Flying My 6.8 meter Power Foil Kite
 

Over the Summer, I've now got a couple of flights on my new Power Traction Kite(s).


It's funny when I tell all my buddies how pumped I am to fly my kites......:rolleyes: is the look on their face.

till I pull out my 12 foot and 20 foot wide foils.


My medium kite has 3.3 square meters of sail, 4 lines so you have brakes and throttle control through the power zone of the wind window.

This bad boy, my Peter Lynn Viper S, is 20 foot across, and 6.8 meters of sail.

...........and yes, it pulls hard..............very very hard......after a flight, I'm still shaking and feeling the rush 1/2 hour later.


You HAVE to respect the power of these traction foil kites............

In heavier winds, I'd have my knee pads and helmet on for either the blue 3.3m or big 6.8m.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1380603278.jpg
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6.8??? You're nuts.

Just add one of these...people do it on water all the time;)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1380628321.jpg

I'll take my $335 MBS Comp 95 in blue please.


Comp 95 High Quality MBS Matrix Mountainboard with Eight inch Wheels | eBay


The twin spring cushion adjustable truck design on these 8" wheels is awesome.


Amazon.com: MBS Matrix Pro Truck System-Gold/Black - Qty.1 (2 needed per board): Sports & Outdoors


Then if you've got the big bucks, about $650, you can get the trailing arm suspension board as another option too.







http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1380643361.jpg




So yes, sooner or later I'm getting into land boarding and hence why the foil "engine" sizes.


If anyone is interested in learning more, and are tired of your small twin line stunt kite, here is the "Pelican Parts Forum" of Power Foil Traction Kiting:


Power Kite Forum

The funny thing (to me) is that I've seen plenty of fellow sky-dogs jump out of planes with smaller canopies than that. Yes, actual parachutes.
You have got to be on your "A" game to pilot a 69 sqft. canopy and not kill yourself, especially at wing loadings approaching 3:1 (balls and skill already being compulsory at that level).

Nothing like hearing the distinct "whistle" of spectra lines from a tiny canopy landing nearby, at faster approach speeds than the plane that dropped them!



Here's a "first flight" on an Icarus 69 (skip to 4:50 to see landing from ground perspective):

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/n_oMXHn427w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Here's another swoop on an Icarus 69:

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VSJbnagUfFg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Distance record (same guy in first vid):

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ctDTGS-rek4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Is it hard to fly these traction kites? Looks like great fun!!

This looks absolutely insane. And my brain usually says "here hold my beer" when I see stuff like this.

Looks like it could fly you away! I wonder if you could get it high enough to stay up indefinatly? Maybe attach a prop and a generator and wire down some juice?

There are guys/gals around my home that kite board...

And people that parasail right off the cliffs in Palos Vedes...