From: Dave Kendall Subject: Foolishness Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 03:34:59 -1000 Organization: Cripps Computing Centre, The University of Nottingham Message-ID: To reinforce my naivety in the kite flying stakes here is an object lesson to those tempted to fly to many kites in too strong a wind with too weak line! ( I am sure to many this is old hat - but enjoy a freebie laugh at my expense! ). Anyone based in the midlands of England will no doubt have been privy to some of the finest winds seen all year, with high wind speeds and general 'gustiness' abound. Yesterday I burst out of the Hospital to my local flight site eagerly carrying my three flexis and line. After the tedious setting up procedure (during which I practically lost my sails a few times!), I was set to go. The lead lines are a fairly respectable 300lb breaking strain each, not inadequate for three flexis (6 foot), however the link lines were a mere 80lb strain polyflite (the guy in the shop assured me they would be strong enough for stacking purposes! - what a div I was to listen!). Anyway, up they surged dragging me off down the field - great, and easily the most fun I have had with my shoes on in years. Right up until the point at which the stacking line sheared, leaving kite number three spinning pathetically and the other two kites crashing towards terra firma. No problem, just take off the kite, cut off the excess line, and up she goes again, right? Wrong . . . Along comes the mother of all 'breezes' and virtually pulls my arms clean out (a quite remarkable experience in itself!), followed by a perfectly choreographed dive towards earth, and the consequent surge of pull. Off down the field our intrepid hero bounces . . . . Snap goes the left, then right, stacking lines. . . . See ya later kite number two! I busily crashed down my sole remaining kite and legged it, futily, after the liberated sail which was accelerating and covering the entire distance of the field in no time. Over trees, and houses before coming to rest in the centre of an estate over half a mile away. Like something from the x files, a small crowd of bemused spectators had gathered around this UFO which had just missed 'little johnny' in his pram and Spot the dog, not to mention the 7 series BM parked nearby! Lesson of the day . . . . Do not fly stacks in high winds (too much oscillation!) NEVER believe what the guy in the shop says (if he tells you 40kg line is just great for stacks!) and .. Always remain calm and composed in the face of violently abusive homeowners, or at least until you secure the safe return of the sail! I trust this has been of value to other brain donors such as myself, and of some amusement to the 'elders' Have a good one . . . . Dave Dr. D. Kendall QMC Nottingham England, UK = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: kyteflier@aol.com (Kyteflier) Subject: Re: Foolishness Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 05:54:19 -1000 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Message-ID: <4l8cvb$3gq@newsbf02.news.aol.com> In article , Dave Kendall writes: [snipped horror story] > >Lesson of the day . . . . > > Do not fly stacks in high winds (too much oscillation!) > NEVER believe what the guy in the shop says (if he tells you 40kg > line is just great for stacks!) > This brings up a good question... Has anyone figured out how to reduce / eliminate the oscillation in flexi stacks in high winds? I have flown my 5 stack in 18 mph winds and experienced heavy oscillation in the heart of the wind. Because of this I have hesitated to fly in higher winds. To smooth flight, Dan Dan Brinnehl | Live in or around Chicago? Fly kites with us at Kyteflier@aol.com | Ned Brown Woods: Route 53 and Golf Road Co-Pilots *Pairs* | in Schaumburg, IL. Don't miss the Chicago Sport Stunt Kite Team | Kite Festival at Ned Brown Woods - June 14-16 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: gaffer@pat.rec.com (Andrew Beattie) Subject: Re: Foolishness Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 21:59:25 -1000 Organization: I need to put my ORGANIZATION here. Message-ID: <829987165.7536@pat.rec.com> Kyteflier wrote: >This brings up a good question... Has anyone figured out how to reduce / >eliminate the oscillation in flexi stacks in high winds? I have flown my >5 stack in 18 mph winds and experienced heavy oscillation in the heart of >the wind. Because of this I have hesitated to fly in higher winds. Skill. It might pull like a train, but it is still sensitive to the subtle movements of the flier. Release the line a little whne it tugs and pull when it's slack. To get out of a mess, try a dive and walk/run forward to take the power out (and with it, the oscillation), then smoothly pull out. It's a difficult skill to pass on, but I've certainly taken a wildly osscilating stack, from someone, immediately demonstrated that it flies just fine, then handed it back to see it start ofighting with it's self again. Now Dave Culp will post about carefuly tuning and matching the foils, so that no skill is required (which is important when he's flying :-) Andrew = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: mkf@canleo.demon.co.uk (Julie White) Subject: Re: Foolishness Date: Mon, 22 Apr 1996 17:27:30 -1000 Message-ID: <830201165.18820@canleo.demon.co.uk> Dave Kendall wrote: >To reinforce my naivety in the kite flying stakes obvious, from the recent postings ....... >Anyone based in the midlands of England will no doubt have been privy to >some of the finest winds seen all year, with high wind speeds and general >'gustiness' abound. I, and many others from the Midlands, would not agree that the recent winds have been the finest seen all year. It has been far too windy to practise safe kiteflying, and gusts lead to accidents and injury, not always to the flier, unfortunatly. > ...... (the guy in the shop assured me they would be >strong enough for stacking purposes! - what a div I was to listen!). So, you will not be buying any more kites from him, then? >the liberated sail which was accelerating and covering the entire >distance of the field in no time. As I previously said, strong and/or gusty winds lead to accidents - I only hope you were flying miles away from road, railways, power lines etc etc... >Over trees, and houses before coming to >rest in the centre of an estate over half a mile away. >Like something from the x files, a small crowd of bemused spectators had >gathered around this UFO which had just missed 'little johnny' in his >pram and Spot the dog, not to mention the 7 series BM parked nearby! Obviously not! >Lesson of the day . . . . > Do not fly stacks in high winds (too much oscillation!) > NEVER believe what the guy in the shop says (if he tells you 40kg > line is just great for stacks!) At least you seem to be learning, thankfully. > I trust this has been of value to other brain donors such as > myself, and of some amusement to the 'elders' No, no amusement factor here at all. Julie White Secretary of The Midlands Kite Fliers ------------------------------------------------------------ The Midlands Kite Fliers of Great Britain was formed in 1979 to promote safe kiting in the Midlands and all over the World. For more information view our pages at http://www.u-net.com/~akg/mkf.htm or EMail: mkf@canleo.demon.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: thekiteman@aol.com (TheKiteMan) Subject: Re: Foolishness Date: Thu, 16 May 1996 17:01:41 -1000 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Message-ID: <4ngq6l$2av@newsbf02.news.aol.com> I have flown 10 6 foot flexies in a fair amount of wind and 5 kites in 20mph plus I am on the large side !!!! try makeing your link lines one and one half times the length of the leading edge or more------------most importent make sure there is NO junk inside the kite [sand water ] TKM = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =