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Stephen

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Posts posted by Stephen

  1. It is not recommended to splice together two Spectra/Dynema type lines. It is way too easy due to slipperiness of the lines for the splice to come loose.

    In fact in competition, per the International Rules Book(AJSKA/AKA/STACK), it is forbidden.

    I suspect what you are referring to is tying the loops on the end of the lines. If that is what you are referring to, someone did create photos or a video on how to do it. Where it is, I don't know.

    I think that Line Loops / Eyesplice a kiteline is what you might be thinking of using a splice to create the end loops.

    The thread also contains some videos at the start.

  2. Hi Nigel,

    I have found 120 ft lines very useful. When I was starting the increased size of the wind window enabled everything to happen that little bit slower which gave me more thinking time for reacting. I have only flown with others a handful of times when having your own set of 120s saves trying to borrow some. If you can afford to get them I am sure that they will become a firm favourite, especially if you have flying venues where you can use them. 120s are not just for teams but appear to be the length of choice whenever 2 or more Rev fliers fly together. In my case when flying alone I probably use 120s about 50% of the time.

    I hope that you find that Santa has been generous this year.

    Cheers

    Stephen

    • Like 1
  3. Hi Nigel,

    It can be rather confusing when starting out. The phrase usually used for using the knots on the "leaders" of the handles is "tuning".

    There are many posts on the subject such as: What is the purpose of long leader with knots on the handles.

    Do a search on these forums for "tuning" or "brakes" and you will find lots of helpful information.

    Over on kitelife there are many useful video tutorials on Revolution flying, even more if you are a subscriber. There is one that covers tuning.

    Ask if you have trouble.

    Cheers

    Stephen

  4. Hi Brian,

    Bad luck. Both Kiteworld and Go Kites have 3wrap spars £18 for centre and £17 for outer.

    Always check the ferrules in the centre so that they do not come loose and start to move. If a ferrule moves then the joint becomes a weak point and breakage can happen. You might consider buying a complete set as they come in slightly cheaper than 5 individual spars and you would have spares. Also note that the EXP spars are 3 wrap and £1 each cheaper at Kiteworld, they are the same size as 1.5 spars just marked differently.

    Good flying.

    Stephen

  5. Hi Brian,

    You said the kite was an SLE from a few years back. Are you using the SLE leading edge which is wider diameter tube than the vertical spars and the end caps fit inside the spar. If so there should be a large washer fitted on each end cap to protect the bungee from being damaged by the spar end. If that is where the damage is then "go kites" can supply you with spares available on their eBay shop and are in stock. The damage could be broken washers or damaged bungees caused by missing washers on a SLE shaft.

    If you do not have SLE spars but standard 1/4 inch spars they also have 3 wrap centre and vertical spars available.

    If you need more help a bit of elaboration on "broke both tips" would be helpful.

    Cheers

    Stephen

    • Like 2
  6. You might try some parafauna. Small dolls/teddies with parachutes that you attach to the leading edge and launch at the top of the window. Or even small sweets.

    You are only using the Rev as a launcher but kids love chasing after things in the air.

    Cheers

    Stephen

  7. Hi,

    If you have seen all of JB's videos there is little extra that the DVD add.

    I would definitely recommend making up longer top leaders on your handles, it makes life so much easier. You can use any old string within reason or even untie the top leader and reuse it as a single rather than double. The extra length on the top (brakes) slow the kite down which might make launching harder but make the kite easier to fly.

    You might try your first flight(s) using the SLE but the 3 wraps are not that fragile.

    Good luck with your first flights. You might consider taking JB's tutorials with you if you are able.

    Cheers

    Stephen

    • Like 2
  8. Hi Bill,

    There are a couple of members in the north of Hampshire. I am based in Portsmouth. I usually fly at Port Solent unless the wind is from the north when I fly on the top of Portsdown hill. If you want to meet up then drop me a pm. I have a few revs so you can try some out if you have not got yours yet.

    I am afraid that I am not that good a flier. I have been over at Stokes Bay at Gosport but each time I go I am the only Rev flier. The Hampshire Hoverers Jonesey, Sailor, Hippy Chippy and Yrma seem to be rather quiet at the moment. I have yet to fly with them. There may well be some Rev fliers at the Jolly Up at Basingstoke this weekend, 27th to 28th, it does not look like I am going to get there.

    Also there is the Portsmouth international kite festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend as well as the Basingstoke and Southampton kite festivals in June.

    Hope we can meet up as I normally fly alone.

    Cheers

    Stephen

  9. Hi,

    I have been reading in several posts and also some of the interviews on Kite life (the Lee Sedgwick in particular) about how important music is to fliers when just out flying recreationally as well as demo/competitive flying.

    As someone who has never used music when flying I am interested to hear about how others use music and what I might be missing out on.

    Cheers

    Stephen

  10. would someone explain to me what this means, please?

    5-20 mph (3 wrap frame included)

    6-30 mph (4 wrap frame included)

    10-45 mph (4 wrap frame w / 3 wrap LE added)

    does it means on a

    Revolution 1.5 B Series Vented Package

    can I install or remove vents for standard, mid or full vent?

    thanx

    henri

    Hi Henri,

    I think that the answer you are looking for is as follows:-

    The Revolution 1.5 B Series Vented Package consists of a single sail with four vented panels, two on each side, with two sets of frames which are approx 6mm diameter.

    One set of frames is made of 4 wrap carbon and may be marked with 4 feathers - it is the strongest commonly used Rev 1.5 frame in the 6mm range (Revolution also made/make the 12mm diameter frames SLEs (Super Leading Edge) which are even stronger but are not used much as they do not flex and hinder the 1.5's performance).

    The second set of frames is made of 3 wrap carbon and may be marked with three feathers - it is lighter and more flexible than the 4 wrap.

    The wind ranges are the recommended ranges for the vented sail with the

    3 wrap frame - 5-20mph,

    4 wrap frame - 6-30mph,

    and using the 4 wrap frame in the leading edge with the end connectors and the 3 wrap frame also inserted into the leading edge pocket (it is a snug fit) 10-45 mph.

    It is possible to use 2 wrap in a Full Vent -or even race rods (another type of 6mm carbon frame made by Revolution) to improve the low wind performance.

    You could use the fatter SLE frame and possibly increase the high wind range but I will probably be tarred and feathered for making such a suggestion as many regard the SLE being only useful for growing tomatoes.

    All of the 1.5 range kites use identical frames and you can mix and match.

    The JB packages come with two complete frames the Standard sail and the Mid-vent (two vented panels one on each side) come with 2 wrap and 3 wrap, the Full Vent as above comes with 3 wrap and 4 wrap.

    The SLEs used to come with a SLE (12mm) Leading edge of I believe 3 wrap and 3 wrap uprights, more recently SLEs have been supplied with both SLE and 6mm leading edges in 3 wrap.

    Some dealers will allow you to change the type of frames supplied with the packages.

    If you buy a JB standard and JB Full Vent you will have two sails (Standard and Full Vent) and one set of 2 wraps, two sets of 3 wraps, and one set of 4 wraps.

    A well equipped flier will probably have standard, Mid-Vent, and Full Vent sails with race, 2, 3 and 4 wrap frames and will choose the combination of sail and frame to match the conditions.

    A mid-vent is really a luxury but venting does help smooth out lumpy winds, the normal purchase route is Standard, then Full Vent, then Mid-Vent, then SUL, then a Rev1, then a Zen then.......

    Cheers

    Stephen

  11. I think this difference may come from the age of your rods. I remember hearing not long ago, that Rev switched to hollow ferrules in all rods claiming that they are as strong as the solid ones. Granted, I have not looked into this much, but you tend to hear things while living in a kite shop.

    Ben posted about the new hollow ground ferrules that Revolution were introducing on the 18th November 2011.

    Cheers

    Stephen

    • Like 1
  12. Hi John,

    As you are getting back into kiting and learning to fly Revs and your partner is getting into kites for the first time then I would suggest that Revs are the way to go.

    There are several good tutorials available to get you both on your way and Rev fliers are generally a very social bunch. You will both will soon be able to fly together in a way that is not possible with two lines. It is a great experience to stand alongside other fliers and I am sure that learning together would be fun as you will not be alone and have the makings of a team..

    If you are able to find other experienced Rev fliers to help you both along it might assist the learning curve, but you should be able to learn from each other. Flying Revs is nowhere near as hard as I thought it would be and the skills can be learnt in isolation. I would suggest looking at the tutorials as the are a great help.

    Bottom line is I know kiters who have only flown Revs and nothing else so it can be done. Other than knowledge of the wind window there is little carry over from one to two to four lines. It is probably easier to start on four lines rather than unlearn two lines.

    Cheers

    Stephen

  13. I think that the new (well, new for me as a 1990-vintage Rev I owner) system of short rods or plugs for joining LE spars can't really be called ferrules. Ferrule has a distinct meaning in English of a metal band placed on the OUTSIDE to strengthen a rod, protect the end, or form a joint. What the name should be for these internal joiners is something I've never considered.

    Dowel?

    A dowel is a solid cylindrical rod, usually made of wood, plastic or metal used to secure two objects together with precise alignment.

    Cheers

    Stephen

  14. Front Cover of the April 2011 Newsletter of the Kite Society of Great Britain features a photo of the mega-fly with the caption inside of "The People are Back Revolution Fliers at Portsmouth 2008— returning for a mega-mega attempt at Portsmouth in August"

    Inside further information about Portsmouth states "One of the new events we have planned in conjunction with Felix Mottram and the Revolution fliers is UK record attempt similar to the fly in 2008. We have arranged a separate and larger arena for just this purpose, away from the normal arena space. So more space for all."

    It seems that the expectations are high.

    I will be there, I just hope that i am good enough or able to help out.

    Cheers

    Stephen

  15. I think that the Rev Field at Portsmouth 2010 worked very well given that it was not very large. The dinosaur got burnt down later, as I understand it.

    A large structure was built at Knokke one year!

    Felix

    The Dinosaur was found to have died of natural causes!!! The rain leaked in and shorted out the electric lighting system that caused the fire.

    2013 will be the silver jubilee for Revolution. Perhaps there is enough time to get something organised for then, and even Portsmouth 2013 - providing the council keeps the funding going.

    I might even be good enough to participate by then. Sadly there is no news on the return of the Dinosaur as yet.

    Cheers

    Stephen

  16. Stephen,

    There is some interesting 'terminology' in what you are saying which could be very useful. The 'foursome' is clearly each of the four groups of four. The 'outer lead' is initially less clear but maybe I can assume that it is the 'outermost' kite of the overall square and that what you suggest is that those kites move outwards and take up the diagonal configuration with the other kites sliding into place. Is the 'inner trailer' referring to the four central kites?

    Felix

    Hi Felix,

    Sorry this is the square dance caller coming out in me. In square dancing we have standardised terminology so that you can call or dance throughout the world using the same terminology.

    In square dancing we tend to reduce formations into the smallest applicable subset for each figure.

    In your formation I saw four identical groups of 4 each rotated 90 degrees to each other. I therefore reduced the choreography into one block of 4 and relied on the other blocks carrying out identical choreography. I saw

    AABB

    AABB

    CCDD

    CCDD

    where each letter was a block of 4. Each member of each block is facing the same way therefore in the block there are two leaders (facing out of the block or away from the centre of the block) and two trailers (facing into the centre of the block). A leader and trailer are known as a tandem formation (like the bicycle). Using the VERY CENTRE (referring to the centre of the 16) as a reference point each block of 4 has a outer leader, an inner leader, an outer trailer and an inner trailer. Also you could say there is an outer tandem and an inner tandem.

    3>1>..4..3

    ...........V..V

    4>2>..2..1

    ...........V..V

    ..^..^<2<4

    ..1..2.........

    ..^..^<1<3

    ..3..4.........

    Each block is

    ^..^

    1..2

    ^..^

    3..4

    In each block 1&2 are leaders, 3&4 are trailers.

    Relative to the centre of the 16 1&3 are the outer tandem, 2&4 are the inner tandem, 1 is an outer leader, 2 is an inner leader, 3 an outer trailer and 4 an inner trailer.

    Trailers veer left or out would result in each block becoming 3412 and a line.

    Put the trailers in would result in a 1342 line.

    Leaders slide out trailers extend would result in a 1234 line

    Sorry this is getting far too involved and my ascii art is rubbish but the points of ^><V are the noses or leading edges.^^ is two kites leading edge up

    Cheers

    Stephen

  17. That's the one. Very easy to get into as well.

    I basically answered the previous question I posed regarding the 8 kite diameter 4 way pinwheel! The back pairs could just slide outwards and forwards slightly and we have it in a vertical/horizontal configuration.

    Felix

    Or you could have the outer lead of each foursome slide out and allow the trailers in between the leaders, or the lead pair slide out and let the trailing pair move straight up, or even have the leads slide out with the outer trailer moving up and diagonally between them to split them as the inner trailer moves up to become the new centre.

    There are many ways ahead, some of which may be more suitable depending upon what happened previously, or what is going to happen next.

    I see plenty of opportunities for some interesting choreography, and chances for it to go terribly wrong.

    It all depends upon the wraps.

    Cheers

    Stephen

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