Power Kite Forum

Using brake lines can generate more power ??

dangerdan - 21-11-2013 at 08:11 AM

I have a new HQ Toxic 4.0 kite and in the web site description it says the following.

The profile is designed for maximum power under many different conditions. Even though the aspect ratio is high, the kite maintains its stability. Using the break lines on the Toxic can generate even more power.

So how do I slow this thing down if using the brake lines can generate lift.

jgorm - 21-11-2013 at 09:14 AM

Parachutes work like that. If you put a little brake on it will generate lift, but if you stab the brakes all the way it will slow way down.

BeamerBob - 21-11-2013 at 09:31 AM

Surely the company website didn't call them "break lines". :lol: But yes, a little tension on the brake lines can cause the kite to catch a little more wind and generate extra power if you are creating apparent wind. Too much and you begin to kill the kite's power.

Scudley - 21-11-2013 at 09:46 AM

Bob I don't now about the Toxic, but my NaSCa has break lines: pull them at the wrong time and the kite will try and break (you).
S

flyhighWNY - 21-11-2013 at 10:36 AM

Brake lines or break lines?? BB, was as it appears, being being quite literal! hense the I'm sure the kite mfgr didn't call them "Break Lines"
Brake Dancing vs. Break Dancing. Smile was all in good fun I'm sure

BeamerBob - 21-11-2013 at 11:05 AM

Quote: Originally posted by flyhighWNY  
Brake lines or break lines?? BB, was as it appears, being being quite literal! hense the I'm sure the kite mfgr didn't call them "Break Lines"
Brake Dancing vs. Break Dancing. Smile was all in good fun I'm sure


Yes, just poking fun at one of our favorite kite spelling faux pas. Like "bridal" vs bridle.

dangerdan - 21-11-2013 at 02:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BeamerBob  
Surely the company website didn't call them "break lines". :lol: But yes, a little tension on the brake lines can cause the kite to catch a little more wind and generate extra power if you are creating apparent wind. Too much and you begin to kill the kite's power.


That's funny. I did not catch that spelling error. I did check other sites and they do say "break lines". Anyway I need to apply the "brakes" hard to slow down.

Demoknight - 21-11-2013 at 02:36 PM

I fly my 8.0m Toxic on the Ozone Turbo bar, which hooks up similar to a depower bar. When you have the bar tuned correctly, you can sheet the bar in and the kite does indeed get a surge of power. If you put continued pressure, or pull the brake handle, the kite will stall and back down.

Bladerunner - 21-11-2013 at 05:59 PM

When you are in motion with the kite set at the edge of the window you can get a power boost by tweeking the back lines.
What it does is set the kite back a bit from the edge. You will catch more wind but will lose out on upwind performance.
I'm pretty sure this is the effect that they are referring to. When you get it right the boost is amazing !

Absolutely love the feeling when I do this with Cquads !

crabnebula - 22-11-2013 at 06:30 AM

In a sense, yes the brake lines when pulled on....you can create a slower kite and as you may know
In the wind window, the "power hour" or directly in front of you slightly off the ground... Is where you want the kite as long as possible, if your kite is slowed just right in that sweet spot? You'll feel more power from the kite ( this is one application that de-power kites offer on the fly one handed )
So yes
The slower the kite at the right moment in the correct spot proportional to you.... You can by slowing the kite down create a stronger pull..... Once the kite has passed the zone ( power hour ) in front of you, get off the brakes, and let the kite move as fast as possible, with your steering input, back to the power hour and keep on dipping into the power and add a bit if brake every time the kite gets In The power zone

Have fun!!

dangerdan - 22-11-2013 at 08:08 AM

Looks like I need to test this out .


Thanks guys

John Holgate - 22-11-2013 at 01:38 PM

I feel that brakes are like flaps on an airplane - adding a bit of brakes changes the camber of the wing providing more lift. BUT, you also get more drag. If you're not going fast enough, drag wins and the kite stalls. If you are going fast enough, you get more lift/power. The effect is the same with a depower except you're changing the angle of the whole kite, not just the trailing edge.

ie: If I'm doing 40kph or so in the bug with a 3m Flow on the turbo bar, I can pull the bar nearly fully in - the kite generates more power and my speed increases - even though it does sit slightly back in the window (and looks all scrunched up!!!). But if I'm static flying, I only have to pull the bar in a little to stall the kite.

BeamerBob - 22-11-2013 at 03:27 PM

Yep John in that instance, your apparent wind is feeding it much more air so it takes more brake tension to stall the kite.

shehatesmyhobbies - 22-11-2013 at 09:20 PM

I do this quite frequently with my phantoms. I was recently asked why, while flying the same kite, about the same size rider , and the same weight buggy I was able to pass with ease. It's all in the finesse of the kite, using the brakes to get that extra little umph out of it. With time and practice you will figure it out and realize what we are talking about.

Have fun

WELDNGOD - 22-11-2013 at 10:17 PM

If I'm buggying, I'm hitting the turbo. Never leave home without it !:D

MDK - 22-11-2013 at 11:01 PM

yep, PKD Century II w/turbo

B-Roc - 23-11-2013 at 07:43 AM

That's why I loved my begos. Every time your at max speed just tap the brakes a bit and let out and it was like shifting gears on a race car. Really fun and super responsive to brake tension.