From: rtideas@iserv.net (Russ Taber) Subject: Any comments on the Buena Vista Sonic? Date: Tue, 21 May 1996 12:57:25 -1000 Organization: RT Ideas Message-ID: I just tested one this weekend at a festival in Grand Haven, Michigan. I'm no longer happy with my "Sam's Club." (At least it got me interested.) Anyone with a little more experience (most folks) than me care to comment? I've only tried a few kites and so far, the Sonic amazed me. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: Darrin Skinner Subject: Re: Any comments on the Buena Vista Sonic? Date: Wed, 22 May 1996 08:39:15 -1000 Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Message-ID: <2.2.32.19960522183915.00ad6eb0@rahul.net> I've been flying the Sonic for about 6 months now. I started with one of the first prototypes and now have a "real" production model. Being a team flier for so many years, I must say it's been a hard transition from slow, stable kites to the Sonic. ...but, it's been worth it. I've discovered 4 different ways to yo-yo the lines around the kite in flight. The trick is to keep the kite tumbling nose over keel without letting it twist. The right line must wrap around the right half of the kite and the left around the left half or it's the quick spin of death. My favorite technique is to make a horizontal pass (right to left) to a 3/4 axel (left hand pull). When the nose is pointed straight down, make a sharp tug on the right line. This will cause the kite to nose forward. Step into it if the winds are high and let the kite wrap up. Step back to unwrap. I'm also having alot of fun doing axels and popping the kite out of the axel part way through it. Sometime this causes the Sonic to Yo-yo other times it just flip-flops around till the sail catches wind and other times it does something soooo coooool I can't reproduce it :-( . One last thing (ya right!) you don't really need to set up this kite (i.e. put kite in stall with one wing back) before you initiate the axel. Just tugging suddenly on one line will create and axel "like" reaction from the kite. It will also cause it to crash quite often...till you learn what to do and what not to do :-) . The big thing about this kite is that it's totally different. It reacts differently than anything I've flown before. It's taken me some time to begin (and I'm just beginning) to understand it. Darrin P.S. I was given this kite 'cause I sometimes fly for Buena Vista. As such my views on this topic may be biased. At 05:57 PM 5/21/96 -0500, Russ Taber wrote: >I just tested one this weekend at a festival in Grand Haven, Michigan. > >I'm no longer happy with my "Sam's Club." (At least it got me interested.) > >Anyone with a little more experience (most folks) than me care to comment? > > >I've only tried a few kites and so far, the Sonic amazed me. > >---------------------------------------------------------------- >This message brought to you by the rec.kites to email gateway. >Send compliments, suggestions, complaints, and comments to > "kites-request@das.harvard.edu". > > Skinner Consulting 1010 Aster Ave Sunnyvale, CA 94086 voice (408) 733-5483 - fax (408) 733-4252 email skinner@skinner.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =