Finsished “Le Virus” number 2 this evening… Test flight tomorrow :)

I learn something every time I build a kite. This time I used a Mil spec grade gross grain on the trailing edge. The gross grain is 100% nylon and is very strong. It holds a crease long enough to feed it through my bias binder and creates a nice finish. I will make the dacron reinforcements at the standoff positions thicker, as I didn’t leave quite enough room for the standoff-to-sail connector. The kite has the frame from my green “Le Virus” and I will eventually frame it in skyshark P200’s and 5pt tapers.

Here is a photo of the completed kite…

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Just came across this great step by step for storing a foil based kite. More interesting is the way the lines are wound… looks like an easy way to avoid twists and tangles on quad line kites…

Surface Tension :: Ozone Power Kites In The UK :: Tips n’ Tricks

–Bill

Check out this crazy video of a guy trying to fly too much kite in too much wind..

OUCH!

–Bill

After building my first “Le Virus”, and being so pleased with the result, I have started to turn the second sail into a kite.

I made a few changes from the last kite I built… Read the rest of this entry »

 I recently purchased Jim Rowlands book titled Soft Kites and Windsocks(links to Half.com). I knew through previous searches on the net that this was good book and that it had a few errors. The list of errata for the book can be found here.

The kite that I am interested in at the moment is the multi-tube. I examined the plan last night and it looks extremely simple and expandable. While surfing today Read the rest of this entry »

In November 2004 I saw an interesting kite design. The Papillon, designed by Alain Micquiaux and manufactured by Atelier Kites, was being flown by Ted Gaudet, who just returned from the Dieppe International Kite festival in France. I thought this looked great and flew beautifully. The butterfly glides gracefully and if you pull or tug the line the butterfly beats it’s wings gently. Read the rest of this entry »

Wow!!!! That’s all I have to say. This is a fantastic kite! I am completely thrilled with the way it flys and how responsive it is.

I have to make a few tweaks to the upper spreader (mine is 1 cm too short) but other than that I didn’t adjust anything. The wind was about 10 mph (16 km/h) and smooth. I am not an accomplished trick flier but.. Flic-Flacs are super easy as with the fade, Axels and snap stalls are excellent. Corners were nice and the kite is rock solid in forward flight, no over steer in the spins…

Here are some shots..

–Bill

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Tonight I framed the first of two Le Virus kites. I used .2300 Avia Carbon tube all the way around and .120 micro carbon for the stand-offs and APA fittings on the LE and Lower Spreaders. Read the rest of this entry »

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