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2018 CONTROL SYSTEM USER MANUAL
TUNING
TUNING THE KITE
Proper tuning of your kite is essential for best performance. A properly tuned kite increases
its effi ciency, speed, and allows the kite to de-power correctly. The following guidelines will
help you to properly tune the kite to suit your style of riding.
• All models have a desired sweet spot that is achieved by the correct tension of the
steering (back) and de-power (front) lines. Fine-tuning of the kite may be done by making
small adjustments to the Centerline Adjustment Strap (CAS.).
• Please note that, due to the full range of depower available in the system, the CAS is used
to position the bar within the depower range. If you fi nd yourself riding with your arms fully
extended and bent over at the waist, you can pull the red ball and the bar will move closer
to you.
• The kite is very sensitive to over sheeting. Too much back line tension can cause the kite
to fl y slowly or even backwards in light wind. Over sheeting will also minimize the amount
of shutdown available in the depower range.
• Do not ‘over sheet’ the kite. The fi rst objective is to set the kite’s maximum power while
allowing it to fl y effi ciently across the sky. More power and quicker turning is achieved by
tensioning the steering (back) lines. This is called ‘sheeting in the kite’. There is however,
a point of diminishing returns. Too much back line tension will cause the kite to fl y slowly
across the sky and not allow it to fl y to the edge of the power window.
• With the kite directly overhead, hook into the harness loop and fully sheet in (power up)
the kite. If the kite is over-sheeted, the kite will sit back in the window.
• De-power the kite by pulling on the CAS until the desired effect is achieved. The more you
pull on the CAS the less power the kite will have. Keep in mind that you will still be able
to de-power the kite through the Depower Loop, so do not de-power too much with the
CAS. To increase power, pull down on the black power adjustment ball.
VIEW OF KITE FROM RIDERS PERSPECTIVE –
KITE IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION DIRECTLY ABOVE THE RIDER.
Over sheeted wingtip >>
(too much back line tension)
Correct Trim >>
CAUTION: Beware of lofting. Leaving the kite overhead for long periods of time
increases the risk of this phenomenon. If you feel yourself being lifted, sheet out
immediately and be ready to pull your QRS.
