Date: Thu, 19 Aug 1993 11:34:13 -1000 From: andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organisation Subject: Flexi stack knot reich@cod.nosc.mil (Ronald S. Reich) writes: >Sorry for butting in but I thought this could help in the >discussion. >[ascii drawing of Double/triple larks-head deleted] >P.S. This knot is proposed for use in training Flexifoil kites >when you want the stong line to run the full distance to the top >kite. I'd say that this is a pretty good proposal Ron. I've spoken about techniques for stacking flexies before, but I think I'll pull it all together now and cover it all. The flexifoil leaflet suggests making a loop in the train line, pulling it through the ring and lark's heading onto the spar. This is not suitable for large stacks on several counts: * The full force of the pull of the stack is put to work on cutting the line on the front ring. * To counteract this, you use heavy duty train line, limiting the performance of the kite (I used to regularly use 4mm rope) * The force on the lark's head can be sufficient to snap the end off the spar. Thus for long trains, you want each kite to be attached on a separate line, just as Ron proposes. I have seen Flexifoil UK use a technique very close to Ron's idea. In addition, they splice a piece of line from the train line just above the knot, to run past the lark's head and then back into the train line just below. This stops the lark's head from sliding too far and protects the 2000lb spectra from abrasion from the spar. Personally, I tie a figure-of-eight knot in the train line as a stop, and tie a simple lark's head. I make the loop as small as possible, to keep the stack flying more as a unit. I tie the knot slightly differently, so that the knot of the loop in the middle of the lark's head, so that it is easier to attach the foil. Andrew -- Work: gaffer@plx.com Phone: +44 793 614 110 Fax: +44 793 614 297 Play: andrew@tug.com Phone: +44 256 464 912 Interested in kite traction? mail kites@tug.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 19 Aug 1993 22:07:57 -1000 From: salanne@convex.csc.fi (Simo Salanne) Message-Id: <1993Aug20.080757.233@nic.funet.fi> Organization: Finnish Academic and Research Network Project - FUNET Subject: Re: Flexi stack knot In andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) writes: >I have seen Flexifoil UK use a technique very close to Ron's idea. In >addition, they splice a piece of line from the train line just above the >knot, to run past the lark's head and then back into the train line just >below. This stops the lark's head from sliding too far and protects the >2000lb spectra from abrasion from the spar. I have understood, that was the way, the Dutch group stacked their world record 208 flexis. Smooth Winds Simo = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 20 Aug 1993 02:08:29 -1000 From: andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organisation Subject: Re: Flexi stack knot salanne@convex.csc.FI (Simo Salanne) writes: >andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) writes: > >>I have seen Flexifoil UK use a technique very close to Ron's idea. In >>addition, they splice a piece of line from the train line just above the >>knot, to run past the lark's head and then back into the train line just >>below. This stops the lark's head from sliding too far and protects the >>2000lb spectra from abrasion from the spar. > >I have understood, that was the way, the Dutch group stacked their >world record 208 flexis. Damn! I knew that I forgot something. The Dutch *didn't* do it like this, They took a short lenght of line, doubled it into a loop and tied a knot in it. They then spliced the un-knotted end of the loop into the train line and back out again, where they attached the foil. See the Diagram in the latest Drachen. Andrew -- Work: gaffer@plx.com Phone: +44 793 614 110 Fax: +44 793 614 297 Play: andrew@tug.com Phone: +44 256 464 912 Interested in kite traction? mail kites@tug.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 20 Aug 1993 12:05:06 -1000 From: salanne@convex.csc.FI (Simo Salanne) Message-Id: <1993Aug20.220506.21931@nic.funet.fi> Organization: Finnish Academic and Research Network Project - FUNET Subject: Re: Flexi stack knot In andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) writes: >Damn! I knew that I forgot something. The Dutch *didn't* do it like this, >They took a short lenght of line, doubled it into a loop and tied a knot in it. >They then spliced the un-knotted end of the loop into the train line >and back out again, where they attached the foil. >See the Diagram in the latest Drachen. You are right, I felt my memory image of the drawing in Drachen Magazin and your description matched. Simo = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =