Launch Angle
Mon, 11/08/2010 - 10:34
I wanted to share a pet peeve of mine. We have all learned the perfect position to launch a kite. With your back to the wind spread your arms like you are flying in a T. With you back to the wind looking directly down wind your arms then signify the line that the rider and launcher should be positioned your left and right.
But this to me is knowing the exact position to let go of the kite vs stand the kite up. If the kite is infront of the window it flaps and is not full. If you let go the kite would drift back into the window which can cause a kooking. If your launcher picks the kite up downwind then it will buck like a bull and try to drag the launcher forward to where he should have been standing. Basically the top of the kite just start to tomahawk the launcher in the head. BTW this happens too even if the launcher and rider are lined up perfectly!
Reason for my pet peeve is we can pick the kite up ahead of the wind and rather have it drift back we walk it back til it fills. Rather try to satnd it up at THAT perfect angle.
See we all learn the angle in which to launch. But to actually line up in the perfect way and pick up your kite is not ideal. We have all fought a kite picking it up and it either pushes us to where it wants to be. I think that we should all make sure our kite is in front and upwind of the rider. If you are going to pick up a friends kite walk the kite a few steps upwind. This means the kite is not in the power zone nor powered. let the rider look at his lines this way. Then after you check take steps back bringing the kite downwind until it fills and becomes firm.
I am trying to say in many words that just because you know the right angle you should not pick up the kite there. You might kook. The kite might knock your launcher over. Your kites wing tip will drag across shells. It is your responsibility as the rider NOT the launcher to know that the kite is far forward of where it needs to be when you launcher picks it up.
If I am the rider I get the kite stood up then walk it back into the wind until it stops flapping.
Fred's video shows a launch were the kite is to far back or perfectly aligned for launch when picked up.
Instead the kite could have been launched way to the right of were it was picked up and walked back to the left. That way it would not have pushed the launcher.
Fred I knew that you would not be upset and it was a perfect illustration. We have so many newer riders I thought it would be good.
Mon, 11/08/2010 - 11:18
#1
I suspect in this case it was
I suspect in this case it was a launch from the water with very little workable beach. Isn't this what happened to that white Waroo you were launching JD? 
This shows a good angle.
[img_assist|nid=5522|title=Launch Angle|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=480|height=321]
In my opinion, beginners should read our article on the topic:
http://masskiting.com/content/launching-and-body-dragging
The shouldn't be any slack in the back lines. if there is, take a step towards the wind.
Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:27
#2
Johnny D wrote:. We have all
Johnny D wrote:
. We have all fought a kite picking it up and it either pushes us to where it wants to be. I think that we should all make sure our kite is in front and upwind of the rider. If you are going to pick up a friends kite walk the kite a few steps upwind. This means the kite is not in the power zone nor powered. let the rider look at his lines this way. Then after you check take steps back bringing the kite downwind until it fills and becomes firm.
When your buddy picks up kite it is alway a good idea to take a few steps (10-15 ft) toward him that way the lines have plenty of slack as he flips the kite over , so even it it is too far downwind it won't power up and knock the launcher over. basically the same as JD just said to be sure there is some slack in the lines as the kite is flipped over
Also, especially in gusty wind, I think it is much better to launch with the kite a bit hot (i.e. too far downwind) as that way it will fly forward out of the launchers hands and it it much easier to get it up and into cleaner wind. I like my kite at least 20 to 30 deg downwind and usually walk upwind to make sure this happens before i give thumbs up to launch...also very important to tell launcher to wait for a definite thumbs up before letting..some just let go when they feel like it if not reminded!
Launching with a kite too far upwind so it drifts back on take-off especially in gusty wind is asking for trouble
Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:32
#4
Here is a picture to help the
Here is a picture to help the kite should be stood up in front of the launch angle. Yes it will get walked back once the rider has seen lines. This just prevents the bucking and kite knocking the launcher around. Best to give you kite to a launcher and tell them not to move. Go back and get you and your bar so that the kite is way infront or ahead of where you will actually launch it. Then take a few steps so that the kite stops flapping and is powered then give the thumbs up.
By the way the thumb is to avoid the fact that "no" and "go" ect can be misinterpreted.
Just remember to launch with your kite ahead. EVERYONE generally knows the perfect line and therefore stand the kite up there and the kite start man handling the launcher.
Yes I certainly have ruined a white Waroo setting up wrong. Sorry for everyone that gets this. I felt like its one of those things that makes sense yet no one does it! Seriously if the kite pushes the launcher around IT IS THE RIDERS FAULT FOR NOT KNOWING WHERE TO STAND AS THE KITE IS BEING PICKED UP! I see this every session. Hence its a peeve of mine and today I wanted to bring it up.
[img_assist|nid=5525|title=kite launch position|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=480|height=360]
Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:45
#5
@Johnny D
Very nice. Did you go to art school?? 
