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Beginner question

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msdecain
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Beginner question

Postby msdecain » Mon Aug 31, 2020 8:02 pm

question on launches from a beginner...when i launch my kite from a proper position (ie, perpendicular from the wind direction), it very rapidly drifts downwind into a high power zone and over powers me prompting me to release and a failed launch. Any suggestions on how to get the kite to rise up high without entering the high power zone so i can stabilize?

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Re: Beginner question

Postby Exal » Mon Aug 31, 2020 9:11 pm

Do you have the bar pulled in when you steer the kite up?

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Re: Beginner question

Postby StellaBlu » Mon Aug 31, 2020 9:15 pm

Your kite is too far upwind. You shouldn't be fully perpendicular to the wind direction. If you did that, the kite would drift downwind before "catching" lift and then power up (exactly how you described it). You need to walk further upwind of the kite and find the balance of where the kite starts to catch. Look for visual cues like the kite filling up with air, or the cessation of luffing / fluttering to figure out where this balance is (kite will likely flutter if it is too far upwind). The lines should all be taught and you should also be getting some light feedback from the kite when it is ready to launch. Finding that balance is a feel thing.

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tautologies
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Re: Beginner question

Postby tautologies » Mon Aug 31, 2020 9:41 pm

Good advice above. You should feel the kite wanting to go a bit forward when launched. Make sure your launcher is not throwing the kite forward. Instead, it should be released.

You might also be oversheeting your kite (means you have too much pressure on the backlines). A lot of people will react to backwards flying with sheeting in more, it is counter-intuitive, but you need to sheet out a bit when it flies backwards. You will learn this, but be super careful until you get a solid feel for launching.

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Re: Beginner question

Postby andikite » Mon Aug 31, 2020 10:32 pm

It seems that you are trying to Launch in an upwind position of the kite which tries to go downwind to the window.

Other possibility is your bar trimming. Maybe your kite/bar is overpowered making the kite fly backwards. Trim your bar checking that 4 lines are the same length with the bar powered (bar close to chiken loop and depower pulley of center lines totally extended)

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Re: Beginner question

Postby NotsoShort » Mon Aug 31, 2020 10:48 pm

Too much up wind. The person holding the kite should be able to with one finger, basically the kite is flying on the edge of the wind window . The kite will want to move forward, rather than back into the power zone

msdecain
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Re: Beginner question

Postby msdecain » Mon Aug 31, 2020 11:18 pm

awesome feedback folks, thank you...will test it out and i am sure come back with more!!

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Re: Beginner question

Postby dt73775 » Mon Aug 31, 2020 11:36 pm

If in the correct launch window. You can sit the kite on the ground on 1 tip with the person just holding it with 1 finger and you should be able to very smoothly

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Re: Beginner question

Postby toyletbowl » Tue Sep 01, 2020 1:23 am

So based off of your description, you're 99% most likely pulling in WAY too much on the bar on relaunch.

If the kite was drifting backwards due to it being too far upwind and flapping before letting go of the kite, you'd probably know to sheet out as it's drifting back to correct.

Since you didn't mention that, my money is on pulling in on the bar and possible a combo of both. Kite too far upwind and luffing and pulling in on the bar too much.

Are you using both hands to relaunch?

Use just one hand and relax your grip and pull back JUST enough to feel line tension at the bar which is your sweet spot for controlling the kite.

Also, move upwind more so there's power in the kite before the assistant let's go.

Hope this helps.

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Last edited by toyletbowl on Tue Sep 01, 2020 1:26 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Beginner question

Postby knotwindy » Tue Sep 01, 2020 6:45 am

I’d advise you to get your money back from your instructor. This is day two stuff and some of the more important aspects of safety.


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