put the wind in your hands.pdf

8/11/2019 Put The Wind in Your Hands.pdf

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ONTENTS

SAFETY TIPS

QUICK START 4

TROUBLE SHOOTING 6

WIND WINDOW

BASICS

CRASHING 4

SLIGHTLY BEYOND BASIC 43


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S FETY TIPS

Fly safe have fun.

When people or animals appear below the kite orbetween you and the kite walk the kite away from themland it off to the side ofthewind window orstayflying highuntil they are out of range. The lines can cut and the rodswithin the kite are strong enough to seriously hurt

someone.

Avoid power lines trees and all other obstacles.

o notflywhen thunderclouds are presentorwhenit is raining. The rods are made of graphite and graphiteconducts.

Kites are a wonderfully fun toy but can causeserious injury. Use common sense and Enjoy.


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4 Put the Wind in Your Hands

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6

QUICK ST RT

Begin with 100 foot lines or longer. 35-40 normal steps). Shorter than 100 footlines will feel like a sports car, difficult tocontrol.For more information see page ~

Lines must be exactly even. If not, adjust.Also use only the recommended lineweight as per the instruction manualprovided with your kite.

You must be upwind of the kite. Best flyarea is about 30 degrees each way fromthe center of the wind window.

See page JLBridle must not be tangled or twisted.The factory setting mark must be thesame on the right side as on the left sideof the bridle.See page 1

If flying alone stake handles, set kite onwings tips with nose leaning back awayfrom the wind. Best to have a partner).See page 22.

Fly with arms at your sides and handsextended towards the kite. Control thekite by moving your hands in towards your

body. Most kites require a movement ofless than one foot in orderto launch, turn,spin, etc. Do not extend arms up and out.See page 26.


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STEP 7

STEP 8

STEP 9

STEP 10

Quick Start

Start with a slight tug and or step back tolaunch the kiteSee page 25

Pull right handle into you, kite turns to theright. Continue pulling, kite spins to theright. Pull left handle into you, kite turnsto the left. Continue pulling, kite spins tothe left.

One Complete circle, or spin, puts onetwist in the lines. To untwist make onecomplete circle, or spin, n the otherdirection.

To stop a turn, or spin, bring hands tobeing even with each other. The kite willthen fly straight and in the direction thatthe nose is pointing.See page s 27 - 32

When you crash, move kite back to beingdirectly downwind of you. (Makes takeoffmuch easier). Check for bridle twists andlines twisted around wing tips. If you areusing a flying partner to set up the kite fortakeoff be sure that he or she backs upafter releasing the kite. This puts themout of the kites path, n case of a crash.

Caution, when learning, No people orobjects between you and the kite or underthe kite. A fast moving kite can hurtsomeone.See Safety Tips


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TROU LE SHOOTING

PRO LEM SOLUTION

Kite won t fly 1 Needs more wind.2 Untangle the bridle.3 Unwrap fly line from

around wing tip.4 Adjust bridle to bring

nose in closer towardyou.

Kite falls out o the sky. 1 Adjust bridle to pushthe nose out awayfrom you.

2 Shorten and slowdown your handmovements.

Kite won t fly straight. Kite lines must beeven.

Kite immediately Wrong handle incrashes on takeoff. wrong hand.

Kite is sluggish and Adjust bridle to bringwon t climb. Turns nose in closer to you.and spins too fast.

Kite won t turn sharp Adjust bridle to pushor spin fast. nose out away from

you.

Kite won t stall or Adjust bridle to pushland easily. nose out away from

you.


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Wind Window 7

THE WIN WIN OW

The wind window is the area out in front of youwhere the wind will make your kite fly.

A clear understanding of the limits of your air spaceand it s relationship to how a kite flies and where it fliesthe best will greatly benefit you in your flying ability.

WIN WIN OW

WIN

FAR OUTER LIMITS

YOUR WIN WIN OW

At the outer edge of the wind window, whetherabove you or to your right or left, the kite will have lesswind pressure and the controllability of the kite will be

much harder.n

the far outer limits the kite will eitherhover or fall to the ground due to the lack of wind power.For an experienced flyer this area can provide hours ofenjoyment. As a beginner, though, it is best to keep thekite in or near the center of the wind window.


