This could be the best find this year. For a cheap kite (<S$40), it is versatile, strong pull and can be launched in many ways. The only negative is to finding its name. Somehow, "Fan" don't quite make it. With its original tail, my girl called it a snake. But it has a modern eagle (Chinese "Pan Ying") frame! My missus have a "love-at-first-sight" affair with this kite. I'm going out to get a line laundry to hang on it.
This CN version that I have comes in cleaner color combination than those in SG. The 3 spars for assembly is longer than the sail when packed. They actually joined as 1 across the sail making it very easy to fix. It comes with 2 tail provision and the default tail hooks up to both. Perhaps I should get those tail spinners with a rod to attach. Well, it match perfectly with my blue/white 25ft tail. The default tail reminds me too much of cobras so I don't use them.
The frame allows for another launch option that I've tested with other shapes like ghost, cobra (need a little more line) and other kites that are flat - the ground launch. The famous Beijing flyer always launch his traditional Chinese eagle (panying) this way. Given the similar frame structure, I decided to add this as a show. Don't try this for this kite at high wind (9.3km/h); it simply refuse to sit down and my girl got her first line burn from it.
This is how it works: put the kite flat on the floor (glass recommended), frame-side down. You'll normally need the bridle to be in line and in front of the tip of the kite. Pull some line out and walk into the wind, 10m or more. Face the kite and start reeling at high speed. The kite will first move on the ground and then soar in the air. For frames like this, the take off is almost immediate.Once you got the bridle and line right, you can do this with almost any kite, delta with fixed bridle don't apply.
This technique is especially useful when you need to pull long lines and/or you're flying alone. The kite may pick up some dirt or moisture but other than that, there is no visible damage, though wear and tear may occur. Because wind is flowing through the top and bottom of this frame even on the ground, this may cause the kite to take off, so peep back once a while.
The is a strange feature for this kite; the center spar hold the other spars on each end. The wings will collapse inwards and expand outwards, depending on your reel actions, as the connection allows for some movements. Quite scary, actually. Either action will cause some disturbance to the kite, but should not bring it down. Once it is in its normal position, this kite takes off easily in the air. Do check the center spar regularly around the ends for wear and tear.
You'll start to feel a strong pull on your line and will climb up quickly. So, make sure you're not holding the line for this "steal of the year". In the air, it exhibits very similar characteristics to the delta; staying firmly in the wind with strong pull. You can almost fly this overhead (for line laundry) but I only have tails, thus putting it back a little to enjoy the view.
Pulling it down is a lot harder than letting it go. To reduce the workload, I normally pull the reel down between my legs for a few moments. You'll feel the line slacken. Start reeling again. Takes a lower time but it is better than fighting a kite who refuse to come down, worse than kids not willing to go home from the arcade/mall. BTW, I've see frame/spars snapped when people force the reel in.
To officially make this my "steal of the year", I'm going out to get a proper line laundry to hang on this guy. I'll update you how it goes but if your sick and tired of deltas, I strongly recommend this kite.
 |
| With 25ft tail and 2 from Wala |
This CN version that I have comes in cleaner color combination than those in SG. The 3 spars for assembly is longer than the sail when packed. They actually joined as 1 across the sail making it very easy to fix. It comes with 2 tail provision and the default tail hooks up to both. Perhaps I should get those tail spinners with a rod to attach. Well, it match perfectly with my blue/white 25ft tail. The default tail reminds me too much of cobras so I don't use them.
 |
| Ground launch for kites with such frame |
This is how it works: put the kite flat on the floor (glass recommended), frame-side down. You'll normally need the bridle to be in line and in front of the tip of the kite. Pull some line out and walk into the wind, 10m or more. Face the kite and start reeling at high speed. The kite will first move on the ground and then soar in the air. For frames like this, the take off is almost immediate.Once you got the bridle and line right, you can do this with almost any kite, delta with fixed bridle don't apply.
This technique is especially useful when you need to pull long lines and/or you're flying alone. The kite may pick up some dirt or moisture but other than that, there is no visible damage, though wear and tear may occur. Because wind is flowing through the top and bottom of this frame even on the ground, this may cause the kite to take off, so peep back once a while.
 |
| Place kite on ground, frame down. |
You'll start to feel a strong pull on your line and will climb up quickly. So, make sure you're not holding the line for this "steal of the year". In the air, it exhibits very similar characteristics to the delta; staying firmly in the wind with strong pull. You can almost fly this overhead (for line laundry) but I only have tails, thus putting it back a little to enjoy the view.
Pulling it down is a lot harder than letting it go. To reduce the workload, I normally pull the reel down between my legs for a few moments. You'll feel the line slacken. Start reeling again. Takes a lower time but it is better than fighting a kite who refuse to come down, worse than kids not willing to go home from the arcade/mall. BTW, I've see frame/spars snapped when people force the reel in.
To officially make this my "steal of the year", I'm going out to get a proper line laundry to hang on this guy. I'll update you how it goes but if your sick and tired of deltas, I strongly recommend this kite.
Watch out when you fly this kite in big wind. The center rod could snap. The tell tale sign is when the wind tips gets folded or when the kite looks extremely small. Mine is hanging on a roof top antenna while I'm busy preparing a laundry to hang on it. Thinking about changing this to a 3-point bridle.
ReplyDelete