makatakam

Oh, so that's what you were on. I always thought you were high on kites, or something. Scotch and Soda? "... I feel higher than a kite can fly, Oh me, Oh my, baby do I feel high."

I don't see anything radically wrong in the photo, except that angle made by the lower spreader at the T. If that T is already damaged it would explain the angle. In most kites the lower spreader halves should be parallel to each other at the T, and the spine should be very near the ground when the kite is lying on its face. In other words, the middle should be closest to the ground. The way to check the frame members for longitudinal cracks that may not be visible is to flex and twist gently and listen closely. It will talk to you if it's cracked. By the way, the stake looks great.

Veni, vidi, fugi. (I came, I saw, google it) The heart is willing, but the wallet is weak.

I try to vent a little every day. It's good for the soul.

The first "power" foil I tried (OPK) was a 5m Beamer, in relatively light wind. I'm still looking for my shoulder sockets. I weigh in at about 135lbs and a ten-minute workout with that kite convinced me that at my age power kiting had no chance of becoming "my thing". Later the same day the same guy talked to into trying his 8m. After two minutes of hovering at the top of the window I handed it back to him and my conviction garnered from flying the 5m was set in stone. Hi, my name is Mark, and I am NOT a power addict.

I normally run into that with my home-mades. The aspect ratio is always different, most probably because I don't use templates to recreate existing patterns, neither mine nor others'. A higher aspect ratio makes it a bit faster and more squirrely, but that's half the fun. Yeehaw!

If we're getting into belittling any manufacturers because of the compromises to their product that they have to make to stay in business, then I unequivocally state that they all suck, compared to my home-made. Exactly the quality, performance, design, durability and customer service that I demand. So, if you want something you're not getting from someone else, DO IT YOURSELF, but please don't belittle the kite because you don't like the people who make it. IMHO it is still the standard against which ALL others are judged, and will remain so for quite some time. What others -- all others -- produce is based on flight principles of quad kites first invented and refined by the Hadzickis, and that is a part of history that will not change, no matter what anyone's opinion states. I have a bunch. I will fly them 'til they fall apart. I will buy more. Will I buy and try others? Of course I will. Who wouldn't? Will they fly like a Rev? Maybe, to an extent. Do I want them to be exactly like a Rev? No, that's why I buy and fly Revs, because they fly like a Rev. Should Rev change their line-up? Absolutely! I don't know . . . . . . . . . . It's gonna be an interesting road.

Is it possible that the stand-offs are just a smidge too long? Compare the amount of bow in the main spreader with stand-offs in and out. There should be more with than without, but not radically so. The length of the spreader will also affect the amount of bow in it. Make sure the upper spreader is, and stays, fully and firmly seated during flight, and also the lower spreader. The spreaders should be "difficult" to insert and remove. If any of the joints anywhere on the kite move, flex or rotate excessively during flight they will warp and weaken the entire structure. I had an E3 for a couple of seasons, and a couple of other Prisms and never had issues with the center T's. Of course, I probably didn't spank them as hard as you guys do, but I did tons of recoveries with no ill effects. The amount of T's you're going through makes me believe there's something amiss with the geometry of the frame and/or sail. Check for fit and symmetry. Check both leading edge tubes for longitudinal cracks.

Hi, Michael, and welcome to the forum. Places to go and things to do....and it's all here. The cumulative knowledge of the flyers here is staggering. You're in for one heckuva ride. And it's fun. Questions? Fire away! We're friendly, and we have cookies.

Mike, this guy weighs in at 388 lbs. I'm not sure a 3m would suffice, except in very brisk wind.

Also, if you actually measure the surface area of the tail, you will probably find that it's three or more times that of the kite sail. The wind blows on this surface too and adds to the overall pull of the kite.

Oooooooooooooooh Noooooooooooooooo, not the Revs.

Eat the steak, use what's left as a stake. Seriously, though, I believe Walt is not making stakes at this time. Maybe in the future. In the meantime, you can buy a 30 - 42mm marble and some 5-minute epoxy on eBay. You can have any machine shop make the rest for you for about $40. Just be very specific on dimensions. You can't return it if you don't like it. There are several u-Tube videos that will show you exactly how to make a sheath for it using braided rope. Maybe you can start making them for us!

Great -- you're gonna love the Zephyr, eventually. It tricks well, is relatively forgiving to bad inputs and handles low wind conditions quite well. It will be just a little bit difficult to make the transition from any other kite. Each has its own personality. Each will eventually tell you how it likes to be handled, in trade for your time. Hang tough 'til the two of you can fly as one.

Hi, pramsb026, and welcome to the forum and the family. Good to have you on board. What kind of kites do you fly/own? If you need help with anything just ask. We have the answers. Of course, you may not like them, but we do have them.

Wow, lots of people in the UK and western Europe signing up. You guys will have lots of work to do. Get video! And see if you can get some of the "pros" to pop in for the Mega-Fly. Should give you an impressive number of kites flying.

Not my color. I'll pass.

It will need a big red spot in the middle.

I fly absolutely perfect routines, so if I ever decide to shoot a video of one, there will be no need for editing. Thank you, thank you. No applause please, just throw money.

I hereby dub thee with the middle name "Adam". Now you may call it the RAD lll.

The people attending are renting a house for the occasion from what I read on the first page of this thread. Contact Lynn Pugh for details -- see earlier posts. Apparently will be less expensive than staying at hotels, and more fun too.

The first couple I used I made from golf balls and 1/4" fiberglass rod. The golf balls were ones I had found (free), and the rod was what snowplowing outfits used to mark curbs in parking lots (also free). They don't collect all of them at the end of the season, especially the ones that have been damaged during plowing operations, which still have undamaged sections long enough to make a kite stake. I still use one of my originals, I think the first one I made. It is 14" long and works fine in sand. The rest I have given to new pilots. I have one of Walt's that was a gift from another flyer, in black with silver swirls and I love it. I have used sticks that I found lying around on a couple occasions when I didn't have a kite stake on my person, a long thin Phillips screwdriver when I first started, and a writing pen in a pinch once. Whatever gets you through the night, it's alright, it's alright . . . .

Cool -- I think I'll get an old beater this year and do that. Or maybe . . . . . no, I think I'll leave my other Spiro the way it is. Definitely get a beater.

That Polo was a workout! I love the stack.

The leading edge mesh is not necessary if the leading edge frame pocket is not very tall, since the openings in the weave that are closest to the pocket will take over the function of not letting air dam up against the leading edge in reverse flight. The other option is to make a belt-loop style leading edge, either l_l_l_l_l_l as the drawing below or inverted.