Paul LaMasters

Went to humes? He loves it, everyone wins

HA!, I've actually spent way more on travel to go fly with friends, than on the kiting items themselves, probably ten to 1! unless you'd count buying our residence 'cause it had a nice shed built under the deck,... or the fact that any vehicle acquired has to fit a kite bag, if not a hard-sided golf club bag carrier!

To improve the glide you need a rounded off leading edge (curvature OVER the top) surface, like a frisbee looks "edge on". You effect this change by trapping the elastic knots, washer, etc behind the down spars and behind the caps. You need a restrictor line added, that runs from the center attachment point on the bridle (at the leading edge loop) to the tops of the end-caps. This line holds the newly created bundle in place securely as you flail around. When done, your hand will fit in-between the frame and sail material at the top by the leading edge easily. Notice how different the location of the curvature is placed compared to the reflex models (this way is tight and tucked against the leading edge, not way down in the sail's center) This glide is beneficial in low/no-wind and possibly a deterrent in a big gust due to surging. That is not my experience but I have heard this comment from others. To compare the difference? Throw each kite w/o lines affixed. One will go across the county and the other will die a few feet away! Is it better aerodynamically? That is a personal question, only you can answer. This change will not work on the Phoenix models as they have the top end caps lashed to back of the sail, but on a B-series or Shook mesh it easy to accomplish. You have invested only some bridle line and time, easy to undo if it is not to your liking.

just as an experiment,... next time you are out and it is low wind, making sure your "down-wind" area is totally clear and free of obstructions too! fly the kite to high overhead and turn the leading edge down towards the ground, then release the handles entirely. See how far the kite will glide away without pilot intervention. for me, if I released at 80 feet high (saying I'm on 100' lines) the kite will glide away about 200-250 feet (300%) So there's really no good excuse you can't fly in low/no-wind except YOU'RE LAZY, "you gotta' want it!" At the end of this video is an example

I'd only comment/recommend that the down tubes end flush with leading edge, a nice and smooth junction would be preferred. Sticking up is a catch point when slack lining and flailing, no wind RULES!

Welcome!

the problem is you need the mass (leading edge) to lead the half turn (away from your throw) to wind-up inverted. So to do an axel you'd have to throw it with the floppy end leading FIRST! Unless your lines are really short, this isn't likely to be successful frequently, the mass is pushing the trailing edge and it will not slice thru the wind accurately (if at all)

A "vicky" could be created out of an old sail, you just need piece of glass and a hot cutter, a little patience and a straight edge. or, got more patience yet?, you could back-cut it, folding-over shortish edge hem lines and finish it off with bonding tape (9460/3M) oh, you're on of those kind of folks? Okay, then sew a skinny stained glass key-lined effect around the parts you want to keep with Black ixy and then back-cut away the rest until all the remains a few inches around the parameter and enough guts (either string or super skinny "panels" of remaining fabric) to hold a shape. Lazy? take that old beater sail and hot cut circles with household items as the templates, open a whole bunch of holes all over the place, except where tubes are pulling tightly. Adding in the venting material back is adding in excess weight, just to maintain the shape. Think about where you make your cut-outs with strength in mind as an after-effect of your efforts. Have you ever seen Art St.Pierre's trash bag vented revs? He flies 'em from a lawn chair in a Rev 2 sized format! That is a high wind and almost a disposable kite, (at some point in the huge winds even the lawn chair becomes a danger to the flier) You could make one of those and enjoy yourself doing it. In fact it might be a fun workshop project for the kite club!

Ha!, Believe me, you can get anything you want Wayne, if you are persistent enough and throw sufficient cash at the project. Anything Bazzer would not do directly, Eliot Shook would. I have probably half a dozen cooperative efforts between these two fine gentlemen, all of them crafted as SULs on the leading edge sleeve. So you want an SUL full vented Bazzer B=Pro (mine exploded and literally ripped itself in half vertically during a lessons workshop on flick-flaks and falling leaf tricks, so Revolution replaced it as defective and it had to be built "my way" too) How about a Mid-vent and another SUL to match the previous two worn out? Or a replacement Zen to the 2nd one, also worn out? if fact, you want different material entirely for the leading edge sleeve, you could furnish it too! My choice is mylar-backed nylon, shiny side out. Cath Shook and our missing departed buddy Rich Comras were also allowed to use my SUL materials on their own personal kites LE sleeve. Those are all Shook mesh masterpieces. You can get the leading edge sewn tighter to the tube (so only one 1/4" diameter fits in there). You can get extra reinforcing patches built into the leading edge, so it doesn't wear out so fast. Heck you might even want covers sewn over the elastic knots at the bottom of the sail. The factory asked me several times NOT to advertise the modifications I received based upon over 25K spent directly with Revolution. Everyone will not receive the same services I did. Still folks would call and ask for their kite to be "lamaster-ized". The first time I asked Dantonio about a join venture between Bazzer and Eliot he laughed in my face and told me I'd have to call Lolly instead for a customized Zen meeting my parameters.

