Date: Thu, 28 Dec 1995 19:01:06 -1000 From: coh@i-2000.com (Chuck Henderson) Message-Id: Organization: I-2000 Inc. - Internet Services Subject: Packing a Quadrafoil Hey! Happy Holidays! A friend of mine was really good this year; he found a Quadrafoil 3 under the Christmas tree! The problem is, neither of us has been around kites for very long, so we could use a little help/info on launching this thing. We *did* get it aloft (and it flies beautifully!); that's not the problem, as long as he has someone to help. What we'd like to do is stake the bag down, attach and run out the flying lines, and launch right from the bag, so that Willis can fly whenever he wants, regardless of whether or not he can find a helper. So here's our question: where can we find a good diagram or detailed instructions on how to properly pack the kite, so that it deploys correctly when pulled from the bag? The pamphlet that comes with the kite says you should launch from the bag, but they don't tell how to pack it! I've been having terrible visions of diabolically tangled bridles and a twisted sail, should we fail to get this right. Should we treat it like a parachute? I'm sure I can find a good book about how to pack one of those. Thanks for any help.... --Chuck Henderson = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 29 Dec 1995 03:53:08 -1000 From: KITEJAG@MOTHER.COM (John A. Gabby Jr.) Message-Id: <4c0suf$66a@pa.mother.com> Organization: Mother.COM Subject: Re: Packing a Quadrafoil coh@i-2000.com (Chuck Henderson) wrote: >Hey! Happy Holidays! >A friend of mine was really good this year; he found a Quadrafoil 3 under >the Christmas tree! The problem is, neither of us has been around kites >for very long, so we could use a little help/info on launching this thing. >We *did* get it aloft (and it flies beautifully!); that's not the problem, >as long as he has someone to help. >What we'd like to do is stake the bag down, attach and run out the flying >lines, and launch right from the bag, so that Willis can fly whenever he >wants, regardless of whether or not he can find a helper. >So here's our question: where can we find a good diagram or detailed >instructions on how to properly pack the kite, so that it deploys >correctly when pulled from the bag? The pamphlet that comes with the kite >says you should launch from the bag, but they don't tell how to pack it! >I've been having terrible visions of diabolically tangled bridles and a >twisted sail, should we fail to get this right. >Should we treat it like a parachute? I'm sure I can find a good book about >how to pack one of those. >Thanks for any help.... Chuck, the problem is actually less how you pack the kite and more what you do with the lines and handles. While one CAN launch a quad three from the bag, I don't do so myself in defference to making sure everthing is straight. The real trick in an easy launch is, as you guessed, putting the kite and LINES away: Land the kite and point the top of your handles at the kite begin to wrap all four lines around top half of the handle in a simple overhand motion while continuing to point the top of the hadle at the kite When all the line is wrapped on the handle use a rubber band to secure the line to the handles fold and roll the kite This can all be accomplished quite easily by one person...simply try it! When you go to take the kite out, unroll and unfold the kite. You will discover the bridles havent croseed or anything nasty...again point the top of the handles at the kite and begin walking backward allowingthe lines to unravel off the handle naturally. THe wind may catch the kite but it won't fly because the handles are in such a position that the top lines are much longer than the bottom lines (the point of pointing the top ofthe handles at the kite before you started to wrap the lines around the handles). When you get to the end of the lines, simply make any last minute adjustments and start to fly. This post will take a whole lot longer to read than the actual process...and if you have further questions, please don't be affraid to send ask. Have a great new year. John Think Kindly Thoughts. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 29 Dec 1995 05:58:08 -1000 From: bluekites@inmind.com (James Ervin) Message-Id: <4c0vml$2pg_002@everything.inmind.com> Organization: In Mind, Inc. Subject: Re: Packing a Quadrafoil Chuck, I have a similar kite, actually a Quadrafoil prototype that has many many miles on it. Here is how I do what you are attempting. To start with, I keep the lines and handles and kite attached always. The kite has it's own set of lines and handle that I use just for it. (this may not be practical for you and if that is the case, you can stop right here). After flying the kite, I wind up the lines from the handles to the kite, when I get to the kite I keep winding up as much of the bridle lines as I can, then I put a big rubber band on the whole conglomoration. At that pont you have your line and handles wound up on a winder (preferable a big one) and this big bunch of kite hanging below it. At this point it get the bag and start stuffing the kite into the bag begining with the point furtherest from the bridle. When I get to the winder, IE the kite is in the bag and the winder is handing out the top, I sinch down the bag opening and throw it in my kite bag. When I want to fly next, I stake out the bottom off the bag (you may need to tie a loop or sew a loop in your bag for this purpose). I then wind out the line, keeping one hand between the two sets of line. When I get to the handles It is usually a simple task to remove what ever twists are in the line. My handles are color coded so I know which is which. A good stiff pull and the kite jumps out of the bag and usually begins pulling like a truck just after. Hope this helps! >A friend of mine was really good this year; he found a Quadrafoil 3 under >the Christmas tree! The problem is, neither of us has been around kites >for very long, so we could use a little help/info on launching this thing. >We *did* get it aloft (and it flies beautifully!); that's not the problem, >as long as he has someone to help. > >What we'd like to do is stake the bag down, attach and run out the flying >lines, and launch right from the bag, so that Willis can fly whenever he >wants, regardless of whether or not he can find a helper. > >So here's our question: where can we find a good diagram or detailed >instructions on how to properly pack the kite, so that it deploys >correctly when pulled from the bag? The pamphlet that comes with the kite >says you should launch from the bag, but they don't tell how to pack it! > >I've been having terrible visions of diabolically tangled bridles and a >twisted sail, should we fail to get this right. > >Should we treat it like a parachute? I'm sure I can find a good book about >how to pack one of those. > >Thanks for any help.... > >--Chuck Henderson James Ervin/Blue Ridge Kites/Check out the new kite page at bluekites@inmind.com/ http://www.inmind.com/people/jervin/kites.html (540) 586-9590 And the new Benjamin Kite Cartoon at http://www.inmind.com/people/jervin/ben.html ____________________________________________________________________ Can I go home now? My brain is full. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sat, 30 Dec 1995 18:31:20 -1000 From: Beruberu@msn.com (Philippe Haake) Message-Id: <00001f81+00001b21@msn.com> Organization: The Microsoft Network (msn.com) Subject: RE: Packing a Quadrafoil Hello from Switzerland..... I'm Phil from GENEVA....There is no particular manner to fold it..... but you have to put something heavy in the bag, and when everything is ok just pull strong and the kite will come out.... At the end of the flight it is sometimes quite dificult if you are alone... the best is to put your kite down and to lean it against a pole or something which will tetain it...... Thanks if you receive any good info to transmit them to me.... I've got the Quadr Junior And the Quadr 2.... very good kites..... Happy new year from Swtzerland KEEP ON FLYING Phil of GENEVA = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =