rofer - 25-5-2015 at 10:45 AM
So, for the first time I managed to get my 16m Scorpion into the air. After allowing it to fill as much as it seemed capable of given the wind I
tried launching it on its side as the manual suggests. However, there didn't seem to be enough wind for this to work. Ultimately, I ended up hot
launching it which let it get into the air and fully fill itself.
I think part of my problem was that my winds probably weren't strong enough to fully fill the kite from the inflation zipper. Once the kite was full
and the wind was a bit stronger I was able to relaunch it from the side.
What I'd like to know is if anyone else does this and how safe it is. In my winds I wasn't too worried and it didn't drag me at all while doing this,
but I imagine if the winds were stronger there could have been some safety issues.
Edit: Pictures!
robinsonpr - 25-5-2015 at 10:54 AM
I was told ages ago..."If there ain't enough wind to fill an arc there ain't enough wind to fly it". But I know people use leaf blowers or a fan. I
don't know if that saying is true for the bigger ones, but the only time I've had trouble launching my 15m is in sub 12mph.
How was the Scorpion once you did get it airborne!!?
rofer - 25-5-2015 at 11:07 AM
There was definitely enough wind to give it some structure, but I've been eyeing a little electric leaf blower to speed things up. Anyways, the wind
conditions were some of the best I've flown in (which says very little). It's possible my problem was just not waiting long enough, but it didn't seem
interested in filling up much more while on the ground.
Once it got in the air though it flew pretty well. First time I tried getting it out I was fighting a losing battle with gravity. When I found a
better spot though I actually got the see the autozenith and it was impressive. I was in a soccer field though so my space was pretty limited and i
was just flying static, but it was really awesome to finally see this kite in the air. Every now and then the wind would die completely and the kite
would make a very solid thud as it hit the ground, but then things would pick and it relaunching wasn't a problem. I even got my first tiny jumps in.
I added a link to some pictures in my initial post.
However, the space is very limiting and I probably won't be back there again since there's not much room for a kite on full-length lines.
robinsonpr - 25-5-2015 at 11:16 AM
Cool pics! I didn't have much success trying to learn to fly my arcs static. As I was worried about putting them up in too much wind, so always
waited until it was fairly light. I understand now that arcs like a decent breeze. And even more they like to be moving. I had my first buggy
session with my 15m Synergy a couple of weeks ago and it was epic, really opened my eyes to just how good arcs are!!
Stick with the launching, it gets easier after a few goes. And even easier when it's breezy and the wind really fills it up nicely!
rofer - 25-5-2015 at 11:32 AM
I've pretty much never had too much wind because I've yet to find any good spaces to fly. The only time I've had too much wind was on a frozen lake in
Maine where there was a steady 30+mph wind with gusts up to 40. I had the Scorpion with me, but I knew better than taking to take my first flight on
it in those winds.
I can't wait to have a space where I can really build apparent wind. I imagine the Scorpion will become really lovely then.
ssayre - 25-5-2015 at 11:38 AM
I wouldn't be as worried about the safety of hot launching as I would be worried about the power lines that looked like you were close to. Hot
launching really isn't a problem unless your in higher wind. When I launched mine, it was whatever got it in the air. as long as your not pulling in
the bar straight up the middle of the window then it's not a problem. Once it takes hold, just make sure the bar is out and your turning it to the
side of the window and that limits your exposure to safety mishaps. Also, when it slams the ground, the rods in the ends will have a tendency to push
through the sleeve and try to damage the ends of the kites.
rofer - 25-5-2015 at 11:44 AM
The power lines definitely weren't as close as they looked. I'm not sure my kite could even reach them with me still on the ground. All the same it
was kind of terrifying to see them in the background. The more immediate threat was the small, but pointy fence on the ground between me and the power
lines.
I did everything I could to keep it from hitting the ground, but when the wind completely died I couldn't run fast enough to keep it from dropping.
