A little while ago a a pilot contacts the local kite shop and Rev agents about a problem with a Blast and they referred him to me. Turns out that somewhere in a small town in this country, there is a really nice 80 year old guy who has been flying kites for ages and has recently taken to flying a Blast. I don't know if I was more surprised, impressed or pleased ....
Anyway, after a number of emails and photos (technology isn't the easiest thing to relate to for him), I got his bridle on right for him. Once that was sorted the Blast would no longer launch, so I had him check his lines. Turns out he had a cheap set of lines and had a good 7-8 inch stretch on the top lines. After equalising the lines and getting the lower bridle back on right (again) things went fine for a while.
The trouble now is that his lines are now breaking. I don't know the make or test strength of the lines, but he is going to need to get new lines. This is where I have a question for everyone, especially the UK pilots.
The question is this - with LPG, Shanti, etc not being available locally, would a set of Flexifoil power kite lines rated at 200kg/100kg (440# / 220#) work okay?
They are easily available here and much cheaper on the old guy's wallet. I know from flying my foils they can take at least 6 or 7 wraps without any problems and he will only be flying the Blast solo.
If the power kite lines are going to be a problem, is there anyone in the UK that would be able to assist. I did refer him to Theressa but he has a UK bank account and specifically wants to pay someone from there in the UK. I believe he has tried to contact The Flying Squad without any success.
I told him I'd put it out on the forum for him to see who can help.
Steven
