Thursday, January 20, 2011

Testing, testing ...

Took the Synergy 19 down to the lake for a quick test flight after work - I'd put
Ronstan Orbit series 20 blocks (pulleys) on it a while back, but only now just got around to flying it.

Used the same method as on the Charger to attach the block - little pig tail through the block then "Lark's Head" onto the strap on the kite. I used 3.2mm Amsteel Blue (in red) and stitched and knotted the pig tail. I think I used about 140mm but I forget now ... anyway, it was a tight fit to get onto the kite, but now it's only about 5mm longer than the OE pulley. Although the Ronstan is larger diameter so it all balances out I guess ...

... anyway, the kite flew fine, the pulleys worked as they're supposed to and all the rigging looks bomb-proof. It may just be psychological, but I swear that the steering/sheeting response was smoother ... and crisper, if it's possible to be both at the same time!

Well, that's done - now to sell all my Synergy's to fund my upgrade to Chargers ... I don't suppose that you know anyone that wants an immaculate 8, 10, 12 or 15 and a barely used 19, do you? ;)

Edit : 15 is gone, 19 is going I think ... need to sell off the tiddlers. Got a line on a 19m Charger - woop woop! - so I can see what all the moaning is about ...

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Arc info!

About the VPC, as posted by Tungsten at www.arcusers.net here!

If you are a light weight, you get away with less VPC (or none at all) in the smaller sizes, and a bit to decent VPC in your low wind kites.
The more your arse is on the lard side (like mine), the more of this healthy shifting VPC effect you will fancy; the lower the wind, the more VPC, the higher the wind (high winds are gusty winds), the less instability you want, so less VPC; as an extreme, you may take the VPC off for the crazy winds.
You sure have to spend a bit of time to find your decent amount of VPC effect for the bigger sizes you use, get used to it and enjoy.

So moving the rear line towards the leading edge is increasing the VPC effect ...