I've been a tube kiter for 8 years, but flew a 2007 Ranger for a year when it was new. I recently bought a 2009 Flexifoil Sabre 2 (12m) and yesterday was the first chance I had to fly it. It's my first time with a 5th line kite.
After a few sudden collapses when I flew the kite too close to the edge of the window and got hit with a wind shift, I remembered to fly it farther back in the window. I also remembered that when it collapses to just be patient and let the wind sort out the kite. I kite on a frozen lake--not on terrain. That worked every time, and I eventually got better at it.
My question is really about how to use the fifth line. I attach my kite leash to it, but haven't tried to QR the kite to see what happens. All the lines and complexity of the bridle system intimidates me a bit--if things get too badly tangled, I'm not sure I'd ever sort them out.
I used the brake strap to set up and land the kite. The extra leash from the CL to the brake strap loop also confuses me a bit. How does that work? Other than to depower the kite when shit happens, what are the uses for the fifth line?
Thanks.
Don