NSW
1100 posts
Just picked up a 2010 10m switchblade and love the thing. I'm new to cab gear though and was wondering how to self land without activating the IDS system? The front lines seem too far away to grab safely. IDS works well but makes a bit of a mess with the lines if you want to head out again.
So, do i just put it to the side of the window and pull in the centre line until i get to the two front lines or what?
Thanks in advance
VIC
2777 posts
I land mine like all my previous sb's although cabrinha don't like it (the Jon Modica self land tutorial vid was asked to be removed ) as they prefer you to just use ids ( it is safer but annoying)
I do this: ( have done 100's in 15 to 35knots all it takes is commitment but with ids as back up your sweet)
1. Depower you kite at trim strap
2. Move leash from suicide to ids ( just in case )
3. Fly kite to about 45-60 degrees
4. Grab front lines ( I grab the trim strap or just above )
5. At this point you can unhook if you like ( don't have too but if your cautious it will save a few second in case of emergency )
6. By this stage you are holding the kite just by the front lines about a metre up (there is so little power in the kite at this point that you can actually send the kite up to 12 and over to the other side )
7. With the kite still at 45-60 deg rapidly pull in the front lines hand over hand
8. Now you will be pulling both front lines together ( even though they have split ie: no longer as one on trim strap but together in your hand )
9. This part requires your judgement ... As the kite is falling ( at this point it is softly falling because you have pulled in so much of front lines it is totally depowered) move to pull JUST the UPPER front line in order to make the kite fall flat and into the wind ( this pulls the kite to ensure it lands directly into the wind., exactly as you would normally position your kite on the beach some times it lands slightly off but a further tug of that front line once the kite is on the sand will put it into a more secure position.
This sounds long and complicated but I have tried to describe every detail... It is super easy... If you connect you leash to the ids even if you stuff up( if you unhook the bar ) you will be fine.. Once you have it dialed you probably won't use the ids. I don't as my previous sb's (1,2,3) didn't have it and I landed them exactly the same way.
Just ask if you want me to clarify any step.
100 % sucess over 100's of times for me. Can even land it right behind a kit already on the beach ( usually a mates kite but prevents mine from flogging in the wind)
NSW
1100 posts
Thanks for the detailed explanation. I'll give it a go in marginal winds first though. When i grab the top front line and pull in do I also walk upwind or is it downwind?
28 posts
the result of harry's method is perfect: having the kite land LE down just as you want it to.
I prefer another method, where the kite doesnt fall on the ground, to prevent it from getting damaged by shells or whatever.
-I gently stear the kite to the edge of the window, have the kite sit there on its wingtip.
-I usually walk a few steps towards the side so that the kite is positioned more towards the middle of the window.
-Disconnect my leash and unhook, laying the bar on the ground. Then grab the centerline hand over hand until the IDS kicks in.
-A few steps towards the kite will flip it over and fully depower.
-Grab the lines hand over hand to get to the kite. Normally the kite remains in a smiley position, sometimes it rolls over onto its leading edge.
A helper is always best, but the selfland works well. Goodluck trying. Start in light winds for sure. In high winds maybe its best to play safe and use Cabrinha's method
QLD
476 posts
Harry I think the point of Big EZ's post is that with the 2010 cabs, unless you have the pro kit installed, the center line doesn't split into 2, until half way to the kite.
So the Modica method is not so easy as you can't get to the top center line very quickly. Kite tends to roll away unless you have control of top center line.
I also used to use the "pull top line" method with the older cabs, and one little disappointment with the 2010 gear was the fact that it didn't work as well.
For my part, I still use the tried and tested method of connecting chicken loop to a sandbag with carabiner, and just set the kite on its wingtip, then walk up to it. Can report both the 2010 nomad and switch behave very well with this method. IDS line is there for backup if you have to land away from your sandbag.
Andy.
VIC
859 posts
I have the 09 Crossbow IDS kites and self land pretty much as per Harry's post. Compared to ye olde crossbows this method works every time. Depending on wind strength the kite will either roll nose down or nose up.
Nose down, great just pull on the top front line when you get to the split and the kite will land perfect nose down, if it rolls on it back with the nose up then just work your way hand over hand up the lines as its maker intended....
I usually reach up and grab the centre lines above the depower adjustment pull in and hold until the kite has landed and has settled. I then unhook and complete the landing. unhooking will keep the line in better shape for your next launch.
Good luck
PS. obviously you should only self land when there is plenty of real estate down wind if it goes wrong.
NSW
5786 posts
i land it the same way as the old system,
first, wingtip down,
then, yank the centre line towards you,
then next pull the top line hand over hand till it goes L.E down.
i reckon the centre line ids gives you a better angle of attack on the front lines than the old sb3 set up
QLD
71 posts
fly to edge of window
land on wing tip
grab front lines, the kite will swing downwind a little,
(you can unhook at this point) and walk up, just DON'T LET GO.
piece of cake, works every time 25+ or whatever.
50 posts
landing hand over hand sounds just like how i land my Naish Cult, it's the same but different - may apply to IDS, i have not flown it so i cannot say...
to land the cult,
depower the kite so you can hold the kite unhooked (don't un hook yet! )
move your leash to the top ring (generally front right line)
fly the kite over to the left , so when it lands the kite flag line will be closest to you
hold the leash taut but not tight in your right hand on the end of the bar,
fly kite so it's between 6 and 9 m off the ground (left hand side)
undo the dick
hold bar in both hands
un hoook (glad you de-powered it now arent you)
with both hands on the ens of the bar and the leash in your right hand
turn hard into the ground (left hand side) - soo hard the L/E is heading down
when the kite is nearly on the ground let go of the the bar (hold the leash) and draw the leash like a bow and arrow.
this will drop the kite L/E into the wind on the sand every time.
re-feed your line through the bar and re-attach the leash to the smart loop
and it's ready for re-launch.
note when you do it first time the sudden loss of power when you drop the bar will put you on your ass. quite funny really :)
