Captainbob Posted February 5, 2014 Author Report Posted February 5, 2014 Well I finally got to actually fly my HQ Symphony 1.8 today. I was at work and we were really slow and the winds were reading 16 mph at home, so I jumped in the car and drove home. Since I had to self launch this foil kite, I grabbed a long 2 by 4 at work to lay on the trailing edge, which seemed to work OK. I had read on a post this morning that a length of chain that would be on a kids swing set works better, and of course is easier to cart around than a 3 foot 2 by 4, so I have to stop at Home Depot this week and get some. . I was really surprised how fast it accelerates in a strong breeze, really gets your attention. I also noticed when it gets to the top of the wind window, it's almost directly overhead.... I did some figure 8's, and some dives towards the ground ( some unintentional) but managed to pull it out just in time. One time I tried standing the kite up, and putting the board on the trailing edge, instead of letting the kite lay on it's back, figuring it would be easier to launch, since the sail would already be filled. As I was walking back to the staked control handles, I saw the line start rising off the ground... The kite was flying......... I ran for the handles, but by the time I got that it had already crashed..... Scrap that method of launching. At the end of the session, the wind started getting weaker and going from a gust to a lull, so the kite would be flying along and then just lose it's lift and kind of fold up and crumple to the ground. At that point I decided to call it a day. Anyway it was a blast, and can't wait to fly again. 5 Quote
Reef Runner Posted February 5, 2014 Report Posted February 5, 2014 Airborne, at last ! Enjoy the "Kitelife"............ 1 Quote
SkyPuppets LimitVoodoo Posted February 5, 2014 Report Posted February 5, 2014 Excellent Captainbob! Good to hear you had the winds for it. 16 mph is great fun on the Symphony. Did you attach a tail? 9 Couple other suggestions for holding down your trailing edge- Wal-Mart sells 1 pound hand held weights (get 2), covered in soft fabric, they are very portable and slide off the sail easily. I also like cardboard mailing tubes quarter-filled with rocks. 1 Quote
Amexpmh Posted February 5, 2014 Report Posted February 5, 2014 Woot! Flying at last. My first flight with the symphony 2.2 amazed me at the speed. Nothing but fun. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote
SparkieRob Posted February 5, 2014 Report Posted February 5, 2014 Couple of small bean bags, hand sized, filled with something weighty. Quote
Reef Runner Posted February 6, 2014 Report Posted February 6, 2014 Couple of small bean bags, hand sized, filled with something weighty. That's what I use. Got three bean bags, just for that purpose. You can even fill 2 or 3 heavy duty, quart sized, Zip-Locks........... It really doesn't take anything special............ And on the beach, just a few hands full of sand Quote
Captainbob Posted February 6, 2014 Author Report Posted February 6, 2014 Excellent Captainbob! Good to hear you had the winds for it. 16 mph is great fun on the Symphony. Did you attach a tail? 9 Couple other suggestions for holding down your trailing edge- Wal-Mart sells 1 pound hand held weights (get 2), covered in soft fabric, they are very portable and slide off the sail easily. I also like cardboard mailing tubes quarter-filled with rocks. Just got back from Walmart, I got 2 two pound weights, they didn't have 1 pound, but I think that weight should be perfect. They should roll right off with a tug on the lines. 1 Quote
Amexpmh Posted February 6, 2014 Report Posted February 6, 2014 What is the good trick for bringing the kite down when you're finished. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote
SkyPuppets LimitVoodoo Posted February 6, 2014 Report Posted February 6, 2014 What is the good trick for bringing the kite down when you're finished. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I bring my foil to the far right or left edge of the wind window. As the sail de-powers, feather the handles/straps/bar to point it slightly towards the ground. In this manner, when the wind isn't hitting the sail square, it lands rather softly. Stake down your handles and go to collect it- quickly if you're me lol. Quote
Amexpmh Posted February 6, 2014 Report Posted February 6, 2014 Or actually to keep it on the ground when you do bring it down until you can get to it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote
Captainbob Posted February 6, 2014 Author Report Posted February 6, 2014 And welcome over to "the Dark Side"............ (you've done it now) Well today is the day that UPS delivers my new Rev SLE........Can't wait to start setting up. Watching the tutorial videos every day. Quote
Reef Runner Posted February 6, 2014 Report Posted February 6, 2014 Don't forget >> the vertical (up & down) spars >> go on the back side of the sail, opposite from the bridle & logo.......... PS......You'd be surprised at how many people will mess that up, either at the beginning, or after an extended period of being away from Rev flying....... Quote
bbailey49 Posted February 6, 2014 Report Posted February 6, 2014 Don't forget >> the vertical (up & down) spars >> go on the back side of the sail, opposite from the bridle & logo.......... PS......You'd be surprised at how many people will mess that up, either at the beginning, or after an extended period of being away from Rev flying....... But if you get it wrong, you can always take heart in the fact that our fearless leader nearly abandoned revs because he was setting them up wrong and they subsequently flew like pigs. All the love, JB 1 Quote
Captainbob Posted February 6, 2014 Author Report Posted February 6, 2014 Don't forget >> the vertical (up & down) spars >> go on the back side of the sail, opposite from the bridle & logo.......... PS......You'd be surprised at how many people will mess that up, either at the beginning, or after an extended period of being away from Rev flying....... But if you get it wrong, you can always take heart in the fact that our fearless leader nearly abandoned revs because he was setting them up wrong and they subsequently flew like pigs. All the love, JB I would imagine that without those spars it would fly like a pillow case. 2 Quote
Wayne Dowler Posted February 6, 2014 Report Posted February 6, 2014 Try putting them in front!!!! NO FUN!!! Remember, the Rev flies differently that that foil, so don't expect direct comparisons between the flying styles of the two!! Just remember to - GIVE TO THE KITE!!!! And BREATHE!! Quote
bbailey49 Posted February 6, 2014 Report Posted February 6, 2014 He was using the vertical spars, he just had them installed in front of the sail instead of behind. Still all the love, JB 1 Quote
Reef Runner Posted February 6, 2014 Report Posted February 6, 2014 I would imagine that without those spars it would fly like a pillow case. Without the vertical spars, it wouldn't fly at all. The sail would just flop around in the wind, as it hung from the leading edge. What we are talking about, is some people get mixed up, and put the vertical spars on the front side of the kite (the side towards you, or the windward side). When they are put in that way, the wind could easily blow the sail out the back, and break those spars (or look like a pig) Just make sure that they are on the back side of the sail (opposite side from the bridle & logo & YOU). Quote
Captainbob Posted February 6, 2014 Author Report Posted February 6, 2014 I would imagine that without those spars it would fly like a pillow case. Without the vertical spars, it wouldn't fly at all. The sail would just flop around in the wind, as it hung from the leading edge. What we are talking about, is some people get mixed up, and put the vertical spars on the front side of the kite (the side towards you, or the windward side). When they are put in that way, the wind could easily blow the sail out the back, and break those spars (or look like a pig) Just make sure that they are on the back side of the sail (opposite side from the bridle & logo & YOU). Like the first rule of flying when I got my pilots license, "Always Preflight..... and be sure to make sure there is a wing on both sides of the plane....... 2 Quote
Tmadz Posted February 7, 2014 Report Posted February 7, 2014 He was using the vertical spars, he just had them installed in front of the sail instead of behind. Still all the love, JB I can never tell when mine are upside down! . . . . . . . . 1 Quote
Reef Runner Posted February 7, 2014 Report Posted February 7, 2014 I can never tell when mine are upside down! . . . . . . . . Me either ............ I have a hard time matching them up, and telling right from left ! Quote
makatakam Posted February 7, 2014 Report Posted February 7, 2014 He was using the vertical spars, he just had them installed in front of the sail instead of behind. Still all the love, JB I can never tell when mine are upside down! . . . . . . . . They're upside-down during inverted flight. Quote
RaginCajun Posted February 7, 2014 Report Posted February 7, 2014 I always get the left and right verticals mixed up 1 Quote
Wayne Dowler Posted February 7, 2014 Report Posted February 7, 2014 For upside down spars - mark them with an "O" ring, right where the caps end!! Keeps sand outta there too!! Left and right - ?? Quote
bbailey49 Posted February 7, 2014 Report Posted February 7, 2014 I always get the left and right verticals mixed up Even when you don't have the flu 1 Quote
Reef Runner Posted February 7, 2014 Report Posted February 7, 2014 For upside down spars - mark them with an "O" ring, right where the caps end!! Keeps sand outta there too!! Left and right - ?? But I keep those rings on both ends, Wayne ? As for right & left, a quick slash of red spray paint always works............ I do hope that people realize that we are being facetious, here ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: fa·ce·tious Full Definition of FACETIOUS1: joking or jesting often inappropriately : waggish <just being facetious> 2: meant to be humorous or funny : not serious <a facetious remark> 2 Quote
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