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This kite brought some memories of the things discussed during its test flight. People often forget that kite flying is about working with nature. In our case, its about listening to it and make the best use of the conditions. Kite designs are improving to simplify our life but at the end of the day, mother nature is the boss. The more you learn to respect it, the more you'll get out of it.
Which supplier has the better kite? Parachute real or fake? Which field is better? Why would these matter when what it really is is about learning from nature and in the process, yourself. Hopefully, those around you will benefit from your discovery too.
Yes, the delta from different suppliers are simply different. For kites, you either pay for performance or design. Of course, some suppliers display more knowledge and keenness to help, which the latter is more important to me. To me, deltas is about what it can carry to decorate the sky. The designs are simplistic, mostly. Artists among the kite designers prefer rokkaku (but it can't lift things). But beyond deltas, there are lots of shapes to fly. It is in this vein that I found this kite.
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| Claudio Capelli's Rokkakus |
From the word go, you'll find trouble. This traditional Chinese-designed kite comes with 14 rods, in 3 sizes, to fit. While it is not difficult to figure out which spar goes where, putting it together needs some patience. You'll have to organize yourself, vertically or horizontally, to keep the spars from falling off. Best done placing the whole kite on the floor. Standing at shoulder height, forget about getting the kids to do it.
Check out the weight. Both the spars and sail are of lower grade materials. Well, I don't have much high expectations since it is an experiment for me.
This kite comes with a tow line. But this is right at the top of the kite. Secure them to 3 points, each end and the middle, though the latter can be left out, like I do. The bridle is tied in the middle of the tow line. The usual one-third from top rule don't apply here but it works. If you're used to the delta, you'll be sweating by now, no doubt. And, don't count on those around to help you.
Luckily, I'm tall enough to hold the kite up by hand. You may want to pull long lines for this. Just lean it against any object will do since the tow line, at the top, will not be in the way.
Firstly, this kite need stronger wind to fly, force 2 high. This could add to your frustrations. Honestly, I'm always hesitant to take this out of my bag. Perhaps I should try to launch this with long line at lower wind.At launch, it feels reluctant to leave the ground. Any drop in wind speed at the first 5m will see it coming back down. Be sure to have a good wind window before attempting launch. Because of its tow line positions, the bottom of the kite will kick away from you.;At times, it will almost be horizontal. Don't be alarmed; it'll come back down but it'll stay angled.
This darling is a reluctant climber. It is slow to react to your line actions. At launch, it seems to cling to the ground like kids parting with mothers. Fans of deltas, airplanes have slight delayed reaction to joystick movements because of this thing called Relative Air Pressure. That's what makes wings, or in our case, the sail of kites, stay in the air. NASA is interested in kites because it taught aerodynamics. Check it out. The bottom will maintain a slanted-away-from-you angle in flight. This acts to its appeal - it looks larger than it should since the whole kite is in view when you look up.
Do not tie it up once it is in flight. Despite its overall size, the individual sail is quite small (smaller that the kid's diamond). It reacts quite quickly to changes in wind speed. While delta hangs even when the tail starts waving, you will see altitude changes immediately. So, pay some attention to it while in flight.
Overall, it gives you a very different feel from the modern kites. The constant line management adds to the fun, for a change. Since it is traditional, perhaps it will also take away the supplier argument. In whichever field it appears, the odd shape breaks the sometimes monotonous decorations in the sky. I wish it comes in more attractive color schemes/designs, though.
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