launching in light breeze

[neilhapgood]

hi folks,

first time this evening I couldn't get my 12m soul in the air, by yanking the front lines I managed to get it a couple of metres off the beach but then it was dropping again and generally looking mis-shapen. The live wind station which is on top of a building above the beach, so probably about 6 - 8 metres up was showing 9 - 12mph, I would guess it was about 6mph on the beach.


I was launching it straight downwind with no pre-inflation.


I am wondering if there is a technique I am missing or is 6mph just too light?


Thanks!

[FLandOBX]

Pre-inflation helps my Speed 4, esp. in very light wind.

[juanpasala]

Try to preinflate it a bit before launching (leaf blower works magnificently).
And if it still doesnt work, and you have the space, get if started by runing (as if it was a noral kite).

[Regis-de-giens]

Go to the kite connection. Seize the A bridles (the one connected to the leading edge upward).
Put your hands as high as possible and run backward until getting approx half of inflation. Then reposition the kite, go to the bar, seize front line above the trim with the right hand and run backward and pumping with this right end up to kite at 45 degre altitude, then put right hand back o the bar .

EDIT: in really really no wind you should first hang the leading edge up bay seizing the 2-4 bridles around the central air vent, and do a dozen of "local pumping" to force a littel of air in the vent

[kitexpert]

Go to the kite connection. Seize the A bridles (the one connected to the leading edge upward.
Put your ha ds as high as possible and run backward until getting approx half of inflation. Then reposition the kite, go to the bar, seize front line above the trim with the right hand and run backward and pumping with this right end up to kite at 45 degre altitude, then put right hand back o the bar .

Yes that is how it is done. If there is no wind you have to create wind by yourself, going backwards and pulling kite like Regis explained.

Actually there is no wind limit for foil kite because after you get it inflated you can always get it up. If you want to do deadman 360 turn by walking/running wind only makes it harder or at least there should be not more than say 4 knots of it. If there is much more you will struggle to go downwind fast enough to complete full circle.

6mph shouldn't be any problem to get kite flying. It is another question if you are able to use it for traction, very probably not.

[PullStrings]

In my closed cell ram air days with light wind at ground level 6 mph i did pre-inflate but at the " edge of the wind window "

Set-up by folding the windward wingtip with a bit of sand on it

Then go and grab and lift the leeward half of the kite by the leading edge 2 to 3 feet from the wingtip and "create an arch "

Move yourself up gradually toward the center of kite while doing forward and slight backward motion

Do this by holding the leading edge at least 5 feet high from ground for the wind to enter the kite

In a minute or so you should have the lower half of the kite filled nicely with air

Lay kite back down

Do standard launch at 45 degrees angle

[TomW]

I grab the front lines from hot launch and run backwards. Works on the Sonic 2 13m

[Ice101]

Flysurfer state the souls will fly on 6knots. 6knots is about 10mph so likely why your kite won’t fly in 6mph winds.

[slowboat]

Flysurfer state the souls will fly on 6knots. 6knots is about 10mph so likely why your kite won’t fly in 6mph winds.

6 knots is 7 mph. NOT close to 10.