5 replies to this topic

[Dan Fromm]

My EXP does find in windy conditions; say 10 to 20 mph, but if the wind drops, as it often does in my area, it falls lifelessly out of the air.
I wonder if I have enough range of wrist motion to reduce the angle of attack and increase the lift sufficiently.
I've thought of adding perhaps 3/4 inch to the cords on the lower ends of the handles to reduce the AOA to get lift enough to stay controllable.
Is this a reasonable thing to try?

[Kitelife]

Hi Dan,

It's an easy enough thing to do, that it's worth a try for the experience... But, it won't be an effective solution in the long run.

You might check out this article on light wind Rev flying...

http://www.kitelife....ind40/index.htm

[Dan Fromm]

Thanks John,
There's a lot to digest in the site you directed me to. I'll have to give it serious study.
Dah

[Kitelife]

My pleasure.

Take your time... Spend a couple hours, comfortably working on one piece at a time.

Really, no need to understand/use it all at once.

[antman]

its not as hard as it looks john s page does explain it very well once you get out there a few time you ll find a routine you ll follow everybody has their own way of doing things i did learn a coulple of moves that i found in that page but their are other things i  do to 1 is the float method on dayse when the wind is still you can fly in a circleular motion like flying indoors the main thing to always rember is to stay moveing when you move you genreate  a 2 mph of wind espically when you walk backwords the main thing ive seen with new light wind fliers is that tey wil walk backwords all the way to the other side of the field in a straight line and that is like painting yourself into a corner good luck to you man i hope this helps you out

[REVflyer]

the absolute easiest adjustment for better low wind performance is longer throw handles.  You can add more movement (float, stall, reverse, hard pull, inverting, flat-spin) with a bigger "throw" in each grip.

don't squeeze the angry cobra either!, instead gently grasp a baby chick,.. (fly with a light, delicate grip, using finger motions)

use shorter line lengths, 30-50 feet

replace parts with lighter pieces

add more surface area to the sail

change to a more responsive bridle, in fact, . .... try flying without any bridle at all!

Your next kite should be a 1.5 SUL w/a two wrap (Professional) frame, but continue to use solid carbon ferules

Have fun as you go thru the experiments, you will learn a lot by playing around with the kite, not just by practicing (which you'll also do a lot of)

See if you can find a local "coach", that alone will cut years off of your learning curve.

paul
maryland, usa