Self landing Catalyst

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bene313
bene313
WA
1347 posts
WA, 1347 posts
2 Feb 2011 10:07pm
Having some success, but mainly trouble landing the 8m. The 12m seems to be easier to land due to use in lighter winds.

I have been using the technique for Ozone in this article:

www.seabreeze.com.au/Articles/Kitesurfing/How-to-self-land-your-kite_2165109.aspx

Here is what happens for me:
1. Bring kite to sand at edge of window
2. Drop the bar and pull the appropriate line to land the kite
3. The kite will either land successfully, OR the LE never makes it to the sand, hovers for a few seconds, then take off again.

Any tips?

Alternatively I have successfully landed the kite using the Best method described in the article above, but have mainly been attempting the Ozone method.

Cheers
Ben
bene313
bene313
WA
1347 posts
WA, 1347 posts
3 Feb 2011 8:38am
Found this thread which has given me some ideas:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/bets-way-to-selfland-a-bow-kite/

AKS Online said...
Many of which seem to involve diving the kite "hard" onto the ground. This is generally not a good idea although I know what you're all trying to do.

A better and safer method is to let the bar go from a few metres above the ground, the sudden release of the bar, reduces the angle of attack and lets the kite fall back into the wind window a few metres. When it hits the ground, pull the bottom steering line to keep it on the ground (friction), and walk upwind about 5-10 metres so the kite is well down wind of the neutral zone.

Pull your quick release or the upper wingtip center (front) line of the kite and it will drop onto it's leading edge neatly without all the running and slamming into the ground. Make sure your leash is connected to the flagging ring option and you just can't go wrong.

It pretty much works in all wind strengths


QLD, 481 posts
3 Feb 2011 11:30am
Main thing to remember when self landing is it only works 90 % of the time, not every time so make sure your prepared if it dosn't work and that your crash zone (down wind of you) is free of other people and obstacles .
Have fun
George
KIT33R
KIT33R
NSW
1716 posts
NSW, 1716 posts
3 Feb 2011 2:49pm
All of the above is true.

I self land my Catalyst quite often. I clip my leash to the flagging line (in case things go wrong) and then release my bar with the kite about 1 meter of the ground when it is diving and then quickly haul in a few meters of top front line. This should turn the kite into the wind. In strong conditions, like when using an 8m, this does not always work, so you could release onto the flagging line.

Note, that if the self landing does not work and the kite takes off and all you have in your hand is 2 m of front line, keep hauling it in, making sure it is not wrapped around your hand. The kite will roll over and flop down directly down wind (leading edge down). You can then walk up the line and secure the kite. Failing all this just release onto the flagging line. The red stopper ball will minimise any line tangles.

Make sure there are no people directly down wind of you when you self land.
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