Date: Wed, 20 Jul 1994 03:21:59 -1000 From: uspehmev@ibmmail.COM Message-Id: Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Subject: RE: Attention MEFM/EFM owners! ----------------------- Mail item text follows --------------- After more than a year of competing with an EFM (reframed in G-Force tapered spars like the MEFM), I still don't consider myself an expert on tuning it but...this year I've pretty much stopped using spacers and fly it at the low aspect ratio with the short top spreader. (If the wind gets too low, I fly the Featherweight) This is an excellent setting for precision. I used to fly more with one spacer and the short top spreader, especially if the wind was 3 - 6 mph. When it was lower than that, I used both spacers, the long top spreader and tended to fly a bit more radically...IOW, it wasn't great for precision. In most other than real low wind situations, I set the top bridle adjustment a quarter inch below the black mark (creator Ray Bordelon's favorite setting) and tracks great, especially coming out of 90 degree turns. In light wind, say 4 mph or less, I move the bridle up to the black marks. (which are almost invisible at this point) The other bridle adjustments I haven't touched in so long, I can't get them to move anymore. At around 20 mph, I will move the bridle a quarter inch or more above the black marks to reduce the pull. I also use a 6 inch windscreen when the winds are in the teens to slow it down for precision. Sometimes you just get tired of playing with spacers and find that it will fly in fairly low wind even in the low aspect configuration. I never had much luck with it in winds below 2 mph, but then I don't have the 1/2 oz icarex sail like the MEFM. If it was my only kite, I may play around with it more but it seems whenever competition comes around, the EFM usually comes out. It is the kite I feel most confident with. (Having said that, I'll probably fly a Scorpion or Katana at Newport this weekend ;-) Mark Virgilio (uspehmev@ibmmail.com) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =