until it eventually fell apart. And it was quite light. So it sounds like drag and surface area is more important than weight. Okay. Any ideas for a home-made version?

Nope, not yet. Yesterday's winds were between 10 and 15 mph but they were erratic. I would stand with my back to the wind, launch, gain about 15-20 feet and then the kite would fold like a rag-doll as the wind changed directions. This may sound like an exaggeration but it would shift from north to south, to east, to west, and back again. Weird! I did have it up long enough to notice that it has a bad habit of wagging and weaving back and forth. So maybe it will need some more adjustment or perhaps a tail. It has a loop in back for attaching a tail. When I was a kid we made them by tearing an old sheet into strips. What would you suggest for a tail? Does length matter or is it all about weight? Strong winds are predicted for this weekend as a cold front moves through. I look forward to the cooler temps. And maybe I can get a decent flight in. Bud

Mitch, Snowbound! Ha! We've been consistently in the nineties this summer. I'm sure it's even worse in St. Louis. You've prolly already seen this but here's the site for the "string-less" kites: http://www.premierrc.com/index.shtml They use the same electronic components as the electric planes. The only downside is that kites have so much drag that if you get downwind, you'll never get back - like thistle down on the wind. Wave bye-bye. So you'd have to fly on extremely calm days or else indoors. And speaking of indoor flight, check this out: The ETOC (Electric Tournament of Champions) is held in Toledo, Ohio every April. Toledo's only 100 miles from here so it's become a yearly road trip for my wife and I. This indoor flying competition brings out the best pilots from around the world and guess what - they're all kids The competition begins with 16 pilots, each performing a sequence of known maneuvers, as well as a freestyle routine to their choice of music. At the end of the night, 8 pilots make it to the next round. RJ Gritter (who flies in this video) made the cut. Those pilots duked it out for four spots. RJ Gritter did not make that cut.In the end, Seth Arnold (a 14 year old kid) took first place for his first ETOC win. The caliber of flying this year was incredible. Several pilots flew freestyle routines with variable pitch props (like RJ), which allowed them to hover upside down and fly backwards. For guys like me, it's breathtaking. Peace, Bud 　Here's some more aerials. I was shooting a subdivision near my house and had to share the airspace with a float plane. 　 　

About the image on the ground; the RC plane guys do that, too. It's called FPV (first person view). You put a camera in the plane or kite that is wirelessly linked to a monitor on the ground so that you can see what the camera sees. I think the units have a range of about a mile so you can fly your plane or kite beyond your line of vision. Extremely cool!

Good eye, Mitch. I'm the little white speck at the tip of the fat arrow, further from the barn. Here's a series of me coming in for a landing on the frozen pond behind my house. I keep a landing strip shoveled. Bud

Mitch, I strap a common digital camera to a stick type plane and angle it about 45 deg downward. I use shoe-goo to glue a $5 servo to the camera with the servo arm poised over the shutter button. The servo is plugged into a spare channel in the receiver and I trigger it with a lever on my transmitter. So, I just point the plane at what I want to take a picture of and push the lever. You can never really be sure what you're getting so I take 40 or 50 pictures per flight in order to be assured of getting at least a dozen good ones. Don't forget, digital film is cheap. You can also put the camera in movie mode. That's always cool. Here are a few shots of my set-up and another self portrait. I'm standing behind the red barn just south east of center. Can you see me? No? Me either.

I think you've got me squared away, Bill. I had been going about it all wrong. But I set things per your specs and I believe she's ready for the wide blue as soon as the winds pick up. When hanging from it's tow ring it settles at 35 degrees from horizontal and the wings are level so I assume no lateral adjustments are necessary. The winds were dead here today so I couldn't test the kite but it was perfect for electric RC planes. If you kiters thrill at the sight of your charge against a cobalt blue sky you'll love kiting's sister-sport. Electric planes are quiet, safe, and very maneuverable in small fields. Also, I notice you have a section for aerial photography. RC planes are perfect for that. I've included a self portrait of me...outstanding in my field. Peace, Bud

John, I appreciate the link to the Kitebuilder forums and I plan to spend some time getting educated there. But BillLamm owns the actual kite that I have so I'm hoping he'll be able to provide me with the bridle specs that are specific to this particular kite. He is the "horse's mouth", if you will. Bill, Do I have the connection sequence right?

Bill, Boy, am I glad you chimed in. That's the exact same kite! The lines from the "wheels" are still intact and they do in fact measure 22 inches each. Here's where I'm confused: You say the tow point ring is 33" from the nose. I can arrange that. But then you say the nose bridle is 44" long from the nose to the other two bridle lines. What does that mean? Do I tie the two 22" lines to the main line 44" from the nose and then tie the actual kite line to the ring that is 33" from the nose? I appreciate your patience with this. Bud

Thanks for your responses, guys. Here are some snaps of the bipe. Mitch, your 15 degree angle from horizontal might be exactly what I need. But there's still the matter of adjustable knots. I Googled larks head knot and got some good information on that. I won't be able to try it out until tomorrow. If you guys see anything in the photos worth mentioning - please do. Really, thank you. Peace, Bud

Folks, I have a single line nylon kite in the shape of a biplane. It has a five foot wingspan and the frame is carbon fiber. The nose is open like a windsock but the tail is closed. There are pockets in the wing tips. The name on the tag is Top of the Line. This kite used to fly effortlessly in any wind conditions but it sat in my barn for almost 15 years and the bridle lines deteriorated. I foolishly tried to replicate the bridle without first getting measurements of the old set-up and now I can't get the kite to fly. The main line connects to the nose hoop and two lines run from the ersatz landing gear to the main. I've tried all manner of configurations but can't seem to achieve the proper attitude or angle of attack. Is there a bridle formula or rule of thumb for bipe kites? Also, adjusting the bridle would be a lot easier if there were a way to tie the side lines to the main with a knot that's adjustable but won't slip. I'd love to get this glorious old kite in the air again. Any advice? Thanks for any ideas you may have. Respectfully, Bud