Dave362

Hi Ron, I get all my line sets from Theresa at The Kite Shoppe. I've bought a ton of them from her. All have been dead on even and top quality. She also has the largest in stock selection I've seen and is happy to and capable of making up anything you want. When I go to the field to fly today, my bag will have many of her line sets in both quad and dual. Good luck! Dave

Wow! Nice looking kites!

Got it, thanks!

Nice shot! What's a Rasta jam? Other than sky dog, I'm just familiar with the HQ Jam Session....

Sweet! That kite's pedigree brings back memories. Love the sail pattern too, I'll bet it flies great!

Had the new kite out for a short flight today. Here it is in a fade.

I like to use enough leader for a little more than one wrap. I find the trailing edge lasts longer and the heavier bridle line drops onto the stoppers faster than regular flying line, making wrap tricks more consistant.

That's the coolest, John! so just to clarify, should I wish you still winds?

Rob, I fly every so often with a guy who has a fearless. This kite does remind me of it a bit. Only, the turtle is even deeper, if you can believe that...... As for ever parting with it, I'm already trying to figure out how to afford another! Mark, not likely, until a month ago i hadn't flown a kite in over 6 years... Off topic: How far are you from Normal/ bloomington? I get over there every so often.

I got to fly it for a while today. Man, this thing flies great! It just naturally wants to settle into the position that makes the trick look its best. To me, a backspin looks best with the nose pointed down, not at the flyer as in a barrel roll. Of course, some of this is on the pilot regarding the amount of slack given. But this kite just naturally wants to rotate nose down. I could name a bunch of other examples, but this one makes the point. I think lots of guys are looking for a kite that tricks easily, gives them away. I had no trouble doing what I know how to do with the GPS, but for me what really sets it apart is how much better the tricks consistently look. i got in a much needed couple hour session. So soooo fun!!!!!

I managed to get this one out for a bit this afternoon. What a flyer!

Great looking family, beautiful kites!

Thanks so much, guys! Very kind.

Still hoping to get out today, its late morning here. Wind is currently around 20 knots but its supposed to tapor off. Ah, the waiting..........

That is an amazing looking kite!

Just got this from Lam. Haven't flown it yet, hopefully tomorrow. He calls it the GPS. This is the standard

Grey, the cool thing about kiting is everybody comes at it in their own way. I like to practice stuff over and over. That's just what makes it fun for me. I also understand that's not for everyone. If some folks find it helpful to keep a record of what's working and what's not in say, a particular type of turn or trick, I think that's awesome. It could also be fun to have a record of different flying sites, seasons of the year, festivals, whatever. I think a diary type of log would be really fun to go through years later. Bottom line is, everyone should approach kiting in the way that makes it most enjoyable to them.

Thanks for the tips guys. I've always thought the tip stab demonstrates such control to the observer. Maybe this is the season I'll learn the tip stab! Can't help but notice what a helpful, friendly place this is. So what tricks would you like to focus on this season?

Interesting.... I used to keep a log for fly fishing, to try to hit the same hatch in the same conditions each year. I've never tried anything like that for kiting, in terms of a tool to improve or whatever. I do like to write, and enjoy on occasion writing about a particularly great day flying. But its always about the beauty of the day, the way the sun felt, stuff like that, not say technique specific.

I've never been able to do a tip stab. They look sooo cool! I don't really know the inputs/timing for it.......

I'm going to work on snap stalls. I want to practice getting the kite to stall with the nose straight vertical and then let it settle a bit, holding the wings level before flying off. Also, I want to practice half axels on the edge andd then fly off to the other side and repeat. I want to try to keep the nose from wobbling when I power up and also keep my line straight when flying to the other edge. How about you?

Sweet! Nice shot!

Ha ha! Funny stuff, guys... No, I got the kite but the skill is beyond finding out. Heck of it is, This kite is so distinctive looking and I assume will be a real flyer, so when my lame flailing enters the mix it could prove embarassing......

Interesting, Rob. My opinion is the way we treat it makes it more related. Think about it: You use the half axel to change direction and power away. A firm, precise heading lock with a fully powered up sail makes it look so much better, and that's accoomplished through precision. With moves like the 540 or JL plus off shoots, we tend to let the kite settle out of the trick, finish rotating, whatever, and then fly off. You've got me thinking it may look better and cleaner by using a precision exit to these tricks when the goal is to end the combo and fly off. John's sail loading tutorial started all this for me. I just want to focus more on the quality of my flying, rather than trying to learn every trick in the book.....

left town this morning on business. I'll get some shots this weekend. The sewing and attention to detail, plus the extra framing I got, as well as the new skyclaws, this is gonna be one sweet ride He has covered pockets sewn into the sail to cover and smooth every possible snag. When I ordered it, he talked to me for a half hour on the phone, determining my local wind conditions and flying style. Then he configured it with a custom frame to meet my needs as well as 3 pt and 5 pt lower spreaders for different winds. I'm so happy with how I was treated in this purchase. A custom kite like this costs, and this is my first, But the satisfaction I already have just from how it was all handled has made it well worth it.