Stunt Kite Tips

Stunt Kite Flying Tips

The Wind Window:

Its size will vary depending on the wind velocity and length of your fly lines. The center of the wind window affords maximum speed, lift and maneuverability. You always have your back to the center of the wind. As your kite moves away from the center, speed, maneuverability and control decrease as more wind is deflected by the kite's sail.

Launching Your Kite:

1) The easiest way to launch your sport kite is to have someone hold it downwind. If you do not have a launch assistant, lay out your fly lines and place the kite face up. Before take off, gently pull back on both fly lines, which will bring your kite up into the wind.

2) To take off, keep equal tension on both fly lines. Take 3 steps or more backward pumping both your arms in a downward motion.

3) The natural tendency for beginners is to oversteer your sport kite.

4) While doing flying maneuvers, your fly lines will naturally cross and twist. As long as the lines can move in and out, you will still be able to maneuver your sport kite.

Climb:

Keep equal tension on both the fly lines as the kite points straight up.

Horizontal Flight:

Hold control handles in position keeping equal tension on both lines.

Right Turn:

Pull back gradually on the right fly line.

Right Loop:

Pull back gradually on the right fly line while gradually pushing your left line forward.

While doing loops, your fly line will naturally cross and twist. As long as your fly lines can slide, you will be able to control your sport kite.

Note: Remember how many loops you make to one side. You will have to loop the same number of times in the opposite direction to uncross your lines.

Landing:

1) Fly your sport kite to the right down through the wind window at approximately 30 degree angle, toward the outside edge of the wind window.

2) As the sport kite slows, reduce its altitude by gently pulling back on the right fly line.

3) Make a slight left turn to get the nose of the kite pointed skyward in position for landing.

4) Walk forward, toward your sport kite, until the trailing edge (the bottom edge of your sport kite) touches the ground.

Larks Head knot

The Larks Head knot is the single most useful knot in power kiting, so why not learn it now? The great thing about the Larks Head is that it’s a slip knot. The more you pull the tighter it locks so there’s no chance of it coming undone in flight. But as soon as the tension is released (i.e. after landing the kite) it’s relatively easy to pull loose and undo.

Adjusting the Bridle

Adjusting the bridle: Can be done by moving the tow point. This is the area where the bridle and the flying lines connect. By moving this point on the bridle lines the flight characteristics of the kite can be changed.

If you move the tow point:

toward the nose (forward or up), the nose is brought closer to you, dumping air more quickly out the back of the sail. These changes will affect the kite so it will: be faster, have a lighter wind capability ,have less pull, and slower/wider turns. By moving the nose forward in high winds, you will dump more air and lessen the pull exerted.
away from the nose (back or down) sets the nose or the top of the kite away from you which retains wind in the sail longer. These changes will affect the kite so it will: be slower, need more wind, have more pull, faster/tighter turns, and much more responsive.
to the outside (away from the spine) it will: increase the turn speed, increase oversteer/radicalness, and reduce the turn radius.
to the inside (towards the spine) it will: reduce the turn speed, reduce oversteer/radicalness, and increase the turn radius.

Adjusting the bridle is generally done in small steps (1/8") at a time. Make equal adjustments on both sides at the same time. Play with your bridle and see what it does to your kite. If your bridle settings are all wrong the kite won't fly, but you won't break the kite.

What to do in lighter winds?

You want to make your kite as light as possible. Next try putting on lighter and shorter flight lines. Be careful you don't yank too hard on the lines. If you're willing, try the removal of the top spreader. It may fly a little different than usual, BUT it will still fly. Have fun with it!

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