So I Learned the Dead Launch With My 4D Today

[dmcneil]

...and I also learned how to replace a broken center T.

Think I will stick to the "walk" when I have to.

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[RobB]

That's exactly why I don't dead launch... it is almost guaranteed to end in disaster !

[SHBKF]

As much as I flown my 4D it is surprising I have not broken any of the frame. Lost a spreader one day, went back the next & found it. A bit of luck has been used up on that one. I would also say take it easy when flying over abrasive surfaces (asphalt for me). The nose is not very heavy & I have had to repair mine. I have also wore through the leading edge fabric in a few places dragging it around without mercy.

[dmcneil]

I knew I was tempting fate. Do other kites have a similar raised center T?

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[SparkieRob]

By dead launch, do you mean belly down nose pointing at you?

I tried the recovery described in the Prism DVD but still can't get it to work. I walk too.

[dmcneil]

By dead launch, do you mean belly down nose pointing at you?

I tried the recovery described in the Prism DVD but still can't get it to work. I walk too.

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[dmcneil]

By dead launch i do mean belly down nose pointed at you. I was successful several times, right up until I broke the center T.

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[RobB]

Yeah, I'm convinced Prism put that in their video so they could sell more kites & parts ! Although it CAN be done, a little walk never hurt anybody... Funny thing is, old Prism kites are really the only kites that can do this recovery reliably, because they have a slightly up-turned nose. Eclipse, Illusion, I2k, and Elixir. Not really a good idea with any modern kites...

[dmcneil]

Keep in mind the DVD was produced in 2003. I am sure many things have changed since then. I would be curious to hear from other Prism owners on their dead launch experiences.

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[SHBKF]

My dead launch successes have come mostly in mowed hay fields where the stubby cut grass allowed a bit of air under the kite. But hay fields have other problems like briers that can snag your kite or lines. I walk to the kite often. I have learned to like short line sets. I am a highly experienced novice for sure.

[dmcneil]

But hay fields have other problems like briers that can snag your kite or lines. /quote]

...and meadow muffins.

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[SparkieRob]

I'm a bit lucky as both my Std and UL have roll bars so on those rare occasions it falls nose forward I walk. I did put it like that to practice but gave it up as I could NEVER get it to work.

[Joespickles]

Tried it once after watching that video, even in grass it felt harsh, I stopped trying before I broken anything

[Tmadz]

I've only done it with my quantum on dried hard pack ground in the summer. It's the only kite tough enough for me to try it. Green grass is too soft. Need hard ground to get some bounce.

[Baloo]

Broke the T on my 4D trying that too, don't think we have too much of an exclusive club :-)

Find it works on my other Prism and Sea Devil, most of the time anyway.

Don't fly on sand or tarmac much though, mostly over grass.

Thinking about it, yep, have 4D right beside me now, should have ordered 2 T pieces!

[dmcneil]

Luckily I had read up on the kite before buying it and ordered 4 center Ts at the time. Even after all that reading I still had to see for myself.

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