airin Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 I picked up a single line parafoil, 27 inches by 35 inches, a few weeks ago because it was a nice big single line that I could easily stuff into a bike bag, given its lack of spars, and fly on the side when I flew one of my stunt kites. I'm no stranger to single lines and of the various types I have flown in the past none has been as wonky as this parafoil. The first time I launched it was in light'ish winds and it went up easily and stayed steady, as I would have expected. However the next time the wind was much stronger and the foil, once up, started to twist and dive erratically. If I let some line out I could get it to stabilize but only temporarily. I just assumed it couldn't handle heavy winds. The third time I brought this kite out the wind was moderate but again the kite would twist and dive unpredictably. I checked the lines, but really there is no bridle like on a stunt kite so I wasn't sure what I could adjust. A local flyer said offhandedly that maybe the kite needed a longer tail ( it currently has two tails that came with the kite, attached to either side ). I know that these parafoils are usually pretty reliable and generally fly with good lift. I have seen many at kite festivals and they generally seem to be flying steady and stable. Any ideas about my parafoil's poor flying style or what I might do to improve its flying ability? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant man Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 try tuneing the bridle a little bit .. you can hold kite at ground level by the bridle tie point with your hand.. see howbad it is moveing to the left or right this will tell you what bridle lines are off center Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airin Posted July 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 try tuneing the bridle a little bit .. you can hold kite at ground level by the bridle tie point with your hand.. see howbad it is moveing to the left or right this will tell you what bridle lines are off center It can twist either way....ok, maybe a little more left than right...I'll see what can be adjusted. So should I shorten the right side then....? thanks, Erin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windofchange Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 Are you flying it with a tail? Most parafoils will need some kind of tail on the back to add drag and stabilize the kite. Without the tail it would have the flight characteristics that you are describing. You may also want to put a different tail on the kite to add even more drag if your winds are more turbulent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airin Posted July 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 Are you flying it with a tail? Most parafoils will need some kind of tail on the back to add drag and stabilize the kite. Without the tail it would have the flight characteristics that you are describing. You may also want to put a different tail on the kite to add even more drag if your winds are more turbulent. Yes, maybe I'll try adding a longer tail to either side then. It already has two tails attached but perhaps, as you suggested, they are not sufficient for this kite. thanks, Erin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barresi Posted July 8, 2009 Report Share Posted July 8, 2009 Have you considered the possibility of turbulence or gusts? A kite like a parafoil might not do well in rough wind. Would be curious to hear your experience with it in "beach wind". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airin Posted July 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Have you considered the possibility of turbulence or gusts? A kite like a parafoil might not do well in rough wind. Would be curious to hear your experience with it in "beach wind". Yes, Kitelife, it was in fact pretty gusty the times I first tried to fly the parafoil. Today I got two 50 foot tails and added them to the kite but the winds were light and then dropped right off. So I'll have to wait for a better wind day before knowing how the foil reacts to its new tails. Our flying area is a little park sticking right out into the ocean. Usually if there are unimpeded winds anywhere in town it will be there but you know how it goes, no matter where you are sometimes the wind can be lumpy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airin Posted July 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Well we had a nice westerly blowing off of the water on Friday and I finally had a chance to try the new 50 foot twin tails on the parafoil. The kite flew brilliantly with her new pair of rainbow tails! Thanks for your suggestions guys. I'm really happy with how the foil is flying now. cheers, Erin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barresi Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Sweet, congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoneZ Posted July 25, 2009 Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 Well we had a nice westerly blowing off of the water on Friday and I finally had a chance to try the new 50 foot twin tails on the parafoil. The kite flew brilliantly with her new pair of rainbow tails! Thanks for your suggestions guys. I'm really happy with how the foil is flying now. cheers, Erin Good stuff there m8. I have deduced the same. If a kite flies erratically and has a tail, chances are that one tail is heavier than the other. Getting twin tails of identical dimensions is key. We have a bird kite where we had the same issue -- bought 2 tails to attach to the wingtips, but one was 2" shorter than the other and therefore if would always veer and loop, and nose dive. Glad you got 'er goin good. ~Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrhide Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 I picked up a single line parafoil, 27 inches by 35 inches, a few weeks ago because it was a nice big single line that I could easily stuff into a bike bag, given its lack of spars, and fly on the side when I flew one of my stunt kites. I'm no stranger to single lines and of the various types I have flown in the past none has been as wonky as this parafoil. The first time I launched it was in light'ish winds and it went up easily and stayed steady, as I would have expected. However the next time the wind was much stronger and the foil, once up, started to twist and dive erratically. If I let some line out I could get it to stabilize but only temporarily. I just assumed it couldn't handle heavy winds. The third time I brought this kite out the wind was moderate but again the kite would twist and dive unpredictably. I checked the lines, but really there is no bridle like on a stunt kite so I wasn't sure what I could adjust. A local flyer said offhandedly that maybe the kite needed a longer tail ( it currently has two tails that came with the kite, attached to either side ). I know that these parafoils are usually pretty reliable and generally fly with good lift. I have seen many at kite festivals and they generally seem to be flying steady and stable. Any ideas about my parafoil's poor flying style or what I might do to improve its flying ability? Sounds to me you need more tail or a drogue for medium to heavy winds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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