John Barresi Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 On December 19, 2016 at 1:46 PM, Edmond Dragut said: longer top leaders decrease leading edge angle. advanced flyers name " the sweet point " that combinations of top and bottom knots where the kite is having the lowest leading edge angle close to 0. in that situation top and bottom lines are almost equals on launch position ( thumb up ) angle of attack is between ground and perpendicular to sky like L shape where you have 0 for attach angle on the long line. this position on launch make you to give less breaks input for kite in flying and is help you to fly in reverse much easier Note that the "sweet point" on handle (knot) tuning isn't static either, it changes in flight, sort of. For each added degree of flex in the leading edge, the more the trailing edge flares open, thereby angling the central part of the SAIL (the belly) forward as if the handles were tilted back... Said differently, if you're hovering and suddenly "whump" the sail and finish with all four lines equally taut (without changing the angle of your handles at any time) the kite will want to fly forward until the leading edge again straightens out... This is one of the reasons we have to keep lengthening the top leaders as the wind increases. Hope that's clear, felt like bit of a ramble. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p23brian Posted December 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 No work the next couple of days and WX forecast is sunny/warm wind WNW 5-10. Hopefully I'll get to try some of this stuff again. Chatting here about it is great and I appreciate all the discussion but I'd rather be Out There!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmond Dragut Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 actually being "out there" will help you understand what is about in this discussions and most important to find out the best setup for your stile. start from second knot on bottom and third on top and see how it is. after couple of minutes change to second knot on top and check again. play and change,play and change till you will find the best solution for you.till you understand exactly how different knots change the acting of the kite do not change the bottom to may always have a reference.when you catch what and how start to play with the bottom leader. how long you do not feel the kite and different setups any discussion is just teory 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p23brian Posted December 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2016 On 12/20/2016 at 9:13 AM, p23brian said: This is what the leaders that my handles came with look like. Would I benefit from longer ones on top? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Handles are 15". Top leaders 10.5" with knots spaced at 1". bottom leaders 2.75" with knots spaced 1". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p23brian Posted December 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2016 Now we're talkin' Getting ready to head out in a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted December 22, 2016 Report Share Posted December 22, 2016 Perfectly fine! Now go out and fly!! PS: if you've heard this before, then ignore - "Learn to give to the kite!" If crashing is unavoidable - DO NOT PULL!! Let it! Step forward, throw your hands forward, lessen the force your kite has impacting the ground. All pulling does is drive it harder into the ground! Better to have to go down and straighten it up, than go and find something broken! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p23brian Posted December 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2016 Mostly successful outing today. I had a couple of hours of reasonably steady wind, probably 10-12 mph. Lots of experimenting including different knots on the upper leaders. I settled on the ones about 8.5" from the handle. The kite felt more balanced than on the further out knots. I was able to successfully hover with the kite turned 90 degrees a bunch of times and even did a little (shaky) backwards flying. The low point of the day was getting the lines wrapped around a bush about 10' tall that I didn't think would be in the way. I'm getting more efficient at untangling lines though. It looks like I'll get another shot at it tomorrow.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barresi Posted December 23, 2016 Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 8.5" isn't bad, everything you said makes sense (doing the right stuff)... Seen the line management video, I'm sure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkieRob Posted December 23, 2016 Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 Great to keep flying. Experience gives confidence. Sent from my iPhone using KiteLife mobile app 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p23brian Posted December 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 ... Seen the line management video, I'm sure? Yes, I've followed the instructions in the line management video when I wind up the lines. Anxiously awaiting the video about the best way to extricate the lines from a 10' tall bush.[emoji6]Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barresi Posted December 23, 2016 Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 4 minutes ago, p23brian said: Anxiously awaiting the video about the best way to extricate the lines from a 10' tall bush. If your kite is fully draped over the bush or tree, disconnect (at the kite end) and pull through one line at a time... Generally works, if the lines haven't done too many loops in the bush. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p23brian Posted December 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 If your kite is fully draped over the bush or tree, disconnect (at the kite end) and pull through one line at a time... Generally works, if the lines haven't done too many loops in the bush. That's exactly what I did. It was a little tedious but it worked.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffclown Posted December 23, 2016 Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 You can also feed one end of the line through a LE with an FSD End cap.. You can use that to extricate the line over complicated entrapments.. I rescued a kite that was suspended on footpegs by its magic stick bridles once this way.. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHBKF Posted December 23, 2016 Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 50 minutes ago, John Barresi said: If your kite is fully draped over the bush or tree, disconnect (at the kite end) and pull through one line at a time... Generally works, if the lines haven't done too many loops in the bush. This is exactly how I got my Rev B out of a palm tree one night I walked toward the tree & the kite somehow lowerered to be reachable. A bit scary at first, thought the lines were gone. Quite a night, But oh what a night! I got my thirty foot line set free, reattached the kite & continued flying for quite some time. Best night time "urban flying in the campground" session ever. SHBKF 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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