iGoThud Posted July 15, 2016 Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 After years of 2 line kites ... and the need to add a new kite to the bag ... I couldn't get over the quad I saw at the kite store. I am very happy with my new EXP. 2nd time out, I took my 18 year old son out and gave him a shot at it. I do believe I will be purchasing another quad in the near future... Now for the questions after my first few flights: Conditions: believe the wind was 10-15mph so a little high When applying a breaking action or reversing the kite, sometimes one of the wings would flip in and spin the kit... Most of the time, releasing the break or applying forward drive would "set" the kite in a normal orientation. Is the flipped in wing because I am applying to much breaking? or too high of a wind speed? Will getting a set of extended leaders help an EXP? and any other "have to do's"? Thanks in advance! Thad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted July 15, 2016 Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 Yep - flipping a wing is pretty much a direct action of over controlling! Learning how little, rather than how much will gain you in the end. As someone else would say - "You're not trying to strangle a snake, you're holding a baby bird!" Gentle, smooth, easy get you more!! Yes - leaders will help any Rev fly better - IMHO !! John sells an awesome set over here in KL - I have 3 sets myself. You may need to add a step back into your launch sequence, but the control in flight is well worth it! New or not - check the lines for equal!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyzakite Posted July 15, 2016 Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 Sounds like high wind and over braking, for now if one side is flipping over more than the other side you can compensate by making the side that flips over longer by moving your foot forward on the opposite of the flipping side, cocking you body a little sideways making that lineset a bit longer from you to the kite, sounds like you're fine with second time out. Just hope for slower winds tomorrow. You'll learn to flip/ bowtie the kite as needed later. I like the snake vs. baby bird idea of handling. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iGoThud Posted July 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 Thanks... Just have to remember "Your holding a baby bird!" Got it! Forgot one question... Line length? What is a good length? My EXP came with line and it seems short. 65ft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted July 15, 2016 Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 Most are 80-85' from the factory. You are sure of length? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iGoThud Posted July 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 The line card winder has a label: 65' Laser Pro Gold I'll do a manual check and check my lines for equal length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul LaMasters Posted July 15, 2016 Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 longer lines provide more time for you to react and a larger window in which to draw your flight patterns. Longer lines also provide more slack and all the most desirable skills develop the fastest in demanding conditions, so learn to use that slack effectively. Longer lines provide more drag, further slowing the kite down, so for example if you wanted to draw precision figures a set of 50# 120s would help you unless it's blowing too hard and they might break. Breaking lines is related to you giving ground during a sudden gust also, as opposed to just standing there lead-footed and man-handling the kite. for newer pilots 85 to 90 feet is a good balance between short (faster response, less slack to overcome in low wind) and long (larger window, smoother low wind conditions if you can get up to use it) Team flying is best done on 120s/90 or 100#, if there's sufficient wind, or 50#/100 feet for a calm set of conditions ( a little shorter and thinner to help beat the swirls and no wind conditions back to submission! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iGoThud Posted July 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 Did a line length test. Had one line that was almost 2 inches longer than the rest. The four lines paced out at around 65'. Guess I'll be adding a set of longer lines...probably go with a set of 100-120/90# 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul LaMasters Posted July 17, 2016 Report Share Posted July 17, 2016 Lines wear out too, crap frayed and ragged is readily apparent in team settings, first everyone is dragged out of the sky, then the offender is identified and flailed upon by peers! Don't be THAT guy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iGoThud Posted July 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 Yeah... My 65' have about 2 hours on them... If I had a set of 120', I doubt having frayed lines would be my biggest problem. My awesome ability to keep the nose of my kite firmly planted on the ground would be my greatest concern... My sons running commentary on my flying...."Ouch...Ouch.......Ouch.Ouch...Ouch!.." LOL! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 2 hours are nothing, but the advice of having 120's for team flying - sticks! Surprised they are only 65', most are 80-85' in the package. Those are a great length to learn on. So what is the issue/issues that keep you grounded? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iGoThud Posted July 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 (edited) My issue keeping me ground... ME! It is definitely not the kite. So I have the basic hover, up/down and left/right. I can reverse fly the kite and land. And I can launch from both orientations. AND... I can manage my lines! I just haven't mastered the nose down orientation. I either panic and drive the kite into the ground or I actually get it stopped and then drive it into the ground. What's happening is this... When the kite stops and then starts to rise, I over control the kite to stop the motion up and end up driving it into the ground. Just lacking practice... I also noticed that when I rotate the kite to a nose down orientation, I actually rotate my hands with the kite. Yeah! Anyway, its really hard to apply the brakes when your hands are rotated. So to combat that, I try to keep my elbows in my side or gut. Its odd....never did that with my 2 line kites. Note the orientation of my hands in the photo... bad form! Edited July 19, 2016 by iGoThud Added photo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 Here's an exercise to try - put the kite LE down and your hands in a normal position. Try pushing your thumbs gently towards the kite, if it doesn't come off the ground - step back too, but just a step. Try to hold it steady. That means slow easy movements, nothing radical. If you feel like it's lost, step forward and take all the power out. Try again! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 Feels different? DUH!! It is different! But remember this: the only thing the kite understands is that the long LE means forward - period! Up, down, sideways - the LE is forward in all your commands. Doesn't matter if you stand on your head - that big LE is forward! Learn to keep your hands quieter as you give commands. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.V. Nguyen Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 'Breath' and 'Give it to the kite'. That's 2 wisdoms from Wayne that I have yet mastered (I'm still too nervous to get on the lines lol). Take one or two steps forward and throw your hands out when you're about to crash. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevmort Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 Your not the only one with funny hands ( hangs head in shame [emoji20] ) Sent from my iPad using KiteLife mobile app 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 Must be "wrong" LOL !! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iGoThud Posted July 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 LOL! For you: That's not wrong...that's Style! For me: That's a sign of bad things happening on the other end of the line! LOL! Thanks for the tips Wayne! And the rest of you guys too! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevmort Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 Think Wayne has been watching to much of johns Kung fu moves [emoji4] , I just noticed not only do I have funny hands but I lean too lmao Sent from my iPhone using KiteLife mobile app 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul LaMasters Posted July 23, 2016 Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 Spills the air and then re-inflate a moment later, that requires larger hand and body movements (he is flailing!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makatakam Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 6 hours ago, Paul LaMasters said: Spills the air and then re-inflate a moment later, that requires larger hand and body movements (he is flailing!) Yup, the way you dump all the pressure from the sail is to step forward and move your hands suddenly forward at the same time. This is how you set up for certain moves and/or tricks to make them crisp and dramatic. Without dumping the pressure the move is only a continuation of previous motion. The stall gives it its own life. Also known as "whump". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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