Self launching/landing TD2?

hobbsla · Since 28 Jan 2006 389 Posts Obsessed

Anyone have a good method for doing this? Confused

Nak · Sun Aug 17, 08 6:25 pm

The easiest way is to hook the chicken loop to something solid like a tree. Then just walk the kite out to the edge of the wind window. The kite will just sit there waiting for you . See the first post in this thread:

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-7662-0-asc-0.html

To land, just bring the kite down on it's tip hook to your tree. Trailer hitches work great at Jones beach! Very Happy

Chooch · Sun Aug 17, 08 6:37 pm

Link

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

object assisted launching and landing is NOT the way to be a SAFE and SELF SUFFICIENT kiter

your best bet is to take a lesson from a pro and learn the RIGHT way to take care of yourself in any situation - self launch land, self launch small space, drift launch, and most important: self land. you dont want to be the guy that cant get out, or back in, on your own.

try KITE THE GORGE, im sure you'll be satisfied

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

having just watched that video, i can assure you there are much better ways. do yourself a favor and dont mess around with sketchy unreliable 'techniques' like those.

Chooch · Sun Aug 17, 08 7:26 pm

Your kidding right? Rolling Eyes

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

There's a search function at the top for older threads covering the same topic, heres a useful thread without the go-take-lessons-to-figure-it-out attitude or kite school pimping:
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-8183.html&highlight=rig+downwind+kite+walk

I think Nak is proud of that picture Wink

Chooch · Sun Aug 17, 08 7:30 pm

For sure Spike.....also if you have a better solution then feel free to post it up, or do I need to take a lesson to figure it out Confused

hobbsla · Since 28 Jan 2006 389 Posts Obsessed

Thanks for all the feedback. I've used a stake to self land my fuel before, (deploy 5th line, hook to stake, jog to kite), and feel comforable with it. I'll give this way a try for sure! Cool

Diggy · Since 25 Nov 2006 342 Posts Gorge to Coast Obsessed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KAMj-K1W8Q

This is the closest to the technique I use that I have found. One thing I recomend doing is as you move from kite to bar hold one front line so if a gust catched the kite it will flag.

I would not suggest you try this just based on the video. Get a lesson or have someone whom is proficent show you and watch just to be sure.

Link

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

not kidding, since when is recommending a lesson a bad idea. different kites different techniques, but a few key concepts apply to all - leash on a one line point, harness loop not hooked in, clear downwind area are 3 safetly points.

lawnmower · Since 14 Dec 2007 153 Posts Stoked

DownStream: Didn't have the $/time for pro education. You state "harness loop not hooked in" as one of three safety points. I don't think I've ever seen anybody launch at Stevenson without the chicken/harness loop hooked in. Does anybody launch there unhooked???

Chooch · Mon Aug 18, 08 8:07 am

Launching unhooked was the way to launch before high depower kites.....that way if a gust hit you could let go of everything, flag the kite, and prevent a beating or worse.

What downstream is actually suggesting is that you engage your "flag out" safety system to self land your kite.....a good method in high or gusty winds but to call the other methods "unsafe" and to say the kiter is not "self sufficient" is a little ridiculous.

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

ya, i doubt anyone launches at stevenson unhooked, that wouldnt make much sense -
unless they were self launching, and at an area like that a drift launch would be a good choice, then it would make sense. and i never said 'launch' unhooked. the problem with trying to learn potentially dangerous things, or anything really, from text, is that its not as good as in a supervised, safe, environment where someone that knows shows. dont want to pay for a lesson, look for someone that does what you want to do and buy them a beer to help you out.

since its fully on the table now tho, might as well go for it: (i think) the ozone video is one way (the best way) to self launch most kites now, but hooking in before exposing the kite to the wind isnt a great idea, even with a hand on the harness loop QR, it is a far faster release and fail-safe to simple hold the sheeting line/harness loop, leaving the bar at the top of the sheeting line for max depower. if something unexpected happens - tangle of wingtip and bridle, line snagging on something on the ground you didnt see, lines hooked up wrong, then you can definitely let go right away and one line the kite. after the kite is turned and exposed to the wind check the lines to make sure they're cool, adjust your angle to the kite if necessary by moving up or downwind, then hook in and steer it off the ground. the kite can be secured with sand or a weight the entire time if you choose, it will come off as the kite turns and fills with wind.

so i would break it down like this, (just my 2C, btw if it doesnt work out 4 you its not my fault): kite secured on beach, facing into the wind like normal, lines coming out the back without going under the leading edge (for reducing bridle tangle potential), you leashed to a oneline attachment point, not hooked in, holding the harness loop in your hand, bar at the top of the sheeting line for full depower, walk back at the edge of the wind pulling the kite around to expose the canopy to the wind. the kite will try to roll on its side and put itself in launch position (resting on its wingtip at the side of the wind) do not touch the bar, look at the lines make sure they are clear, then hook in, grab bar, go kite. in high winds the kite is likely to pop off the ground, but as long as you dont touch the bar it will come back down and rest on its wingtip, in light winds it may slide farther downwind and not roll onto its wingtip as easily, simply lift the wingtip using an outside line, bar still in max depower and adjust your angle to the kite by walking as it rolls up if you need to.

thats about as much typing as im good for for like a month, the reason was the recommendation for object assited launching and landing, which can work fine, but its kooky and definitely not as safe, as you are relying on that object to be there for you, and trusting it to hold your kite while its in launch position and ready to fly - it gets ugly when your kite decides to tip over backwards because of weird wind or something, and thats just one (common) potential problem.

self landing you can always one line it - touch the kite down on the side of the wind, hold a oneline point, inside lines always work better than outside (most kites), unhook and let the bar run up reducing tension down to the one line your holding. hand over hand up to the kite. theres some other more convenient, trickier ways to put kites down exactly where you want them, but im over this. take a lesson. peace