Landing a foil kite

jbruxer · Since 24 Jul 2005 398 Posts Beaverton, OR Obsessed

Not sure why I started thinking about this, but have to ask.

What is the best way to land a foil kite? I have only had to do this once while at the sandbar last year, but I want to make sure my foil kite landing etiquette is correct. Thoughts? Confused

LEI: grab leading edge, flip over softly on ground, secure
Foil: ???

....actually, I guess the same question goes as well for launching.

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

I'm going to assume you are flying four-line handles and not a bar.

LAUNCH: lay the foil out so that it's lengthwise to the wind direction. Fold about 1 foot of the end of the kite that's upwind over and dump a couple of handfulls of sand on it. Walk back with your handles so that the kite is at the edge of the window if it's blowing hard, or direct upwind if its not strong. Gradually pull the control lines until the kite inflates and you've "built a wall" and launch when ready.

LANDING:

Method #1 Put a stake in the ground and after you've landed your kite put the handles over the stake such that the *brake* line end of the handle is nearest the stake.

Method #2 Find an obstacle or person that you can land the kite in front of and then walk the kite into it such that it wraps around the obstacle (called "back-stopping").

Method #3 If you don't have a stake or a suitable obstacle handy, bring the kite down such that it lands lengthwise to the wind direction (on one end). Drop the handle that belongs to the top end of the kite . Bury the other handle *topdown* in the sand with the bottom of the handle angled away from the kite and then run like hell to the kite and grab the most upwind edge of the fabric and park it with handfuls of sand like in method #1. Walk on the lines if you have to but DON'T grab them unless you like getting cut...

There's a bunch of us that are either flying foils with buggies or groundboards at the coast almost every weekend, especially if it's too strong to paraglide. If you want to hang with us and steal some beta let me know.

Another great source for knowledge about foils is Eli Anderson at Above it All Kites in Seaside.

Happy flying.

jbruxer · Since 24 Jul 2005 398 Posts Beaverton, OR Obsessed

Great tips, FlyDunes. But I guess I should have been a little more clear. I am more interested in technique to landing/launching someone elses foil kite. You dont seem them to often on the water, but I want to make sure I know how if someone asks for help.

I might take you up on the groundboard session though. Very Happy

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

All you have to do is grab one of the wingtip battens as the kiter flys the kite down to you. The kite will flag out, then you wad up the thing like a sleeping bag.

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

What size we talking here - 5m or less?

Usually don't have much of a problem putting some sand on my 4.5 Flexifoil Bullet and hot launching it straight down wind on the sand, but if you're in a real high wind situation walk to the edge of the window first or you'll die. Wink

Landing - W/ 4 lines take the kite to the edge of the window, set the wingtip down and drop your bar (assuming your safety is center lines) - It'll collapse into the ground on the center lines - then walk up holding your center lines. EZ as pie.

Landing someone else's - grab it by the wingtip.
Launching hold it in the middle by the leading edge or it will loop on you when it fills out.

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

It's probably gonna be nuking crazy before anyone asks for help landing a foil. They are pretty simple to handle. If someone does ask you for help, the main thing is to listen to what they ask you to do, and always grab fabric, never lines.

I can't remember the last time I saw anyone kitesurf with a foil. I bought my 1st two flexifoil blades (a 4.9 and a 7.2) from someone who'd had to be rescued by a crab boat more than once. They just aren't too practical in the water.

I have an ancient F1 I'll sell cheap if anyone is interested Smile

jbruxer · Since 24 Jul 2005 398 Posts Beaverton, OR Obsessed

I agree that they're a rare site in the Gorge. Last year however, there was a guy at the end of a down-winder (so he said) that flagged me to land his kite. I'm not sure what size it was, but I would say fairly large. I had just gotten of my 13. It was a little intimidating after I grabbed it. It started flopping around a bit, and I wasn't sure if/how to secure it with sand.

Yeah, it probably wont happen again, but......you never know.