Grrrr-Frustrating winds

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[Tmadz]

What do you do when you have wind that can't figure out what it wants to be?  Do you experienced fliers have back up plans for such posibilities?

I'm calling it Sybil wind.  Gusts then dies; shifts the window back and forth 100 degrees; you can feel it on the ground, but can't get your kite above 20 feet. Arrrgh! so frustrating!!

Blah blah blah... you'll be a better flier. Blah blah blah...learn to adjust to the conditions. I know, but that doesn't make it feel better when you're out there tearing your hair out.

I thought I was resigned to practicing stalls all over the window, then it ramps up and starts pulling like a beast. Finally gave up (after 1.5 hours)

[chilese]

You might try flying on shorter lines.

This will allow you to swing the kite around more quickly

when the wind changes direction.

Still annoying, but shifting wind is better than no wind,

unless you're flying a glider (Manta, Skate, Chiroptera, etc).

 

[tonycarl60]

I put up a single line light hata fighter with a tail to use as a wind sock and target. If it stays up I know there 's enough wind to fly and which direction. When the winds or lack of are quite variable it may mean the winds are in transition and you may have to wait a short time for it to settle down. In no wind it's time for me to get out my Hyrid 200 glider kite. There will be some days that totally suck, but I try anyway because I don' have a life and kite flying sure beats doing nothing at all

[Tmadz]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm definitely going to get more line sets and kites. Lord knows I have a long wish list.

After reflection (and cooling down), I did learn a lot. I made a step forward yesterday.

I did go back out late afternoon and fly in some gusty winds that were somewhat stable for peace of mind.

[Ca Ike]

My back up plan?  Grab munchies toss up an SLK and wait a bit.  If I'm in a sadistic mood I do launch and slides playing with the wind.  Eventually you will learn how to use the wind you have and read the sky to know what type of wind to expect, but that takes time.  Being inland there will be times when you just have to pack up and call it a day.

[DD]

The factor that was killing me today was the wind was aligned with the sun8)

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