I'm in and on an allowance,... my bride would be thrilled to open a kite box and NOT find an invoice. I'd love a single skin new Rev

I generally set-up Zen/or SUL first thing in the morning, but I might be on a shook mesh by lunchtime. One of our members (dave Ashworth) has covers velcro mounted over his venting, so the kite won't go as a SUL, but pretty much anything else wind-wise he either opens or closes off panels to match the conditions. At the end of the day I have 3-5 kites to put away ALWAYS. 5 months out of the calendar year the Mid-Atlantic states are "indoor conditions with an unlimited ceiling" I wear out an SUL in 18 months, a full vent will last me for a entire decade My most commonly used line-set is 50#/100 feet

Most kites are sewn as overlapping pieces and then back cutting away the excess from each side of the sail (front/back). appliqué The sewing aspects represent about 10% of the overall kite-building effort. Kind of like painting a wall, all that taping, edging and cutting in, moving furniture around and throwing tarps down for splatters = most of the time spent.

I don't even like to fly w/o spectators present,... I've come home early 'cause no one was there to appreciate my efforts. I've also driven for hours to get to a place where big crowds are expected. I've flown alone more than with others, (haven't we all?) but I also bring a big boombox, even alone so folks can appreciate what I'm trying to accomplish. I love it when folks say they can "see the music in my kite's flight". Hey I meant to do that! Chasing kids is another priceless experience made easy by the control offered with a quad-lined kite. You have to approach them carefully, slowly and inspire confidence in the parents' eyes before this is an approved activity. You have to be aware of your surroundings so if something goes terribly wrong you have an instant escape alley to use. You can't let folks stand to close to you & certainly not directly behind you. I also don't like folks in between me and the kite, behind either of us is fine you can't get caught in the strings that way. A group of people flying together with music is sure to draw a crowd. In places where to public has first right of passage (like the grounds of the washington monument). A group of flyers will always keep something in the air (to claim our space). If you set-up under us we will fly overhead, land nearby, walk the kites thru your newfound area and in general just encourage you to make another selection for a picnic spot. If you are an obliviate (oblivious idiot) with your head buried in a cell phone screen, we will knock off your hat to the amusement of other spectators who ARE paying attention. Stopping for a water break on your bicycle? That big plastic helmet is perfect landing location if you aren't paying attention. Taking family photos? you bet we are directly in the shot and flying inverted over someone's head. Or we are butting against the photographer's back as he looks thru a viewfinder whilst trying to center everyone. Natural his family is howling. If it looks like they will stop and turn around we quickly fly off so there's nothing to see. Practice on safety cones or stop sign posts, so you can land exactly where you predicted it would go. Then a kid's hand sticking up and out of a stroller becomes a possible "target". Remember to approach slowly and carefully so the folks don't freak-out. 'llI give interested folks a lesson but I also announce loudly that I'm not there for this reason exclusively. I like to land in their stroller will the child is out of it too! It's not as much fun without the spectators. Someday you'll get a gig where you expected to walk thru the crowd and still fly safely. Are you up for that?

Add more "DOWN"(reverse) into the handle tuning on the leaders, that will saddle that wild beast and you can ride it comfortably. When in doubt, always add down 1st and see if flight dynamics have improved. You'll be amazed adding down fills the sail with power. It doesn't give free forward motion though, you gotta' want it to make it go! Properly equalized lines?, the kite should "balance" on one of your fingers in each hand, (stationary hover) just a slight flick is all it takes to initiate forward or reverse flight from there. Find and properly position your balance point for personal comfort. For some that is the thumb on top of the handle, for others? Dennis Smith doesn't use either thumb at all. Some squeeze their grips for control of the brakes and some flick their thumbs forward instead. There's no one correct answer, ultimately you have to control your speed and maintain your direction, just like driving on a multi-lane superhighway. It doesn't matter how your car is tuned as long as you can do your positioning. It could be super responsive like a sports car or all trucky like a school bus. Stay in your lane and don't tailgate the guy in front of you or drive like an old foogie who should have taken a cab to ever get there!

