|
There are 3 very important PRIMARY SKILLS that every Stunt Kite
Flyer should master early in their flying development. These are: 1. Straight Lines 2. Smooth Turns 3. Speed Control "Straight Lines" are used for creating geometric figures and ground passes. Most new flyers believe that if your hands are even that the kite will fly in a straight line. NOT!! There are 3 primary things that come into play here. 1. The length of the 2 lines must be precisely equal. 2. The frame of the kite must be exactly balanced. 3. You must compensate for the effects of gravity on the kite. Therefore, Straight Lines will normally be flown with the hands slightly separated one behind the other. Vertical straight lines will be flown with hands "even" if the kite is in the center of the wind window and the lines are exactly equal length. Vertical straight lines can be used to check right and left relative fly line lengths (see TIP 004). "Smooth Turns" are used for creating geometric figures and setting up for advanced stunts. Smooth turns made in opposite directions with the use of an established reference point can help you to check for right and left balance of your kites frame. (see TIP #5) "Speed Control" is a very important skill for the competitor. When flying a geometric figure the flyer should strive to make the kite look like it is a machine running at constant speed on a guided track. Rest your pointer finger on the fly line from the handle to monitor the tension to the very smallest degree. Keep in mind that "CONSTANT TENSION EQUALS CONSTANT SPEED". Additional speed control is accomplished by letting your arms work as shock absorbers and also by walking forward and back. Do what ever is necessary to achieve the tension you need for the thing you are trying to do. (see the photo) http://www.flash.net/~ronreich/tiptension.jpg All of these skills can be easily developed by keeping your hands close together and extending the thumb of one hand and letting it be in contact with the other hand / wrist. (see the photo) http://www.flash.net/~ronreich/tipsmoothturn.jpg Strive to Fly Precise, Ron |
