QLD
504 posts
Anyone got this sorted yet.....I have no trouble self landing my old north kites in any wind.(rebel and Rhino)
My 13m Edge 2 has got me *&^$ed. The way the 5th line attaches is the problem anything over 20 knots ita real handful. Only sure thing so far has been to drop the kite almost on its edge and activate the chicken loop QR, this works fine but i don't like doing this as you can"t be sure the kite isn't going to get damaged on something as it slides down the beach until it runs out line and you usually end up with a mess with your lines.
VIC
4501 posts
Have you tried the bow kite methods to see if these work better?
NSW
4382 posts
Have you tried just clipping your leash to one of the front line flagging rings, hovering approx 1 -2 kite spans off the beach, then steer down sharply and then pull the chicken loop?
Or is that the method you don't like?
I've used this method in strong winds and it works every time?
Then I unhook the leash, and sand the kite, then pull the bar back behind the kite and there are never any tangles.
Wash sand off bar and pack up the kite, job done.
Cya and
Goodwinds
Steve
TAS
778 posts
Hi Rusty,
I've got it sorted and can land my edge 2's in very high winds. Latest was the 9m on a stupidly gusty day averaging 32knots.
Do as Steve says, just make sure you clip to the front line that is highest in the sky when your flying on the edge of the window, that is, if landing to your left connect to the right front line.
Then bring it down with a bit mumbo and at around 10.30 - 10 pop your release (or be unhooked and let go)
It'll flatten the kite into the wind and land on the beach around the right way. The trick is a bit of speed towards the ground and getting the height right.
I use a SS leash as it's easier to connect the clip with one hand.
I don't do anything with the 5th line and I leave the anti-inverts on.
Hope that helps,
Cheers.
QLD
504 posts
Steve and Kitedevil thanks for the reply ......yep thats the method i use I guess thats the only way. I have taken the anti invert lines off so I don't know if this has an adverse effect or not. I originally hooked to the lower front line and the kite would land on it back and i would pull gently on the front line as i walked to the kite. Thanks again guys .....Ozone, more than just a kite.
VIC
484 posts
Definately do it as mentioned above, i have used this method a bunch of times on my edge II 11m and it's fine. the trick as somebody said is to get a little bit of speed as you dive the kite towards the ground, so there is some pressure on the lines, then release everything except the top front line when the kite is 2-3 metres up. the tension on the line will cause it to rotate into the wind and drop neatly onto it's leading edge facing directly into the wind. even if it occasionally fails because you timed it wrong, the worst thing that will happen is the kite rolls once or twice downwind before coming to rest. you will never get dragged because you are only attached via one front line.