Find a little clearing place at the local park, densely surrounded by lush trees. That will give you that same effect, except for an unlimited ceiling, or come visit us in the nation's capitol and experience no wind on the grounds of the Washington Monument (at least 5 months out of the year!) Try a covered dome tennis court, you don't need the net removed, just work around it. My advise for folks flying at the National Air and Space Museum is to practice on a basketball court, but YOU only get to stand in the "paint area". Your kite can fly anywhere you want, but you personally are severely restricted in the area you can move around in. When that practice is down pat, you'll find you're on very short lines and using an indoor kite worthy of such a location

What is to become the prime objective,....do you want instant power on command? Then the frame needs to cup air, the more 3D the sail shape becomes to easier it is to instantly fill it with energy. That huge curvature will limit tracking. The kite will want to turn within it's wing-tips, I will not automatically follow a straight line (Tracking). A stiffer frame works just the opposite. It will ride a set of railroad tracks following your predetermined flight path, but it won't fly away after a huge dose of slack (all by itself) either. How fast it returns from deflection to straight again after bending is another issue to consider. P-90s bend like a long bow from Ole' England's sherwood forest, whereas a Diamond/Blk Race frame snaps back like a crossbow.. The difference in price for this level of performance is about 300 to 500% Hybrid framing is an effort to keep both objectives. where does your kite bend when commanded hard? Hybrid are easier to consider as a travel frame, then you can place the stiffness more to your personal preferences. What are others in your quad community using as a frame? Team flying is easier if everyone is kind of "on the same page". If you take a flexible frame and "Travelize" it you'll notice it has become both heavier and stiffer. So a 3 wrap frame will perform more like a 4. Bridle? A stock bridle bends in the center, the French Bridle bends on the outer 3rds instead.

Sorry gang, as you get older, convenience becomes king,... Jockey's ridge is out of the question for me, I can barely stand the drive there, it is the very last place on earth I want to fly kites too I'm not dragging all my crap up and down that stinking' hill. I'm not peeing behind the sound tent anymore either. I don't even enjoy those howling winds! John Harris's business practices will eventually wear on you too, he has used up my patience and I can't support his operation monetarily, with labor of promotional content flying in front of the establishment, not even a single kind word on a public forum. Don't respond to this reading, we will not influence each other's opinions. We all have the right to our preferences. I would give up kites before flying there again.

The quickest/easiest learn is someone more knowledgeable standing at your side. you want to "FEEL" it for yourself (their equipment), then see how your stuff behaves in comparison. They'll want to feel your kite's flight dynamics for themselves too and might even recommend changes. I can't tell you how many times I've seen bridles not uniformly installed, or twists in the elastic/end-cap configurations during set-up. Did you take the lines off of the kite and affix 'em all to a single stationary stake or fence post? Did the handles fetch up tightly and match-up perfectly? Doubtful!, another thing to be adjusted quite frequently, equalization. Does the kite back-up,... another consideration, leaders and tuning (for comfort). I hold my handles differently that you and our tuning preferences are biased to a feeling, personal to be sure. Does it track laser-straight or is the leading edge more flexible and filled with power instead, do you have it framed for today's conditions/objectives? Does the strength of the flying lines & length match you present location? All this knowledge won't be absorbed immediately, some of it you don't even care it's that personal. My advise to folks is "You'll hear five different opinions on what to do, keep the best, dump the rest"

I enjoyed your experience!,.... one comment, not a criticism in any way When you launched the kite at the very beginning you "dragged the leading edge diagonally" from an inverted position. That is two string move and NOT what you are after at all with a quad! That's abrasion on your leading edge sleeve and wear on the bridle loops, even the end-caps! Remember, this kite design is all about one word, control. You allow it to drag eventually going into forward flight on the side OR you make it back up. Practice the cartwheel until you DIAL it up to halfway point, balance there on the wing-tip (allowing your hands to go back to a neutral position, otherwise the kite also keeps right on going). That is what I want you to practice, REVERSE & speed control. Add still more "down" in the tuning in big wind, then kite will not suddenly surge forward. Instead you "allow" it to go forward, like you were looking over the dashboard of your car, trying not to hit a critter with both feet stomped onto the brake pedal, inches only of progress being permitted. I would stop you from flying one of my loaned kites until you mastered the cartwheel. Love to share, so you can appreciate how serious I feel this comment to be. The quickest improvement of skills comes about with how SLOW you can fly the kite regardless of conditions. The Speed series of wings will give you that rush if that is the ultimate objective. Control the 1.5 platform while learning and then you can accelerate to the Shockwave, supersonic or a Blast, basically TWICE as fast in forward and reverse. Best be ready for a huge increase of throttle sensitivity and pull. Speed series kites are not really a great low wind choice, but they are howling fun on a beach with wind.

