20 replies to this topic

[big bri]

After the,,, Own Thy Hover,,, Tip last week.I thought we could ease the nerves even more of any budding team flyers that wana try flying in larger numbers

What about one that was mentioned by Hezz i think.Dont Panic.Easier said than done i hear some say.Little pain for a Massive gain i would say.

A few ideas on the subject

DONT PANIC,,,Relax and enjoy.Its like flying on your own,but with some freinds showing you the directions.Youve got brakes,its daylight and we all drive on the
same side here.
LISTEN,,,,To the caller.Its like having a sat nav telling you and everyone the same way.
CONCENTRATE,,,on your own kite.Dont worry about the other kites.They will look after themselves.
FIRST TIME,,,nerves is a good thing.Natural Human instinct stuff.Thing is.The Caller and experienced guys have been ther also.They will ease the nerves.


Ive watched the look of terror and horror come on a few faces now.Marty Juggles is certainly the one that we at Ainsdale all remember and talk about.We actually Associate the look with Marty now.Sorta ,named it after him.Not the Terror/ Horror look though,Nope.Thats history.Over in a blink that look.
A far better look Has tobe ,,,,THE BIG DAFT GRIN,,,,,when after a few minutes of simple stuff in team flying.A glow Spreads across your chops and pins the corners of your mouth.Right back under your ears

A PRICELESS MOMENT and one ive never forgotten.

Anyone else have a few words of comfort,tip or two

BRIAN...Tip Of The Week

[AldenMiler]

Breathe!
Relax your arms!

Not that I have mastered this yet but it's been said to me and I have passed it on to others and it seems to help.

-Alden

[Martyjuggles]

Aaaah That was a GOOD day Bri . . . almost a year ago now and i still get that stupid grin whenever i fly with others

[REVflyer]

is there any truth to these statements?
"the better REV pilots hold their handles lower, compared to the bodies. You can actually see this in a group of team fliers, newbies fly towards the shoulders and experienced or master class pilots fly closer to their hips!"

[Stone in Shoe Bob]

DONT PANIC,,,Relax and enjoy.Its like flying on your own, but with some freinds showing you the directions.

Very true, it’s works great just so long as you can keep following your friend’s example.

On another note it’s also a good technique to employ when trying to learn a new move, if you have a friend that can do it, get him to fly it while you attempt to follow. I’m no psychology expert but I reckon it stops you thinking about the mechanics of “how” and concentrates the mind on the kite.

Aaaah That was a GOOD day Bri . . . almost a year ago now and i still get that stupid grin whenever i fly with others

I don’t think I will ever loose that. That’s what we do this for isn’t it?

If I wanted to fly alone I would have become a duel-line flyer.

is there any truth to these statements?
"the better REV pilots hold their handles lower, compared to the bodies. You can actually see this in a group of team fliers, newbies fly towards the shoulders and experienced or master class pilots fly closer to their hips!"

Pretty much, but don't get confused between cause and effect, lowering the hands doesn’t necessarily make you a better pilot, it’s the self confidence that allows experienced pilots to relax.

Frankie Says Relax

[Scott_of_melnsct]

is there any truth to these statements?
"the better REV pilots hold their handles lower, compared to the bodies. You can actually see this in a group of team fliers, newbies fly towards the shoulders and experienced or master class pilots fly closer to their hips!"

I think that there is truth there. At Wildwood I got out of my car and walked straight into a 15 person line. (nobody got hurt). The most I'ld ever flown with at that point was 6, and that was not for long. Typically it's just Melanie and I. I noticed that my hands were high, My arms and shoulders were tight, and my hover was shaky. I made a concious decision to lower my hands and relax my shoulders, and what do you know?....my kite flew better. Oh yes....also....had the grin going.

[big bri]

We all luv that Big Daft Grin.

Wish we could bottle it and sell it.
Hello Paul,
The hands lower is a good point.The linked video of some Handsome fella .I think shows more what both yourself and Bob are talking about.Aaway with the Fairys just flying,,,,BDG on the face..



LOL,

BRIAN...

Edited by big bri, 27 October 2009 - 08:34 AM.

[quaa714]

Another piece of advice that goes hand in hand with the "take a deep breath and/or relax" refrain that I give to people is::::
Fly the kite don't let the kite fly you.
That and loosen up on the handles, fly with your fingers instead of manhandling the foam.

My .02

[Hezz]

Hands at hips?? Never flown like that... my flying technique is more like elbows in to sides, hands in front of me, but not in a tense way (more to prevent inadvertent elbowing of fellow flyers!)

In light winds, moving arms up / out can help a lot, e.g. one arm fully extended, other hand up near shoulder / ear (if you can picture that) can allow you to keep flying in very marginal winds.

But I would say, fly how you feel comfortable. We all have different flying styles, but the "relax and don't panic" is still a good maxim

Hezz

[AldenMiler]

Hands at hips??