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Put the Wind n Your Hands

W

N

D

BEST CONTROLL BILITYMOST PULL OF KITE

H RD FLYING

LESS TO NO PULL

GOOD FLYING

LESS PULL

WIN

WIND WINDOW

TOP VIEW

BEST CONTROLL BILITY

MOST PULL OF KITE

WIND WINDOW

SIDE VIEW

H RD FLYINGLESS TO NO PULL


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Wind Window

The control zone s the central area of the windwindow n which a kite flies the best. This is the smallarea straight ahead of you where the wind pressure onthe kite s the greatest and where the controllability of thekite isata maximum. This iswhereyouwanttostaywhenbeginning.

CON1ROL ZONopt GINNERS EST

fLYING RE

W N 0

BEGINNER S CONTROL ZONE

You also want to begin n a low to moderate wind.This will be the easiest wind to fly in and you won t findyourself being pulled down wind by a kite that has morestrength than you do. To assist you in determining thewind speed you can purchase a wind gauge in any

number of styles and price ranges, oryou can go byyourinstincts. fyou can feel the wind on your face it s a prettygood guess that it is a good wind. f you are flying on thebeach and you can see sand moving, it s a good bet thatthe wind is too strong.


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your best source of information. They are experts in thefield offlying kites and are knowledgeable about all of thelatest trends in kites and in flying moves. Another goodsource are your fellow flyers.

TYPES OF LINE

For any type of kite your lines should be at least 100feet long, or (35 - 40 normal steps). As a beginner, this

recommended length gives you the necessary recoverytime. f course once you become an experienced flyeryou can shorten the lines to lengths that allow you to becreative with your kite.

It is best to have line that is strong, slippery, doesnot stretch, and is as fine as a spider s web. Theslipperiness allows for more twists with control, and thedifferent weights allow for different wind speeds. For lightwind you will need a very fine lightweight line, 80 poundor less. For heavier winds you will need a thicker andstronger line, 150 pound or more, is usually recommended. Remember that the thicker the line the moredrag you will have and the more wind you will need.

The best, (most expensive line) is Spectra. It coversall of the above aspects and has a very high UV rating.Meaning that it can withstand direct sun for very longperiods without deteriorating. Itdoes however have a lowmelting point. This means that, while flying, if the linecomes into contact with any other type of line the otherline will cut the Spectra in two.

Kevlar is also a good line. It is very tough but canbe damaged by the sun and it will cut any other type ofline. t is also not quite as slippery and so limits thenumber of twists. Too many twists and the lines will


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BASICS 3

tighten up on you and inhibit your controllability.

Dacron the least expensive has reasonably goodslip but is also thicker so will take more wind. Dacronstretches more than the others and s not available inultra light weights. The dacron and dacron blend linesusually do not need sleeving.

There are also some lines that are braided using a

combinationof

the three above mentioned typesof

line.We have found that for us spectra works the best

although it does cost more.

NOSE

LEFT LEADING EDGE RIGHT LEADING EDGE

LEFT WING TIP SPINE RIGHT WING TIP

KITE SSEMBLY

nce you have purchased a kite open it up and lookat all ofthe pieces. Read the manufacturers instructionscarefully. Though most kites are basically the same theydo have differences and these will be pointed out n the

instructions. It s easier to set up your kite for the firsttime indoors and out of the wind. This will allow you toeasily understand how it assembles and to be sure thatyou have all of the pieces.


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LEADING EDGE SPARS

L FT LOW R

SPREADER

IIIIIIII

CENTER SPAR II

LEFT WHISKEROR

STANDOFF

IIIIII

IIIIII

RIGHT WHISKEROR

STANDOFF

Follow the instructions for assembling the kite andpay close attention to specifics in the instructions. Forinstance the upper spreader is shorter than the twolower spreaders and your center and leading edge sparsare placed within the kite and generally do not need to be

removed. The whiskers or standoffs are used to shapethe kites sail.

O BRIDLE/UPPER LEADING EDGE END

, G < - - - , ; . - - - - - ~

RIGHT BRIDLE

LOWER LEADINGEDGE END OF

/ BRIDLE~ - - - - - ~ ~ - - - - - - - ~

THE BRIDLE

IIIIII

SPINE END OFBRIDLE

The bridle is an important detail of any kite.Everything else can be perfect but if the bridle is not thekite will not fly properly. For instance the spine end of thebridle may come out under or over the spreader.


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BASICS 5

It is important to get this right as it will put the bridlein the correct position for optimum flying. Your kite sinstructions will clearly illustrate the correct position.

BRIDLE OVERSPREADER

BRIDLE UNDERSPREADER

The leading edge ends of the bridle are also criticalareas. The bridle here may come out over or under thespreader s.

OVER

After checking these areas with the instructions,make sure that each bridle is not twisted. o this by

pulling the left and right bridles out, at the pointwhere thefly lines attach, to see that they are not twisted.

L FT BRIDLE \ RIGHT BRIDLE

_______ FLY LINEATTACHES

HERE

FLYLIN

\ ATTACHES\ HERE

~


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Before you take your kite out to fly it take a fewminutes to measure the bridle. Measure from where itattaches to the frame out to the knot and again from theknot out to where the fly line attaches. Thesemeasurements should be exactly the same on bothsides of the bridle.

ADJUSTING THE BRIDLE

Illustrated below are the two types of bridles andwhere they adjust for high and low winds.

F CTORY

SETTING

This example shows the inner bridle line as being the onethat will adjust up or down the outer bridle line. Adjustingup pulls the nose in for light wind conditions. Adjustingdown pushes the nose out for heavy wind conditions.

FACTORYSETTING

This example shows the outer bridle line as being the onethat will adjust up or down the inner bridle line.


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BASICS 17

FACTORY SETTING MODERATE WIND

NOSE ADJUSTED N LIGHT WIND

ose in - Heavywind, will increase speed and reduce pressure on the kite

OUTERBRIDLELIN

I

NOSE ADJUSTED OUT HEAVY WIND

To further illustrate this, moving the outer bridle linedQ. along the inner bridle line you pull the nose o the kitein. This gives the kite more liftwhich is necessary in lightwind. By moving the outer bridle line down along theinner line you push the nose of the kite out. This givesthe kite less lift which is necessary in heavy wind. Thesame applies whether your kite's bridle adjusts on theouter line or on the inner line. (As with all o our illustrations,the adjustments are shown greatly exaggerated from what theyactually are).


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oJMANUFACTURER S ADJUSTMENT

The factory setting on your kite is where themanufacturer feels the kite flies the best, overall, withinthe wind range recommended for that kite. f this pointis not marked, mark it. Due to differences in wind speedand your personal flying preference, you will need toadjust the bridle up or down from this point for betterperformance.

NOSE ADJUSTED N - LIGHT WIND

To determine the best position for light wind flyingremem ber that the closer the nose is to you the more thekite will fly. Try adjusting in small, maybe 1 8 inchincrements until the kite will take off. Increments toolarge, even 1 inch, can over adjust and you ll defeat your

purpose. If you want to spend the time, continue to makethese small adjustments. Adjust - fly Adjust - fly, untilyou have the kite flying erratically. You ll know that, whenthe kite starts turning sloppy, slides around and falls out


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BASICS 9

of the sky. You may even want to make a mark at this

point. Thisway

you llknow

where too far is, every timeyou fly.

There are times when no matter howyou adjust yourkite, thewind isjusttoo light. This is where the super ultralight kites come in. There are also times when the windis too heavy, this is when the kite pulled buggies comeout.

o

NOSE DJUSTED OUT - HE VY WIND

In a heavy wind you want to adjust the bridle downto push the nose out away from you. The kite does notneed as much help in the lift department because the

wi nd is heavy enoug h to do all of the work. With the nosepushed out the kite will turn faster and pull harder. It willalso move slower in forward flight. Apply the adjust-fly,adjust-fly technique here again until you get the kite to apoint where it will not come off of the ground. Make a toofar mark here also.

Sometimes, when the wind is the heaviest, the kite

will pull too hard for comfort. This can be detrimental toyou and to the kite. To lessen this pull, adjust the noseto the light wind setting. The kite will then fly faster butthe pressure on you and the kite will be greatly reduced.


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We back our kites off to where they will barely takeoff. We like the stalling ability that this gives the kites.Flying forward can get boring after a while and in ordertodo the odd and unusual moves these bridle adjustmentsare a necessity.

These adjustments can drastically change howyour kite fly s. You will find that certain adjustments workbetter for you n certain wind conditions, and that wind

speeds will cause these adjustments to vary.

The larger, more expensive, kites are going to flybetter atthe factory setting and will require less adjusting.

he smaller kites will be much more exacting, than thelarger ones, and you may need to adjust them morebecause they have less surface and so need the optimumflying angle in order to perform at their fullest.

MARKING THE LINES

To make life easier and to keep from confusing rightand left, mark one side, say the right, of the kites bridlewith a colored marker. Then mark one fly line at thehandle and at the end that attaches to the kite, with thesame color. Always attach this handle and line to thecorresponding side of the kite. This will insure thatwhenyou are ready to start flying you ll know that you have theright handle in your right hand and that it is attached tothe right side of the kite.


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END TH TATTACHES

TO KITE

FLY LINE

HANDLE

BASICS 2

This may sound like common sense but when youare a beginner there are so many other things to thinkabout that it is easy to get the handles backwards. Thewrong handle in the wrong hand insures a definite crashbefore you fly.

You can also stake down your lines at the kite,unwind, and then stake down the handles. Separate thelines as you move back down to the kite. This way you llknow which line is the right and which is the left. Then

attach them to the kite accordingly. Regardless of howyou prefer to set up your lines for flight always be sure tocompletely unwind the lines all the way to the handles. Ifyou don t you ll be asking for trouble.


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Put the Wind in Your Hands

PR FLIGHT

If you are flying on a hard surface, like grass forinstance, you will use the previously mentioned technique.Begin by staking down the open looped ends of the linesand unwind up wind. Then stake the handles and returnto the looped ends. Attach these ends to the bridle ofthekite and setthe kite on it s wing tips with the nose leaningback away from the wind.

o

READY FOR TAKEOFF

Leaning the kite back will keep it on the ground untilyou can make it back to the handles. Make sure the kiteis directly downwind from you. If the nose of the kite isnot tipped back far enough, it will take flight before youare ready. Keep an eye on the kite as you pick up the

handles. If the nose of the kite begins to come forward,or the entire kite begins to come off of the ground, youneed to push those handles towards the kite in order tokeep i t on the ground until you have both handlessituated n the corresponding hand.

If you are flying on the beach, setting up the kite forflight can be done by laying the kite down on it s back andthrowing sand on it at the whiskers. This will add weightso thatthe kite will nottake off before you are ready. Youcan then hook the fly lines to the kite and unwind upwind


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BASICS 3

from the kite. When you are ready, with handles in hand,slowly pull the kite to it s upright position, the sand willslide off, and the kite will be ready for takeoff.

TT CHING THE FLY LINES

hen attaching the fly lines to the kite and, if thekite has clips on the ends of the bridles, make a larkshead in the looped sleeve at the end of your fly line and

attach to the clip.

\ \ FLYLINECLIP

BRIDLE

If you attach the loop to the clip without a larks head,the fly line will rub on the clip and soon wear out.

If you prefer, you can remove the clips and attach a

short leader with a knot at the end . A leader is easier toattach the larks head to and the knot at the end acts asa stop to insure that your larks head does not slide off.Some kites do come equipped with a leader rather than

clip.

KNOT

A ' - - _

~ O R T L E D E R


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Once you have the handles in your hands, lookdown the linestoseethattheyare not twisted. Iftheyare,rotate both handles together, either clockwise or counterclockwise. Rotate until you have the right handle and flyline directly in line with the right side of the kite andlikewise for the left.

fyou have a flying partner, he or she, can physicallypick up the kite and twist it in the opposite direction of the

twists. Again, once untwisted, make sure that the righthandle is in your right hand and the left handle is in yourleft hand.

H NDLES

Handles are a personal preference. n lighterwindssome people will use the small finger straps, but in heavywinds you want something that you can get a good gripon and that you feel comfortable with. n a heavy wind,with a kite that pulls, you must have control. There areheavy wind straps available, or you can use the type ofhandles that are illustrated here. We started out flyingthe quad line Revolutions and these tend to feel more likeRev handle s with some degree of wrist controllability.We have found though that most people prefer thestraps.


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BASICS 5

T KEOFF

o

ith handles in hand just give a slight pull and youare off and flying

t

n a heavy wind this pull will be very slight

n a light wind you may need to pull farther andpossibly even take a step backwards in order to launchthe kite

t


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When beginning don t let the light winds frustrateyou. As you gain experience in flying and also experiencewith different wind speeds, you will find yourself able toeasily fly in lighter and lighter winds. Remember thatsome kites are deSigned for heavy winds and some aredesigned for light winds. Light wind kites do not do wellin a heavy wind, but heavy wind kites can be a lot of funin a lightwind. This does take a greatdeal of practice andfinesse but is well worth the time.

FLYING

he easiest and best way to operate the handles,when flying, is to keep them out in front of you betweenwaist and chest height. It is human nature to want toraise your hands up above you, especially when the kitewants to go down and you want it to go up This

technique will not work.

You want to be doing a punching, or pulling, typemotion when maneuvering the handles and this is mosteasily done with your hands out in front of you and withyour elbows at your sides. This punching motion is howyou will turn, spin and stall the kite. The best area to keepyour hands in is somewhere between the distance ofhaving arms completely stretched out in front of you tohaving your wrists close to you at your sides. Never goup or down, head to knees.


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BASICS 7

f both fly lines are exactly even lengths and youhave your wrists together your kite will fly straight up.You can go as high as yourline length will allow. Refer tothe wind window to get an understanding of how the kitewill hover at some point directly above you .

Wrists together orhandleseven the kite will alwaysbe flying straight. Whether up down to the left or to theright.


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When the kite reaches the heightthat you want, justpull on say the right handle and the kite will turn to theright.

For example to turn 90 degrees to the right, pull onthe right handle to turn the kite. Once it has turned 90degrees, with the nose pointing to the right, bring thathandle back to being even with the left handle and thekite will fly straight. Moving across the wind window fromleft to right.

Oc:::;::


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BASICS 9

A turn is actually the beginning of spin. The longeryou hold that handle pulled back into you, the morecomplete spins the kite will make. It will continue to spinuntil you push that handle back to being even with theother handle, or until the kite looses altitude and crashes).


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B SICS 3

TWIST TO THE RIGHT

UNTWIST T THE LEFT


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The farther back that you pull the one handle, thetighter the spin. Also the harder it is to keep track o howmanycomplete spins you ve made, and the harder it isto know where your nose will be pointing when you stopthe spin. Practice makes this easier.

To stop the turn, or spin, just remember to releasethat pull, bringing both handles back to being even witheach other.


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BASICS

When practicing spins keep the kite somewherebetween eye level and the top edge of the window.

TOP EDGE OF WIN OW

LEFT EDGE t + % + . f f Y 4 f . % b ~ p M 8 \ - t ~ ~ f ' ) j ~EYE LEVEL

O WIN OW B 2 s t l r ~ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

TOP

EYE LEVEL

Remember that the more spins you do the morealtitude you lose. Starting too low in the window couldresult in a crash with the ground .


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Also stay within the control zone area of the windwindow. This will allow enough room for the kite to doseveral spins and will give it the maximum wind powernecessary.

COI l T R OL ZONBE GINNE RS BES T

fL 1 I NG R EA

Once you are proficient at flying and have a goodfeel for all areas of the window you can spin very close

to the g ou nd or even near the outer edges of the window.

When you find yourself getting bored with spins andturns try the figure eight. Fly in big slow turns keepingthe kite high in the window.

BEGINPULLINGTHE /RIGHT HANDLE INTO

YOU HERE

HANDLES SHOULD E EVEN HERE ALSO ALLOW GRAVITY TO PULL TH

KITE DOWN

PULL THE LEFT HANDL E

INTO YOU HERE


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BASICS 5

L NDING

Eventually you will g t to a point where you need totake a break the easiest way to land a kite is to fly eitherto the right edge or to the left edge of the wind window.Here the kite will loose wind pressure and consequentlymomentum.

When the kite is close to the ground take a step ortwo towards the kite and it will land.


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B SICS 7

BonOMLINE

FLY TO OUTER EDGE OF WINDOW

PUSH N THE BOTTOM H NDLE

PUSH BOTH H NDLES EVENLY NDW LK TOW RDS THE KITE


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SPEED ONTROL

By now you have figured out that the speed of theI ite can be controlled by you walking towards the kite orbacking away from the kite. As we have mentionedpreviously, a step or two towards the kite will slow it down.A step or two back away from the kite will cause it to riseand gain momentum. This is also true while the kite isflying, no matter wh t the direction.

If you have a chance to watch a team flying a routineyou ll see how often they use this technique. This addsa great deal to the artistry of the performance. It is alsoa critical technique to use when flying forward towardsthe ground. The kite will naturally move faster due to thepu of gravity and ifyou re not ready you will quickly meetthe ground head on. By taking a few steps toward the kite

you will slow down this descent and give yourself time topull out just before meeting the ground.

This can also be used to maintain an even speedthrough your flight path. Although a fast descent can bequite dramatic, there m y be times when you want tocreate a smooth, even, gliding affect. By moving back toincrease speed while climbing, and moving forward todecrease speed while diving, you are able to level out theoverall speed and create that smooth flight.


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BASICS 9

TAKING A LONG BREAK

When you want to quit flying for a short time and ifyou are in a crowded area, it is best to unhook your linesfrom the kite and wind them in. This will avoid someonerunning across your outstretched lines and possiblytripping, ordragging the lines with them. f you think thatyou are not going to fly for n hour or so, you should alsodisassemble your kite and put it in the bag. This will

prevent sun deterioration on the kite skin and will help itto maintain it s bright beauty.

When disassembling your kite, you may find thatthe rods fit very tightly into the vinyls and removing themcan be difficult. f this is the case try using a clothespinto pop the rods out of the vinyls.

When winding the lines onto your handles, it s bestto stand in one spot and wind the lines into you. Have

your fingers tight on the lines in order to pull out anytwists. Which ever direction you wind, also unwind thesame. This will limit having twisted lines and alsoprolongs their life.


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CR SHINGAND NO WALK RE LAUNCH

fyou find yourselfin a potential crash situation, (thekite and the ground are about to meet), just walk or run,keeping handles in hands, towards the kite. This will takepressure off of the kite and will slow it down enough topossibly allow you to maneuver out of the crash dive orat least allow for a softer landi ng.

Just remember that the pull on the lines and youmoving backwards gives the wind more power on thekite. The pushing ofthe handles and the moving towardsthe kite lessens the power of the wind.

When learning, try to have a flying partner. Theycan be your best friend in this time of need. Then onceyou have gained the hours and don t need the help youcan give them a kite and become their flying partner.Down the road you can try pairs flying.

f you do find yourselfflying alone and your kite hascrash landed, quickly stake down your handles and rundown to the kite. Observe caution as you approach.Sometimes a downed kite will seem to go into convul-sions, jumping up and down as it spins erratically out ofcontrol. The only thing to do is grab it and assess thedamage.

Hopefully you have not broken a rod. If you have,your flying day is over, unless you are fortunate enoughto have brought along extra rods. Generally, though,you ll find that a rod has only popped out of t S connection


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CRASHING 4

in the vinyl. f this is the case rejoin and secure all otherconnections. Make sure that the lines are not twistedaround a wing tip and then rotate your kite to untwist thefly lines. Set the kite upright with the nose tilted backaway from the wind and return to your handles to resumeflight.

LEADING EDGE LAUNCH

n time you will not have such dramatic crashes.Your crashes will be, more or less, medium soft landings,without the popped rods and lines twisted around wingtips. To take off from this type of crash without staking thehandles and walking down to the kite or relying on apartner, you can do it from your position at the handles.This is called a Leading Edge Launch.

Lets assume that your kite is lying on the ground onit s right leading edge with the nose pointing out to theright. fthe kite is in the middle area of your wind windowyou need to walk, crosswind, to the leftofthe kite in orderto place the kite at the outer right edge of your windwindow. The easiest way to accomplish a leading edgelaunch is to have the kite in the far outer edge of thewindow, (right side or left), with the nose pointing out.

Once at the edge, ease the top wing toward you bypulling the top handle into you, while at the same timekeeping slight tension on the bottom line. It may alsohelp to back up as you do this giving the kite more powerand lift. Continue until the kite comes off of the ground

and then pull back both handles for more power, gradu-ally pulling the inside handle into you, which will turn thekite around towards the center of the window.