Long ago, I used to make custom bridles for folks off a board (the Ryv 1.6 bridle) , the fee was a 100 feet of hi-test (100# bridle line in ONE piece) and I mailed the finished bridle out in a No10 envelope.

traveling by car allows for many carrying options, airlines want a hard-sider for insurance coverage to be allowed, then just wait until you try to fit one of those monstrosities into a rental car with friends in tow. wheels are nice to roll around street corners, but on sand you still need a dolly or something with fat tires Unfortunately these comments and my past experience all leads to a variety of carrying cases being necessary. Double sized golf club carrier case by SBK (for stacks of baby revs), 3 single bag sized hard sided SBK carriers, an Orvis fishing pole carry-on sized case, a couple of Rev bags, a couple of soft sided bags for banners and dualies, expandable map tubes and Prism's violin styled case. Hard plastic sewage tubes for lighted kites that don't break-down, with screwed on end-caps I have wagons, both rigid and folding, folding shopping carts, a hand-towed golf cart, a beach sand tired cart and several folding shipping crates on wheels. Too much crap to carry on my back, that's for sure!

I can admit to be a collector, but I am NOT addicted to kites. Okay I will buy clothing and electronics, heck even vehicles & luggage based solely on my kites and their specific sizing or transportation needs. What good is a pair pants that don't work for kiting? Sure I have nice stuff for my NIH job, but when it gets worn sufficiently it becomes a kiting garment. So lots of pockets, velcro, buttons, fasteners, compartments, loops, not too thick a material, in case I need an outer layer of Gortex in the winter, not too long or I'll step on and fray the bottoms, not to dark of a color or it will absorb sunlight and be hot in the summer, not too light of color or it will show all the grass stains, pollen and mud or dust. Adjustable waist, belt loops worthy of equipment and tools on a man's belt. I prefer a diamond crotch area instead of the normal jeans style pinch zone when squatting down. Yes I have very specific expectations and favorite retailers who meet my needs http://www.orvis.com/p/14-pocket-expedition-poplin-pants/2J3L?item_code=2J3L1134&adv=127748&cm_mmc=plas-_-Men'sClothing-_-2J3L-_-127748&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyPn25YLP1QIVgyWBCh19LgjyEAQYASABEgLw7fD_BwE after awhile you have so many kites you can't carry 'em all. I have several masterpiece Revs that have been relinquished to alternative kite bags or the basement time-out corner. That seems unfair, so I sell a few great kites and then regret it each time. Still you can't fly em all and the ones that take too much set-up time (like a stack) just ride around in the trunk never being flown. Some times you sell to acquire replacements or upgrade. Like a b-series to the B-pro. Or the B-pro to the Phoenix, a vented Rev to a Shook Mesh. An SUL rev to a Zen. An indoor Rev to an Ashworth I am NOT addicted to kites. I did buy a tow hitch installation on my van this past week, just so I can ride back and forth between the parking meters and our flying location, once a month (on bike instead of walking like all of my friends). I am NOT addicted to kites.

easy to affix with sticks, I have these LEDs also, I combine one slow transitioning color changer (above) with a fast blinker (from Shooks) on each wing. The remote allows the team kites to go off and on as a group,... or as I prefer,... as a "drive by" activation point by assistants down field

most folks never get over this fact, at least from my own experience you'll spend more money on travel to fly kites with your friends than you do on your kites! Even with a few complimentary gigs received including int'l events, I still shell out thousands annually for travel, kites are merely hundreds. I'm probably 10 to 1 and have been for a couple of decades, I can't afford to do every great festival, but the ones I attend, I expect to enjoy myself immensely whilst on-site. My bride is even more expectant, she won't sleep on a prison floor just because it is free! Can you imagine using the bathroom on the first floor and the ceiling falls on your head while you are resting on the throne with the newspaper? That happened to Janette Van Meers at the Knock in OC! My best girl likes at arrive earlier and stay later, to get the "lay of the land and enjoy the aftermath". That first and last day? Those dates are strictly for travel, set-up, unpacking, arranging the kitchen, shopping for what we forgot at home. When traveling without my Barbara beside me, I won't drive all night to get home after a long weekend of flying either.