I saw Bob doing that at Wildwood but they weren't his hips!!!!

[quaa714]

I saw Bob doing that at Wildwood but they weren't his hips!!!!

HAHAHAHAHA..............nice reference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jeff]

I saw Bob doing that at Wildwood but they weren't his hips!!!!

Is that why they call it Wildwood?

[Felix Mottram]

We all luv that Big Daft Grin.

Wish we could bottle it and sell it.
Hello Paul,
The hands lower is a good point.The linked video of some Handsome fella .I think shows more what both yourself and Bob are talking about.Aaway with the Fairys just flying,,,,BDG on the face..



LOL,

BRIAN...

Plenty of examples of long arm pulls in that video. Complete mobility is the key in my view. Tensing up doesn't do it!

Felix

[Felix Mottram]

Hands at hips?? Never flown like that... my flying technique is more like elbows in to sides, hands in front of me, but not in a tense way (more to prevent inadvertent elbowing of fellow flyers!)

In light winds, moving arms up / out can help a lot, e.g. one arm fully extended, other hand up near shoulder / ear (if you can picture that) can allow you to keep flying in very marginal winds.

But I would say, fly how you feel comfortable. We all have different flying styles, but the "relax and don't panic" is still a good maxim

Hezz

'Bow and arrow' has limitations that I have been trying to work around. It's a habit I had and I have been taking some time to un-learn it...

Elbowing is something that was not a problem in the grid. <grins>

Felix

[REVflyer]

ah! the ole don't squeeze a cobra, instead hold a baby chick.
In fact hold 'em so gently that the wind could almost rip it from your finger tips.

I flail,
but when hovering my hands are never near my armpits,
closer to my pants pockets is much more likely.

[Felix Mottram]

ah! the ole don't squeeze a cobra, instead hold a baby chick.
In fact hold 'em so gently that the wind could almost rip it from your finger tips.

I flail,
but when hovering my hands are never near my armpits,
closer to my pants pockets is much more likely.

Arms straight down with handles horizontal is what I would advocate. Translating this into high wind situations is interesting but if there is no effective 'forward' it may be viable...

'Flail' may have negative indications that are actually incorrect.

Felix

[REVflyer]

'Flail' may have negative indications that are actually incorrect.

Felix,
I agree, . . . and I'm quite proud to be an accomplished flailer!
You can't be a flailer only and be welcomed in team efforts though, somebody gets poked in the ribs! Flailing alone is where I am most of the time. Big movements are needed for slack-line efforts, 3D and low or no wind. You need to get the kite flat (parallel with the ground) for field recoveries. Everyone laughs about it whenever witnessing me, then they sneak over for a lesson/or an explanation. Soon thereafter, they are being pointed-out also and chuckled at.

The whole smooth and graceful flight thing is fine sometimes, Revs are famously know for that level of control. But rolling the kite into the flying lines upon landing, then doing the unroll launch, the throw & catch trick, flipping the wing inside-out repeatedly, axels and dramatic tip stabs, done consistently,... those are all flailing techniques, not the mark of a dangerous rookie, but of an experienced pilot.

It's okay laugh away (or, "viewed negatively") I like entertaining people with kites and my antics. There is little desire to even want to fly anymore, unless there are spectators around. I live almost on top of a complex of 26 soccer fields, instead I'll hassle with the DC monument grounds after a 50 minute drive.
So many restrictions to deal with there,... sound volume, no parking, security everywhere, sidewalk safety, bathroom access, presidential helicopters, no stakes placed in the ground, sprinkler systems that suddenly activate mid-day, but there are always appreciative crowds too.

I don't teach folks to flail, when giving first-timers a lesson. In fact, I encourage smooth and graceful control, don't follow my example! The techniques of flailing aren't difficult to master, but you have to have control before they are of much value. I consider flailing practice as expanding my skill set, not a flaw in technique. I can do smooth and graceful, but herky-jerky is much more fun, just don't stand too close to my personal space!

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[Felix Mottram]

'Flail' may have negative indications that are actually incorrect.

Felix,
I agree, . . . and I'm quite proud to be an accomplished flailer!
<snip>

I have been working on 'very slow' flying which also requires big input on occasions especially in light breezes.

Felix

[Love2fly]

I saw Bob doing that at Wildwood but they weren't his hips!!!!

Hi Alden-

That's funny stuff!!!
Another tidbit to help with team flying is to not pay any attention to the lines crossing and wrapping, It looks really cool, but shouldn't stress you out! As they get wrapped, they will unwrap too. Just ride your breaks and trust the folks next to you and enjoy the ride.

[Aerochic]

Another tidbit to help with team flying is to not pay any attention to the lines crossing and wrapping, It looks really cool, but shouldn't stress you out! As they get wrapped, they will unwrap too. Just ride your breaks and trust the folks next to you and enjoy the ride.

Excellent point, Laura and every bit as important as relaxing!