2 posts
my son and I are learning. We just got him a 2014 5m airrush lithium. We were told to fly it straight out of the box. When we fly it. There is a real bow to the back lines when it is parked and when it is under power. They seem loose even when the bar is pulled in and we have the "more power" setting on. This occurred when flying in 15 and 20 kns I was looking at all the other kites that seemed to have straight back lines. There is only one setting on the lines where our old kite had three knots to chose from. If any one is familiar with this kite? Is it normal for the back lines to be loose or do we nned to make some adjustment?
WA
1615 posts
It is unusual but not unheard of. It's rarely the case, but sometimes lines can be incorrectly tuned out of the factory...just like sometimes kites can have issues out of the factory as well. People assembling your kites are only human...they make mistakes sometimes.
It's always best to tune your lines before flying even when buying a brand new kite, just to be sure. If you're unsure, just take it back to the shop and they'll check it for you, it definitely seems like your back lines are too long or your front lines are too short for some reason.
QLD
2070 posts
Airush kites are shipped with only one knot, which is usually the sweet spot for the average kiter in average conditions. There is plenty of room on the pig tails on the kite (at least there is on my Waves) to tie another knot higher of lower if required.
Presuming you have an Airush bar, there is also some knots up by where the front lines split under the webbing you can adjust your front lines length there also.
As long as the kites flying ok, I wouldn't be too worried as some kites fly off the front lines more than others.
WA
1094 posts
Any adjustments under the floats? I've had north's and cores in the past that needed to be adjusted from new until the front lines/bridals stretch into position.
VIC
192 posts
The manual that comes with the kite and bar gives the correct line lengths. You could measure them and check they match the manual.
The one knot (out of the box) on my 9m lithium works well. It is very close to the kite only leaving room to add "de powered" knots. You probably don't even need to measure them, just pull the lines out tie the kite ends all to one point and check that the bar is the correct distance from the chicken loop.
Often one back line is curved on my lithium but not both at the same time.
If you're not sure then take it back to the shop.
2 posts
Thanks for your input every one. I bought the kite on trip to Perth but live in Brisbane so I can't easily take it back. It seems to fly well and has lots of power but if a simple adjustment makes it even better I obvoiusly want to do that. It's like buying a new car and only driving it in third gear. I am sure I can adjust it but the big question is should I? The problem getting adevice about this is that there is a big difference in a 35kg 10 year old flying a 5 meter in moderate winds versus an experienced adult flying a 5 meter in 35knots. I suspect the lines would be fairly tight then
VIC
710 posts
If you tie the second (lower) knot on each pigtail this will provide a lower power setting for the kite, so the rear lines would be under even less tension if you use the lower knot. Airush says this can make the kite easier to relaunch in light winds (but then you have less power when you may need it).
If the rear lines are really slack there could be a problem with how they are setup. Worth looking into further.
36 posts
Aren't the back lines generally supposed to be slack?
My understanding is it's the font lines which should always be in tension, not the back lines - especially when the is parked. If the back lines were in tension it would be physically quite hard to steer the kite, and it would be powered up. Backlines should only be in tension when the kite is moving in the power zone and there's enough wind.
My backlines usually have a bow/slackness, which is especially more noticeable in light winds. As a newbie (which I still very much so am), it was a little unnerving in less than 20knt winds just how slack lines get, as it seemed like the kite always wanted to fall out of the sky. Eventually I got used to keeping the kite moving, and when on the beach, walking/moving around to tension the lines as needed to stop it falling.
