Optimal wind speed

[pwiii]

 Could someone lend some advice as to what is the optimal wind speed to learn new skills in?  Such as reverse flight, inverted hover, and such.  I have watched all of the tutorials here and they are very helpful, but I can’t help but notice most of the videos seem to be shot in light wind conditions.  Is this on purpose or is it because these are better conditions to demonstrate techniques?  I have been flying in gusty conditions (5 to 10 mph but with gust to 20) and while I do see progress it seems to interrupt the neutral positions of my hovers.   

[West Australian]

Whatever wind will hold the Kite in the sky without too much effort, thats all you need.

Gusts are always a pain, my usual winds have a variance of 5-8mph every 30-45 seconds.

It will all help you learn to be a better pilot though

[pwiii]

Thanks for the info I failed to mention I am flying a standard SLE 1.5. I recently ordered a B-series full vent perhaps this will help on the gustier days.

[RobB]

I prefer my vented 1.5 to the standard sail. The standard sail is way too twitchy for me. I like to fly slow & mellow, and the standard sail is just too fast for me. I guess that's why there's a mid-vent, and why so many people like those.

Revs are certainly the best kites for variable winds, though. Changes in wind speed & direction are so much easier to deal with than with dual-line kites.

[mystainedskin]

Gust are always a pain, but it does improve your control. For my taste, my sweet spot is right in your 5/10 range(or pretty close) w/black race rods and 50lb line on a full sail. Any higher, i switch to 3 wrap and sometimes switch line to 90lb.

[West Australian]

I prefer my vented 1.5 to the standard sail. The standard sail is way too twitchy for me. I like to fly slow & mellow, and the standard sail is just too fast for me. I guess that's why there's a mid-vent, and why so many people like those.

Revs are certainly the best kites for variable winds, though. Changes in wind speed & direction are so much easier to deal with than with dual-line kites.

I like the Slow flying too. Venting really helps me control a rev.

I switch up from the STD as soon as there is enough wind to support the MID or VTD.

[pwiii]

I ordered the full vented because by reading other post I gleaned that having a standard sail and a full Vented sail will cover most wind conditions. But now I am confused about which rod set to use. I am pretty sure then vented B series I ordered from wind of change comes standard with a 3 and 4 wrap set of rods. I also have the ultra light set that came with my SLE are those similar to a 2 wrap set of rods? I know I will be able to experiment to see what works best for me in what wind conditions, but I read a lot of talk about race rods is this something that would help in a gusty situation? and should I order a set?

[RobB]

Thanks for asking that question... I just broke a 3 wrap stick & have to make an order to replace it. I'm thinking of ordering a Race Frame at the same time, and I think the Black Race Rods are the way to go. Am I right ?

[mystainedskin]

Thanks for asking that question... I just broke a 3 wrap stick & have to make an order to replace it. I'm thinking of ordering a Race Frame at the same time, and I think the Black Race Rods are the way to go. Am I right ?

I can't comment on the mids or full vent.(never used)or the 2 or 4 wrap rods.. but with a standard sail I run black race rods always until the wind picks up. Then 3 wrap, which is the same as Ultra light, if i am not mistaken. I find the flex of race rods quite nice and useful in the lower wind ranges...

[West Australian]

I have this as my standard set:

1.5 SUL - 2 Wrap

B STD - Race

B MID - 3 Wrap

B VTD - 4 Wrap

I have a spare 3 Wrap frame to switch into either the STD or VTD.

The Race rods are not a requirement, but can provide a different experience.

[pwiii]

Ok, so do you ever use the race frame in your MID or VTD or do you stick with the 3 & 4?

[SparkieRob]

Rods: "Professional Use Only" are 2 wraps, "Ultralight" are 3 wraps and "Strong" are 4 wraps. Yes you can use Race Rods in ALL sail types. Use the amount of bend in your leading edge to guide you in rod selection. Too much bend go up a size, or a more vented sail. Be careful about putting stiffer rods into a full sail, once that sail stretches it won't come back. In my Std I use 2 wrap, Race Rods or 3 wrap frames, or a combo just to make it more confusing. They key is to find a set up that you find not only comfortable but also confident to fly in. BTW, crashes look worse than they really are.

Hope this helps.

Rob.

[SparkieRob]

Just checked your original post; I found using a vented sail was more comfortable for me to practice inverts and hovers even though I was doing it higher in the wind range.

[Wayne Dowler]

All the rods are interchangeable!! Use what fits your wind conditions at the time!! The "Bend" rule works, watch your LE, if it bends too much for your liking, switch to something stronger!

Many use the race frame as a replacement for a 2 wrap frame - same weight, more strength, different flex!!

[West Australian]

Ok, so do you ever use the race frame in your MID or VTD or do you stick with the 3 & 4?

No, I have never felt the need to try them in the vented.

I think they would only be suitable at the lower end of the wind range though.

[Wayne Dowler]

I have this as my standard set:

1.5 SUL - 2 Wrap

B STD - Race

B MID - 3 Wrap

B VTD - 4 Wrap

I have a spare 3 Wrap frame to switch into either the STD or VTD.

The Race rods are not a requirement, but can provide a different experience.

My setup is:

1.5SUL - 2 wrap

"B" std - 2 wrap

"B" mid - race

"B" vtd - 3 wrap

"Bpro" xtravtd - 3 wrap

I keep my 4 wrap as a backup for really big winds!! Team flying, I try to match up with everyone else for similar performance!

[pwiii]

You guys are great, so much info I can't wait to fly the B full vent. It sounds like it won't be quite as twitchie as the full sail in gusty winds.

[pwiii]

Dose any one have a preferred or favorite wind speed?

[RobB]

Dose any one have a preferred or favorite wind speed?

7 mph !

[Reef Runner]

You guys are great, so much info I can't wait to fly the B full vent. It sounds like it won't be quite as twitchie as the full sail in gusty winds.

Definitely won't be as twitchy. I also found that with the standard sail, when the wind would get up to around 8 - 10+, I'd have a tendency to get a wing tip "flip". Never seems to happen with the full vent. Full vent is just a smoother ride, all around, and it especially smooths out the gusty wind..........

My favorite wind speed is in the 8 - 10 range.........

Sail - Frame/Rods

Standard - Black Race Rods

Mid-Vent - 3 wrap

Full-Vent - 4 wrap

[SparkieRob]

Favorite wind speed, am I allowed to say 20mph+....

[RobB]

Favorite wind speed, am I allowed to say 20mph+....

You can say anything you want... I assume you must have a Mega-Vent ?

[SparkieRob]

Favorite wind speed, am I allowed to say 20mph+....

You can say anything you want... I assume you must have a Mega-Vent ?

To be honest, I'll put up my B2 Std in that before my PoloVTD. A few months back there was no way I would've even considered that kite for those speeds but a little coaxing from some Rev forum members ..... That little kite just rips around the sky and it sounds soooo much like a light saber! Great for your reflexes too.

[mystainedskin]

I have flown both sizes ( full sail ) or a 1.5& rev2 in 20+. The pull is fun on the larger kite, and good control becomes difficult...but damaging in the long run. On that note...the Rev II is an absolute blast at higher wind speeds...and comes too life! Plus I got it for 20bucks , so it for sure gets the "fly it like ya stole it" treatment.

[pwiii]

I have to say this is a fasinating discussion. So yall are saying the B2's perform better in higher winds?

And it is interesting hearing the favored wind speeds.