Date: Thu, 23 Jun 1994 11:43:16 -1000 From: ce12+@andrew.cmu.edu (Christopher Aaron Ekberg) Message-Id: Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Subject: dog stake flying I just read _Kite Precision_. Wow, I had no idea how much I was missing. One thing I really want to try is dog stake flying. I'm curious about how to run the lines through the stake top. Wouldn't the friction melt spectra lines? Or if the loop isn't *perfectly* smooth, wouldn't it just chew it up? I'm dying to try this, but I don't have any extra line. Have any of you tried this? What's the best way to go about it? Thanks! Chris = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 23 Jun 1994 11:43:16 -1000 From: ce12+@andrew.cmu.edu (Christopher Aaron Ekberg) Message-Id: Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Subject: dog stake flying I just read _Kite Precision_. Wow, I had no idea how much I was missing. One thing I really want to try is dog stake flying. I'm curious about how to run the lines through the stake top. Wouldn't the friction melt spectra lines? Or if the loop isn't *perfectly* smooth, wouldn't it just chew it up? I'm dying to try this, but I don't have any extra line. Have any of you tried this? What's the best way to go about it? Thanks! Chris = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 23 Jun 1994 12:36:04 -1000 From: DQuad@aol.com Message-Id: <9406231836.tn94370@aol.com> Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Subject: Re: dog stake flying Use a set of Dacron lines from your handles, through the dog stake and attach them to your spectra flying lines. Use a total combined length of 150 -175 feet to start with. This will you a working length of about 75-80feet to manuver with. Spectra line can be used the whole length, but the use of the dogstake will wear the line at the friction point. The spectra will not melt, but will were out. Try it in steady wind at first, and follow R.R.'s advice from there. Good Luck! = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 23 Jun 1994 19:30:37 -1000 From: windwiz@rain.org (Dan Rubesh) Message-Id: <2udr1t$hdb@rain.org> Organization: Regional Access Information Network (RAIN) Subject: Re: dog stake flying In article ce12+@andrew.cmu.edu (Christopher Aaron Ekberg) writes: > >I just read _Kite Precision_. Wow, I had no idea how much I was >missing. One thing I really want to try is dog stake flying. I'm >curious about how to run the lines through the stake top. Wouldn't the >friction melt spectra lines? Or if the loop isn't *perfectly* smooth, >wouldn't it just chew it up? I'm dying to try this, but I don't have >any extra line. Have any of you tried this? What's the best way to go >about it? > >Thanks! >Chris > I'd suggest using a caribiner, (available at some kite shops and all mountaineering stores) to run your lines through.. I've used aluminum 'biners for this application with great success.. Clip your lines thru the 'biner and clip the 'biner onto the dogstake.. If you should have an older set of Spectra lines use them as there will be some accelerated wear (and discoloration) on the lines where they slide thru the caribiner. Line lengths of 125-150 feet work best for starting as you will be flying on effective lengths of 1/2 your line set. I've had best results by reversing the handles, as you'll be seeing the kite from the backside as you're flying.. (i.e. left handle to right hand, etc).. Start by standing at the edge of the wind so the kite won't smack you _too_ hard, and remember that when you take a step toward the kite, it takes a step toward you!! Once you get beyond trying to think about it and fly instinctively, you'll do fine.. A sturdy kite that won't break easily makes a good dogstake trainer, as you WILL crash.. I taught myself to fly dogstake with a Trlby originally, and have since staked many of my kites, including a 10' Flexi in high winds.. (No I didn't use the dogstake but roped the 'biner to a stout tree instead :-) That will get your attention!! -- Tako Buggy Naked Kichi!! Dan Rubesh AKA Member/Merchant Wind Wizard, Purveyor of windwiz@coyote.rain.org GO Stunt Kites & Accessories danr@crash.cts.com FLY A P.O. Box 5747 (805) 659-5654 (voice) STUNT Ventura, CA 93005 (805) 659-5769 (fax) KITE! Member: Kite Trade Assn. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 27 Jun 1994 03:11:35 -1000 From: reich@nosc.mil (Ronald S. Reich) Message-Id: <9406271311.AA23229@cod> Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Subject: Re: dog stake flying Date: Thu, 23 Jun 1994 21:43:16 GMT From: ce12+@andrew.cmu.edu (Christopher Aaron Ekberg) Subject: dog stake flying >I just read _Kite Precision_. Wow, I had no idea how much I was >missing. One thing I really want to try is dog stake flying. >I'm curious about how to run the lines through the stake top. >Wouldn't the friction melt spectra lines? Or if the loop isn't >*perfectly* smooth, wouldn't it just chew it up? I'm dying to >try this, but I don't have any extra line. Have any of you >tried this? What's the best way to go about it? TRUE, it is important that the dog stake be smooth. I use a jewelers file to remove any burrs that were created during the bending process. The dog stake usually has about a 1/4 inch gap at the loop. This is just enough for the lines to slide into position. If the one you get is completely closed then just open the loop enough to allow the lines to slide into the loop. The only time I had line break at the dog stake was when I tried to use 80 lb test. I feel real comfortable with 200 lb and even use 300 lb is the winds are strong. 150 ft long Spectra is my line of choice. When I first started I used Kevlar. The Kevlar would actually cut a groove into the metal dog stake. Some flyers rotate their lines to distribute the wear. That means that they switch the handle ends periodically. I usually work at the right edge of the wind window while dog stake flying. It is dangerous to stand straight down wind. Hope This Helps, Ron Reich = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 27 Jun 1994 06:29:32 -1000 From: billl@essex.ac.uk (Longley W R C) Message-Id: <27870.9406271629@libtsun.essex.ac.uk> Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Subject: dog stake flying I know nothing about dog stake flying, but is there a safety concern with it that should be addressed? Could the stake be yanked out of the ground and at the flyer or bystanders? Bill Longley = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 27 Jun 1994 16:28:55 -1000 From: windwiz@rain.org (Dan Rubesh) Message-Id: <2uo1t7$572@rain.org> Organization: Regional Access Information Network (RAIN) Subject: Re: dog stake flying In article <27870.9406271629@libtsun.essex.ac.uk> billl@essex.ac.uk (Longley W R C) writes: > >I know nothing about dog stake flying, but is there a safety concern with it >that should be addressed? Could the stake be yanked out of the ground and >at the flyer or bystanders? > >Bill Longley If you use a corkscrew-type dogstake that's anchored in firm ground rather than soft sand there's little danger of the stake pulling out of the ground.. I have bent the protruding end of the stake nearly parallel to the ground if the kite I was flying on the dogstake had a _bunch_ of pull.. If that is the case, you need to find a stouter stake.. :-) Actually, if the stake _did_ come out of the ground, it probably wouldn't travel far, as the kite will quit flying if it has nothing to pull against.. -- Tako Buggy Naked Kichi!! Dan Rubesh AKA Member/Merchant Wind Wizard, Purveyor of windwiz@coyote.rain.org GO Stunt Kites & Accessories danr@crash.cts.com FLY A P.O. Box 5747 (805) 659-5654 (voice) STUNT Ventura, CA 93005 (805) 659-5769 (fax) KITE! Member: Kite Trade Assn. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 27 Jun 1994 11:49:45 -1000 From: andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organisation Subject: Re: dog stake flying billl@essex.ac.uk (Longley W R C) writes: >I know nothing about dog stake flying, but is there a safety concern with it >that should be addressed? Could the stake be yanked out of the ground and >at the flyer or bystanders? Fair point. Most people use corkscrew dog stakes, which should be sufficient to thwart the efforts of a pretty big dog and thus a pretty big kite. I would expect the line to be the weak link in the chain. If I ever get round to dogstaking a big Peel (using QR handles, just to make sure that I don't get pulled through the hook!), then I might consider something more meaty. Andrew -- Please note: I'm just back from holiday - sorry for any delay Netiquette-of-the-day: Don't quote Email in news You can FTP the kite FAQ's from ftp.hawaii.edu (directory /pub/rec/kites/faq) The FAQ's have lists of kites, kite stores, kite questions, kite books & plans. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Wed, 6 Jul 1994 05:28:11 -1000 From: mre@crl.com (Erik Halberstadt) Message-Id: <2veiib$8c4@crl2.crl.com> Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access (415) 705-6060 [login: guest] Subject: dog stake flying = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 22 Sep 1994 03:30:08 -1000 From: reich@nosc.mil (Ronald S. Reich) Message-Id: <9409221330.AA03221@cod> Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Subject: DOG STAKE FLYING DOG STAKE FLYING: Here is a style of Dog Stake Flying that you Dog Stake Flyers may want to try. 1. Solidly anchor the dog stake to the ground. 2. Launch the kite at full length of lines. 3. Hook the handles onto the dog stake in such a way that they will not slip off. 4. Step toward the kite and allow the fly lines to slide under one of your arm pitts. I use my right arm pitt. 5. Reach toward the kite and press down on the fly lines to produce the necessary steering of the kite. 6. Walk toward the kite, allowing the fly lines to slide through your arm pitt. 7. You should be able to maintain control of the kite as you walk all the way out to it. 8. When you get to the kite, you can interrelate to it and perform some kind of theatrical action. Let your imagination be your guide. 9. To return to the dog stake, just walk backwards as you maintain control of the kite. 10. When doing this with a quadline kite, maintain control of the kite by pressing on the bottom lines. I let both lines pass under the same arm pitt. However some people step between the lines and have each side of the kite under the respective arms. I suggest that the first time you try this to do it in low winds not to exceed 5 mph. As you become proficient at it you can then try it in a little bit higher wind. Still Learning and Sharing, Ron Reich = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =