I'm a Newbie to the sport and have just finished my first full season. I had my lessons with Ian Young so naturally fly a Flysurfer .

I usually kite down at Melville beach, those who kite there know how thin the stretch of sand is for launching and landing especially at high tide. Usually if there is some help available I try and get assistance landing my kite, saves dropping it in to the water and getting it wet.

Unfortunately, as Flysurfer kites are in the minority not many people know how to land and secure them safely. At the weekend I had a dodgy incident when a guy tried to help me but kept letting go of the kite. after a couple of attempts he finally got it down (thanks for the help ).

To land a Flysurfer kite at the edge of the wind window - approach the kite from up wind and grab hold of the lower wing tip, at that point the tension on the lines is released which allows the kite to lay down in the direction of the wind. Place the kite on its back on the ground and throw a few hands full of sand on the wing tip you are holding to secure.

Attached is a link to the Flysurfer site and shows a small clip of how to land a foil kite with assistance at the edge of the wind window.

www.skywalk.org/

Look forward to safe landings in the future and thank for all the help so far.

Cheers

Mark

Hi Mark,

As a fellow flysurfer I'm wondering what technique you use for self-landing when there's nothing to anchor the bar and lines to? I tend to land with the safety, then take a few steps forward so that the kite stops against the bank of the river etc, then move forward to grab a tip. Works ok in medium wind, but when it gets heavy I start to get worried and wonder if there's a better way.

(IanY you may have ideas as well?)

Cheers,
Adam

Haven't flown mine in a while. But thinking about it, once you've quick released can't you walk up to the kite holding just the port (or starboard) lines?

Mark I gave up expecting anyone to help me land. I always quick release then someone can hold it if they're around.
Graeme

Hey Adam

In light winds I drop the kite on the safety (as you do) then walk forward until the kite falls on its back. Then unclip and walk up the port steering line holding on all the time until I get to the tip. When there is a little more wind I find it useful to bury my board in the sand and clip the safety on to one of the foot straps then walk the lines and grab hold of the kite in the same way. Both techniques work for me but I still prefer getting some help if it’s available.

Cheers

Mark.

Mark,
As your kite it is a foil, you should be able to "brake" the kite using the back lines to the point it is totally depowered and actually it folds in half in a 90 degrees angle. In this position , it should come down (just in front of you) without power (minimum pull) and seat on the sand. Than you can walk one of the back lines and recover the kite.
For this you should catch the brake lines with your hands, and pull them to you until the kite folds and start going down.( when the kites folds in half, the "wing" formed by the kite is propelled downwards).
Use this technique only after you try it and exersize it in very light winds, on the water, until you become confident, than try it gradually in stronger wind.
I used this method with amy Peter Lynn Flexyfoils and Waterfoils and it work every time.
However, you should remember that the foils are the kings of folding especially when close to the edge window, so be very carefull.

Good luck

Thanks for the advice Silviu.

I have tried a couple of times to back stall my 10m speed in light winds and it does work very well, its a lot more controlled than pulling the safety.
When the winds up I still prefer getting someone to help me land, I have found the 10m Speed very stable at the edge of the wind window, much better than my old warrior.
Yes, you still have to watch out for the gusts .

cheers

Mark.

GENERALLY WHEN I HAVE SEEN THEM LAND WE JUST GO JUMP ON EM AS THEY ALSO DOUBLE AS A GREAT AIR MATRESS OR DOONA...

Now here's a topic I can relate to!
mark h sounds like we've had similar experiences,
I pretty much always self land, but not by releasing to the safety, I grab the leader lines and steer the kite down backwards until it's on the ground, grab both leaders with one hand then pull the tension on the blue safety. As you've said, this can be difficult on a narrow beach or where there are sticks or something to avoid. An assisted landing is way neater.

It would be great if everyone knew how to help to land a flysurfer, because usually we only need help when really powered up and you don't really have time to go "grab the wingtip and hold it down, and don't let go till I come and grab it off you!" Your description is spot on. If ypu want to be really nice, fold the wingtip over a bit and then sand it.

Anyone using a PULSE yet?

Thanks Caution,
Please do what ever you need to do to stop the kite from taking off again. If having a little nap on it solves my problem we are both on to a winner

Hey Tobes

The thread has had over 100 hits so far, hopefully that’s 100 extra helpers to get us down in the strong winds. Even the guys who want to lie-down on them will help

Check out Foilzone.com for those that might want some tasty tips .

Otherwise, GOOD STUFF, good that everyone konws how to help everyone else!

BTW. I think the pulse has a big hand print on the tip so that everyone can look at the kite and go like.....oh, maybe that`s where I should grab it.

....., then they can have a little rest by lying on it if need be

I forgot.

Tobes, I have a 10m Pulse on order

I`ll wait for SPEED 2 and get a 13 when they come out for the really light wind days.

Thanks to the "Ultimate Quiver" idea from you!

Saw the Pulse last Sunday at the WKSA downwinder - looked good. Couldnt get down for a close up but I believe they have hand prints on each wingtip to give landing assistants a clue what to do
Good move FS - Im going to paint some onto my 17M speed. - too easy.
Soon as you grab the wingtip these kites become totally powerless. LEI kiters really shouldn't stress about it! Try it once - easy as! & Im sure all FS & Arc kiters will more than appreciate your help.

This post is an excellente initiative, Mark!

For all FS beginners, I wrote a detailed description on how I self-land my FS kite on a spacious beach, somewhere there ...
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13419

Cheers,

Fred

Hey! Youhou! 100th post!

A good excuse for a beer!

Fred

Thanks Fred

I’m off down to Preston beach for the Easter break, hopefully if there is enough wind I will try and get out on the ocean .
I’m sure I will get plenty of practice self landing as there is usually nobody around to help. One good thing is the beach is huge with only the odd 4wd to get in your way.

Surprised I don’t see any crew down there, it’s a great spot.

Cheers

Mark.

Great to see everyone helping each other out, keeping EVERYONE safer and maintaining access to our favourite spots :-)

Maybe we are finally maturing enough as a sport to respect each others choices in equipment and making an effort to understand how other systems work

All the above advice is fantastic!

Many of the FlySurfer kites have the pull stop system (PSS) which enables either the left or right line to be pulled in like an LEI to depower the kite when it is on the ground or water.

The PULSE has a number of new safety options incl:

• a 5th line Total Depower System (TDS) which pulls in the centre of the kite until the kite is folded completely in half with zero pull - it can still be relaunched from this state


• a "suicide" leash option
• and rear line (brake) handles to reverse the kite down on it's trailing edge to self-land as well as flipping the kite over for the quickest water relaunches ever seen

Unlike many of the other FlySurfer WAC kites, the PULSE does not back stall when the bar is pulled in in lighter winds, pulls very evenly all the way through kite loops and has enormous depower - although in lighter winds the kite is not very maneuverable when depowered.

Ian,

Can the PSS system be retrofitted to a Maniac / Warrior?

Adam

Yes quixand it can be retro-fitted but is not as effective - call me on 0414 716 812 or email ianyoung@iinet.net.au and make a time and place to see how it works on the PULSE and you can decide if you want to do the mod - likewise for the pulley replacement mod.