| Need a hand with knowing how to fly a kite? We've | | | | In this case it sounds like there is enough wind, but the |
| seen plenty of struggling fliers from time to time! If so, | | | | towing point has been left too far forward. No problem, |
| the information here should be very helpful. It's all | | | | just shift the towing point back towards the tail a bit at |
| based on our flying experiences with single-liners. | | | | a time until you are happy with the flying. |
| This is only about single-liners such as diamonds and | | | | If shifting the towing point doesn't help, then the wind is |
| deltas. The emphasis is on flat designs with solid spars | | | | just not strong enough to carry the kite plus its flying |
| and an adjustable towing point, but some of the info | | | | line to its maximum height. The weight of the line does |
| here will apply to parafoils and sleds as well. | | | | add up, as you let more and more of it out. |
| How To Fly A Kite - The Towing Point And Tails | | | | How To Fly A Kite - Gusty Winds And Hand |
| The towing point is where the flying line attaches to | | | | Launching |
| the kite's bridle. In most cases, you can slide or | | | | What if the wind is gusty and the kite doesn't stay up |
| otherwise adjust this point towards the nose or the tail | | | | long enough for you to let some line out? Let's assume |
| of the kite. | | | | the towing point is about right. The best approach here |
| What if the kite doesn't want to fly at all? | | | | is probably to just let a helper carry the kite some |
| Perhaps there's simply not enough wind for that kite, | | | | distance away, while you let out the line. Then tell them |
| which is likely if you can't feel it pulling on the line. Just | | | | to hold it up and let it fly out of their hand when the |
| wait for better conditions, and go out when there's | | | | next gust comes through. |
| more wind! | | | | Eventually, with some practice, you will be able to get |
| Perhaps you can feel some pull in the line, and it | | | | good at hand launches. You dangle the kite from your |
| moves left or right but just doesn't climb no matter | | | | hand and then let line slip through your fingers |
| what you do. That is the symptom of a towing point | | | | whenever you feel some tension. Climbing a kite is a |
| set too far back. Just shift it forward towards the | | | | process of letting out line when the tension is strong, |
| nose of the kite a little, and try again. Keep adjusting by | | | | and holding on when the tension is light. |
| a small amount until the kite willingly climbs into the air. | | | | How To Fly A Kite And Not Get Bored |
| Learning how to fly a kite has a lot to do with | | | | Some, maybe most, people just enjoy the relaxing |
| understanding the towing point. | | | | aspects of flying a single-line kite. Just watching it fly, |
| What if the kite takes off, but then just wants to loop | | | | perhaps enjoying the subtle artistry of color and |
| around and dive into the ground? | | | | movement. However, if you would like to get a little |
| Let's assume you're not trying to fly immediately | | | | more out of it, why not try the following ideas. |
| downwind of your house or some other huge | | | | - Launch straight off the ground, on a long line. Pull in |
| obstacle! Looping is usually caused by trying to fly | | | | line to get the kite in the air, then let it climb up to full |
| when the wind is too strong. The first thing to try is to | | | | height. |
| shift the towing point forward a little. This reduces the | | | | - Bring your kite right down into your hand without |
| pressure on the kite and might be enough to keep it in | | | | letting it touch the ground. Pull in quicker from time to |
| the air. | | | | time if needed, to keep it airborne. |
| If you have shifted the towing point several times | | | | - Keep records. See how long you can keep it in the |
| without any success, it's time to add a tail. Or, if there is | | | | air, to the nearest 5 minutes. |
| already a tail, double its length, at least. If the kite still | | | | - See how fast you can get 150 meters (500 feet) of |
| misbehaves, pack up and wait for a less windy day! | | | | line out, from a hand launch. |
| What if the kite takes off and climbs, but then doesn't | | | | If you are not a frequent flier, I hope these tips on how |
| get very high? | | | | to fly a kite have been of some help! |