Those ends at least seem to be fairly reinforced.
RedSky - 25-5-2015 at 11:45 AM
@robinsonpr, If there ain't enough wind to fill an Arc then keep trying. I didn't drive all this way just to immediately pack up and drive home. I sat
in traffic for this. IT WILL FLY, IT MUST FLY. I COMMAND IT SO. :D
@rofer, I'm a complete newb to twinskins but I'm sure that in stronger winds you might find it difficult to get your Arc into a position ready for hot
launching, not unless you back stalled it somehow.
Short story - I had a 19m Venom II that I bought for use in the kitecat. The wind was 33mph onshore, sand was skipping over the beach and I'd never
flown an Arc before. Kitesurfers were flying nothing bigger than 7m. I'm flying 19, but I didn't drive all this way.....
I had no problem filling the kite and launched perfectly, had a great session on the water but when I ended my session the kite had other ideas.
I can't remember exactly how but I back stalled it down slowly in the middle of the window like a FB kite like I thought you were supposed to. It was
working fine until the last three inches. The kite simply refused to touch the sand. It miraculously hoovered, all 19 meters of super wide screen,
full HD. I guess it wasn't ready to go home, it wanted to play. Some kitesurfers on the beach where looking at me and then looking at the kite and
scratching their heads. I kept up the pretense that this was something I always do. Have they looked away yet because I'm about to crap my pants. We
had a stare off for a few minutes and I blinked first. My friend came running and jumped in the middle. The jaws of the kite closed and swallowed him
whole.
If it hot launched in those conditions I would start jogging downwind at Mach 2 and my corpse where ever it ended up would make a nice auto zenith
anchor. In lower winds, say sub 20mph I wouldn't have any worries hot launching the 19m inland. Plenty of depower to be had.
robinsonpr - 25-5-2015 at 11:45 AM
Cool pics! I didn't have much success trying to learn to fly my arcs static. As I was worried about putting them up in too much wind, so always
waited until it was fairly light. I understand now that arcs like a decent breeze. And even more they like to be moving. I had my first buggy
session with my 15m Synergy a couple of weeks ago and it was epic, really opened my eyes to just how good arcs are!!
Stick with the launching, it gets easier after a few goes. And even easier when it's breezy and the wind really fills it up nicely!
robinsonpr - 25-5-2015 at 12:06 PM
Sorry for the duplicate post. Tried to delete it but it ain't going away.
Redsky...yeah I used to persevere if the arc doesn't fill! But now I got a flysurfer Peak so I just get that out if the winds are not looking good for
the arcs. 19 venom in 33mph sounds like a lot of kite, especially as TS newb. But sounds like you handled it like a pro. And like you say, plenty
of depower to be had as I have at last discovered.
Regarding backstalling to land...I saw the vid Carl the bullet has online about how to do it. Fully power up the trim, leash onto one of the o#@%$#!
rings, then unhook and just hold the bar...but...maybe only do that in light winds. I tried it once with my synergy and it worked great. But then
tried it with my venom and it just didn't want to come down anywhere near to the ground, ended up ditching it to the safety. I suspect my bar is to
blame though as the centre lines are a little short.
WackyWindsurfer - 25-5-2015 at 12:49 PM
Nice pics Rofer, looks you had some fun with your Arc!
And after a great session, a successful 'Carl stall landing' is most satisfying!
:D
Feyd - 25-5-2015 at 06:30 PM
Clam shell launch is safer than normal hot launch.
Like this...
https://youtu.be/xrEV99PeEKw
canuck - 26-5-2015 at 06:37 AM
I start with the arc laid out and walking back at 45 degrees. If there is enough wind and pre-inflation it will launch. If not, the tips clap and most
often I end up with a clamshell launch next. If there is not enough inflation I try to get it to open up and hot launch but tip clap can still be an
issue. Under these conditions I never feel overpowered using a hot launch.