Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 07:34:15 -1000 From: tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com (Bert Tanaka) Message-Id: <9405251732.AA13004@mts-gw.pa.dec.com> Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Subject: Follow Up to "Product Info - Skyshark 3P Spars" Subj: Follow-up (was Product info - Skyshark 3P spars) I put 3P frames in my Rev II and Skyburner Pro Dancer a while back. Regarding my comments that the stock Rev II needed a good breeze to fly in, Jeffrey Burka responds: >Heh. Depends on who's flying the kite. I know plenty of people who can >fly a stock II in wind around 4-5 without a problem. One time last year I competed with a stock Rev II in winds that were 5-6 mph. I spent a lot of time pulling through the lulls, doing ground recovery, and fighting to stay off the back line. I should have named my routine, "The Joy of Running Backwards". My skill level is only intermediate, and perhaps some better flyers could keep it airborn, but personally, I would be reluctant to say that a stock Rev II can be flown without a problem in 4-5 mph winds. Yes, no, maybe? On all other points, I defer to Jeff's expertise and experience regarding this subject with no disrespect intended with this minor difference of opinion. I plan to compete again, and really, if my stock Rev could fly in 4 mph, I'd have just bought another Advantage spar after I broke the original. But, memories of "The Joy" motivated me to look for ways of lightening my Rev II up some, after I had tried the UL set and didn't like it. I flew this past week-end in 11-17 mph winds with sustained winds (up to 30 seconds) of 14-15 mph. In the air, the 3P frame holds up just fine. However, I broke my leading edge twice hitting the ground. I put a 5P leading edge in, and things worked out just fine. Personally, I prefer the heavier stock frame in the stronger winds... the kite is slower, and easier to control. After I busted the leading edge up, I had enough little pieces to be able to construct a symetrical leading edge like the one Jeff recommends. Folds up a lot nicer, too. In the 4 to 12 mph wind range, the lighter 3P frame is really nice. In stronger winds, the 3P framed Rev is quicker and harder to control so slipping in a heavier leading edge, helps. If you have better touch than I do, and can avoid the inadvertant slam dunk landings, you could keep the 3P frame in I suppose. I'm considering just getting another Rev II for those situations. (BTW, Jeff, have you ever seen an Icarex Rev II? Or, flown one?) My 3P framed Pro Dancer is holding up great. The frame matches up well with this particular kite in that in strong wind, it bends just enough to slow it down some and reduce pull a little bit. In the 3 to 12 mph range, the flex is not a factor but the lighter frame makes the kite more agile as well as quicker. I like this combination a lot. -Bert = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 12:01:11 -1000 From: jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka) Message-Id: <2s0hr8$6ik@umd5.umd.edu> Organization: University of Maryland, College Park Subject: Re: Follow Up to "Product Info - Skyshark 3P Spars" In article <9405251732.AA13004@mts-gw.pa.dec.com> tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com (Bert Tanaka) writes: >One time last year I competed with a stock Rev II in winds that were 5-6 mph. >I spent a lot of time pulling through the lulls, doing ground recovery, >and fighting to stay off the back line. [...] I would be reluctant to say >that a stock Rev II can be flown without a problem in 4-5 mph winds. I'll stand by that wind range. There are a *lot* of tricks that can be used with a Rev to keep it airborne in light winds; anyone who's flown a Rev indoors should be aware of them. These same techniques can keep a Rev II aloft in pretty light winds. Short lines are a big help too. I don't know if I'd want to fly a routine with a Rev II in 4-5 winds, but for just noodling around/fun, it's certainly doable. >Personally, I prefer the >heavier stock frame in the stronger winds... the kite is slower, and easier >to control. Agreed. As I've said, I often use a stock leading edge as the wind picks up. My choice of vertical shaft depends on what the wind is, and is not entirely dependent on what I have in the leading edge. >(BTW, Jeff, have you ever seen an Icarex Rev II? Or, flown one?) You must not have noticed my recent response to...was it Michael Graves? No, I don't think it was...someone, in any event, regarding how well Icarex holds up after a while. I've been flying Icarex IIs since June 13th of last year, and I absolutely love them. I've currently got 4--two of them will debut at Wildwood this weekend. My original two are 3/4oz, and my primary (unbridled) sail has something like 150-200 hours on it. It's in great shape, and I've never needed to tighten the bungees on it. The primary sail has a 1.5oz nylon leading edge; the bridled kite has a 3.9oz dacron. This week I built two new Revs, out of 1/2oz Icarex. Both have a 1.5oz leading edge. One was built for indoor use and has a IIp frame. Weighs in at 3.4oz, and is an absolute pleasure indoors. The other was a replacement, of sorts, for my primary sail, and will be used for my EIQ ballet. It has a IIIp frame. I can't recommend Icarex highly enough for this purpose... Jeff -- |Jeffrey C. Burka | "Everything is still with a fear of never coming out | |Suffering Bad Grammar| Never following through / Never ever finishing | |jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu | What we wanted to do." -- Melissa Ferrick | = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =