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On Blackheath today it was 15mph plus, I guess, from the East with snow flurries blowing through and great cloudscapes.
I have been trying to see how far the long arm technique can be extended into high wind situations. Rather than using the forward/brake control of the handles I have been trying to hit the balance point where the wing of the kite only moves forwards with a full pull of the arms.
Instead of adding brake by adjusting line lengths I have been shifting my grip on the handles way down from the tops. It is a risky strategy in my previous experience but it does seem to deliver those high speed, no wobble stops, at any orientation. Also helps with the 'treacle' mode!
11am - 1pm Five fliers, 4 1.5 JB vented, 1 1.5 10 year old vented.
I have been trying to see how far the long arm technique can be extended into high wind situations. Rather than using the forward/brake control of the handles I have been trying to hit the balance point where the wing of the kite only moves forwards with a full pull of the arms.
Instead of adding brake by adjusting line lengths I have been shifting my grip on the handles way down from the tops. It is a risky strategy in my previous experience but it does seem to deliver those high speed, no wobble stops, at any orientation. Also helps with the 'treacle' mode!
11am - 1pm Five fliers, 4 1.5 JB vented, 1 1.5 10 year old vented.
This is actually how lots of us flew before someone introduced us to adjustments, It's a great basics thing to learn as I find even after I learned to adjust (I used beads on the top line) Now with the knot system I still find my hands wandering all over the handles while flying for the instant adjustments I'm so used to.
Lots of new flyers are spoiled by not having to self learn so to speak and learning the basics like many have, To me its like starting math using a calculator instead of doing it on paper to see how it works.
As you see the "old" tricks still have their place, Great job I enjoy reading your blogs.
<Jim>