Thank you for your time putting this together!
r.
Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:49
#6
lol
lol
Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:56
#7
I watched Freds vid and was
I watched Freds vid and was nervous to point it out. Fred know what he is doing and I am not perfect either. But I have found a few extra steps to put the kite out in front of me and the worlds a better place. I wanted to point it out to newbs and experienced alike. Cause I see it every session. Figure have to start somewhere and at least let people hear how to prevent it vs keep it in my head as a peeve.
Yeah art school portfolio was pretty impressive!
Mon, 11/08/2010 - 13:54
#8
Kite position vs. shore
In a side on wind we often have a choice as to which side of the window to put the kite, water side and beach side.
Some folks argue that the kite should be on the water side, so if something goes wrong you will tend to be pulled toward the water, not the parking lot. Since you are headed toward the water any way, you can keep the kite low and go (I think this is the key consideration). Others argue you should be toward the water with the kite toward the beach. For these folks, the argument is that if something goes wrong the kite will go down wind ( true in the cases where things are likely to end badly ) and you as the rider would rather be as far from the hard objects on land as you can be. Of course with the kite toward land you need to bring it overhead ( and into danger ) to get yourself and it oriented so that you can get off shore.
Obviously, a narrow beach, surf objects in the water and other factors also need to be considered as well.
I also noticed Fred's vid. He and his buddy figured out that the kite was too far down wind pretty quickly as you could see Fred sidestepping to get lined up properly.
Wed, 11/10/2010 - 21:31
#9
It wasn't Fred's fault
Yea; I was the one on his ass in the video,
I pick the guy with the camera to botch the launch.
Before Fred was in position I reached for the LE .then I see the away back line was on top his kite,
last thing I remember was pushing the back line around the back tip, I must have still had the Le in my left hand as I reached for the back line and got air under the LE. then as you all know, Yea My name is Mike Im a nubee
lesson learned let the driver worry about the lines, focus on the kite
Wed, 11/10/2010 - 22:47
#10
I want to point it out but
I want to point it out but still screw up myself. My goal was to suggest when it happens that it could be avoided. Its all positioning and worth a look. I still get it wrong but laugh when I do. Just realizing why it happened is helpful.
I wanted to share. Took me a year to see it. Thought maybe I might influence a person so that if they see it.. They can say "ohhh yeah... the kite is in the window back to far..." I pick kites up way out ahead and step back. But really its the riders responsibility to position. Just dont pick the kite up in the perfect launch angle you know. Put the kite ahead then walk it back to where it should be. Safer.
I promise I have done this already this month too... Its bad but I am human..
Sat, 11/13/2010 - 13:14
#11
How about landing?
I found it more of a problem landing the kite with an assistant. Coming in from the water one can not be too picky finding a helper. Often somebody steps up to help that you don't even know (yet). This is great but bear the risk of not knowing how experienced the person is. I had my kite handled in ways I would not considered the preferred way (without details and blame). So that said, a nice write up of the etiquette in assisted landing would be nice as well. Please help adding and correcting.
I will add this much for a starter:
- Don't grab my trailing edge
- Don't grab my lines
- Once you grab the leading edge bladder, I walk a step towards the kite so the lines slack to give may aid room to bring the kite down. Now I want some input from other people. I think the kite should be held in upside down position, wait for me to unhook and walk up to the kite to receive it and take over.
What do you guys expect from a helper?
Sat, 11/13/2010 - 13:41
#12
Walking towards the person
Walking towards the person that just landed you is common courtesy. I hate when i land someone and the stand there with tension in the lines as they chat or work on unhooking.
If it's someone I know, I will normally flip their kite unless they are walking towards me. If it's a stranger, I will hold it for them to take.
Sat, 11/13/2010 - 15:01
#13
If asking a novice to launch
If asking a novice to launch you need to pick the kite up for them to avoid error. Then when you grab you lines assure that you take a few steps so the kite is way out infront of the wind. Then when you tension to check line kite is flapping not pulling. Then once lines are good at a few steps to the "perfect angle" then the kite is firmly powered to relaese.
Remind the person 1. thumbs up only ("go" and "no" are similar! avoid error) also tel them to just let go and not throw. Safer if kite bounces off sand.
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 11:19
#14
I think I prefer if the
I think I prefer if the helper just holds it for me to take. Experienced that a helper wrestled the kite down in a manner that I think was not helpful to the life expectancy to my kite.
I have to add, that was mostly my fault as I often indicated or yelled to the helper at hand to "just" flip my kite over for me. Now I am re-thinking this and I think I will make sure to immediately unhook and walk toward the helper.
Pete T
Agreed! But at some point a bit of tension will be necessary to spot lines but then make sure kite is ahead of the launch position
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