h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I finally got round to cutting the thin glass fibre rod I bought ages ago to replace my kite's standoffs which I managed to break one of (they were only very thin things stretched on quite a tight curve). The new ones seemed to fit OK and so it was time for a test.
A walk up the hill to some open space where I can fly all the while thinking I hope the wind is good still. I should have had no worries as the wind was good and the kite flew The times it wasn't flying were down to my lack of ability rather than any non airworthyness of the beast. As the sun was just sinking down behind the hill I landed (crashed more like) one last time packed up and came home feeling good.

Phil, sounds like you have a stunt kite. Two strings, fiberglass rods, nylon sail? Lots of fun if you've got plenty of wind. Here in Mid-MO, USA, the wind is too fickle; I've been really frustrated at not being able to pick back up this great hobby. I got into it in Iceland, where there's a constant wind rushing across that tiny island, with nothing much to stop it. Typically gale-force winds. THAT will keep a kite going for HOURS!

Tell me more,
B4idigmykiteout

It is indeed a basic 2 line delta with stunt capabilities. The fact that for me just getting it airborne and keeping it there were good enough for today. There wasn't much more I could do before one of the struts cracked so I'm still pretty much were I was
On good days there is plenty of wind, on others it's more fickle and sometimes it's just dead. Last summer me and MC went out to fly the kite, no wind so off we toddle to the coast (about 50-60 miles away) to one of those places that always has wind and loads of kite flyers but on that day, there was nothing, zip, diddley squat. Oh well, some you win
The only thing with the winds like you describe in Iceland is that you need both strong arms and a strong kite.

True. There were several times I was almost lifted bodily off the ground.

The local base newspaper featured the work of a chap who'd been assigned to Keflavik NAS once before, and he returned for another tour of duty. He draw a 4-panel comic strip that captured the essence of military life there.

1st: Guy in parka walks up to another guy in parka, holding a string that ascends out of the panel.

2nd: First guy looks up in awe. Second guy is intent on the string.

3rd: First guy remarks, "Nice kite you've got there."

4th: Second guy, without turning, says, "That's not a kite; that's my poodle."


Okay, you had to be there. No lie, now, they used to have all the Kindergarten kids walk between the buildings with their hands strung through the loops of a long rope with all of them tethered to a teacher at either end. They didn't want a repeat of that one little kid who got blown all the way to the fence line surrounding the base and couldn't pull himself free. Heck, they built walls around the dumpsters so the wind wouldn't send them skittering across the parking lot and smashing into the cars. A bit expensive for the military to replace...

Gotta fly!
CYA
B4

Yup Iceland. Iceland is cool whatever way you look at it
I can certainly belive it about the winds. There are some people who use big kits just to do that, take a jump when you get a good bit of pull and hope you land ok! Not quite what I'd like to do with the kite.

Heck, if they're looking for some serious lift, they oughta just take up hang gliding...

B4ileaveterrafirma

I'm sure some stacked 8 foot foils would give good lift (or even just one )

Right now it hurts to move my head. Not because I'm but because of standing in the cold with the wind behind me looking up at the kite I think. I've gone and made the muscles all stiff and boy does it hurt at times

Here, have this hot toddy and call me in the morning...

B4


Hmmppf! That didn't work...?!

I tried the before and in the preview saw it doesn't work so I left it out.
I think my neck has eased up now. I just hope it doesn't get too cold again as that was the problem I had overnight and it just made my neck more painful

Hot toddy, don't mind if I do