Date: Mon, 3 Apr 1995 06:44:31 -1000 From: zacka@netcom.com (magyar) Message-Id: Organization: Scientific Atlanta Subject: How to launch a Stratoscoop? I just bought my first Stratoscoop (Stratoscoop 2) from Into The Wind, in Boulder Co. Yesterday was warm and windy here in Atlanta, and I took my kite into my favorite field for it's initial flight. To my dismay, I couldn't launch it -- I couldn't even get it off the ground. I've flown large Deltas for years and I like them because they're almost self-launching and so easy to fly. But not this Stratoscoop. What was I doing wrong? What is the correct technique for launching this kite? Any advice you can give me would make a 3 year old boy, and his Dad, very happy. Much obliged. Steve = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 3 Apr 1995 22:18:00 -1000 From: ITAPSP@MVS.SAS.COM (Piero Palmiotto) Message-Id: <199504040818.AA27468@mozart> Organization: Harvard University Office of Information Technology Subject: re: How to launch a Stratoscoop? Hi there: zacka@netcom.com (magyar)wrote: >kite into my favorite field for it's initial flight. To my dismay, I >couldn't launch it -- I couldn't even get it off the ground. Yes, launch an airfoil is a little bit more difficault than launch a Delta, you need assistance, specially with the bigger ones. For the joy of a father and son: assuming the bridling of the kite is correct (I hope so) and assuming the bridle are untangled, the important thing to bear in mind with foils is that they hold their shape from the air pressure. So you need to inflate it before attempting a launch. To inflate the kite (I assume the stratos you own is less than 2m whide) simply hold it from the two top angles with your back to the wind: air should reach the inside of the kite and inflate it. Again this operation is easier if you have a couple of assistant holding the kite for you, while you hold the line. As soon as the kite is inflated, simply pull gently the line and let your assistant leave the kite on the wind: thats all| It could be mandatory to be assisted because may be that the 'vents?' (holes) from where it inflates are held opened from the bridles pull, so you are forced to apply a tension to the bridles while you try to inflate it. I hope this will help, good wind||| Piero. P.S. if all this fails, try to describe what happens, may be the kite needs a tuning on the bridles or a bigger tail. ...................................................................... Piero Palmiotto | 'SOPRA TUTTO AQUILONISTI' kitefliers cervoliste V. Trentacoste 32, | (itapsp@MVS.SAS.COM) 20134 Milano, ITALY| Voice: +39 2 2152023 Fax: +39 2 58316447 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =