Date: Tue, 25 May 1993 04:47:30 -1000 From: reich@cod.nosc.mil (Ronald S. Reich) Subject: Re: Help for a newbie >From: dg185@cleveland.freenet.edu (Graeme L Lowry) >My problem is that I am in the New Mexico desert, and am the only >one in the area that flies... Could someone please recomend a >book (I have already read Grombergs') or email me tips on >groundwork, radical manuvers, etc. I don't wish to buy >a quad just yet... I want to push my kites as far as I can >first. Graeme, I appologize for the poor format of the following information but I just didn't have time to clean it up. SPORT KITE UNIQUE STUNTS by RON REICH "HELICOPTER" The helicopter or side slide is easier if the bridle is adjusted to lengthen the top leg. This is what we call a heavy setting of the bridle. At this setting the kite will not climb as high, but its a good place to start practicing the helicopter maneuver. Next, fly the kite out to the edge of the wind window. Make a down turn and as the nose comes around to point almost straight up "push" the pulling hand back to stop the turn. Also, walk toward the kite enough to keep it from climbing and also walk down wind parallel to the sliding direction of the kite. The key is to watch the kite closely while monitoring the small amount of tension in the flylines with the index finger on the flyline or bridle of the handle. Make ever so slight adjustments by applying pressure with the appropriate index finger to keep the kite pointing straight up. By adjusting the amount of tension in the flylines and by walking the proper direction, one can actually get the kite to slide into the wind. I have actually helicoptered from one extreme edge to a point just about to the other edge of the wind window. As you become more proficient at this trick you can start raising your bridle back toward your normal setting. "NOSE DOWN FLIP STAND" With most any delta sport kite that is laying on a leading edge, if you give a tug on the wing in the air the kite will normally rock over to put the other leading edge on the ground. The delta kites that have a long enough bridle assembly, (one which allows the pick point to extend beyond the leading edge when held off to the side of the kite) can actually be tugged sharply enough to cause the wingtip in the air to rotate far enough to pass beneath the flylines and allow the kite to be quickly stood up on its wing tips. (ALLA! Miguel Rodregez). (note: this stunt usually requires that the kite be equiped with whiskers/sail stabilizers) "TURTLE LAUNCH" from kite flat on its back. Position the kite about 30 feet in from the right edge of the wind window, On its back with the nose pointing into the wind. (Much like a turtle on its back) Note: this launch requires the kite to be outfitted with standoffs/whiskers. Next, Pull on the left line causing the kite to rotate the left tip into the wind. ( The kite should stay flat on the ground ) As the kite rotates around the wind will go under the left leading edge and flip the kite over onto its face. (bridle side down) The trick is to pull on the right line as the left tip is passing through 12 o'clock high. It is important that the wind be the force that raised the left leading edge off the ground and not the fact that you are pulling on the left line. When done properly the wind will catch under the face of the kite before it gets to the ground and lift it into the sky. "TIP STAND" (the most basic) Tip Stands require a delicate control over the tension in the flylines. Position the kite with the up wind wing tip closer to you than the other. (by about 2 feet) The ground surface should provide some friction. i.e. soft sand or grass. Pull gently on the up wind wing and control the amount that the other wing lifts off the ground by controlling the amount of tension in that line. Your first attempts should be about 50 feet in from one of the edges of the wind window and tilting the nose into the wind. "KITE WALKING" Children are very easily amused by seeing a kite walk on the ground. This stund is best performed when the kite is about 20 feet in from one edge of the wind window. Start by completely slacking the up wind flyline. Give a firm tug and emidiate release of the down wind flyline. The kite should have taken its first step. Now completely slack the down wind flyline and give a firm tug and release of the up wind flyline. The kite should have taken its second step. Continue this poscedure as you also take steps backwards. Be sure to alway completely slack the line that you are not pulling on otherwise the kite may do a tip stand or maybe even launch. With practice you can take big or little steps and even quick or slow motion high steps. "LEADING EDGE LAUNCH" The leading edge launch is best learned with the kite positioned about 30 feet in from the edge of the wind window. Point the nose of the kite into the wind. The objective will be to first get the kite to start sliding into the wind. Once it has started to slide into the wind you're home free. With the kite laying on its leading edge pointing into the wind, gently pull on the line attached to the wing that is up. Continue gently pulling until the kite leans toward you about 30 degrees. Maintain this hand position and start slowly backing up. The kite should start to slide into the wind. When it does, then start backing up briskly, The kite should start to lift off the ground, at which time you should start steering as usual. What might happen is the the kite will just flip over to the other leading edge on the ground. To keep this from happening you will need to put a little more tension on the line attached to the leading edge which is on the ground. Normally the kite can be made to flip back and forth switching the leading edge in contact with the ground by just a firm tug on the wing that is up while the other line is completely slack. P.S. Most delta kites edge launch easier when the bridle is set high. (Move the clip up to shorten the top leg of the bridle) P.P.S. Most delta kites land and side slide (helicopter) easier when the bridle is set heavy. (Move the clip down to lengthen the top leg of the bridle) NO WIND TOO LIGHT NO LINE TOO TIGHT RON REICH = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - =