Jim Foster Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 We had 16 in a line on 75's at Kite Party when John had us all get into a 4x4. I think most of us had been in a grid, but not all. It went just fine. As far as vertical room, we had 18 doing up and down pezz maneuvers, and we were getting 7-8 in line vertically on 75s. It was tight, but loads of fun. The only problem I see with a 10x10 on 120s, is getting 100 fliers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiteLife Posted March 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Here's a photo of our 10-high kite column, just to give an idea of how much room we had to spare on 120' lines... Wind was 8-12mph, give or take. Photo courtesy of Erin Altenhof-Long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Hoath Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Does every attempt at WSIKF need to be 10 x 10 or can we work towards that? Frankly 10 x 10 scares the out of me. I don't know why. Bart The really big grids are impressive but smaller ones can be more fun. With Jon's blessings we should be able to put up some smaller ones during the event to ease people into the whole thing and to try some of the more interesting moves that are buzzing round in my head. There should be several of us there who have called in these situations and other very experienced team callers who would have no problems at all once they get a go at it. Who knows we may be able to put up 2 or 3 grids in one go. The only problem you might have is understanding proper English rather than that funny dialect you have over there in the colonies! Success builds upon success Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiteLife Posted March 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 I'm all for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcom714 Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 (edited) I tell myself that a lot! It is my nature to look at the big picture over the smaller one so it is hard to think about it any other way. I hope for lots of practice before then. Remember, I will be in totally new wind for me. I've going from choppy, land locked, prairie wind to what everyone tells me is this smooth ocean wind. I will probably be all over the place! Bart I can think of at least two events here on the east coast you SHOULD come to for some good times, good friends, some GRID practice and a helluva party. MIKE in Ocean City Maryland at the end of April, & Wildwood NJ over Memorial Day at the end of May. I promise warmer weather smoother breezes, and THE BEACH!!!!!!! C'mon BART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:w00t: Edited March 24, 2010 by quaa714 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 The really big grids are impressive but smaller ones can be more fun. With Jon's blessings we should be able to put up some smaller ones during the event to ease people into the whole thing and to try some of the more interesting moves that are buzzing round in my head. There should be several of us there who have called in these situations and other very experienced team callers who would have no problems at all once they get a go at it. Who knows we may be able to put up 2 or 3 grids in one go. The only problem you might have is understanding proper English rather than that funny dialect you have over there in the colonies! Success builds upon success I had in mind 4 x 25 <grins> Felix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartman Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 I can think of at least two events here on the east coast you SHOULD come to for some good times, good friends, some GRID practice and a helluva party. MIKE in Ocean City Maryland at the end of April, & Wildwood NJ over Memorial Day at the end of May. I promise warmer weather smoother breezes, and THE BEACH!!!!!!! C'mon BART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe I can convince someone to try one of those next year. I'll be tapped out between Vancouver in June and WSIKF in August. Bart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LS Kite Stakes Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 One of the great things about the grid formation is the less experienced/uncomfortable in team can be put at the bottom of the grid where it is a bit easier to handle. Don't worry Bart, I am sure you will do fine. Besides, there will be all kinds of time for practice between attempts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manny1704 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 One of the great things about the grid formation is the less experienced/uncomfortable in team can be put at the bottom of the grid where it is a bit easier to handle. Don't worry Bart, I am sure you will do fine. Besides, there will be all kinds of time for practice between attempts. It also gives the better flyers on top some peace of mind. I would hate to be the guy in the top row to take down 20 kites below me and than play with lines for the rest of the week. Scary thought... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiteLife Posted March 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 I've actually done a rough skill-mapping of the 10x10 grid and will be placing pilots accordingly, as best I can, balancing in other considerations like distributing experienced leaders, keeping couples and teams together, etc, etc, etc... It won't be perfect right off, but as a group, it'll all sort itself out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 I've actually done a rough skill-mapping of the 10x10 grid and will be placing pilots accordingly, as best I can, balancing in other considerations like distributing experienced leaders, keeping couples and teams together, etc, etc, etc... It won't be perfect right off, but as a group, it'll all sort itself out I am sure it will 'sort itself out' as happily 'it' (the grid) is getting a life of its own. I do wonder about the notion that some places are actually 'easier'. I guess that someone on the outside edge may feel that there is an exit route but in terms of 'defining' the outside edge of the presentation, that may be the most difficult position! Low down in the wind window is potentially going to be more difficult if wind speed is high. Low down may also be more likely to be subject to turbulence depending on relative ground positions. The opportunity to 'try it all out' is obviously crucial and nobody who is a basically competent flier should have any real problem on the day! As I observed regarding the Spanish event, perfection is not necessary. The intent will be clear <grins> Felix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiteLife Posted March 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Agreed, wholeheartedly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartman Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 I'll take the bottom in the turbulance. I'm used to that rough Bart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HedgeWarden Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 (edited) John, Is there a playbook describing the maneuvers to be performed? Star-bursts from the bottom are something I'm practicing, but... at the clinic. Placing us newbies at the bottom of the columns will save a lot of fliers from newbie crash-and-burns, but also places them in the hard-to-do positions in circular figures. (I bet John has already figured a solution for that!) Likewise, clockwork is something I've accomplished a few times in private - but in public A 100 kite clockwork spin would be fantastic! As the weather improves, I hope to get a lot more practice at the beach. I am already better than at the clinic, but not good enough to guarantee I don't take out a column or two if asked to do a stable inverted hover or clock-work spin. BTW, for the inland fliers - you may well luck out. Easterly winds over the peninsula are probably about as bumpy as you are used to inland. I suspect you are planning to sort some of these problems out as you find out who can attend the mega-fly, and what they can accomplish. Still, any head's up on important skills is welcome. 100 fliers might require some wanna-be's like me. TNX, Edited April 1, 2010 by HedgeWarden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiteLife Posted April 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 There is no playbook at this point in grid development... Grid format is done with literal calling by the captain, with kites (rows/columns) being moved about like chess pieces, rather than entire maneuvers. The weakest pilots will likely be in the bottom 3 rows, in the outermost 2 columns on each side. I am certain that everyone will find it very self-explanatory on the fly, and especially for those who have an opportunity to come early in the week for smaller practice grids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean750 Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 I'll take the bottom in the turbulance. I'm used to that rough Bart Hey Bart, since you've made the decision to go along instead of riding in the trunk, your already progressing. Grid is much easier than riding in the trunk. Everyone will do just fine with the list of peeps already. I'm hoping I can make it. So many of the people I've been wanting to meet for so long, all in one place. This year if I make it I refuse to get sick and go home. I'll yak all weekend long on the line with handles in my hands if need be. I'll wear a horse feed bag or if we're luck if my weekness is the problem is that it'll be a little damp and everyone is in rain gear. So I know it's going to hurt later, but I'm crossing and keeping my fingers, toes and anything else I can get to cross crossed. Hope to meet and fly with all ya all at WSIKF, Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiteLife Posted April 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2010 Just looking over the tide charts for Long Beach... Low tide Thu, Aug 19 - 4:12pm Fri, Aug 20 - 5:18pm Sat, Aug 21 - 6:14pm High tide Thu, Aug 19 - 10:49am Fri, Aug 20 - 11:45am Sat, Aug 21 - 12:31pm Based on that info, I'm loosely planning to use this schedule: Date : Staging : Attempt Thu, Aug 19 : 1:30pm : 2:00pm Fri, Aug 20 : 2:30pm : 3:00pm Sat, Aug 21 : 3:00pm : 3:30pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiteLife Posted April 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2010 Also, I've just updated the first post in this topic with PDFs outlining how the 10x10 grid works, and how to position within your column. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiteLife Posted April 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2010 Just added a map with our tentative field layout, bathroom locations and other useful notes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcom714 Posted April 2, 2010 Report Share Posted April 2, 2010 Great work on the preliminary layouts so far!!!!!!! They look great!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manny1704 Posted April 3, 2010 Report Share Posted April 3, 2010 (edited) Now I never flew in a grid and your positioning seems confusing to me. Should not be the position of the either the pilots or the kites reversed? Right now pilot #10 has a very short line and pilot #1 a very very long line. other than that: John you have way too much time . Great job! Edited April 3, 2010 by manny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiteLife Posted April 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2010 All the same length lines Manny. The diagram shows the bodies as viewed from above, the kites are as from the flier's perspective. when viewing the grid of kites from the side, the bottom row is further downwind than the top row. Good videos and more info here... http://www.kitelife.com/magazine/issue71/revisions71/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauranyyfan Posted April 3, 2010 Report Share Posted April 3, 2010 Hi Johnny- Awesome work/organization! There's no doubt that this will make the process smoother and quicker. For those that haven't seen or flown in the grid, definitely check out the videos. Certainly, if things aren't "clicking" from what you've read and watched, feel free to ask it here. It will make sense real quick as it is just staggered columns of pilots; while the Revs are placed straight columns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiteLife Posted April 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2010 Thanks Laura, I just laid out the plan to have everything organized at WSIKF... Credit is due to John M for putting the diagrams together, and to Felix for coming up with the grid concept itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiteLife Posted April 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2010 I've just added four YouTube videos of grid work to the first post in this topic as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.