New Tech Kites

Christian

most kites state they are for wind ranges 3 or 5 to around 20.
but what is the "ideal" wind range for slack line tricks?
Im still learning and getting frusterated.
Today i went out and the speeds were at around 5 mph. there were times i couldnt keep it in the air.
I believe my lineset is 80 ft, but i also tried on a 50 ft set i made and I liked it even less.
On the flight school dvd Dodd says 7mph is about right. dosent seem enough to make a difference from the winds i had here today.

Dodd · High Flier Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 184

Hi Christian, sorry you are so frustrated. That is part of the learning process though, sometimes it can be contributed to bad wind.

I had 5mph yesterday and had trouble, because there was a small tree grove about 200 yards behind me and a pavillion about 200' behind me causeing turbulance.

I also had too much tail wieght on my kite, and I did not have the bridle adjusted correctly.

So the other factor is your adjustments and preperation in addittion to the wind condition.

The other day I was flying the same kite on a different field with the indicator flag near me not moving at all, and the kite was flying fine.

Wind ranges are merely a guide line and in most recent years have become more of a sales tool for some because they know that new kite fliers really pay attention to this one thing, the amount of wind they will be able to fly in.

So they are not always very accurate. some state thier kite can fly in 25mph, when they know it begins to shake from high winds around 15mph, but it still flies!
The same goes for the lower end. The lower the number the better so they push it to 3 when in reality it is 5mph that the kite needs to fly around.

As a designer, the low number for non ULs I assign to new designs is the amount of wind the kite flies in without the kite flier moving to keep it in the air.

The high number I assign is where the kite begins to shake.

But here is a general rule of thumb that works.

7-8 foot sport kites would normally be framed in 6mm carbon. Most kites of this size and this frame would be able to handle winds from 3-18mph.
As low as 3 because of thier size and frame.
Even a kite framed in Skyshark, will have about this same wind range.

Low end depends on your ablitiy. But the assigned number should only indicate that the kite will fly in that wind, not can.

80' 100', shouldnt matter. Longer lines allow you to get above the "wind catchers" behind you.
shorter lines do give you more direct control and less line drag though.

I think your troubles yesterday can be more contributed to the flying field, possibly your kite, (maybe the kite, maybe the bridle adjustment) and your skill level.

I suggest that you check out Flight School DVD. There is a section in there on light wind flying basics that may help you

Best wishes
Dodd

ed_diaz

Dodd · High Flier Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 184

Sorry I didnt answer the question, got off on a tangent.

All kites are different, winds are different, but in general, the best winds for Tricking are under 10 mph. Anything more that that, no matter what is just no fun. Too much work IMO. There are vented kites available from some manufacturers, and I have designed some myself in the past, but you give up alot compared to the standard kite.

Things can be done for expample, using heavier lines, wind brakes or screens, adjusting the bridle, longer lines,etc, but its just a way of copeing with the higher winds.

So for most kites, for most fliers, gererally speaking, around 7mph IMO is ideal!

Dodd

Christian · Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 2:19 pm Post subject:

thanks guys.appreciate the help,I love flying my kites, just gets frustrating sometimes being alone here trying to learn.
I am by no means going to give it up though, i suspect ill get it, it will just take me a lil longer than you coastal flyers :)plus in these oklahoma winds, calm one day 24 mph one day and 8 mph the next.
Gotta be the right winds on a day im off work for me to get some time in. Guess thats why i get frusterated hehe. Only chance i had to fly and the wind sucked.
Thanks again

winged v · Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 8:40 pm Post subject: Four words.

Christian,
I am a inland wind flyer also and the winds can and will be perfect all day when your at work and just when you start to attach your lines the winds will about stop or change directions,get bumpy etc.... happens all the time!

I bought my first kite about 8 years ago down at the beach and the winds were 20 to 25mph and the shop owner said that this was the kite I should buy...[ vented Eclipse ] and it worked great down there but when I came home and took it to the hill I spent hours,seemed more like weeks sitting and waiting for wind.

I think the only way to beat the wind and to get as much flying time you can is to get these four words in your bag:
super ultra lite
ultra lite
standard
vented

Hang in there buddy it only gets better!
_________________

Rick
Flying in the winds of change.

ed_diaz · Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 9:04 pm Post subject:

you dont only need a vented i mean you can have other kites for those "high wind days" like a foil!? hey its frameless so nothing will break and they look like lots of fun and they'll pull you like crazy too hehe. also you can get a smaller size kite like a cherrybomb or detonator(even a ignitor) for high winds, i hear those are lots of fun too.. of course if your going to stay on freestyling then yea a vented is best for freestyling in high winds. have fun!
_________________
http://community.webshots.com/user/ed_diaz1497

WrongRealities · Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 1:17 am Post subject:

I like to fly and trick in winds from 3-8 mph. I stop flying at 12 mph.
Tricking is easiest in lower wind, but can be done in higher winds if you are willing to run... Not Me. If you are going to be flying in the low winds, remember to set your kites bridle for low wind. What works for me is to set my kites to the extreme low setting, then adjust up from there as needed. I don’t often have to go back to far.

I like my Firecracker because I never had to change a thing. I took that kite from the lowest winds to the highest winds without adjusting the bridle once. That kite kicks some butt.
_________________
Mario de Angelis
MAD KITERS