Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1993 16:07:35 -1000 From: ramo@world.std.com (Joshua C Ramo) Message-Id: Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA Subject: flexi-tails How will a tail effect the way my flexifoil flies. I've found that a longish plastic tail lifted from a cheap kite seems to add some stability when I stack. Any validity in this? What other kind of tails are there and how do they change the flight characteristics of the kite? Thanks in advance.... Joshua Ramo = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1993 06:13:46 -1000 From: klober@ctron.com (Thomas Klober) Message-Id: <27fc3qINNba1@ctron-news.ctron.com> Organization: Pie in The Sky Subject: Re: flexi-tails Joshua C Ramo (ramo@world.std.com) wrote: > How will a tail effect the way my flexifoil flies. I've found that a > longish plastic tail lifted from a cheap kite seems to add some stability > when I stack. Any validity in this? What other kind of tails are there and > how do they change the flight characteristics of the kite? Thanks in > advance.... i have added some 30' tails of rib-stop to my 6' flexis, stack of 3. there is a notable drag and loss of speed so i put them on only i high winds, but it looks very pretty :) > Joshua Ramo -- thomas .......................... : email: klober@ctron.com :........................ ,^,o .................. : : When intelligent machines are constructed, we should not be surprised to : find them as confused and as stubborn as men in their convictions about : mind-matter, consciousness, free will and the like. -- M.Minsky = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1993 19:50:02 -1000 From: danr@crash.cts.com (Dan Rubesh) Message-Id: <1993Sep18.225002.29107@crash> Organization: CTS Network Services (crash, ctsnet), El Cajon, CA Subject: Re: flexi-tails ramo@world.std.com (Joshua C Ramo) inquires: > How will a tail effect the way my flexifoil flies. I've found that > a longish plastic tail lifted from a cheap kite seems to add some > stability when I stack. Any validity in this? What other kind of > tails are there and how do they change the flight characteristics > of the kite? Thanks in advance.... > > Joshua Ramo I've used several tail variations with Flexi's on occaision.. Flexifoil recommends attaching the tail with a "V" bridle about 10' long (for a 6' kite).. I've used a larger version (about 16'-18' for the 10' Flexi), or separate tails for each end of the spar.. The only great effect that I've noticed is a slight slowing of the kite, depending on the length of tail and the wind intensity.. I've used tails as long as 300', but on 125' lines the end of the tail rarely leaves the ground unless it's _really_ windy.. I think most of the efect of tails on Flexi's is visual.. Try skywriting with them!! I've not tried tails with Flexi stacks as yet.. Hmmm.. maybe I'll break out the Flexi Stack From Hell this afternoon.. :-) What I've found that makes good inexpensive tail material is plastic construction or flagging tape.. I've found it at the larger home-improvement or contractors supply stores locally in 1.12" wide rolls of 150'-300' for a dollar +/-.. It comes in several colors like red, blue, hot pink, hot orange.. I've also used old 1/2" videotape and 7/8" paper or mylar perforator tape, left over from the Pleistocene age of computer programming.. (I've still got a pretty good stash of that left over from programming punched-tape controlled machine tools).. Most of the plastic flagging tape is good enough to get several days flying out of before its time for the trash bin.. Ob. Disclaimer: I am a stunt kite dealer and carry some of the above mentioned product(s). As such, my opinions may tend to be somewhat subjective. - - - - - - - - - - - - - Good Winds and Tight Lines! Dan Rubesh Wind Wizard, Purveyor of UUCP: {ucsd, nosc}!crash!danr GO Stunt Kites & Accessories ARPA: crash!danr@nosc.mil FLY A P.O. Box 5747 INET: danr@crash.cts.com KITE! Ventura, CA 93005 (805) 659-5654 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1993 23:36:12 -1000 From: andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organisation Subject: Re: flexi-tails In article ramo@world.std.com (Joshua C Ramo) writes: >How will a tail effect the way my flexifoil flies. I've found that a >longish plastic tail lifted from a cheap kite seems to add some stability >when I stack. Any validity in this? What other kind of tails are there and >how do they change the flight characteristics of the kite? Thanks in >advance.... I used two tails per foil, one on each side. For: It looks pretty It slows down the stack, reducing power. Against: It slows down the stack, reducing power. For a stack, I used 6 or 8 tails. It takes *ages* to reel them all in afterwards. Andrew -- Work: gaffer@plx.com Phone: +44 793 614 110 Fax: +44 793 614 297 Play: andrew@tug.com Phone: +44 256 464 912 Car: +44 831 527 614 Interested in kite traction? mail kites@tug.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =