rasga Posted November 28, 2003 Report Posted November 28, 2003 If its gusty then the side of the windy is safe, as when the gust hits the kite it accelerates into the windy "towards" you as oppose to the kite accelerating up (and over your head at the zenith) Quote
Deviant Posted November 28, 2003 Report Posted November 28, 2003 if you do get lofted, and it has happened to me on the guerilla i`ve found the best way to deal with it is to steer to the edge of the window and you should get dropped reasonably softly because the guerilla has so much float, but thats only in my experience someone else might tell you other wise! Quote
jeffsnox Posted November 28, 2003 Report Posted November 28, 2003 A couple of you have said that if you get lofted you should steer to the edge of the window in order to optimise the situation... can you be a bit more specific, or doesn't it matter? I mean do you mean, if you get lofted while the kite is directly overhead, while in fligh steer the kite to the edge of the window at 45 degrees, in either direction, or 65 degrees in front of you, or what? Ta. Good thread this! Jeff Quote
rasga Posted November 28, 2003 Report Posted November 28, 2003 if it was 65 degrees or so infront of you that would require a downturn or braking of kite in flight, by bring to the edge, i think they are referring to the left or right hand side or the window, not directly infront of you. . make more sense? Quote
jeffsnox Posted November 28, 2003 Report Posted November 28, 2003 OK LHS or RHS of the window, but approx how far (in degrees or somit) from the zenith? Sorry if I'm being daft, just want to make sure before I go do something I regret. Ta, Jeff Quote
lazydog Posted November 28, 2003 Report Posted November 28, 2003 Just my 2 pence worth ... Watch out for the weather fronts! Dark clouds heading your way with spots of rain are a sure sign that turbulent gusts are coming! Quote
Mr Jo Macdonald Posted November 28, 2003 Author Report Posted November 28, 2003 Hi Jeff, if you get lofted believe me you won't be diggin out yer geometry kit an calculating degrees ;-), just turn the kite to one side so it flies away from zenith. If you jump your kite (not in strong, gusty wind mate) by running upwind while sending it back it lifts you off the floor as it passes zenith right? Maybe powering it up too. Ok, so you steer it back to recall it over you so you won't fall out of the sky, do the same if you get lofted (without the tryin to jumpit bit u less you want to go reaaaaaalllllllllly high of course). If you have the kite parked overhead (waitin to get lofted ;-)) and promtly get lofted, steer the kite to one side so you won't land with it still overhead and get wasted by the second loft. Steering it to one side stops the lines going slack when you land the first loft and has the kite at the edge of the window, not stalling back from zenith waiting to power up deep in the power zone when the lines go taught. Imo the best thing is to be used to jumping kites (on a big empty beach in lightwind or better still on the water) so recalling it becomes second instinct when you're in the air. If you've never jumped a kite and get lofted you'll probably freeze and get flown by the kite instead of flying it. Let us know how ya get on and how many degrees it wuz :-)) Jo Quote
kk Posted November 28, 2003 Report Posted November 28, 2003 Jeff, I've never quantified the maths involved, it just seems to be instinctive that if you stay calm (not easy sometimes), you can "feel" your way back down. Quote
jeffsnox Posted November 28, 2003 Report Posted November 28, 2003 Cheers guys I'll put the nautical navigation gear back in the cupboard then. Just had about 45 mins of doing pendulums in my local footy field. I'm knackered! I'm following someone's instructions I read somewhere and starting the kite at about 65 degrees up on one edge of the window, running towards it and slightly up-wind, and as it reaches the centre of the power zone, sharply turning it up the window. I've realised now that the result of this is that as I get airborn, it continues to turn through and past zenith and is effectively being "recalled" as you've described. Which explains why I've been fortunate to have mostly very floaty landings I guess. More by luck than judgement I think. I love kites! Jeff Quote
kk Posted November 28, 2003 Report Posted November 28, 2003 Originally posted by jeffsnox More by luck than judgement I think. No Jeff, instinct. It's the only thing that works... Quote
jeffsnox Posted November 28, 2003 Report Posted November 28, 2003 hehe What fun. Going to watch Neighbours now. Catch you l8r. Jeff Quote
Lofty Posted May 20, 2004 Report Posted May 20, 2004 i find also being an inland flyer dealing with really lumpy wind , the first loft is usually tamer and not so violent , the trouble comes if you swing under on the first loft , the lines go slack and the kite drops into the power zone , the best thing to do is to put it into a turn as soon as it starts to inflate , and fly it across and to the side of the window , where you can use your safety if need be , this way the kite produces less power on re-inflation and you will get scudded rather than lofted as the kite is fairly low in the power zone best to sit on your arse here and hang on for the ride ! i think confidence and experience have a lot to do with dealing with gusts as well , if you are aware of the danger it wont take you by surprise as much , and if you have the confidence to ride out the gust and keep your wits about you as opposed to going into a blind pannic and ditching. i am so used to gusty winds now you feel a big gust come on and you just think , "here we go again" and brace for a kicking , it usually turns out to be a bit of an anti climax if you expect the worst Quote
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