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Wayne Dowler

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Posts posted by Wayne Dowler

  1. still around and still flying

    in Open Topic

    Posted

    Yeah, haven't  been on for quite awhile now. Life changes. Have returned to the working world to keep up with expenses. Part time security officer - 4 days/week. Lots of walking.

    Anyway - just wanted everyone to know I'm still around and mostly using FB as my info source.

     

    Fly high my friends, fly high.......

    • Like 6
    • Like 1

  3. What are your current most rewarding indoor/outdoor “negligible” wind short line drills?

    in Indoor Flying

    Posted

    Just be careful not to overdo any adjustments. You want the sail smooth, but don't introduce any new wrinkles. Usually you work to remove horizontal wrinkles and not add any vertical ones. Overdoing adjustments will put undo strain on your sail. 

    Besides caps or tubing on the verts, may I suggest one more thing. I added a piece of insignia tape over the holes punched into the sail where the bunji goes. Keeps them from pulling through or elongating the holes.

     

    • Like 1

  4. Freilein Oskusa Vertigo vs Exodus ?

    in Quad Heads

    Posted

    Not sure the model, but I flew one of the Freilein sails early on as a tester. It was before Andy went to holes on the LE and still used mesh. He gave me 2 to try for a weekend at a festival, a std and a mid. Winds were right up the std range. It flew just fine. At that time, it flew just about as well as anything on the market. I felt it was a great choice for anyone starting out.  IMO

     

    PS: I did end up using a Rev race frame in it, just to see how that felt - I liked it even more!! I'm sure that Andy has plenty of available options for one now, depending on your use. I think at the time it had T-2 rods in it.

    • Like 1

  6. Rev 1.5 SLE Newbie Questions on Parts

    in Quad Heads

    Posted

    Those 7/16" spars are pretty indestructible, but with little flex, they also make the sail a bit harder to control. A full set of 5 rods shouldn't cost too much more than buying only 2. I would highly recommend it for advancing your learning curve.

    Don't skimp on getting quality line! It is your only connection between you and the kite. Stick to known, quality, line makers - Laser Pro Gold, Shanti Skybond, Vectriva (Andy Ocean Shores brand). No polyester or nylon!! I would suggest either 80' or 120' to start. many fly on shorter, but the window is small and your reaction time better be really good! Longer is better to learn on.

  8. Rev 1.5 SLE Newbie Questions on Parts

    in Quad Heads

    Posted

    As was said - you may have a stock bridle, just in 2 colors. To be safe, I'd get one from here, as well as leaders.

    Spars. You should have gotten 5 pieces - 4 with no ferrule and equal in length, 1 ferruled at both ends. You may have the SLE tubes for the leading edge, they are slightly bigger in diameter, I believe 7/16". the others should be 1/4". It is possible the whole 5 pieces are 1/4". then all the unferruled pieces can be interchanged. the ferruled piece goes in the center of the leading edge. All 6 spar ending points on the sail should have caps, attached with bungee cord. 

    Personally, I don't use the SLE tubes. They don't flex enough to create the 'belly" in the center of the sail. If you don't have a full set of 1/4" spars, I encourage you to look online or visit your local kite store and get some. Makes your kite much more controllable. As a beginner, I'd look for a set of 3 wrap rods. Light enough for most use and tough too. 2 wrap or race frames are better taken advantage of by more experienced fliers.

    Enjoy!

    • Like 1

  11. DOWN ........BUT NOT OUT....!

    in Open Topic

    Posted

    Healing pretty well so far. Swelling is going down in my operated leg. PT has given me exercises to strengthen the leg and increase flexibility. Got a dr appointment to remove staples and assess things. Looking forward to being able to put more weight on it. Gradual improvement......

    • Like 4

  13. DOWN ........BUT NOT OUT....!

    in Open Topic

    Posted

    Sorry to have been quiet for so long, but life has dealt me a setback. I will be getting a new replacement hip on Thursday. Something about my body is rejecting the replacement I had done in 2009. The doctor isn't sure what he will find until he gets in there and sees for himself. I'm not kidding when I say I'm a little nervous about this. When they were replaced them before, I knew why. This time - not so sure..... 

    Any way, I thought I'd keep you up on the latest and promise to post as soon as I am able.

    Fingers crossed and all that......

     

    Wayne

    • Thanks 2

  17. Not giving up...

    in Beginners

    Posted

    12 hours ago, khsidekick said:

    Pro Dancer is my go to SUL when the wind is less than 2 it’s the one kite I know that will always fly. I have a couple UL for 3 to 4 Delta Drive UL or Mamba UL. If you want to fly below 2 I recommend the Sky Burner Pro Dancer it’s not a trick machine but in the right hands is capable of a few.

    Yes it can!!

    • Like 1

  19. Foam grips

    in Quad Heads

    Posted

    Just be aware that some rod suppliers have firmer foam than some others. I have sets that use a very dense, firm foam and a set of JB's with thick, but squishier foam. Many options, just gotta look....

  20. Comparison question.

    in Quad Heads

    Posted

    To answer 1 question - the venting on the 'B" is slightly more than a vented SLE sail. Look closely, and you will see that the vented panels are ever so smaller on the SLE. 

     

    Agree with riff - 'B" pros were almost always a special order item. Most fliers liked to pick their own color combos. There were a few standard combos that some stores might have gotten as display pieces. But I'm guessing those were gone pretty fast.

    • Like 1
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