Reverse or inverted take off/hover

[Lauranyyfan]

Here's one for you ....

When I try to reverse launch, it will take off, slowly and then the bottom falls forward. I somehow pull/do something ??? and she flips over and then I can raise her up normally. It kind of looks cool, but I don't want to do that. What am I doing wrong to sort of (I guess) lose the wind on the bottom?

Thanks, as always...

[Choccy]

I seem to lose altitude with my inverted hover.

But then I don't like to fly with too much brake tied on.

(which the likes of Stephen H coach others to do eg Sailor has his lines tied with lots of brake on).

Maybe this is why I am struggling to keep it going - also hurts my lower arms after a while (?)

It feels odd to fly Sailor's kite with the lines the way he likes (It's a real effort to get it airbourne)

[sailor99]

Other people have told me that I have a lot of brake on too.

Trying to gain height, or even maintaining it can be difficult in reverse. You try to add a little reverse and the next thing you know you are being too heavy handed and you start to wobble. It does come, and gently does it. Walking forward, counter-intuitively, helps with gaining height without wobbling IMO. Having watched the Stig flying, I have come to the conclusion never to be wary of moving back and forwards!

[Jonesey]

Other people have told me that I have a lot of brake on too.

Trying to gain height, or even maintaining it can be difficult in reverse. You try to add a little reverse and the next thing you know you are being too heavy handed and you start to wobble. It does come, and gently does it. Walking forward, counter-intuitively, helps with gaining height without wobbling IMO. Having watched the Stig flying, I have come to the conclusion never to be wary of moving back and forwards!

The current Mrs Jones learnt to do an inverted hover today ... much quicker then I did! .Hmmmph!.. unlike the recommended method to learn, its seems easier were we fly to learn higher up the window rather then from an inverted take off as there is a grass bank upwind that makes the air a little 'dirty' down low.... I too set up with a lot more brake then when I started and I think this and learning higher up meant less over doing it trying to get off the ground and thus more success/confidence/understanding earlier.. Make sense?

Oh and she can buy her own Revs from now on!

[Jonesey]

Other people have told me that I have a lot of brake on too.

And Sailor I know I am the last one to talk but do you think us people of a certain 'shape' use more brake because otherwise the bottom of our handle would keep hitting our stomachs?? just a thought looking at the pictures of us finely honed athletes performing yesterday!

[steveb]

I am fortunate to fly in an area with generally very smooth winds and seldom have to deal with the challenges that bumpy winds throw at you.

If you can, treat yourself to some beach flying and see how much easier it is to hold a stationary hover when you're not flying in random gusts.

Even in a smooth breeze I am doing nearly constant corrections to the amount of braking; trying to balance small changes in the amount of lift, to keep it in position.

My hat is off to anyone who can hold a steady hover in gusty inland conditions!

[Madquad]

Quote : My hat is off to anyone who can hold a steady hover in gusty inland conditions!

Ehehehe well leave your hat in Canada and come to Holland - Ginkelse Heide

And you''ll learn how to hover steady in really gusty winds

[Choccy]

The current Mrs Jones learnt to do an inverted hover today ... much quicker then I did! .Hmmmph!.. unlike the recommended method to learn, its seems easier were we fly to learn higher up the window rather then from an inverted take off

Well done to Mrs Jones.

I too 'learnt' from higher up the window.

I tried from the ground up but with the current set up I was just wobbling all over

When it first happened I felt a bit, well ummm when it first twigged

Like a bit of a Matrix moment after taking the blue pill.

Strange.

[sailor99]

And Sailor I know I am the last one to talk but do you think us people of a certain 'shape' use more brake because otherwise the bottom of our handle would keep hitting our stomachs??

I wouldn't know old chap. I don't suffer from that problem - I have a very arched back which tends to push my front out a little!

Mind you, having had a look at the photo's I really must have a word with my hair dresser and get her to stop putting those silver highlights in.

[Lauranyyfan]

When you guys fly team, is it a problem to move forward or back for inverted maneuvers? ...or is the whole team doing it in sync?

[sailor99]

Not totally sure I understand the question Laura, so if my answer doesn't make sense that will be why. The whole team moves in sync, but only in theory! So there are some issues when moving round. You have to watch out that you don't go and fly into someone else for a start, which when Sparky is around can be quite a challenge Also once all your lines become crossed, all the controls become kind of sloppy. Reverse particularly so, and I sometimes find myself slowly falling out of the sky with out a good back step. 120' lines helps with this, although the other day when we tried a little team flying (photos in the gallery) we were all on 80' lines, which adds and extra dimension of challenge

[steveb]

You generally do things in synch, either following or mirrored, but there is nothing to stop one person flying forwards while the next person follows in reverse. I did a bit of that with Terry when he was up at Parksville a few days ago. It's a good challenge!

[Choccy]

If you can, treat yourself to some beach flying and see how much easier it is to hold a stationary hover when you're not flying in random gusts.

Hello Steve

My first real *ahem* moment of clicking came when I flew on the beach at Berck with the smoothest sea breeze.

sweet.

It's not been the same since being inland.

Love2fly> not sure the answer to your question as us newbies kind of cheated with only the most experienced fliers at the time doing the inverted moves. It was our first time flying together so didn't take it too seriously, just a few moves.

[Lauranyyfan]

Hi Rev Peeps...

What I meant...sorry for not being clear... was: If the whole team, or most, don't need to move around to fly inverted and let's say, I do as that is how I learned to control inverted flying, could or would that screw up a team fly? Or, am I missing the point, that stepping forward or back is until you learn to fully control the inverted flying. Of course, if the winds are very light...it's a different story...I know you have to step back to give the kite some gas; but then, everyone does.

I hope this is clearer. Sometimes, I think too much :confused!: ... I think . lol

[Choccy]

If you can try and watch some movie files of teams flying, that may help.

I think you'll find that they do move around alot during team routines.

No matter which orientation their kite is facing.

I've realised that I am still not standing close enough to others in a team situation.

My depth perception isn't too great either (being a cyclops pilot with purple hair). {joke}

[Aerochic]

When you guys fly team, is it a problem to move forward or back for inverted maneuvers? ...or is the whole team doing it in sync?

Laura, is this what you're talking about? See the beginning of this video of iQuad at Wildwood from last year:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=43...u3RAg&hl=en

[Lauranyyfan]

Laura, is this what you're talking about? See the beginning of this video of iQuad at Wildwood from last year:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=43...u3RAg&hl=en

Hi.

Yes, sort of. It was suggested that to take off inverted, take a step or two back; for better control. From what I've seen, these guys don't do that at their skill level, unless there's not much wind at which point everyone needs to step back together. According to this clip, stepping back or forward alone as needed, won't effect anyone else or bother anyone else in a team fly.

So, eventually, after learning inverted flying (the basics to start ) should I continue to use the step backwards technique or should I try to learn to just use my arms to give it gas? Understand that I know when there's little or no wind, stepping back would be the only way to launch inverted. Right?

I hope you all got my point. I'd love to fly team and want to be in sync with everyone else...I know everyone develops their own style to a point, but it has to gel with the other team members...ultimately. make sense???

Thanks.

[sailor99]

Most times I find a gentle pull with the hands is all that is needed to get a foot or so off the ground. Then I tend to stop, hover and get my head into the handles. If the wind is very light then a step back is good too, and if it is blowing often a pull is not even needed. So yes you have it right.

[Choccy]

get my head into the handles.

Now that's a funny image I won't forget in a while.

I wonder if sailor is trying a new technique ?

can you wiggle your ears independently to control your kite ?

Love2fly> sailor is a strong chap (can tug at a line to free it!)

He is right, you can usually just use your arms to take off given enough breeze for reverse launch.

I'm trying to get mine to turn over neater because I always have other fliers around me so can't afford to do any slides whilst turning and bumping into other lines/kites etc

happy flying

[AldenMiller]

If you watch a few of the IQUAD videos you will see the step forward and back in unison for many moves. In lighter winds they can move across the flying area a fair amount as it appears they step backwards to fill the sails when they want to make a crisply defined move.

-Alden