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MOVE TO PL CE KITE T EDGE OF WINDOW

Your body is always at the center of your windwindow. When you move so does your window.

This maneuver does not take long to master andcan e done with any kite although some are easier thanothers due to their design. The most common problemis pulling the top handle too much and not having

enough tension on the bottom. This is a balancing act.


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Slightly Beyond Basic 4

SLIGHTLY BEYOND B SIC

o get a more precision look into your flying , trypushing instead of pulling the handle . For instancewhen you pull the right handle into you to turn, you arepulling that rightwing ofthe kite into the wind. This givesthe opposite, or left, wing more lift which causes ittowant

to fly around the other wing. For a more exact, precisionlook, try pushing the left handle outtowards the kite . Thishas the same effect on the kite but n a pivotal, exactingway. This s called a push turn, a push out and a pullback, like a punch or jab at the kite). A push turnprovides a nice angular turn and when you bring thathandle back to being even with the right one n order tostop the turn or spin, the kite will stop quicker and more

precisely.


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Put the Wind in Your Hands

FLYING STRAIGHT HANDLES TOGETHER

PUSH OUT LEFT HANDLE TURNS KITE TO RIGHT

BRINGING BOTH HANDLES TO EVEN RESUMESSTRAIGHT FORWARD FLIGHT

While a push maneuver provides fine angled turnsa pull instead o a push will turn the kite in a rounded and

graceful turn. Advanced flyers do both push and .P.. dmovements within their routines.

n heavier winds doing a push turn is an extremely


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fast out/in punch type motion which provides a quicksnap turn.

ST LLING

t this point you have learned the basics of flyingthe kite in a forward path and you have learned how toland the kite . Now you can taste the frosting on the cakeand learn to not fly the kite.

We have mentioned using a stall to land the kite.Stalling is also great fun while flying. It can have a greateffect on your style and is fun to do and watch. Withexperience it can even be done in the middle of the windwindow. To start your best bet is to try it over to one sideorthe other ofthe windowwhere the windpressure istheleast and the kite will stall the easiest. Fly from say leftto right and above eye level push the bottom or in thiscase the right handle into the kite to stall it and walktoward the kite to continue the stall. Once the kite is inan upright position bring both handles to being even witheach other.

FLY TO EDGE OF WINDOW

W LK FORWARD A STEP OR TWO

ST LL THE KITE


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Try to sustain the stall as long as possible. fthe kitewants to fly forward walk toward it to keep it in the stall.

f the kite is losing altitude too fast, or if one wing tip isfalling, give a quick jerk to control and maintain the stall.

A snap stall is a quick stall performed using a snaptype motion. It is one of the most aggressive ways ofpulling the wind out of the kite. When in the horizontalposition flying from left to right, pull on the top handle, (or

left handle), to initiate an upward turn whileat

the sametime pushing out the other handle. When wing tips arecoming parallel with the ground, bring both handles toeven with each other and push both forward, toward thekite, while taking a step or two forward also. This putsslack in the lines thus allowing a stall. Running forwardmay be necessary in heavier winds.

In explaining this move it may sound as though themotions are slow and well thought out. But alas this isnot so. n order to achieve this type of stall the move-ments are actually very quick. As ina punch type motion,or snapping motion.

To achieve this quick motion, practice the handmovements without handles or kite. Make the snappingmotion as quick as possible. When your hands becomea blur, as you look at them, you ll know that you are doingi t right.

Heavywinds require more aggressive moves and aquicker pace as does being in the center of the window.Just remember that this type of stall can be done

anywhere in the window, in any type of wind conditions.f you go for the lighter and easier side of life in order to

learn, than the fast paced world of the ultimate, heavywind, snap stall will be much easier to accomplish.


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FLYING LEFT TO RIGHT ACROSS WINDOW

PULL LEFT HANDLE PUSH RIGHT HANDLE

HANDLES EVEN SLACK N LINES

Bridle adjustments are also important. With thenose backed out the kite will stall easier. With the noseinto you the kite will want to fly rather than stall. The kitethe bridle the pilot and the wind speed all work togetherto perform a correct and perfect stall.


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put the wind in your hands.pdf

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