Is my throw off?

[Dan]

I got to fly my Rev 1.5 SLE for the first time the weekend before last for just a little while while the wind was good and something felt a little off. Of course, this is the first time I've flown a quad, so I don't really know if it's off or not, so that's why I'm askin'.

My lineset is equal length on the top and bottom lines. I'm blanking on the exact length and strength at the moment; I want to say 90# x 75'. I'm using the stock 1.5 handles. I set the kite up to launch as shown in the Rev DVD, with the bottom kicked out to prevent it lifting off. It felt like I had to have the handles nearly parallel to the ground to get the kite to lift off. I can't remember exactly what it felt like once I had it in the air, but I seem to recall a feeling as if I really had to tilt the handles back just to stay neutral, neither climbing or descending.

It would feel much more natural to me to be able to keep the handles upright for neutral, which I think I could accomplish by shortening the top lines. However, I've read a bit on people recommending shortening the bottom lines to increase braking, so this seems contrary to that advise. Thoughts?

Of course, I need to get out a few more times just to feel more comfortable, but these are my thoughts at the moment.

Thanks,

Dan

[ilh]

It might be worth staking out your lines and seeing if they really are all equal length (if you haven't done this already).

You might have had the bridle wrapped around the end of a spar. That can make it fly very poorly, although that is usually asymmetric since a typical wrap is on one side or the other.

It really ought to fly with the handles roughly perpendicular to the ground, if there is enough wind.

[Dorsal]

Setup for any kite (quads included) is entirely up to the person holding the handles. You will find your preferences changing as you get more practice and flying time with that particular kite, but if you feel the top lines need to be a bit shorter, then adjust them to your fit.

If your handles don't have them yet, add a 3 - 4 inch-long segment of heavy line to all four tips. These lines should have a knot every 3/4 inch or so. Then, just larkshead your flying lines to these pigtails, starting off with the same point on all of them, somewhat near the center of your pigtail. Now, if you need to adjust the line length, just move the larkshead to a different knot, closer or farther from the handle.

Just be sure you adjust both upper or both lower lines to the same knot. By that, I mean to be sure the adjustment is the same for both upper lines (say, knot #4) and that the adjustment of the lower lines is the same (say, knot #1).

(don't ask why I know that can happen. )

[Jason Paul]

It also depends on the throw of your handles. If you have small handles, it's going to take more input to get a response from the kite.

One of the first things to do is what Dennis said; put pigtails at all four connection points.

With pigtails giving you the ability to make line length adjustments at the handles, the equality of the top and bottom lines becomes less of a problem. you can adjust to get them where you want them. However, don't forget to check for right and left equality. Seems like that problem would show itself with a top/bottom check, but it can still be missed. Having your left to right line length unequal would probably be an exercise in frustration.

Jason

[ant man]

i have knots on my bottom pigtails for lower lin adjustments that i use for all diffrent wind speeds and you also want to check your lines to see if their all even in length

[REVflyer]

the kite is "tuned properly" when it will back-up inverted

(from the leading edge resting on the ground position).

If it won't back-up, you'll shorten the brake/bottom lines until it does so.

Knowing the lines are the same length is easy,

just drop all four attachement points of your flying lines onto a stake, then go back to the handles and pull 'em up tight. "do they perfectly align?"

Leaders on the handles are necessary, so little adjustments can be made as conditions differ.

If you have too much "UP" in the tuning the kite will not be square to the wind. So a lot of the pressure bleeds out the back, instead of powering up the sail. I know it sounds weird, to add "reverse" so you get better forward drive.

Next, you need sufficient experience to determine how you want your tuning set (in relationship to your grip on the handles). Personally, I like to grip real high on the handles and balance the forward - reverse flight from my index finger as a rocking motion.

This is where a coach and properly tuned equipment really pays off! You can litrerally feel the difference immediately.

[ant man]

makes me wonder why rev doesnt stock their handles with settings so far mi indoor handles are the only ones i got with leaders that have knot settings

[Penny Lingenfelter]

Why does Rev not put them on the handles? Because they are not absolutely necessary. You can lower and raise your hands on the handle to change it and many people don't use adjustments at all. The new Rev.'s I saw last weekend actually had a large loop on the handles. I showed a few fliers how to undo the knot, put in a slide knot and of course they both went "Wow". Even though they had been flying fine, the kite reacted much better.

Tom, from Victoria did one better. He undid the knots on the bottom sleeving and did a slide knot, (prussic?) type knot in the sleeving. Hence he did away with the loop completely. Not bad, though it might actually be harder on the line and sleeving this way.

Once they changed to a slide knot on the loops that came with the Rev. 1.5 handles it gave them twice as much choice for their settings.

The slide knot, or adjustment knots also make equalizing your lines easy when they are stretched out and you need to shorten that line, you do it right at the handle.

BB

Penny

[Dan]

Thanks for all the comments. I did check again and the lines are all of equal length. Haven't had enough wind to fly again unfortunately. I was able to reverse the kite up the window, so the bottom lines are short enough for sure. As for leaders on the handle, I have the leaders that come on the stock handles with just one knot at the end.

Penny, not quite sure I'm visualizing this slide knot. How do you end up connecting your flying lines to it?

Thanks!

~Dan