makatakam

You can use just a S-shaped carabiner/key ring that is readily available at hardware stores, convenience stores and even many gas stations. The stakes you made will be fine for grassy fields, but may be too short to hold in sand when you fly at the beach. I make my golf ball stakes 14 to 15 inches long. That length seems to hang well from a biner or a belt loop. Some slide them behind the belt. I have also seen them dangling from the loop on cargo pants on occasion. I do have a custom stake that was gifted to me that came with a sheath and it is my go-to, but when I've got more than one kite set up, the home-made golf ball ones come out of the bag. Edit: Also the point can be rounded. Even in dry ground something that thin will penetrate. Less chance of injury with a rounded point, especially if fly something with a lot of pull.

It's what makes the kite fly. (If you leave me an opportunity this big, I just gotta go for it) I believe the old EXP's were made of ripstop nylon. If they are trying to keep the price point low it probably is still nylon.

@FranckPG If you think that's bad you should have seen my first week. Thank God no one recorded it!

Sounds like you have things in control. Do watch the videos many times. Do get the extended leaders, or modify the tops that come with the handles to be at least twice as long. Longer leaders are a MUST if you expect to do any better than "flogging". If you find anything baffling in the least bit, ask about it. The solution may not be logical. The upright spars go in back. Some beginners make the mistake of putting them in front which makes the kite difficult for a pro to fly. Of course, you'll see the proper assembly of the kite when you watch the videos. Stay in touch.

Wow, an inch would drive me crazy. I'm not saying it would be hard to fly, just that the difference in turns, speed and radius, with the same inputs would be very annoying to me, and I'm pretty lame with dual-line kites. I start looking for what makes a kite move differently to the left than it does to the right as soon as I discover the inconsistency. I don't want to deal with repairs, so I try to find the cause 'cause the cause may cause a crash. (the devil made me do it)

Yeah, now that Kansas Flier mentioned it, if one line stretched 2 feet you won't be able to fly the kite. It will only turn in one direction, and be difficult if not impossible to control.

You are describing a SuperBlast 2-4, or at least my first impression of one. Can't wait to see the video.

I have flown Revs on lines from eight feet to two hundred and fifty feet long. The shorter the lines, the faster the kite moves, and the perimeter of the wind window decreases. You have less time to react to the kite's movement and this makes it harder to learn. The advice most experienced pilots give to folks just starting out is to use 80ft or longer lines. You can do it with 65's, it's not impossible, but it will be more difficult and take longer unless you are a "natural". Some people pick it up in minutes. Some people will still be having a hard time after 10 hours on the lines. You will probably fall somewhere in between. I would recommend a 120ft set that you may fashion into two shorter sets eventually when they begin to wear. 120ft are the common length you will fly in a group should you get the chance at a fest. 120's also give you a huge area to fly across. I would recommend learning on 120's and timing your learning to when the tide is out. I know that's a pain in the ass and won't let you fly each time you get the urge, but you'll get more smiles per gallon when you're not fighting the kite. Most beginners start backing up when trying to fly the kite, walking backwards until they run out of room. Don't. One step back when launching, then try to stay in the same spot or even move forward a few steps when the kite is pulling well, so if you do need to add some oomph if the wind slows down you have the room to do it. Don't fly in the upper or lower recommended wind range stated for the kite. Stay about five mph away from the extremes until you have mastered basic control of the kite. It will only frustrate the crap out of you if you try. The techniques you will need for those conditions will come to you with time. It may take as much as 80 hours to get the hang of it. Remember, you're doing this to have fun. Don't make it like work. You will have some frustrating situations arise if you will be learning on your own without an experienced flyer by your side telling you what not to do, so check out the beginner tutorials available on this forum and watch each one several times until you nearly have it memorized. Then watch them a few more times -- seriously. Pay very close attention to everything John says in them. He does not give you any info you won't need. If you do it exactly the way he describes it, you will have zero problems, especially the videos on setup and breakdown and handling the lines at those times. Treat what he tells you in the tutorials as GOSPEL and you'll do well. These are proven methods that will not let you down. Once you have established a routine way of doing things you will begin to develop your own "style". Until then stick with what is guaranteed to work. And just so you know you're not alone, at least 95% of all quad flyers have tangled their lines, horribly. Frustrating as hell -- oh yeah! Sit down, untangle them, get over it. __it happens. If it feels like the kite is out of your control most of the time and you'll probably break it. You may consider taking a couple of spare frame pieces with you just in case. You will use them if you fly fairly often. They do wear out eventually. Buy no-snag handles if you can get them at the same time as the kite, and extended leaders for them. If you end up with the hog ring style handles, we'll tell you how to modify them to make them snagless. Definitely get or make extended leaders for the handles. If you don't, you'll never have your kite adjusted well for conditions. I'm sure others will chime in to give you some insight into their experience with quad kites, so stay tuned. If you have questions, ask. We'll give options you may not have considered, and tell you what will only cause frustration even though it may seem like the logical solution. If you're going to do it on your own once you get there, stay in touch so we can give you a hand with it.

The odds of the line stretching two feet are "slim, to none", literally. The most likely explanation is missing a loop or two when winding, an assembly error by whoever made the lineset, or a manufacturing inconsistency in the weave that wasn't noticed. Check the shorter line to make sure you haven't inadvertently tied any knots in it that you didn't notice. Sometimes you end with a knot when you move or drag the lines around, which is common. Do stretch both lines, paying special attention to the one that ended up shorter. If the difference after stretching them is more than 1/4 inch, untie the end loop and adjust. This can be done on the field, but the first time or two you should do it at home unless you have no choice. If the difference in length is 1/2 inch or less, you can shorten the long line by tying a knot in the loop as close to the others as possible. Each knot you tie will shorten the line up to 1/2 inch depending on the thickness of the line and sleeving (if any) combined. This is a good cheater method than can be quickly done on the field, and I have used it as a permanent fix for years now with no issues, even with quads to shorten 3 out of 4 lines. If you have any questions about making the adjustment, ask. Or you can just screw this crap and go fly when Rob can make it. The avatar looks great. I have sent the hubby an email telling him you intend to buy many more kites and he says it's ok as long as you buy some for him also.

Hell no! You take a rod or two and a kite or two. No wind? Fish. No fish? Fly. Simple solution. Sometimes both are good. Win/win. Twice the smiles. Once in a while -- No fish, no wind. Beer.

_._ _. ...._ _._ _ _._ _ kn4kqt -- I don't get it. Communicating with kite aliens?

Small parafoils are relatively inexpensive, have no hard parts to break, are easy to learn with, and with a good wind they zip around pretty qickl. They are a good way to learn basic 2-line control. The other option is to spend a bunch more and get a framed dual-line stunt kite that you can grow into, which will probably involve a couple of repairs as you get the hang of it. A single line kite flying while you play is a good way to keep an eye on what the wind is doing. It really doesn't matter how you start, because if you get into it you will end up owning one or more of everything. Within two years of buying the 10-foot single-line delta I started with, I had 27 assorted kites in my bag, including quads that became my addiction. Have fun, smile and don't forget to breathe. I look forward to sharing a field with you.

I am an avid fisherman fishing addict. I am also a kite addict. You will find that there are as many species of wind as there are fish, and they are just as elusive. The equipment you can use to catch them is as simple or as complicated as you wish to make it, just as it is in fishing. Your approach to the pastime and the equipment you use will be determined by, and exponential to, the amount of joy derived from the pursuit, and the level of addiction therein. Just as in fishing, the best advice to give anyone who is just starting is "good luck!", and therefore I wish you the best of luck. You're gonna need it. Smile, have fun and don't forget to breathe. P.S. -- I've tried most, but prefer smallies and Revs. (and fossils)

All of the above. If you're having problems deciding, flip a coin. Save the coin. You'll be flipping it many times again.

Best way to handle your "how should I begin" dilemma is to fly someone else's kite. Tell us where you live, city & state, and we can guide you to someone in your area you can meet with, or to nearby festivals coming up this year. Kite people are a friendly bunch -- really, we don't bite -- and 99% of us would be more than willing to let you try one of ours and clue you in on how to use it, including a lesson or two. If you go to a festival, don't be afraid to ask questions or ask to try. We love being the center of attention and showing newcomers how much of an expert we are. Or you can just do what I did. Buy a single line kite. Two weeks later get a dual. Two months later get a quad. No matter what you do, you'll have fun. Just do it.

Try flipping your quad handles upside-down for some interesting fun.

Hi, bbq, and welcome to the forum. I'm guessing you want to try stunt kiting, probably dual line. I've seen them and shared the field with them on many occasions. They frequent the festivals in the Midwest. Any questions you have can be answered here, and since you live in the Detroit area, you can probably even find the Windjammers practicing in the area and get to know them. Heck, if you get good enough, who knows, you might even join them. Good people. Fun people. Just like all other kiters. Jump right in; the water's fine. If you can, get to the festival in Grand Haven this year. I'm sure they will be there as this year appears to be the last time this event will happen. I may go. I may see you there.

In the alley, behind the local bar, line going across the railroad tracks, within 3/8 of a mile of the local airport. SLK, started out at about 50 feet but with a couple of beers that changed to over 200. The airport called the FAA people, who called the local police, who came by to visit me. Luckily they told me to bring it down and never do that again, with no fines or jail time. I felt very lucky and thankful. Definitely a feeling of I shouldn't be doing this, as it's happening, and I should have known someone would nail me, but hey -- beer.

The most important facet of water flying is that the kite must be wet. If not, you will never master it. But seriously, the only thing you need to know is that it is exactly the same as flying in air only much, much, much slower, plus, you can't see the kite. So, if you practice flying the kite in air with your eyes closed you will learn how the kite "feels". It will "feel" the same in the water, only you can't move it as fast. In some videos, you can see JB flying, but he's not looking at the kite. It is possible to know where and how the kite is going without seeing it. It's not easy, and I have played with, but not mastered it. Once you can fly with your eyes closed, even briefly, then.......

Consider getting a cheap "beater" and putting some holes in it by yourself. All you need is a piece of junk glass to work on and a five-dollar soldering iron. Voila, instant full-vent, or more. Flying something you created is twice the amount of fun.

I hate to burst your bubble, but here goes. You must see a solid black icarex quad backlit by the sun in late afternoon. At first you won't believe what you're seeing. Then there's purple and red at sunset, or yellow and orange in the morning. I love/want them all. Then there's white against a deep blue sky. I give up. Help!

And if you want to go super cheap, head over to Home Depot and take a look at surveyors' tape, or over to Joann's Fabrics and check out the ribbon rack. I don't have any "good" tails, but I do carry a couple rolls of surveyors tape in my bag for when I get the urge.

Hi Tony, and welcome to the forum. Lots of retired guys on here and a bunch that are still a long way off. That's what is great about kites -- no age barriers. If you are just starting out and want to learn quads this is the best place to be. John Barresi, who started and runs this forum is one of the top ten quad flyers in the world, and probably the best there is, and he will actually talk to you and fly with you if you meet. Down-to-earth real person. You will have many questions on your quad-line kite journey. They can be answered here. All you have to do is ask. We all started at the beginning and will gladly help you through the initial stages of acquiring control. It's not as easy as the pros make it look, but at the same time, it's not rocket science. Basic control can be learned in a couple of hours. There are tutorial videos on this forum that will guide you from simple setup to advanced tricks. Watch the beginner vids a few times each, and listen carefully. The methods John describes are tried and tested and will serve you well. Gospel, as we old-schoolers would say. Most importantly, have fun, smile and don't forget to breathe.

Sold out. Standing room only? @Cairncross , you're gonna love this clinic. If you are new to quads, this is just about the best way in the whole world to get started. And welcome to the forum.

Say that fast 10 times. Thanks. When I need spare parts, I'll know who to call first. I carry maybe four or five frames in my Rev bag, and 14 kites. That's heavy enough for me, and only goes to kite fests and club flies. To the park near my house I take one or two kites (in case the wind changes), one set of handles and lines, and a stake.