Date: Thu, 31 Aug 1995 08:02:16 -1000 From: lord@eskimo.com (David Lord) Message-Id: Organization: Eskimo North (206) For-Ever Subject: Buggy engines I just had the opportunity to try several of Steve Shapsons new F10 elipticals. They are very nice kites with some excellent construction features. They handle much like the Quad-Trac eliptical shaped kites and seemed to be a bit faster. I attribute this to the guaze covered leading edge vents, which I think gives a more aerodynamic leading edge shape. I also believe it results in a more durable kite since the vents stretch less over time. The cells were all cross vented which made for uniform inflation during turns. Another very nice feature was inflated winglets, this gives the tips more stability and I think a big improvement over the flapping skirts at the tips of most bags. The cross vent holes were reinforced to prevent distortion of the rib another nice feature. The one thing I did not like about the kites was the large diameter bridle lines that resulted in drag. The kites performed very well but could have done even better with a small diameter spectra bridle. I also had my first opportunity to try a Skytiger Hi 60. The wind speed was 9 mph and I was making runs down the beach at about 15 mph using my old F10 6.6 meter bag. I asked to trade bags for a run and gave the guy with the Hi 60 my kite and I took his. I thought the initial acceleration was weak compared to my kite and and the F10 elipticals I had just flown. High Aspect ratio wings will not operate over as wide a range angle of attack as will a low aspect ratio wing. So at start up when you are moving slowly the apparent wind vector is making an angle with the kite that is in its stall range. I think this will always be a characteristic of high aspect ratio bags. However, once I got moving the acceleration came on strong and by the end of the run I was going 25 mph and still accelerating, and starting to slide a bit sideways. I was really impressed, I want one. It is a blast! I don't where it tops out but it is way past the low aspect ratio kites. Another thing, I thought the kite handled well and turned ok. For kites with such a narrow chord the flap system really works well as it turns the kite without causing much distortion to the airfoil. On a low aspect ratio kite the chord is so long that pulling the trailing edge down to turn is distorting a small percentage of the airfoil and thus acceptable. IMHO the future in quad buggy engines is the higher aspect ratio designs. I see the new Quad-Trac series is moving in that direction. I did not get to try one of those as Ted had left Long Beach the day before I got there. Hopefully Steve Irby the northwest rep will have a demo unit or two I can try later. Dave Lord Dave Lord lord@eskimo.com check out http://mail.eskimo.com/~lord = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =