Power Kite Forum

newbie wind question

oshi - 18-8-2009 at 08:18 AM

Hi, I'm new so I'll just say hello here. I'm a girl, and I can fly kites ;) Just bought the 8.5m blade that brian (b-roc here) was selling and he said I should join so here I am.

Anyway, it's windy today and I'm planning on heading out to fly after work, but I'm never sure where to go. I live in northeast pa, and the city is in a valley between 2 mountain ridges, and then there is just mountains outside of town. Does anyone have any thoughts about where the best area to kite may be? Either finding an empty hilltop field outside of town or staying in town? I can imagine wind acting like water in a fire hose and having more power if restricted slightly, but I could just not be thinking clearly about that since I'm sick and temporarily dumb ;) Is there really no difference and I'm overthinking this and should just go wherever? Thanks in advance for your help :D


*I'm just editing this one for new people reading. I am not flying an 8.5m kite in strong winds, I have smaller kites, don't panic* :wee:

furbowski - 18-8-2009 at 08:38 AM

omg...

an 8.5 blade and "where do I fly... totally inland?"

may the force be with you, lass or not.

the empty hilltop would be my bet, on the upwind side. beware of the slope. wear kitekillers if there is much in the ways of trees / wrecked cars / bystanders / power poles downwind.

TAKE VIDEO!

have you flown kites much?

finally, again:

may the force be with you....:Ange09:

and:

take care out there.

that's one serious piece of ripstop you have connected to your handles.

:bigok:

ragden - 18-8-2009 at 08:38 AM

Generally speaking, inland winds are going to be a bit gusty. Depending on the geography of the area you could get a "funnel" affect where the winds will be much stronger, and steadier from a specific direction, caused by the mountains. I have never seen this before, but I have heard of it in different locations.

I would just say one word of caution on that kite. Its a low-wind monster. If its really windy, you are going to have way more than you can handle with the 8.5m. Do you have anything smaller? In terms of learning, I think you might do a little bit better with a slightly smaller kite.

I do not know your area very well. Hopefully there will be someone on here that does. Best of luck to you.

furbowski - 18-8-2009 at 08:40 AM

re: ragden..

i reckon you get the idea.

paid up your health insurance lately?

NOT the downwind side of the hills, please....

furbowski - 18-8-2009 at 08:42 AM

that 8.5 would be a very fun kite in the right hands / skills and winds...

you got some?

if not be very careful.

if yes...

:wee:

oshi - 18-8-2009 at 08:48 AM

Thanks for the replies. I've been flying for a few years, and no, I am in no way even remotely thinking about flying an 8.5m kite if leaves are even moving. ;) Just taking the 4m out, and the stylus so if anyone is with me they can fly too. The blade was just too good of an offer to pass up, and we have next to no wind here and I wanted something to play with when it's slow.

I am reasonably proficient with my regular kites, i'm just trying to maximize my flying time since I think we get a good wind day about every 3 weeks on average here and if there is a place to fly that is more consistent and less gusty I want to find it. I was trying to find out if there is something I'm missing, that's all :)

Ragden, it was that funnel effect I was wondering about, just couldn't think of the words. I could see it happening but haven't ever really heard specifics if it really does happen.

furbowski - 18-8-2009 at 08:59 AM

don't be afraid to fly that beast in winds less than 10 mph, seeing you have skills on the 4.

it will be difficult to launch unless you put it on the lower lift setting (not the lowest lift setting, there should be 4 knots, use the knot second closest to the kite, put the larS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s head behind the overhand knot with respect to the kite flyer's POV.)

the cross-over thingie going across then back to the wingtip brakes will be very useful for turning, esp. while you are (eventually) in the air, keeps things simple! but in low winds not so good. when you first fly, leave the crossover on the knot closest to the end of the colored line leading up to the kite. if you don't get wing-tuck on the inside, or initiate stalls when using it, try tightening up on it.

the good thing with big kites in slower winds is that things don't happen so fast (assuming appropriate windspeed). after you get used to it, you'll have time to play with things during the process. jumping with an 8.5m in gusty winds is a commitment to the unknown that the wind has in store, just as it is with a 4m, but that unknown does unfold much more slowly.

have fun out there....

im jealous, btw...:mad:

kitejumper - 18-8-2009 at 09:24 AM

never flown an 8.5,but lots of time w blade 10.5 --once u get used to it--i'd say u can shoot for more wind--ive had 10 yr old kids fly my 10.5 before--no problem and my sister flies it too--again no big deal--of course,i was there to give tips and make sure they were ok,but if u have xperience and youre careful--it shouldnt be a big deal

ragden - 18-8-2009 at 10:06 AM

I've heard of a few locations that get the "funnel" effect and get really crazy strong consistent winds because of it. However, it still requires the right conditions to setup. If you get that in Scranton, then thats awesome. Certainly enough hills up that way for it to happen.

However, I would recommend coming down to WildWood when you get a chance to check out the beach. Tide and winds permitting of course. Its about 4 hrs or so from Scranton, but well worth the drive... :)

furbowski - 18-8-2009 at 10:09 AM

if u have doubt than fly a smaller kite for a while first, ten minutes or so, just long enough to get to know the the winds and what kind of gusts they are serving specially for your session....

if u r still in doubt then chill out and figure something out cool to do with the 4m.

in other words, only put the beast up in winds you feel very comfy in with the 4m.

bring on the float!!!!!!!

i'm still jealous, that's quite the windtoy you have there....:flaming:

furbowski - 18-8-2009 at 10:13 AM

re: another good one from ragden...

yes between hills (acutally some distance down wind -- think of the V's you get in white water -- just b4 the V tips out is where you want to be. the gustier the general wind, the further upwind you need to go to find the smoother stuff) you can often get an excellent venturi effect.

the stronger the venturi, tho, the nastier the consequences if the wind gets squirrelly, like it usually does for me in the two hours before sunset.

lynx69 - 18-8-2009 at 01:19 PM

When I read Oshi's first post that she was flying a 8.5m blade in unchartered areas I was thinking she had left the "t" off her name. Can't overemphasing wearing protective gear if you add wheels to your flying.:roll:

FloRider - 18-8-2009 at 01:24 PM

Agreed, I started out on a 8m pansh Ace. It pulled like a truck and made me appreciate the power of wind. I hope youve got some strong bicepts and a lot of endurance and a lot of protection oshi. Cause lynx69 is right. Sooner or later you'll have a Oshi't moment with a kite that size.

WELDNGOD - 18-8-2009 at 03:14 PM

not a matter of if, but when and how bad is it gonna hurt.

kitejumper - 18-8-2009 at 05:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by WELDNGOD
not a matter of if, but when and how bad is it gonna hurt.
yes thats true and the same could be said for her 4 meter as well

WELDNGOD - 18-8-2009 at 06:18 PM

yeah , but the margin for error is alot smaller than w/ the 4 m.

kitejumper - 19-8-2009 at 03:05 AM

one thing is for sure--she better know what she's doing before she gets that 8.5 out.........

lynx69 - 19-8-2009 at 10:10 AM

Oshi, when testing out a new area try one of your very small kites to see what the wind conditions are like. 80 plus feet off ground level can have totally different wind than what you are experiencing at ground level, which you probably already know if you have done much static flying. I have very unpredictable winds where I fly in Missouri. I learned the hard way while flying my HQ3.6 Beamer in 25mph winds. A 35mph gust lifted me several feet off the ground before I was drug face first for 20 feet. Fortunately the wrist safety leash snapped into before I ended up in the next county. The guys here on PKF are very safety conscious/cautious and don't won't to see you hurt. Try a large open public park or soccer field. Good luck on finding a kiting site and happy flying!!!:)

kitejumper - 19-8-2009 at 06:29 PM

yeah,you'll be ok--just take it slow and be aware of everything and you'll do fine:singing:

oshi - 24-8-2009 at 06:00 PM

Ok I didn't take the 8.5m out and get myself killed, really :) But I still have the flu and am not getting any flying in even though the weather has been wonderful. I had a chance to drive around a bit a few days ago and it really does seem like the wind is less gusty and more consistent in the valley. I found a soccer field that is on a plateau right in the middle of the valley, about level with the airport and I think it is the best flying spot around. If anyone is ever in town to be office tourists or anything (I really think that is all Scranton is known for lately) let me know and I'll show you where to go :D Thanks for all the comments!