Hi all, just purchased a Slingshot UFO and considering ways to self launch/land. All advice indicates kite won't sit on beach without weights. Too light and blows away. Usual self launch might not work. Considering for launch:
-tethered launch
-positioning kite on back (like when pumping up), attaching and running out lines, then walking out lines upwind to control bar.
keen to hear if there are other ideas. Thanks

I have strutless Cloud kites which are lighter than UFO.
To launch I have been able to sit the kite at an angle, about 30 deg to the wind, walked up to bar pull around and hot launch.
Hot launch is ok as these kites depower extremely well.
If very windy - with the kite at a similar angle I place the tip of my board on the down wind leading edge .
Landing is easy, simply bring the kite down and when 5 to 6 m above the ground reach forward with one hand grabbing the centre lines.
Then with the other hand grab the top front line and pull hard just before the kite hits the ground.
The end result should have the kite almost fully leading edge into the wind.

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warwickl said..
If very windy - with the kite at a similar angle I place the tip of my board on the down wind leading edge .

You mean the up wind part of the leading edge?

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NorthernKitesAUS said..

warwickl said..
If very windy - with the kite at a similar angle I place the tip of my board on the down wind leading edge .

You mean the up wind part of the leading edge?

No.
This stops the kite moving and if the kite is at the ideal angle it will stay put.
I have done it this way for a few years and was shown the technique by a fellow strutless kiter.

Here is a vid of what I do, start and finish with kite on its back. Works with UFO and Cloud

Tether launch and shove a sand peg into the ground around the backline of wind direction
Which basically steers the kite into the ground, I've used this for 12 years in big frontal, easier than doing the sprint watching the kite fly over head into the bushes

Thanks airsail, that was sort of what I was thinking. I see you've got the kite on its back with sand near/inside leading edge. Do you leave this sand in place as you walk out the lines? And then let it fall out on launch? Would it stay down without this sand?

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Jimm said..
Thanks airsail, that was sort of what I was thinking. I see you've got the kite on its back with sand near/inside leading edge. Do you leave this sand in place as you walk out the lines? And then let it fall out on launch? Would it stay down without this sand?

The sand stays throughout the launch, falls away after launch. I have also used a small sandbag which works well too. Sand on the upper surface doesn't seem to work well as the flapping of the canopy dislodges it, but tucked behind the leading edge when the kite is on its back, it tends to stay there.
The kite stays put without sand, sometimes, I add sand to make sure.
I like this way to launch and land as you can do it anywhere, no need for stakes or anything. And as a bonus it is ready for relaunch straight away.
just remember to run the lines over the leading edge, not around the back of the kite. I add som sand on top of the lines so they don't blow back.

Thanks for the advice. Have a good Christmas

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airsail said..
Here is a vid of what I do, start and finish with kite on its back. Works with UFO and Cloud

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airsail said..
Here is a vid of what I do, start and finish with kite on its back. Works with UFO and Cloud

Think I'll stick with the one strut kite

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lucy5 said..

airsail said..
Here is a vid of what I do, start and finish with kite on its back. Works with UFO and Cloud

airsail said..
Here is a vid of what I do, start and finish with kite on its back. Works with UFO and Cloud

Think I'll stick with the one strut kite

I have flown the UFO as well