From: reich@nosc.mil (Ronald S. Reich) Subject: Re: Weird axels Date: Tue, 4 Oct 1994 13:50:04 GMT "Flat Spin" from "Fly Away" From: jburka@Glue.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka) ************ On a related note, here's an interesting axel to try (anyone want to name this variant? *has* somebody already done so?): Fly your kite straight down (I wouldn't recommend the center of the window unless the wind is very light) and pancake it (ie throw your hands (and possibly your body) forward so the kite is floating on its belly, nose away from you). Now pop the kite around an axel; it should do a turn and a half on its belly and then pop back up into normal flight toward the top of the window. ************ During light wind practice in 1988 I was working at intiating a "FLY AWAY" half way down a vertical dive. After establishing the "FLY AWAY" I would execute what you call an Axel and what I call a "Flat Spin". Later that year I added that element to my precision routine at the AKA convention and won the contest. The routine also included "Side Slides", "Rolling the Kite on the Ground", and "Leading Edge Launches." To establish a "Fly Away" from a downward path: 1. Position both hands as far back as possible during the first part of the dive. 2. When ready to establish the "Fly Away", carefully cast both hands forward and walk or run toward the kite. Be carefull not to over slack the lines to where the kite flips into a "Mid-Air Turtle." 3. While in the "Fly Away" carefully give a slight, short tug on one of the lines to start the kite rotating. Watch the tow point of the other line. When it has passed behind the tow point of the line which was tugged, give a slight tug on it to continue the "Flat Spin." Next, watch the tow point of the first line that was tugged, when it passes behind the second tow point give a slight tug on it to continue the rotation back to the nose away position. When the nose is again pointing away from you, re-establish the "Fly Away." 4. See how many "Flat Spins" you can do during one "Fly Away." For those of you that cannot quite visualize whats happening, the kite is face (bridle side) down and nose pointing away from you during the "Fly Away." The rotation of the "Flat Spin" should resemble one rotation of a "Frisby." Still Learning and Sharing, Ron Reich