Date: Thu, 29 Feb 1996 08:29:24 -1000 From: berfis@iaccess.za (Bernard Fisher) Message-Id: <4h4r8v$qa9@newnews.iafrica.com> Organization: Internet Africa Subject: Collapsing Peel I have a 3.5 m2, and a 5.1 m2 peel. My 5.1 m2 flies really well, but my 3.5m2 collapses very easily. A friend of mine has a 5.1 m2 peel which also seems to collapse very easily. If any body can offer any advice, as to what can be done to alleviate the collapsing, it would be much appreciated. Bernard Fisher berfis@iaccess.za = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 1 Mar 1996 12:44:35 -1000 From: andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organisation Subject: Re: Collapsing Peel <4h4r8v$qa9@newnews.iafrica.com> berfis@iaccess.za (Bernard Fisher) writes: >I have a 3.5 m2, and a 5.1 m2 peel. My 5.1 m2 flies really well, but >my 3.5m2 collapses very easily. First, you need to know how to compare primary bridle lengths. The primary bridle is the 52(?) short lines that connect to the skin of the canopy. There are 4 lines on each bridled rib (named A at the leading edge through D towards the trailing edge), which join together at one point. I'll call this point "Z", for the want of a better name. Pick a primary bridle, and hold it at the knot at point Z. With your other hand, stretch the primary bridles A and B, so that they are parallel. Measure the *difference* between the lengths of A and B. Repeat this for each primary bridle. Take the measurements and plot them on a graph. Look for any that seem to be suspiciously *short*. If you find one, go back to the kite and fix it. If you see a fairly straight graph, increase them *all* by a very small amount. This tends to happen because the tensions on the lines are uneven - the maximum pull is on the B-line and it tends to stretch more. Andrew -- 6) Thou shalt always ask permission before copying a kite. And when asked, thou shalt always grant freely. In this way, thou shalt live long and happy in the land. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =