makatakam

Weather forecast for tomorrow: 70 degrees . . . . . . and rain.

Guilty

I recommend a full-vent as your next kite. It will give you the ability to fly when the wind is anywhere between 4 and 25 mph, taking into account the kites you already have. Which design is up to you. I lean towards the B for everyday use. The Polo would be fine, but it costs more. If you have the bankroll, go for it. Some would argue that a mid-vent should be what you get. If you plan to just sit and watch when the wind is very strong, then get that. Otherwise, the full-vent will give you a broader range to fly in, and will help to improve your flying skills more quickly when you use it in that "gray" area where the mid-vent would be ideal. After you have a standard sail and a full-vent you can consider a mid, or a light wind kite like the Zen. You can try mine when we see each other on the field. Light-wind flying is a completely different, and sometimes very frustrating ballgame, until you totally master the basic skills and can use the sail more efficiently with maximum brake in the line settings. Handle length for outdoor Rev-like kites is 11, 13, or 15 inches, depending on kite and conditions. 13" and 15" are the ones used most often. 11" are used when you want to decrease input to absolute minimum, for instance, 40-mph wind or extreme precision in normal wind, or when flying a quad with an extremely stiff frame to keep it from sliding out of the sky as easily. Now that the weather is beginning to get a bit better, I should be out flying once it's in the 60's regularly. We can get together and you can try some of my kites, or others if the other guys join us, before you drop any change on your next kite. My phone number is 224.227.0638 -- put in in your contact list. Call me anytime, except at 3:00 am.

It hit 54 degrees today. Another 10 degrees and I'll fly.

Found it. It's pinned in "Off Topic" > "Need to rant".

Just a little something to cheer you up. I haven't flown since November -- don't do cold, don't travel much. Probably won't get out until April. As they say, "count your blessings". P.S. -- There is a "rant" topic somewhere on the forum somewhere around here which encourages creative complaint. Look around, it could be fun and take your mind off the weather.

Hi, Barry, and welcome to the forum. I'm glad you found us. l look forward to flying with you someday.

Yup, I really want that! Gotta start looking for something to trade for it.

Congratulations, Edmond.

I want that!

Try giving to the kite a bit by moving towards it for a brief moment as you make a punch turn. It stalls the kite slightly and squares up the turn for you.

Happy Birthday! The kite looks like a keeper.

Wayne's wrong. It also needs YOU! If you want to get in fairly cheap, keep an eye on used Revs on eBay, or go to a kite festival and talk to the Rev pilots there. Someone may have an old one they don't fly anymore that they can sell for a good price. I recommend getting new lines. The handles can be used, or make them yourself. Not too difficult if you're at least half-handy. An old junk screwdriver or a pointy stick will work as a stake. Making your own golf-ball style stake is super easy. If you have any questions about anything kite related, ask them here. We can help you so you don't spend money on "junk".

Yeah, but it's a quality list!

Another option for you is to go to a kite festival and talk to the flyers there. Kite flyers are a friendly bunch and quite willing to help with projects like this, and may even have everything you need to make these repairs with them. There is usually a kite shop set up at festivals, and can help you either on the spot or through the mail.

Hi, Nekoshi, and welcome to the forum. I don't recognize that kite, but I'm sure someone on this forum will. I look forward to flying with you some day.

Too much kite in not enough wind seems to be the only problem you are having. Get a UL kite or be more selective of the wind you fly in. Otherwise, you're coming along just fine.

People will laugh when you walk down the street.

You are ready for the Megafly. Just a bit of practice holding in one spot for a long time is all you need. With that many kites in the air at one time, each kite has to move as little as possible to not crowd the others. It may take as long as 15 minutes just to get everyone positioned where they should be. If your kite is one of the first group to launch, you will be bored by the time the last group launches, and you will need to hold your position until everyone is airborne.

I'm thinking more of the pull it would generate and fighting the wind for control. The "venting" actually creates more lift somehow. I have been amazed by how low a wind speed a vented kite will fly in compared to a standard sail. I think, by what I saw in the video, that it is already creating enough extra lift to compensate for the additional weight. But, we shall see, right?

Oh, and I forgot to mention, it flies very well too.

That's good. I'll talk to you about using "stays" to keep the belly from rolling under when I see you.

Very nice. Looks even better in sunlight. I'm lovin' it. Full vent wind may be a bit too much for it -- count the holes and do the math -- it looks like mid vent territory is where it will me most comfortable.

I suspect that it will be faster because of the higher aspect ratio. Exactly the same scenario as this build: Six inches wider, three inches less height.

I like it. Will have to try it next time I see you. I can help with the bridle because I have made many from scratch. If the line attachment points on the bridle are too close to the sail it will make it very twitchy in flight.