ebrogren (RIP)

I began with an iFlight I, which, as other fliers have found, tended to oscillate (pitch up, stall, dive, recover, and pitch up again. On advice of an iFlight I Vented flier, I photographed his to get the exact dimensions of the vent, and cut a vent in my unvented iFlight I. That cured the problem. Now, with the delightful, easy, slow glide of my iFlight II, I hardly ever touch the iFlight I any more.

I began with an iFlight I, which, as other fliers have found, tended to oscillate (pitch up, stall, dive, recover, and pitch up again. On advice of an iFlight I Vented flier, I photographed his to get the exact dimensions of the vent, and cut a vent in my unvented iFlight I. That cured the problem. Now, with the delightful, easy, slow glide of my iFlight II, I hardly ever touch the iFlight I any more.

It's only fair that such a poll be restricted to kites of consistent design and available to all voters. From the list my first vote is for the iFlight II, and the second for the Borelli Glider, but is it commercially available? With no restriction on choices, my stroingest vote by far would be for the Platz glider design as modified by Dick Curran. All credit goes to Dick for his changes from the standard Platz configuration. Like any glider it is best suited to a particular style of flying, but for slow, smooth amneuvering, it is fool-proof.

Various replies appear to refer to the eagle kite and reel as demonstrated on all three evenings at the 2012 WSIKF. The flier is Sanjiu Fang *, resident of Bellevue, WA, recently of China. He is a regular flier at the Bellevue Crossroads Community Center gym at the 2nd and 4th Thursday night sessions (425-452-4874). He has been willing to allow other fliers try his reel system which gives him so much control of the kite. Fang is currently (Oct 2012) in China with his ailing mother, but is expected to return to Bellwevue soon. I have one of his kites, which he gave to my granddaughter, in my kite zoo. If you'd like to see it on a Thursday night, in his absence, call 425-746-6005 0r email ewbnmb@centurylink.net. * - Fang speaks absolutely no English, but is often accompanied by his daughter as an interpreter. There is confusion regarding his name, i.e., given name vs. family name. His daughter's name is also Fang, but she says the two "Fangs" are different in Chinese characters. So we just call both of them Fang.

Thanks to all for the information. You've made me want both! I decided long ago, however, that I've just got to have a Skate. I plan soon to call and get on the wait list for one at ITW or The Kite Shoppe.

Has anyone had any experience comparing the Wala versus the Skate? Similar in configuration, size, and performance, as viewed in videos. Big difference in price. Difference in construction and material quality?

I had decided to buy a Focus "Skate" and found to my disappointment that Focus has shut down. I'd like to hear from anyone, individual or dealer, who has a Skate, new or used, for sale. Post a reply with email or phone number, and I'll contact.

I never knew what the rubber bands were for. The ones on the 3D belonging to my friend, that I fly frequently, have been broken, missing, or just pushed up the stand-off. I can't see what purpose they serve or served before they failed. The little sleeves near the ends of the stand-off seem to be firmly in place, keeping the end of the stand-off in place in its hole in the sail seam. The only trouble in this area I've had is with that end coming out of its hole. Finding the hole in the wind and blowing sand can be tedious. I've solved that problem by permanently securing the stand-off to the sail seam with a drop of Duco cement. For folding the kite, leave the stand-offs attached to the sail and detach them at the spreader. The problem apparently has been totally solved with the 4D. OldPilot

I would never have guessed that you were flying to new music. It was a great flight ! I wish i had video-recorded it, as I did for some of the other demos and some of the competition on Friday night, And I really wish I'd gotten a still shot of you and Conner together after your flight. That was a touching moment. I've watched John's videos and wish I could find similar tutorials for indoor dual line kites. The best I've found is the demonstration of basic moves done by Paul de Bakker, which I fortunately recorded at Lincoln City in March. He makes it look so easy ! Thanks again for your advise and inspiration. You can be sure that I'll continue to Try.

Did I see you fly at the gym at 2011 WSIKF ? Whether that was you or not, more power to you. What an inspiration ! It was there on the afternoon open gym practice sessions that I was fortunate to have my first taste of real indoor flying. I'm working on a possible place to fly indoors in Bellevue, and a lot depends upon my finding a close, inexpensive venue. That's why I've started with a home-made Borelli and my existing 4D. If a gym access works out I might consider buying an indoor Rev. I'm only slightly farther along in learning to fly a Rev outdoors than flying a dual line indoors. I'll admit the Rev does look easier, and I can already appreciate a kite that doesn't demand that you keep it in high speed motion to stay airborne. Many thanks for the encouragement.

I am a three year dual line outdoor flier, becoming more and more interested in indoor flying. I live near a public park space that often has zero or near-zero wind. I have become successful flying single line Borelli gliders and a Platz glider there, and recently had my first taste of flying in a gym - delightful! ! I have been working on flying my Prism 4D on windless days in my park space, but the learning is going slow and painful. I can do up-and-overs and brief merry-go-rounds until the kite descends to the ground or I get dizzy. I can't keep it airborne well enough the reverse the direction or pull it up and over again. I'm at an age where agility an balance are not at their best, so I need all the help I can get. Does anyone have suggestions for a kite, possibly lighter than the 4D, that would make my learning easier? I'm also open to advice on line length or any other advice. I began with 15 foot lines, but am now using 7 foot lines, which seem to make it easier.

Two-line flyers are usually cautioned that two-line experience may make quad learning more difficult. Here's a way to use two-line practice to help quad learning. Use handles with the line attach points off center. Hold the handles with the line below the center. For subtle movements of your two-line kite use the thumb push movements as recommended for quads. When you do, you are actually pulling on the line of that handle. For example, if the right wing of your two-line kite goes up, pushing with your right thumb actually pulls on the right line, rotating the kite to the right, i.e., "pushing" the right wing down, just like the response of a quad to a right thumb push. This works only for slight movements, but establishes the habit you need to fly a quad.