Help with fifth line rigging

[dallinking]

Busted out my 16m 5-line c-kite (slingshot octane) on Sunday in park city (field just south of home depot). Almost no wind, but after going all the way out there, I figured I might as well set it up and see if I can get it in the air. I did have such luck for about 15 seconds; during which I had about 0-kite control.

Something I noticed that I'd like some feedback on:

After removing the kite from the backpack, inflatinging it, and connecting the steering and front lines, I noticed that there was a decently long "extension" line connected to where the fifth line connects, which was wrapped up and held in place by a velcro flap right near the attachment point for the fifth line on the kites leading edge.

After some debate, I decided to connect the fifth line to the "extension" line. However, after getting to the handle bar, I saw there was excessive amounts of slack on the fifth line(all the other lines were tight while this one had slack). The kite was on it's back (leading edge up, wind-catching portion facing me) and for me to get it in the air, I had to pull a bunch of slack in from the fifth line. After I got it in the air, it moved a bit to the left and crashed.

Anyone know what the (for lack of better works) "line extension" connected to the fifth line riggin point is, or what it's used for? Also, I saw that my kite used 6-8psi of pressure, but my pump doesn't have a psi gauge. Any good methods/tricks to get the right psi? Should I just buy a new pump (ha not ideal)

thanks in advance for any thoughts, feedback, etc

-Dallin

[Leo Chan]

Dallin, the 5th-line is a little longer for a purpose. If the 5th line is too short, the kite's profile will be too flat and the kite will over sheet or loss power. You should never rest the kite with the leading edge up unless the wind is too light and you need to do a hot launch. When doing hot launch, use the 5-th line. If the wind is strong enough, pull in one of the outside line while completely sheeted out, you should be able to get the kite up (prepare for the pull).

I am a little concern with the velcro flap thing you mentioned. Send me a photo: lhchan@gmail.com

[bordy]

Dallin,

Welcom to the UWA and windsports. We are a community of windriders who love to share the stoke online.

I Noticed you are new to windsports and are asking begginger questions about rigging. This leads me to beleave you, have not taken any lessons, and have not been educated in the saftey aspects of the sport. Although it takes some practice to fly the kite, the saftey aspect of our sport are more important to kiting then knowing how to kite, with out these skills you become a danger to yourself and the local community, Our sport is not like skiing or snowboarding where you can just have at it, but more like being a pilot, that involes checks, preflights,saftey drills,wind knowledge, self rescue, rules of sailing, rigging and packup.

Kiting is a very dangerous sport that requires much more than just some info off a website to be a safe kiter. From readying your post and Leo's responses I would like to share my thoughts on your c-kite.

C-kites suck in Utah it is much to gusty everywhere except Utah lake on a thermal North wind, for anyone except experanced kiters to risk injury flying a c-kite, let allone learn to fly a c-kite there is not a single school in the country that teaches on this old out dated unsafe expert only gear, SLE kites are the safest way to learn to kite here or anywhere, plus on snow C-kites place the rider in danger becuase of thier diffacultys in launching and realuanching and there inability to depower with out being relesed on the fithline which may lead to tangles and you being dragged and possibly injuried, they also have much less wind range creating a hazzard if the wind picks up. This is not like saying New shape skiis are easier to learn on, while you cn still learn on old gear. There are big differances in the saftey systems of these two style of kites, C-kite are to blame for major injuries and deaths, SLE kites have made the sport so much safer that most kiters will not even sell their C-kites to new kiters out of fear of hurting some one, it is a huge issue.

Come to kite spots talk to kiters, find out about getting with a instructor and getting educated about the sport, it will increase your learning curve from months, to weeks and place you on current safe gear that will not kill you.

Leo may not see the dangers of just dishing out info, but the reason only he has responded to your post is becuase no one whats to give you the info to go fly your kite, a 16m kite is huge, most begginers learn on a progressive scale starting with trainer and steping up a few meters at a time from 5-12m SLE kites.

The money you will spend on a lesson is the best thing you can do for your kiting, It will give you accaess to some one elses kites to crash and break. It will give you the hours of classroom , for saftery and rules. And it will place you at the safest spots with the best winds and give you the info to idenify saftey hazards. People who learn to kite on their own general get really hurt (busted bones, etc. not just bruised n scrapped up)at least once in the learning process. Take about 10 times longer to become a kiter, and a not excepted into the local spots and comminuty as quickley becuase of thier lack of learned knowledg.


Good Luck and be safe!

Billy

[Leo Chan]

I agree with Billy. I thought you have experience with flying the kite on land. I read your post again and realized that you only have flown a trainer kite. Going from a trainer kite to a 16 meter kite is not a smart thing to do. Taking a lesson is probably the best decision you will ever make. You should also consider getting a smaller kite (preferably a foil) for the snow and get comfortable with flying a big kite first. At any rate, don't fly the big kite for now.

[dallinking]

Leo & Bordy;

Thanks for the time and energy put into your reply's. You're right in that I've been trying to get going on my own without a lesson. I appreciate the advice, which has confirmed my considerations of taking a lesson. I will certainly do that.

As for the kite: it's unrealistic for me to buy a trainer, then a 3m, then a 7m, and so on, but the c-kite analysis is very helpful. I've talked to a few people about the my set-up, and suggesting I fly it in light wind was the extent of the c-kite warning.

I can appreciate your emphasis on the safety aspects.

Hopefully this question doesn't void your suggestions: if you were to suggest one kite for me to replace my c-kite with, what would it be? (ideally, something applicable to land, water, and snow).

Thanks again,
Dallin

[Leo Chan]

Dallin, once you take a lesson, you should be able to get a better feel of what size you can handle. The person teaching you should have a full quiver of kites for you to try out. We all have our own preferences and we will likely give you many different answers. I love the Ozone kites (2008 or newer) I have. So, look for a kite in the 9-11 meter range after you have a lesson.

Funny thing, I met a girl you know (Shannon?) last night at dinner.

Leo

[bordy]

Dallin,

Find a lesson and take it, all off your questions should be answered. You may even have a chance to fly your kite with a instructor and get a chance to experience the differences in kites.

Lessons are the quickest,safest and most fun way to become a kiter.

Billy

[David Kyle]

True Bill,

Very greatfull I took lessons. I had most of what I needed for kiting
inbeded in my DNA, but a good portion was simplified, realized and
understood with a couple of short lessions. Why learn the hard way (not recomended) when you
can get the goods in a controled environment. Lessions were fun as hell, they still are, but usually
painfull.

[dallinking]

Nice.. I thought I had to have a kite ready to go to attend the lesson. That's great news. Thanks again.

oh and Leo; small world!