Control
On your first launch, keep your hands next to each other and let your
kite ascend as high as possible. If your kite wanders to one side, make
corrections by pulling on the opposite control handle. A stunt kite
turns towards the same direction it is pulled: Pull right - the kite
turns right, pull left the kite turns left. As a beginner, concentrate on
steering towards the sky and maintaining plenty of altitude before
doing complex stunts.
The most common problem a beginner has is over controlling their
kite. Only a few inches of pull is needed for maneuvering. If you
continue to pull to one side, your kite will make a loop. The further
you pull back the line, the tighter the loop will be. At any point in the
loop or turn, you can even out your hands and the kite will continue in
the direction the nose is pointing.
After doing loops, your control lines will be twisted. This may seem
troublesome, but don’t worry, you still have control of your kite. To
untwist, simply fly loops in the opposite direction.
Pull Left:
Kite turns left
Pull Right:
Kite turns right
Power Zone:
- Most speed
- Most pull
- Fastest response
- Easiest area to launch
Edge:
- Slower speed
- Less pull
- Slower response
- Easiest area to land
Hands Even:
Kite flies straight in
the same direction it
is pointing
Maneuvering in the Wind Window
The wind window is an area of the sky where sport kites maneuver.
The window is shaped like a half dome. The size of the window
changes with the wind speed. Higher winds produce larger windows.
Your kite will react differently in various parts of the window. The
Power Zone is where your kite will pull the most and have the most
speed. This is where you will have the most success launching your kite.
On the Edge the kite is angled away from the direct wind. This lowers
the speed and pull of the kite and makes landings easier. The extreme
edge is the point where the kite can not move forward anymore.
In lighter winds your kite becomes a victim of gravity and sinks to the
ground. In higher winds your kite can hover on the edge and retain its
position in the sky.
Landing
You will soon notice that as the kite flies to the edge of the window, it
slows down and eventually stalls. Maneuver the kite to the outermost
edge about a foot off the ground and run toward the kite while
throwing your arms forward. Your lines will go slack and the kite will
gently land. For an advanced maneuver, try landing your kite on its
wing tips. When your kite is about a foot off the ground, rotate the
nose skyward and run forward, keeping your hands in front and the
line equal. The kite will lose wind and land on its wing tips. You are
now ready to relaunch.
EDGE
WIND
POWER
ZONE
EDGE
EDGE
EDGE
EDGE
Wind Window
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