couple of various Q's

[JoneZ]

Hey all. I just got into trick kiting a couple weeks ago.

Reading over all the material I've searched up, I've gathered a few questions on things that Im not too certain of. I've searched a little here, and got some answers, but nothing compares to realtime advice. So if these Q's have been asked before, please forgive me, as Im sure with the responses generated here, I'll have more questions. Thats why I chose to start my own thread. lol. I'll just fire them off I suppose.

Oh! btw, I've got one of Dodd's "Cherry Bomb" kites.

--Lines.

I've heard people say good and bad things about the length of your lines for doing tricks. What would be the best length? 75ft, 50ft, etc...? I've heard that you can 'feel' your kite more with a shorter line, but theres also less forgiveness/leniency while doing tricks. Could someone help me understand this a little better? I've got 80ft. lines with handstraps currently.

--Leading/trailing edge line adjustments.

First off, when should I set these:: when the kite is fully assembled (Stand-offs, and L.E. connectors in place), or partially assembled (just the L.E. connectors).

Secondly, how snug is too snug? Im aware that you do not want the lines so tight that they distort the shape/flow of the kite. I've messed around with them, setting them taught enough so there is no distortion, but when I fly it will still sound like a AK47 when I execute sharp angles. I've set them tighter so there is a slight ripple at the very bottom of each wingtip, and that seems to cut that noise out -- but will it affect my flying in the long run?

--Lonely Kiter

Lastly, and this ones a 'puttin myself out there' long shot, so here it goes:

I live in the Portland Oregon area (Oregon City).

If I set a time and a place (probably Delta Park, but anywhere theres wind could be an option), would anyone be willing to meet up and show me the ropes on a couple of things in person - such as: some basic ground recovery techniques, simple things like stalls, or correct/incorrect ways to pop/pull/push lines, etc...

Im new, and in a nutshell, I don't know my arse from a mole hole when it comes to trick kiting, but Im very adaptable, and quick learning, and thats gotten me this far (so far).

Reason Im asking, is Im more of a hands on kind of person, and don't learn too particularly well with videos (being you can't watch a vid and fly at the same time), and tbh, I'd like to fly 'with' people, not just 'around' people. lol. I don't know too many 'real' ppl in the area (being somewhat of a misanthrope [the way that mainstream society has developed these days makes me kinda nauseous.), let alone anyone who considers kiting a passion, let alone fun like I do, so with all that blurted out, I guess it would be good for my somewhat socio-phobic ways to get around some like-minded individuals. hehe

Kind of a long shot, I know, since you can't predict the wind, but people seem to be pretty active on a daily basis here, so I don't think a days notice would be stretchin it. Might be a while, with the current weather trends Im sure, but I still want to throw that out here. (perhaps I'll post this part in the 'Flying in the PNW' section as well.)

Thanks in advance all

~Jon

[Penny Lingenfelter]

Hi Jon,

There is a kite festival the first weekend in May. I think it's at Delta Park. We'll see you there. Someone should be able to help you. BB Penny ~ who has to have 4 strings on her kite to make it work.

Hey all. I just got into trick kiting a couple weeks ago.

Reading over all the material I've searched up, I've gathered a few questions on things that Im not too certain of. I've searched a little here, and got some answers, but nothing compares to realtime advice. So if these Q's have been asked before, please forgive me, as Im sure with the responses generated here, I'll have more questions. Thats why I chose to start my own thread. lol. I'll just fire them off I suppose.

Oh! btw, I've got one of Dodd's "Cherry Bomb" kites.

--Lines.

I've heard people say good and bad things about the length of your lines for doing tricks. What would be the best length? 75ft, 50ft, etc...? I've heard that you can 'feel' your kite more with a shorter line, but theres also less forgiveness/leniency while doing tricks. Could someone help me understand this a little better? I've got 80ft. lines with handstraps currently.

--Leading/trailing edge line adjustments.

First off, when should I set these:: when the kite is fully assembled (Stand-offs, and L.E. connectors in place), or partially assembled (just the L.E. connectors).

Secondly, how snug is too snug? Im aware that you do not want the lines so tight that they distort the shape/flow of the kite. I've messed around with them, setting them taught enough so there is no distortion, but when I fly it will still sound like a AK47 when I execute sharp angles. I've set them tighter so there is a slight ripple at the very bottom of each wingtip, and that seems to cut that noise out -- but will it affect my flying in the long run?

--Lonely Kiter

Lastly, and this ones a 'puttin myself out there' long shot, so here it goes:

I live in the Portland Oregon area (Oregon City).

If I set a time and a place (probably Delta Park, but anywhere theres wind could be an option), would anyone be willing to meet up and show me the ropes on a couple of things in person - such as: some basic ground recovery techniques, simple things like stalls, or correct/incorrect ways to pop/pull/push lines, etc...

Im new, and in a nutshell, I don't know my arse from a mole hole when it comes to trick kiting, but Im very adaptable, and quick learning, and thats gotten me this far (so far).

Reason Im asking, is Im more of a hands on kind of person, and don't learn too particularly well with videos (being you can't watch a vid and fly at the same time), and tbh, I'd like to fly 'with' people, not just 'around' people. lol. I don't know too many 'real' ppl in the area (being somewhat of a misanthrope [the way that mainstream society has developed these days makes me kinda nauseous.), let alone anyone who considers kiting a passion, let alone fun like I do, so with all that blurted out, I guess it would be good for my somewhat socio-phobic ways to get around some like-minded individuals. hehe

Kind of a long shot, I know, since you can't predict the wind, but people seem to be pretty active on a daily basis here, so I don't think a days notice would be stretchin it. Might be a while, with the current weather trends Im sure, but I still want to throw that out here. (perhaps I'll post this part in the 'Flying in the PNW' section as well.)

Thanks in advance all

~Jon

[JoneZ]

Thanks Penny. I'll definitely be there, hopefully with at least a few tricks under my belt. Just in case, make sure to bring your helmets.

One more Q to add to the list.

--Bridles, and how my kite flies.

I havent messed with my bridles yet, and for all intents and purposes they work great. But, I did notice today, while flying (kinda gusty wind conditions) that when I bring my kite up to the top-center of the wind window, it seems to want to extend a little over-and-behind my head. My logic is telling me that the angle of my bridles could be a little off? Im not quite sure.

A solid link on bridle adjustment would be great, if anyone has one. (I've searched up some myself but the ones I've read aren't that specific, plus I want to stir up some conversation with all you KiteLife'ers. )

The specifics Im wondering about are mostly, What angle (if its a specific) should they be set to? Also, how do you go about measuring that? Or is it just an 'adjust and test fly' type of thing?

[JoneZ]

--Bridles, and how my kite flies.

The specifics Im wondering about are mostly, What angle (if its a specific) should they be set to? Also, how do you go about measuring that? Or is it just an 'adjust and test fly' type of thing?

Found my own answer to this one.

I'll explain it in here, just to add it to the search DB, incase anyone else asks, or searches up bridle adjustment (s).

Anyone feel free to chime in if theres anything else to add, or if any of my info is incorrect.

---

Bridles should typically be set anywhere from 4 degrees to 12 degrees.

The lower the degree, the less pull you'll have and the harder it will eventually be to turn. I was told that adjusting to a lower degree would only be helpful in really high wind conditions.

The higher the degree, the more pull you will have, and the kite will turn a little more precise and tighter. Stalls will also be achieved with more ease, but the speed of the kite decreases. It will also fly a little better in lighter winds, but launching will be more difficult.

Adjusting your bridles down/away from the nose will increase the angle, and adjusting them up/toward the nose will decrease the angle.

Determining your angle.

Lay the kite belly up, take the bridle rings/lines, and raise them up evenly. If the nose lifts off the floor first, it means that you have a lower angle on your bridles (4degrees = nose lifts off the ground about 4-5 inches before the wings lift off the ground).

If your kite lifts evenly off the ground, you have a high angle set (roughly 12 degrees).

Setting your bridles.

Mark your factory settings on the lines first before adjusting. That way, you have a reference point to go off of while messing with the angle.

Just adjust up or down a little (make sure the adjustments are even left to right), test fly it, and see what suits your style best.

Mine are set to about 7-8 degrees. Middle of the road. Seems to work fine for me, although I havent messed around in light wind conditions yet, and my precise turns are not-so-precise. Thats probably just my kite, being a beginner cherry bomb.

When I've got a day to mess around with them I'll test out lower and higher settings.

Thanks to High Fly Kites for the schooling in bridle adjustments.