RobB

Hey all, I was looking for a kite with a DSOM theme a while back, couldn't quite find what I was looking for, so I drew up some quick design plans of what I had in mind. I don't own a sewing machine, or have time or space for getting right down and sewing this myself. Are there sail makers out there that would be able to build this design for me ? I plan on replacing a sail on a kite that I have, so the dimensions are all ready set. Thanks... ~Rob.

Hey CodyKiteGuy.... When's your website going to be back up ? I've tried to click on it whenever I've seen you in the posts, but it's still broken. I'm looking for a do-it-all lifting kite that looks cool... ~Rob.

Hey Jeff, I found that the Acrobatx seems to have a heavy butt in a light wind. It is REALLY easy to fly in a 7-15mph breeze. Also, if the wind is gusty, don't bother, you want a nice, steady breeze. In a steady breeze, the Acrobatx will JUMP off the ground, and you'll be doing loops and figure 8s right off the bat. The videos are helpful, but don't watch too much too soon, get the basics down first. I have the Dodd Gross video, and he makes it look SO easy, but when you try what you remember from the video, it's another story. I guess part of the appeal of flying is that it's pretty easy to learn, but will take a lifetime to master. ~Rob.

Hi Bob, Thanks for the input. I am only looking to lift 1/10 th that payload, but the little tidbit about putting the payload further from the kite is a point that I haven't given much thought to. I am considering using a Double DC with a 12' wingspan as well as the others that I mentioned. I am looking forward to your website coming online, you're the guy with the record attempt, aren't you ? I've read some of your posts and am looking forward to seeing some pictures. ~Rob.

Hey NUS, I would say yes, of course cut the broken spar down to match the upper, providing that the lower spar didn't splinter past the cut point. I've never broken an upper cross spar, but it can't hurt to have an extra. I'm sure upgrading your spars all together would greatly improve the kite, but if you're still at the point of breaking parts like me, I would just fix it and fly it stock. I get my repair parts from... http://www.goodwindskites.com/ Either the upgrade parts that audioRob was talking about or stock replacements should be available from them. ~Rob.

Hello... I am looking for advice on a single line payload lifting kite. I currently have a PowerSled 24 and a 7 foot double DC. They work great in a 12+mph wind, but get a little crazy in variable wind. I was wondering which kind of kite would give me the broadest wind range, lifting power, and stability. I think a big Cody would be cool, but I haven't seen much more than a toy commercially available, can't find a serious one. I guess a big FlowForm is an obvious choice, but kind of boring compared to a Cody or DoPeRo. A friend suggested a BIG Delta, but I worry about its stability, especially with a payload. Any advice is welcome... Thanks, ~Rob.

The only 19' Delta I know of has the USA pattern. As far as I know, you can still get that. I think I know the pattern that you're looking for, just haven't seen it in the 19' size. ~Rob.

Hey there... In New York, you have to take what you can get. I fly in parking lots, school fields, and community parks. They all have their share of drawbacks, but the tow hooks on my truck eliminate the need for ground stakes in a parking lot. I also have different ground stakes for different surface textures... a sharp long screwdriver for the athletic fields, and a larger, thicker stake for sandy beaches. You should try Google Earth to look for flying fields that are hiding from you at ground level. I found lots of places around me to fly by doing that. As far as ground recoveries... I think they were invented by kite part suppliers to keep themselves in business. I find it easier to do the walk of shame than to repair the kite later that night. ~Rob.

Hey JR... If the kite came from the factory with 80# line, I think 200# would be overkill. For higher wind, I would try something 100'-120' long, maybe 150#. That would be a nice lineset to have, you could use it for a wide range of kites. The only kite I use 200# line is a kite with a 10' wingspan, and then only when the wind is over 10mph. ~Rob.

Thanks for the info... I was figuring that was what they are but still kinda unsure how to get them on the tail... does the piece on the bottom of the tail pop off? I went and did a bit more flying today and I just noticed my kite lines are off... i think i was so excited to fly I never noticed it before and I think this is part of the reason it seems over repsonsive (i'm sure that's not the right term) at time, so now I'm gonna look around and figure out how to fix these bad boys. Thanks everyone for all your help, I hate being a total noob but am enjoying the kiting a ton. Hey NUS... The weights in the Acrobatx are under the velcro spine release at the tail from what I remember. As far as weights causing oversteer, maybe I'm confused... I thought that oversteer in a kite was that awkward back and forth wobble when you've given too much steering input, kind of like a skidding car, when you steer too much to one side, then it gets worse when you steer to the other side... How much different are your lines ? I take the time to adjust them when they're more than an inch different. I'm sure the more skilled fliers are much more critical of line length... To adjust them, I just strech them straight out from a nail in the side of my house and even them up at the kite end. I adjust them with the handles attached, in case there's a slight difference in them, too. Your kite may seem 'over-responsive' if the bridle is off. I am still looking for a good guide on bridle adjustment, so I can't give good advice, because I am still experimenting. Maybe someone knows of a good guide for bridle adjustment ? Luckily, the Acrobatx has a simple bridle. ~Rob.

Hey JR... I find that shorter, lighter lines work better in low wind conditions, and the longer ones work better with wind over 10mph. Heavier, longer lines seem to drag the kites down. ~Rob.

Thanks...so I guess the next question would be.... how would I put them on and what would be the benefits of having them.... On side note I got out this morning and had a much better time flying, winds where good and the location was decent, and I had a blast. At this point I'm still learning how to finess the controls as I seem to go to hard at it (which I had to do with my smaller kite), but I'm still lov'n it. Hey NUS... The weights in the tail cause the center of gravity of the kite to change, with the weight bias towards the tail, the kite stalls easier. I think it also helps to compensate out over steer. My Acrobatx came with the weights installed all ready, and I haven't messed with them because the kite flies great as it is. I have moved the weights around on other kites that I have, but I prefer them towards the tail, because it makes landing, side sliding and just stalling in general easier. I find experimenting with the tuning of a kite to be half the fun of flying. Take care... ~Rob.

Hey ChetR... I handed my Acrobatx to a number of beginner fliers (including me), and they instantly flew with ease. The only other kite that I have that is close is my Big Bang. I've seen it in many places with the kite, lines, and DVD for less than $100 now. It's a great flying kite, the only place it doesn't stack up to the Acrobatx is toughness. The Acrobatx seems tougher, but the Big Bang is bigger. They both stand out in my collection (flock ?) and are usually my first choice to fly. ~Rob.

Hey Nus, I have both the Acrobatx and the Pyro XS. You made the wise choice, the Acrobatx is more versitile. It will go up in just a little wind, and is strong enough to take a 20mph wind as well. The Pyro is slower and less precise, but it is a smooth flyer. It needs more wind than the Acrobatx to stay up, but it wouldn't stand up to a 20 mph breeze. I feel like I get better faster when I fly the Acrobatx vs. any of the kites I have. Good luck... ~Rob.

Hey Scott... Glad to hear you got it going. You should be good and hooked now ! And at least there wasn't someone with a camera during your embarassing moment, like me, I've always got my wife with her camera waiting for something to happen... http://www.ferob.com/kite/Draggin.jpg ~Rob.

I have to agree, I've only flown the Acrobatx 4 times, but I am improving my skills much quicker with the Acrobatx than any of the other kites that I have (about 10 different ones). It does seem to be built to take abuse, as well. I have had to fix my Pyro and Big Bang a few times, but New Tech was really good to me with warranty replacement parts. I can vouch for their customer service dept. as being top notch. I have broken kites from other manufacturers (HQ, Premier) as well, so maybe I'm a little tough on my kites, but it seems that learning tricks breaks kites. You gotta pay to play... ~Rob.

Hey Doug, I have a New Tech Big Bang, and a Flying Wings Acrobatx. I would be hard pressed to say which is my favorite, they're both really good. The Acrobatx seems to be more sturdy, but not heavier. The DVD that comes with the Big Bang is a huge help, especially if you don't know a good kite instructor. Don't mistake the New Tech New Jam for the Jam Session that Dorsal recommended, I mistakingly bought a 'New Jam" and found that it flies like a Mack Truck. Another nice New Tech kite that Dorsal didn't mention is the Pyro XS. It's a smooth flier, and my wife's favorite. Another point I agree on, get a BIG kite, it doesn't seem so big at the other end of the lines, and bigger is better when you're learning, because everything happens a little slower. A small kite like the Micron is fun for zipping around doing loops & figure 8s, but if you want to do slackline tricks, look for a 6-8 ft wingspan. Alot of the fun of kiting for me is flying different kites, and seeing what makes them different from the others. Some are faster than others, some have a stronger pull, some make more NOISE... Good Luck... ~Rob.

Hey Steve... These responses are all right on. I agree, drop the tail, and check the bridle on the kite. I believe your kite is a New Tech kite, and if so, should have clear marks on the bridle that show where it should be adjusted. The New Tech website has some good info, too. Try this... http://www.newtechkites.com/instructions/F...ManualBASIC.PDF http://www.newtechkites.com/ntk_fs_faq.htm You've all ready found your way to the best source of info that I've found... Kitelife. Just wish I found them when I was starting out, it would've saved me alot of solo frustration. Not that it's a bad thing, but I noticed that your Ignitor kite is barely 4 feet across. This is going to be a zippy kite once you get it going, and I think it will be hard if you try to start learning tricks with it. A kite with a 6' to 8' wingspan moves a little slower, and more predictably. My first kite was very similar to yours, and I got better instantly the first time I flew a larger kite. My favorite right now is the Acrobatx. Flying that kite has made me a better flier all ready, after only 3 flights. Good luck... ~Rob.

Hey Penny... Funny you should say that about Murphy's laws. Tired of watching the wind while I'm working, I pulled over today out of traffic and went for a quick fly. The scenery was right, the wind was a little light, but my Acrobatx (from Kitelife) flew like a dream. The heck with Murphy and his laws... Carpe Diem ! ~Rob. By the way, that's the East coast's answer to the Golden Gate in the backround, along with the famous NY traffic !

Hey BB... I find that breaking the kite is part of flying it. Stock up on some repair parts, go out there and push the envelope, and then you have something to do after the sun goes down. I always say that I'm better at fixing kites than flying them. ~Rob.

Hey BB, I totally agree, shorter lines have alot of advantages, and the lighter weight causes less line drag. You do get a larger window with longer lines, though. I find that lower wind requires shorter lines, too. I have tried lines from 50' 50# all the way up to 120' 220#. Obviously not on the same kite, but it's a huge variable that you can change. That's one of the reasons kiting is so interesting to me, there's lots of experimentation. Once you're settled on your lines, start adjusting your bridles... that's another barrel of monkeys ! ~Rob.

Hey John, Looks like a good kite. HQ makes good stuff, and it's over 6 ft. across, so it should be predictable and stable. I think the only mistake someone can make in choosing a first stunt kite is paying less than $30 for it. I found a guy the other day trying to fly a bargain rack kite, and he was about to throw it into the water, he was so frustrated. I let him try out my Acrobatx, gave him a couple pointers, and he was having a blast inside of 5 minutes. He was on his way to our local kite store to get a good kite (like an HQ) when the sun went down. Have a great time with that HQ ! ~Rob.

Hey there... 3 bucks to go fly ? That sucks. Luckily, my beach doesn't charge residents, but we pay almost $1000 a month in property taxes (everybody does on LI), so I better get SOMETHING for my money. I pulled up to one of our south shore beaches, and they tried to charge me $8 to get in, I turned right around. I was there to eat my lunch and have a 1/2 hour fly. I ate and flew behind a school. It's just a priciple thing... wind and scenery should be free. It seems that Murphy's law has alot to do with wind. When I'm working, the flags are all standing strait out at attention, when work's over or the weekend comes, the flags are all pointing at the ground. &%#&!*@# !!! So I figure, getting a light wind kite will help me beat Murphy and his stupid laws. I know, he'll get me by breaking my SUL kite... ~Rob.

Hey John... I think you're going to be VERY happy with the Big Bang. The weights adjust the handling of the kite. Alot of people say take 'em off. I haven't done that, but if you slide them towards the center, the kite is more nuetral, and if you slide them towrds the bottom, the kite stalls easier. It also oversteers when the weights are down, but I found it flys best towards the center. I just flew my New Jam recently, and it's a slob compared to the Big Bang. ~Rob.

What do you do when there's little to no wind for 2 weeks strait ? Housework ?!? ~Rob.