Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1993 16:57:30 GMT From: it1jk@de-montfort.ac.uk (Groove Patrol Station 3) Message-ID: <11261.9303181657@tlaloc.cms.dmu.ac.uk> Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Subject: Building a Parafoil Hi. I'm planning to build a Parafoil, but I've got a few queeries: 1) I've never sewn anything before, so I haven't even got a clue how to switch the sewing machine on, so I thought I would get a girlie friend to do it for me. She's good at sewing/textiles etc. but has never sewn Ripstop before. My plans advise previous experience of sewing ripstop, so maybe if we just knocked up a quick diamond kite, would that be enough experience? (Wouldn't want to waste all that expensive Ripstop!) 2) Do you reckon if I doubled all the measurements, I could make a double-sized Parafoil, or isn't it as simple as that? 3) If I attached two or four lines to it, as opposed to one; would it become a stunt Parafoil? Thanks.. hope you get a good blow soon! James Kirk. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1993 08:34:02 GMT From: era_pul@halley.ki.ericsson.se (Peter Ulfheden ) Message-ID: Organization: Ericsson Radio Systems AB, Sweden Subject: Re: Building a Parafoil Hi James, >1) I've never sewn anything before, so I haven't even got a clue how to switch >the sewing machine on, so I thought I would get a girlie friend to do it for me. >She's good at sewing/textiles etc. but has never sewn Ripstop before. My plans >advise previous experience of sewing ripstop, so maybe if we just knocked up a >quick diamond kite, would that be enough experience? (Wouldn't want to waste all >that expensive Ripstop!) If you let a girlfried do the job, she will get experienced in making kites, not you. Take her advice but do it yourself. It's fun. I would recommend you to go and get the book "Kites and Windsocks" by Jim Rowlands (don't have the ISBN at hand now). It has good chapters describing sewing and general construction techniques.. Actually it's a very good book. The book is entierly devoted to soft kites; soft sleds, parafoils, flowforms, inflatables. The windsock and drouge chapters are not very impressive, although there at least one interesting design, in my opinion. > >2) Do you reckon if I doubled all the measurements, I could make a double-sized >Parafoil, or isn't it as simple as that? > As far as I know you can do that. If it gets very large I think you have to increse the number of cells. But I guess we have other kiters on the net being able to answer that. >3) If I attached two or four lines to it, as opposed to one; would it become a >stunt Parafoil?> Well, there is the ParaFlex using two lines and the Quadrofoil using four... > >Thanks.. hope you get a good blow soon! Tight line(s) Peter -- []-------------------------------------------------[] | Peter Ulfheden | era_pul@ki.ericsson.se | | Amorinav. 3 | or petulf@saaf.se | | S-191 44 Sollentuna | Phone: +46 8 751 02 15 | | SWEDEN | Fax: +46 8 35 04 29 | []-------------------------------------------------[] = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1993 19:09:55 GMT From: andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-ID: Organization: Negligible. Subject: Re: Building a Parafoil In article <11261.9303181657@tlaloc.cms.dmu.ac.uk> it1jk@de-montfort.ac.uk (Groove Patrol Station 3) writes: >so maybe if we just knocked up a >quick diamond kite, would that be enough experience? There is a lot to think about for building a soft kite. There are two many things to cover in one posting. Anyway, I don't have enough experience and it would be difficult to explain with out sketching pictures. I'd like to reccommend that you spend the cost of a few metres of rip-stop on a book: "Kites and Windsocks" by Jim Rolands. (ISBN: 0-7134-6705-3) It is all about making soft kites. It is also reccommended by Patrick Prosser (are you still with us Pat?). The Hybrid Sled (a sled with 2 inflated tubes), requires only 1.25 metres of fabric may well be a good pattern for a first kite. >2) Do you reckon if I doubled all the measurements, I could make a double-sized >Parafoil, or isn't it as simple as that? I am told that the fabric strain is proportional to the cell size, so this may lead to problems if you overdo it, and note that fabric cost may increase by a factor of 4, but otherwise, this would probably work. (I'm on unsure ground here, I only say "probably"). >3) If I attached two or four lines to it, as opposed to one; would it become a >stunt Parafoil? You may well be able to exert some control over the kite in this manner. just how much control sepends upon the kite and how you bridle it. Feel free to experiment. Andrew -- andrew@tug.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: 22 Mar 93 17:58:37 GMT From: sc5@prism.gatech.EDU (CSEPLO,STEPHEN P) Message-ID: <90134@hydra.gatech.EDU> Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology Subject: Re: Building a Parafoil In article era_pul@halley.ki.ericsson.se (Peter Ulfheden ) writes: > >>2) Do you reckon if I doubled all the measurements, I could make a >double-sized >>Parafoil, or isn't it as simple as that? Parafoils or a different beast than most kites. To build a successful foil, it takes more than just doubling the size of the patterns. Such a doubling would result more in a flowform than a parafoil, though the two are similar. Generally, the rules for parafoils dictate two cells between the keels and a square opening at the mouth. The angle of the opening (side view) should be between 30-45 degress. As I recall, a proper parafoil should be twice as wide as it is long. And of course the trailing edge should be closed (though an open trailing edge is more efficient, but it wasn't the original design). > >>3) If I attached two or four lines to it, as opposed to one; would it become a >>stunt Parafoil?> >Well, there is the ParaFlex using two lines and the Quadrofoil using four... > If bridled properly, it will be a stuntable kite. There are plenty foil sport kites on the market, the Peel and the Quadrifoil coming to mind. And before you flexi fliers get mad out there, true enough they have a foil section but, the rigid leading edge rod makes them a hybrid, not a true parafoil. Well, that's my two cents worth. See you at the Smithsonian or ODSKC! -- The Mad Hata "Hey, Mon....Tako Kichi!" = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =