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Video Tutorials
Went out filming on Thursday and Friday, we probably got enough footage again to do 8-9 more tutorials but intermittently throughout we've got some fairly heavy wind noise on the microphone... Problem is, we don't have professional equipment, just shooting on a little Sony SD780 PowerShot which doesn't have wind protection or an external mic input.
Bottom line, we did HOURS of filming and ended up with nothing usable.
Even if it did have an external input, the wireless mic I've got is piss-poor quality and crackles pretty badly...
I've tried noise reduction in audio software in a number of different ways to no avail... Looks like my best step is to secure another HD camera with external audio input and a directional microphone with a "deadcat" (furry cover) to go over it.
Funds are extremely tight at Kitelife right now, and after being encouraged to do so, I've set up a donation link for anyone who would like to assist us with getting some much needed video equipment for our tutorial filming... Once we've reach our goal of $900, I'll be giving away one brand new Zen Revolution and two Kitelife subscriptions (or renewals) at random to three of the folks who donated.
http://www.learnkite...m/donations.htm
All donations will go towards this equipment, selected with a balance of both budget and performance in mind.
As of this post, we've received a little over $600 in donations (thank you so much)... Very close now, hopefully we'll be back out filming very soon.
You know we'll put it to good use... Already, we have a total of 30 tutorials planned (5 done) with many more still in development.
Eventually, probably later this year, I'll be expanding my tutorials to include dual line topics as well.
I know funds are tight everywhere, such assistance is never expected but always greatly appreciated.
New Kite
One of these appeared under the "tree" this morning!
Sky Bird
My wife ROCKS!
Quad line kites suck
I've previously posted that I find duals more graceful than quad kites, but less versatile. My analogy, and I think JB also used it, dual = jet fighter, quad = helicopter. (Well, "=" is not quite right, read "similar to".)
Now I find I can control my Revs well enough to get loops, spins, and horizontal passes about as well as I could with my dual line kites. However, the Revs have the speed control lacking in dual-line kites, and hover options that are unthinkable with dual-line kites except at the edge of the wind window.
In other words, I can do most of my dual-line maneuvers with my Revs, plus many additional.
(Background - I am NOT a slack-line trick flier, beyond the occasional sloppy axel, turtle, and a two time fade accomplish-er. Nor do I wish to be.)
In other words, the dark-side is sucking me in,
deeper and deeper. 
Last week, I was 50% dual and 50% quad enamored.
Now it is 25% and 75%. Will it go to 0% and 100%?
In any case, for other newbies like me, be assured that graceful quad flight is possible for us pilots more mortal than iQuad.
Now, I need to go practice my clockwork and inverted hover.
(JB, sorry about the title - you know my "sense of humor" is hopelessly twisted - don't mean to offend.)
Rev.ElasticBungeeCords
Hi,
I'm not sure about this, (could have come from one of my "Elvira" dreams!), but I think I remember someone saying they removed the "elastic bungee cords" from their Rev., but I can't remember where, who, when or how that got into my head.
Does anyone know anything about this and if it is a good idea or not and what they might have replaced it with.
Keep It Up!
Duane
Vented Inverted Hover Stabilizer
I flew the "Vented Inverted Hover Stabilizer" prototype today for a few hours and everything I have to report is positive to amazing! But the name is now just "Vented Stabilizer", because it improved the performance of the kite all around.
The wind was very gusty and according to my wind meter was running from 0 to 12 mph. And the stuff in between, you could feel hitting the kite like a shotgun...bam...bam...bam. Lousy wind for trying to do inverted hovers, but great wind to check out the prototype.
The kite flew more stable then before, not only in the inverted hovers, but all around. But, the most impressive thing was in rising up while in an inverted hover. I was able to do things I just couldn't do before. I could back the kite up, while inverted, all the way to the top of the wind tunnel with out the least bit of flap. And backing up from any position was straighter, and I could do it faster, without any flapping.
I took "Elvira" (my mid-vent) out to check the STD against her because she always does better in wind like this, the vents seem to smooth things out a bit, but not today. I couldn't do with her what I was doing with the STD B with the vent add on.
Of course this isn't "proof positive" that it's a great thing. And I take no responsibility for anything that might go amiss from someone putting one on their kite. Someone that knows what they are doing like JB or Watty, or other top dogs, would have to try it out to get a true evaluation and also see if they find anything else coming up negative in doing other things because of it. And I'd sure like to hear from anyone that checks it out...to know what they think! But, when I asked my wife to sew it for me I told her just to run one line of stitching, because I might have to take it off. But, when she gets home I'm having her run some more lines of stitching to nail it in place! (And “Elvira wants one too!)
I posted a picture at the top of the forum to show "about" what I was doing, but I actually made it smaller then shown in the picture (I'll post another picture tonight when my wife brings the camera home.) In stead of going to the second seam, away from center, of the semi-vertical panel, I went to the first one closer to center, thinking that would be a better stress point and also I didn't think it needed to be that big. Actual the addition of this vent will probably take a lot of the stress off the center of the kite and spread it around a little, but I'm no Rev. R&D person...just my impression!
I used plastic window screening, which is what I believe they use for venting material, and laid it over the center of the kite forming a triangle below the center and cut it 1/2" larger then the area all around. The only edge that needs a straight is the base of the triangle running horizontally, so use the “factory cut” for that edge. Then take the screen triangle off the kite and fold the base edge over 1/2' and sew across the base to strengthen that edge. I used 100% polyester thread (looks like fishing line momofiliment, but real thin). Then, pin it in place on the "BACK" of the kite with the bottom of the triangle aligned with the first contact point, closest to center, of the first semi-vertical panel, which will give an extra 1/2", or so, on the other 2 sides that are going to be sewn. Sew it in place sewing on the overlapping edge where the kite was sewn in the first place. After sewing in place come back and carefully cut off the excess screening on the 2 upper legs of the triangle. And That It!
Should the Rev. Guys and Gals decide to incorporate this in any of their kite designs, it’s for sale! It will cost them (1) Rev. B-series JB w/ handles and the DVD and 2 & 3 wrap rods...sent to James M. in Missouri! (with the color of his choice!) heehee!
Keep It Up!
Duane
PS I will repeat again...if anyone does this...it's at their own risk and I will accept "no" responsibility for any damage that may occur to them or their kite or the neighbors dog!
From: Vented Inverted Hover Stabilizer
Damn, Sorry John,
I posted the pictures and then read your input!
Sorry 'bout that!
I'll be stripping the stuff down!
"If you want to be a Master--Do what the Masters do!!"
Keep It Up!
Duane
Old Kite Clubs
I am just wondering does anyone remember an east coast kite club by the name of G.D.V.K.S. (Greater Delaware Valley Kite Society), who was the owner/editor of the club?
Another club at that time located in Glendale, CA. was the ABCD Kite Club, who was the owner/editor of this club?
Both of these kite clubs operated in the early to mid 1990's, both had members but never operated as a group at any kite festivals that I know of.
David Brittain
One of the true pioneers of both indoor and street flying.
Footage courtesy of Joe Perron.
Cat's Ducky Assanemometer
The Cats Ducky Assanemometer is for very light winds shifting in all directions, (even in a circle today). I used an oak dowel and attached a spike on one end, to stick in the ground, and sanded, slightly sharpened & steel wool-ed the other end, till it shines, and lightly rubbed it with dry soap.
Then I drilled a one size larger hole in the bottom of the piece of wood you see on top, about an inch and a quarter deep, and used a thin dowel coming out of the small hole drilled in the side of that. I put a small plastic fin on the other end of the dowel and tied a piece of monofilament to that. Then half way the length of the vertical dowel, I tied the Ducks Assh Feathers from one of the cats toys.
To use you just stick the dowel in the ground and place the top on it. In any kind of wind the feathers rise and the horizontal dowel points away from the dowel center toward the center of the wind tunnel and where the kite would do best!
I then wrapped threads around the top of the Duckys tail to calibrate the feathers to be between 3 and 3 1/2 mph (checked against my wind meter) when the feathers have risen up to 45 degrees off the vertical.
---------
I used it today---and it was really great!! (I should probably go for a patent on this one!! heehee!!) I was actually keeping my STD Rev. in the sky between 3 & 4 mph wind OK, so you say, No big deal you fly that low all the time! Well, I dont and I did today, and OK it was mostly in vertical hovers, almost flat, or a bunch of frantic turns but, I was doing it. I just had to keep looking at the Ducks Assk and move my kite to where it was pointing. And when the feather dipped below 45 degrees, then I knew I was in trouble and started in advance with my frantic turns! The thing actually went in a complete circle once, in stages, and I was right with it in the air!!
And my cat loves it too (I didnt tell her yet that it wasnt a new handle for her Ducky toy!)
Keep It Up!
Duane
1.5 B-series Bridle Dimensions
OK...I give!! I can't find it!
I got some really nice red bridle cord, that "Elvira" (My Most Beautiful Black Rainbow 1.5 B mid-vent) really likes and I want to make up a spare bridle for her with it. I don't want to strip her's down to get the proper dimensions, if I don't have to, so does anyone know her standard bridle dimensions?
Keep It Up!
Duane
Silver Fox UL
We're pleased to yet again announce the next prize being given away to our most appreciated supporters, the Kitelife Subscribers... For roughly 10 cents per day they play a major role in keeping KL growing in every way.
Silver Fox 2.5 UL, roughly a $160 value! (prize is white/gray/yellow as shown in the video)
http://www.flyingwin...loc=&listpage=1
You can sign up here.
Odds of winning for this prize is currently 1/243, and will be drawn on February 25th, 2010!
Our thanks, and the very best to you... Let the drooling begin
Martin's Legs and Pyro Delta
We're pleased to yet again announce the next prize being given away to our most appreciated supporters, the Kitelife Subscribers... For roughly 10 cents per day they play a major role in keeping KL growing in every way.
This is a combination prize of both a 6' Martin's Legs kite (red shorts as pictured) from New Tech Kites and a white 7' Pyro Delta from Gomberg Kites, roughly a $120 value!
(click either picture for a link to more information about each kite)
You can sign up here.
Odds of winning for this prize is currently 1/234, and will be drawn on March 18th, 2010, just three weeks away!
Our thanks, and the very best to you... Let the drooling begin.
Starting kiteboarding
Hi, I've decided I'd like to try kiteboarding as it looks like a laugh! I've got a 4m foil (flexfoil) and know I will have to get a helmet, what type of board would be best to start on?
Are elbow/knee pads an optional extra or essential?
Will a 4m foil be enough (I'm 6ft 5in and nearly 17 stone)?
How often will I fall off before I get the hang of it
?
Am I too old to start larking about with this sort of caper at 35
?
Original North American Rev team
Filmed in 1993 at Wildwood, footage courtesy of Joe Perron.
From: Big Day For "Destiny"...
PS This is the custom made Nivarna UL (& STD---looks the same) I got from: http://www.canadiankitecompany.com/ Twin Sisters!! LOVE them both and Mike really went out of his way to bring to me what I wanted---Thank You Mike!! (By R-Sky!)
Keep It Up!
Duane
Went out filming on Thursday and Friday, we probably got enough footage again to do 8-9 more tutorials but intermittently throughout we've got some fairly heavy wind noise on the microphone... Problem is, we don't have professional equipment, just shooting on a little Sony SD780 PowerShot which doesn't have wind protection or an external mic input.
Bottom line, we did HOURS of filming and ended up with nothing usable.
Even if it did have an external input, the wireless mic I've got is piss-poor quality and crackles pretty badly...
I've tried noise reduction in audio software in a number of different ways to no avail... Looks like my best step is to secure another HD camera with external audio input and a directional microphone with a "deadcat" (furry cover) to go over it.
Funds are extremely tight at Kitelife right now, and after being encouraged to do so, I've set up a donation link for anyone who would like to assist us with getting some much needed video equipment for our tutorial filming... Once we've reach our goal of $900, I'll be giving away one brand new Zen Revolution and two Kitelife subscriptions (or renewals) at random to three of the folks who donated.
http://www.learnkite...m/donations.htm
All donations will go towards this equipment, selected with a balance of both budget and performance in mind.
As of this post, we've received a little over $600 in donations (thank you so much)... Very close now, hopefully we'll be back out filming very soon.
You know we'll put it to good use... Already, we have a total of 30 tutorials planned (5 done) with many more still in development.
Eventually, probably later this year, I'll be expanding my tutorials to include dual line topics as well.
I know funds are tight everywhere, such assistance is never expected but always greatly appreciated.
New Kite
One of these appeared under the "tree" this morning!
Sky Bird
My wife ROCKS!
Quad line kites suck
I've previously posted that I find duals more graceful than quad kites, but less versatile. My analogy, and I think JB also used it, dual = jet fighter, quad = helicopter. (Well, "=" is not quite right, read "similar to".)
Now I find I can control my Revs well enough to get loops, spins, and horizontal passes about as well as I could with my dual line kites. However, the Revs have the speed control lacking in dual-line kites, and hover options that are unthinkable with dual-line kites except at the edge of the wind window.
In other words, I can do most of my dual-line maneuvers with my Revs, plus many additional.
(Background - I am NOT a slack-line trick flier, beyond the occasional sloppy axel, turtle, and a two time fade accomplish-er. Nor do I wish to be.)
In other words, the dark-side is sucking me in,
deeper and deeper. Last week, I was 50% dual and 50% quad enamored.
Now it is 25% and 75%. Will it go to 0% and 100%?
In any case, for other newbies like me, be assured that graceful quad flight is possible for us pilots more mortal than iQuad.
Now, I need to go practice my clockwork and inverted hover.
(JB, sorry about the title - you know my "sense of humor" is hopelessly twisted - don't mean to offend.)
Rev.ElasticBungeeCords
Hi,
I'm not sure about this, (could have come from one of my "Elvira" dreams!), but I think I remember someone saying they removed the "elastic bungee cords" from their Rev., but I can't remember where, who, when or how that got into my head.
Does anyone know anything about this and if it is a good idea or not and what they might have replaced it with.
Keep It Up!
Duane
Vented Inverted Hover Stabilizer
I flew the "Vented Inverted Hover Stabilizer" prototype today for a few hours and everything I have to report is positive to amazing! But the name is now just "Vented Stabilizer", because it improved the performance of the kite all around.
The wind was very gusty and according to my wind meter was running from 0 to 12 mph. And the stuff in between, you could feel hitting the kite like a shotgun...bam...bam...bam. Lousy wind for trying to do inverted hovers, but great wind to check out the prototype.
The kite flew more stable then before, not only in the inverted hovers, but all around. But, the most impressive thing was in rising up while in an inverted hover. I was able to do things I just couldn't do before. I could back the kite up, while inverted, all the way to the top of the wind tunnel with out the least bit of flap. And backing up from any position was straighter, and I could do it faster, without any flapping.
I took "Elvira" (my mid-vent) out to check the STD against her because she always does better in wind like this, the vents seem to smooth things out a bit, but not today. I couldn't do with her what I was doing with the STD B with the vent add on.
Of course this isn't "proof positive" that it's a great thing. And I take no responsibility for anything that might go amiss from someone putting one on their kite. Someone that knows what they are doing like JB or Watty, or other top dogs, would have to try it out to get a true evaluation and also see if they find anything else coming up negative in doing other things because of it. And I'd sure like to hear from anyone that checks it out...to know what they think! But, when I asked my wife to sew it for me I told her just to run one line of stitching, because I might have to take it off. But, when she gets home I'm having her run some more lines of stitching to nail it in place! (And “Elvira wants one too!)
I posted a picture at the top of the forum to show "about" what I was doing, but I actually made it smaller then shown in the picture (I'll post another picture tonight when my wife brings the camera home.) In stead of going to the second seam, away from center, of the semi-vertical panel, I went to the first one closer to center, thinking that would be a better stress point and also I didn't think it needed to be that big. Actual the addition of this vent will probably take a lot of the stress off the center of the kite and spread it around a little, but I'm no Rev. R&D person...just my impression!
I used plastic window screening, which is what I believe they use for venting material, and laid it over the center of the kite forming a triangle below the center and cut it 1/2" larger then the area all around. The only edge that needs a straight is the base of the triangle running horizontally, so use the “factory cut” for that edge. Then take the screen triangle off the kite and fold the base edge over 1/2' and sew across the base to strengthen that edge. I used 100% polyester thread (looks like fishing line momofiliment, but real thin). Then, pin it in place on the "BACK" of the kite with the bottom of the triangle aligned with the first contact point, closest to center, of the first semi-vertical panel, which will give an extra 1/2", or so, on the other 2 sides that are going to be sewn. Sew it in place sewing on the overlapping edge where the kite was sewn in the first place. After sewing in place come back and carefully cut off the excess screening on the 2 upper legs of the triangle. And That It!
Should the Rev. Guys and Gals decide to incorporate this in any of their kite designs, it’s for sale! It will cost them (1) Rev. B-series JB w/ handles and the DVD and 2 & 3 wrap rods...sent to James M. in Missouri! (with the color of his choice!) heehee!
Keep It Up!
Duane
PS I will repeat again...if anyone does this...it's at their own risk and I will accept "no" responsibility for any damage that may occur to them or their kite or the neighbors dog!
From: Vented Inverted Hover Stabilizer
Kitelife, on 03 March 2010 - 07:55 PM, said:
There have been a number of quad line kites made like this over the years...
Problem is, it links the two wings too much when you make R/L inputs and will probably slow the kite down a lot.
Play is good, if you like it, that's good too... But it's been done before, and there's no substitute for practice.
Reversing all the way to the top of the window is actually quite easy, doesn't take a lot of effort or input... Just takes the *right* input.
Problem is, it links the two wings too much when you make R/L inputs and will probably slow the kite down a lot.
Play is good, if you like it, that's good too... But it's been done before, and there's no substitute for practice.
Reversing all the way to the top of the window is actually quite easy, doesn't take a lot of effort or input... Just takes the *right* input.
Damn, Sorry John,
I posted the pictures and then read your input!
Sorry 'bout that!
I'll be stripping the stuff down!
"If you want to be a Master--Do what the Masters do!!"
Keep It Up!
Duane
Old Kite Clubs
I am just wondering does anyone remember an east coast kite club by the name of G.D.V.K.S. (Greater Delaware Valley Kite Society), who was the owner/editor of the club?
Another club at that time located in Glendale, CA. was the ABCD Kite Club, who was the owner/editor of this club?
Both of these kite clubs operated in the early to mid 1990's, both had members but never operated as a group at any kite festivals that I know of.
David Brittain
One of the true pioneers of both indoor and street flying.
Footage courtesy of Joe Perron.
Cat's Ducky Assanemometer
The Cats Ducky Assanemometer is for very light winds shifting in all directions, (even in a circle today). I used an oak dowel and attached a spike on one end, to stick in the ground, and sanded, slightly sharpened & steel wool-ed the other end, till it shines, and lightly rubbed it with dry soap.
Then I drilled a one size larger hole in the bottom of the piece of wood you see on top, about an inch and a quarter deep, and used a thin dowel coming out of the small hole drilled in the side of that. I put a small plastic fin on the other end of the dowel and tied a piece of monofilament to that. Then half way the length of the vertical dowel, I tied the Ducks Assh Feathers from one of the cats toys.
To use you just stick the dowel in the ground and place the top on it. In any kind of wind the feathers rise and the horizontal dowel points away from the dowel center toward the center of the wind tunnel and where the kite would do best!
I then wrapped threads around the top of the Duckys tail to calibrate the feathers to be between 3 and 3 1/2 mph (checked against my wind meter) when the feathers have risen up to 45 degrees off the vertical.
---------
I used it today---and it was really great!! (I should probably go for a patent on this one!! heehee!!) I was actually keeping my STD Rev. in the sky between 3 & 4 mph wind OK, so you say, No big deal you fly that low all the time! Well, I dont and I did today, and OK it was mostly in vertical hovers, almost flat, or a bunch of frantic turns but, I was doing it. I just had to keep looking at the Ducks Assk and move my kite to where it was pointing. And when the feather dipped below 45 degrees, then I knew I was in trouble and started in advance with my frantic turns! The thing actually went in a complete circle once, in stages, and I was right with it in the air!!
And my cat loves it too (I didnt tell her yet that it wasnt a new handle for her Ducky toy!)
Keep It Up!
Duane
1.5 B-series Bridle Dimensions
OK...I give!! I can't find it!
I got some really nice red bridle cord, that "Elvira" (My Most Beautiful Black Rainbow 1.5 B mid-vent) really likes and I want to make up a spare bridle for her with it. I don't want to strip her's down to get the proper dimensions, if I don't have to, so does anyone know her standard bridle dimensions?
Keep It Up!
Duane
Silver Fox UL
We're pleased to yet again announce the next prize being given away to our most appreciated supporters, the Kitelife Subscribers... For roughly 10 cents per day they play a major role in keeping KL growing in every way.
Silver Fox 2.5 UL, roughly a $160 value! (prize is white/gray/yellow as shown in the video)
http://www.flyingwin...loc=&listpage=1
You can sign up here.
Odds of winning for this prize is currently 1/243, and will be drawn on February 25th, 2010!
Our thanks, and the very best to you... Let the drooling begin
Martin's Legs and Pyro Delta
We're pleased to yet again announce the next prize being given away to our most appreciated supporters, the Kitelife Subscribers... For roughly 10 cents per day they play a major role in keeping KL growing in every way.
This is a combination prize of both a 6' Martin's Legs kite (red shorts as pictured) from New Tech Kites and a white 7' Pyro Delta from Gomberg Kites, roughly a $120 value!
(click either picture for a link to more information about each kite)
You can sign up here.
Odds of winning for this prize is currently 1/234, and will be drawn on March 18th, 2010, just three weeks away!
Our thanks, and the very best to you... Let the drooling begin.
Starting kiteboarding
Hi, I've decided I'd like to try kiteboarding as it looks like a laugh! I've got a 4m foil (flexfoil) and know I will have to get a helmet, what type of board would be best to start on?
Are elbow/knee pads an optional extra or essential?
Will a 4m foil be enough (I'm 6ft 5in and nearly 17 stone)?
How often will I fall off before I get the hang of it
?Am I too old to start larking about with this sort of caper at 35
?Original North American Rev team
Filmed in 1993 at Wildwood, footage courtesy of Joe Perron.
From: Big Day For "Destiny"...
PS This is the custom made Nivarna UL (& STD---looks the same) I got from: http://www.canadiankitecompany.com/ Twin Sisters!! LOVE them both and Mike really went out of his way to bring to me what I wanted---Thank You Mike!! (By R-Sky!)
Keep It Up!
Duane
