Date: Mon, 3 Apr 1995 11:31:43 -1000 From: wallace@eagle.sangamon.edu Message-Id: <3lppfv$sb9@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu> Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana Subject: Re: Newsgroup rec.kites, Articles 15298-15327 Building a StuntKite We're building a stunt kite and it looks fine. It acts like it wants to fly, but then it does a nosedive (towards the flyer). What is the most likely cause??? Bridles? Rings? We used metal rings - are they too heavy??? Also does anybody know of a place to get materials for kites in Central Illinois? We have a hard time finding things like rods. Thanks - Penny & Bill -- *********************************************************************** Be wiser than other people if you can, but do not tell them so. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 4 Apr 1995 08:59:41 -1000 From: lord@eskimo.com (David Lord) Message-Id: Organization: Eskimo North (206) For-Ever Subject: Re: Newsgroup rec.kites, Articles 15298-15327 Building a StuntKite In article <3lppfv$sb9@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu> wallace@eagle.sangamon.edu writes: >From: wallace@eagle.sangamon.edu >Subject: Re: Newsgroup rec.kites, Articles 15298-15327 Building a StuntKite >Date: 3 Apr 1995 21:31:43 GMT >We're building a stunt kite and it looks fine. It acts like it wants to >fly, but then it does a nosedive (towards the flyer). What is the most >likely cause??? Bridles? Rings? We used metal rings - are they too >heavy??? Also does anybody know of a place to get materials for kites >in Central Illinois? We have a hard time finding things like rods. >Thanks - Penny & Bill >-- >*********************************************************************** >Be wiser than other people if you can, > but do not tell them so. Penny and Bill It sounds to me like you have the bridle set to high. Lower the fly line attach point. This means increase the length of line between the upper bridle attach point and the fly line connection and decrease the length of line from the fly line connection to the T connection on the spine. You may also have the outhaul too long. That is the lower leading edge connection to the fly line connection. Try to change in 1/4 inch increments until the kite flys reasonably well and then you can use smaller increments until it is optomised. Dave Lord = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 4 Apr 1995 10:15:54 -1000 From: skyvis@shell.portal.com (Richard P Cornwell) Message-Id: <3ls9dq$gu@news1.shell> Organization: Portal Communications Company -- 408/973-9111 (voice) 408/973-8091 (data) Subject: Re: Newsgroup rec.kites, Articles 15298-15327 Building a StuntKite wallace@eagle.sangamon.edu wrote: : We're building a stunt kite and it looks fine. It acts like it wants to : fly, but then it does a nosedive (towards the flyer). What is the most : likely cause??? Bridles? Rings? We used metal rings - are they too : heavy??? Also does anybody know of a place to get materials for kites : in Central Illinois? We have a hard time finding things like rods. : Thanks - Penny & Bill I had this happen to my first Free Spirit Ultra-light prototype. I played with the bridles for a few weeks and then cut a new sail with a cambered leading edge. Things to try: 1) move the bridle pick point down. A flat (low billow sail will do this if the bridle is set too far forward. 2) Increase the weight at the bottom of the kite to shift the Center of Gravity. 3) Play with the upper or lower spreader location and size to change the aspect ratio and the center of gravity. Send email if you want a more detailed discusion. Rich ========================================================================== Richard & Kim Cornwell skyvis@shell.portal.com Sky Vision Kites http://www.portal.com/~skyvis 415-112 No. Mary Av. Suite 111, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408) 733-9313 Check out our Spring Sale. Coming soon 8' FlashPoints. Limited edition Free Spirits, check out our home pages. ========================================================================== = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =