33 replies to this topic

[stroke survivor]

Thanks SV

I'll only use it in sub 5mph winds I assure you.

Has sure been annoying to want to go practise and finding little enough wind to be able to.
Less chance of getting lumbered with DIY by the misses as she can't say there isn't enough wind for me to fly now

Sounds good to me!!

[Baloo]

Wish you best of luck.

Contact with over the pond is usefull. Hope you thought to add a lineset or two if you needed them?

And I understand that Dave is good folks.

Part of the fun is having that kite no one else has in the UK (probably) a couple of mine are very ltd edition, or one of a kind, unless someone sees the sail and asks for exactly the same to be made up.

I have had a couple of deliveries where I have not been charged by customs at all. I sort of think there is a bit of pot luck about it.

Now you have the agonising wait of course. My longest wait has been just over 6 Weeks. Have had them MUCH quicker too though.

And dont forget, as soon as it arrives you have to check it out for damage in transit. This of course includes making sure it flies properly.

Good luck, I cant think of a better Christmas present. Let us all know how you get on.

[fungus]

Hi Plod

the kite you flew at memorial park was 1.5 sul with 2 wrap, a good choice for inland wind

fungus

[stroke survivor]

I've used a 50#x50' set a lot this summer, but I've also used my 80'x90# set too!! Just depends on where you fly, if you got the room!!

[REVflyer]

you can use any kind of quad handles,

longer throws work well in low wind conditions,
but can be brutally uncomfortable in big wind (on your wrists ~ you're actually fighting all the leverage they offer)

I'd say they conservatively lower the wind range of a kite by a couple miles per hour, just this one change! It's the first thing to alter, after switching out the frame members to your lightest.


Remember longer handles have more weight though, that mass needs to be manipulated by you, suddenly on occasion!,... so light weight, longer throw handles are a further advantage. Some folks use the Rev indoor handles to great effect. I find they can't take all my flailing, that eventually the leader line is pulled thru the tube's liner.

I've seen folks bend aluminum tubing, use wood, even carbon and injection molded plastic. I created a set made of titanium tubing, they almost drag on the ground, the gap in between the two attachment points is 17 inches and they have most of the tube's bend right up at the top. They are rigged as no-snags. Another outrageous expenditure, I can't use them around other fliers, team-folks are in peril nearby me!

Make sure you have lots of adjustment capabilities on your leaders too, tops and bottoms. You need the kite to back-up inverted from resting on the ground. Then you have enough DOWN in your tuning. Now the sail is square to the wind. Now you can go practice your lightest wind techniques. With enough experience and proper tuning any size of handle will function. Longer throws eventually become another crutch you don't need to get around. You can do the same job without them, just not as easily or as quickly.

[stroke survivor]

I'm agreeing on the handle issue - my SUL loves to be on 15" handles in light winds!! But when the wind gets up, I put those babies away and use the 13"!! In higher winds I find the 15" are too "busy"! Easy to over control with the longer handles in higher winds, the shorter 13" calm things down!!

[Baloo]

I tracked my packages, phoned the delivery folks up as soon as it was with them. Then went and picked it up at the depot using my card to pay. Meant I got it a few Hours earlier.

No chance to fly it as it was dark, just got it in my hot and sweaty just that bit quicker.

[stroke survivor]

Cutting up your credit card will work for a while, until you get a replacement!! If you wrap up correctly, they make a nice blanket if you become homeless!!