Depower strap setting for launching an arc

[Scribbler88]

I've been flying a 10m Venom II for a few weeks - usually in London, so in about 10-12mph winds.

 

I know this is a the lower end of the wind range for older Arc kites, but I can't get the kite off the ground unless the depower strap is pulled in as far as it will go. If it's let out even a little way, the kite just stalls and sinks back to earth... Once it's in the air, it's fine, and I can let the strap out for a bit more kick.

 

I've made sure that all the lines are the same length (resleeved the longer ones to match the shortest line), and made sure the bar is nicely symmetrical (it needed some tweaks too).

 

I can't find any specific info in the user guide, or online - is this just how Arc kites are meant to work, or does it show that there are additional problems with my setup?

 

The only possible thing left to check is the pigtails - they don't quite match some settings I found online, in the 'unofficial set-up FAQ'.

 

Recommended in this article: Back 110mm, Power: 550mm

Mine: Back 70mm, Power 470mm

 

As far as I can tell, this should make the power lines slightly shorter, hence the brake lines slightly looser, hence the kite shouldn't stall as much.

 

Any thoughts (assuming what I've written here makes sense:confused:)

 

Thanks for your help

 

Scribbler

[carltb]

the other thing to check is your internal straps in the kite. try having them all set to loose

[Scribbler88]

Oh, yes - I forgot - the internal straps are all let out as far as they will go as well.

 

Does that mean this isn't normal behaviour for an Arc?

[carltb]

is the kite fully inflated on launch and are the inlet vents free and untwisted.

this is not normal arc behaviour but if you have checked everything (like it sounds like you have) then extending the front pigtails will sort out any stalling issues.

[parksy]

is the kite fully inflated on launch and are the inlet vents free and untwisted.

this is not normal arc behaviour but if you have checked everything (like it sounds like you have) then extending the front pigtails will sort out any stalling issues.

You'll need to extend the rear, not the front. Also check the bar ( if you didn't above) that when layed on the floor, with chicken loop touching bar, depower strap fully powered, ie small loop, that all line attachment knots are even if you drew a line through them parallel with bar. If the power attachment is above the steering knots, this will cause the kite to ride nose high, which catches too much wind and kite becomes a brake. Adjust the bowline knot under depower strap to adjust higher or lower to even up knots.

[parksy]

Other thing that will cause kite to stall like that is lack of wind, and 10 to 12mph is low for a 10m V2

[carltb]

derrrrrrrr!! yea rear line extensions!! :~)

[heres jonny]

yes its completely normal to have to launch a venom trimmed in ...

I've flow them for nearly 3 years now, and it will only launch trimmed out up to halfway in over 15knots ... Anything below and you have to trim in and let it climb to the top of the window that way ... It will stall when trimmed out more than a third in anything under a solid 14 to 15mph ...

Basically, low wind you have to trim in to launch ... Once it gets higher you can power up before you launch if for some reason you'd want to ...