RobB Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 I don't know who declared April as Kite Month, but I'm more than happy to go along with it. Not too hot, not too cold... and plenty of wind ! The last few years have brought some great flying in April, let's hope this year follows suit. I'd like to kick this thread off with my first flight of Kite Month, April 3rd... When I got to the beach, it was a little wet & grey. Not too sure if there's going to be any flying today... Luckily, the rain & mist let up, and I was able to get a quick session in before it got too dark & the rain started up again. I've been working a little on my one-handed flying. I still get really uncomfortable if the kite gets too high up, but I can keep it off the ground for a little longer without crashing now. I'd like to invite the rest of you to post your Kite Month activities, it will be really interesting to see what you all are up to ! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave362 Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 I tried to get one that looked like yours, but I could only fly one handed with the kite on the ground....... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted April 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Dave, that's exactly how I started. After a few months of trying, I got maybe 10 feet off the ground before I panic & land. I know others here can fly one handed, it must have taken A LOT of practice ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makatakam Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 When I try one-handed I like to start with the kite at least 1/2-way up the window. I don't like sudden, unexpected landings. I've been trying it more frequently the last five or six times. It's not working well for me so far, plus I have very small hands, which doesn't help. I am also practicing it with both hands so that maybe someday I can fly two at the same time. It's going to take a LOT of practice!!!!! Going out to fly tomorrow. I will try to remember to take some pictures and post them here for Kite Month. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonfish Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 I like to start my one handed attempts high too. Try putting the kite at the top of the wind window where it will kind of just sit there. Then put both handles in one hand. I find one handed launches quite difficult, especially in lighter winds. Now, trying to fly one handed while tracking the kite through the camera screen is hard for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave362 Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Thanks for the tips, really helpful stuff! I so appreciate the level of Rev flyers in evidence at this site. I've just gotta keep at it. I've got a new kite from Lam coming this week. I'll for sure get out and get some pictures of it for this thread. I really enjoy threads like this, that invite participation. Nice goin' Rob! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHBKF Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Had a Blast today. Have not learned how to fly it one handed. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted April 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 DSC07803.JPG Had a Blast today. Have not learned how to fly it one handed. Holy Cr@p, Ralph... I hope your arms are still attached ! That thing looks insane ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted April 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Well, the first weekend of Kite Month is over. Even though we had a dreary day, my family went out to have our annual Easter Kite Fly. The winds swirled around (a full 360* wind shift while we were there) and ranged from nothing to over 20mph. A little rain and a lot of grey... Only one Ghost Delta came out to fly today, it's the first time that I've seen this kite unhappy with the winds... My daughter likes flying this little kite, it doesn't pull too hard & stays stapled to the sky ! The Mesh Delta sporting a long tail to help it deal with the winds... This kite needed some air, it's been hanging in our house for over a decade and never been flown once. Had to blow the dust off, and it did its best with its neon colors to brighten the grey sky ! Off-Shore wind at this point... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makatakam Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 DSC07803.JPG Had a Blast today. Have not learned how to fly it one handed. If you fly that beast one-handed, you'll end being one-handed -- it'll rip your arm off! You're going to need a larger vehicle to lean it against too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave362 Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 i agree, What a beast!!!!! Looks like everyone had a great day. i managed to get out for a couple of hours. I only took one kite, my beloved Nirvana, so I would spend my time flying, not fiddling. Just practiced basics; ground passes to half axel, repeat at other side... Worked on a bunch of basic tricks, just trying to get my touch back. gettng better, but I'm still beating the kite up at times. Anyway, great way to spend the day! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted April 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Nice looking Nirvana, Dave. I've always wanted to fly one of those. You just don't see them on the used market much anymore... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makatakam Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Out flying today with Bill Meier and Steve Anderson at Busse Woods. Wanted to get pictures of the Red/White on Black spiro, but the wind stayed at full-vent all day, so here's a pic of my Phantom. Edit: by the way, that's a 4-wrap frame! Photos courtesy of Bill Meier (basicbill). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave362 Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Very cool kite, Mark! Looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave362 Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Thanks Rob, This kite is kind of like your Zephyr, I've flown the crap out of it. Its a bit like the QP, but more willing to trick, while remaining just as unforgiving of less than perfect inputs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkieRob Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Was out for an hour or so this morning. Strong winds though, 32 with gusts to 58km/h (20 and 40 mph). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzKiter Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 me with my beetle stack with camera in one hand. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave362 Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 Sweet! Nice shot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makatakam Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 Got some nice wind for a standard sail Rev today, so as promised, I took a couple of photos of the RWB Spiro. Not in action, unfortunately, since I was flying alone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted April 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 Those Spiros look so nice... I'd have a hard time choosing one ! Looks like the wind was up judging by the bow in the LE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave362 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 That is an amazing looking kite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave362 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 Still hoping to get out today, its late morning here. Wind is currently around 20 knots but its supposed to tapor off. Ah, the waiting.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted April 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 The winds weren't as great as advertised, but there was still something to get some color into the air.... My youngest really enjoys flying the SLKs... bigger the better for her ! I want to fly the BIG one, she says... The 'BIG' one was the 11' Mesh Delta today. It came out of the sky a few times, but can hang in a surprisingly light breeze, considering it's half holes ! My boy had his turn flying the Mesh Delta. He also had some quad line training with the Zen. No solo quad line flying yet, but getting there... The Mesh Delta & KL Ghost Delta made the most out of the iffy winds... The Mesh Delta & the Zen wait out a lull. The wind was having a hard time deciding if it would blow off the water, or off the land. But all in all, a good day. It feels good to get some sun finally, and 60* temps feel like a vacation in the tropics ! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave362 Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 Great looking family, beautiful kites! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave362 Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 I managed to get this one out for a bit this afternoon. What a flyer! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_(on-light)110px.png.f871ac6915a5dfb149c2fb26bbaf0493.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.