Disconnecting Z or more at the tip

[foilholio]

Seems to improve 1 line relaunch.

[foilholio]

I am quite liking it on the Psycho 4. It has taken a bit to get used to. The upwind increase, float and reduced stall are all quite noticeable. The 1 line relaunch is actually dramatically effective now.

[foilholio]

I haven't seen any real downside to this at all. It changes the kite for sure, but if you are looking for better L/D, relaunch and less stall, then give it a try.

[foilholio]

Interestingly the Speed 5 has no Z bridle at the tip and also no A ( which is common) so only B and C.

speed5tip.png (109.16 KiB) Viewed 822 times

[foilholio]

Works well on the Aurora 1, which should translate to the Aurora 2 and 3 quite well. There I disconnected both Z and C at the tip. I think C can also go because of the taper of the tip on the Aurora and it's position makes it really more like a Z bridle. There is I think a geometric shape and proportion for the unsupported part of the wing that works best. My mind is using the Pyscho 4 as the model for this.

It might be because of the wing shape and also likely the air tension at the tip, but the Aurora 1 seems to hold it's shaped with the tip unsupported a bit better than the Psycho 4. The Aurora has completely velcroed tips so air holds a bit better, the cell is bigger too so would be a contribution. I am going to open the tips and see what effect it has.

Carrying my thoughts forward I wonder if it would be good to design kites with more of the tip arced or flared up, even a significant part like 1/2 to 1/4 of the span from center.