FADE "Trick Challenge"

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[NormP]

I read a review of the SF (STD in the review, but mine is an UL) on Kite Life saying it was twitchy/unstable in a fade. Because of that, I was really hoping to use the Nirvana STD to do this. Well, I barely had enough wind to keep the SF UL in the air, without the US. Once I finally remembered to tighten the leech line, it got better.

I owned a Silver Fox Pro. I loved it. You can't believe everything you read at Kite Life or in here. Each person will click with a different kite. MY SF Pro faded great. You are probably finding out by now (if you haven't already) why we have a bag full of kites. You should have an SUL if you don't already. The HQ Breeze I am flying in the video is an SUL. Old school, so it does great Long Fades, Perfect Pinwheels, Slow Axels, Never ending Side Slides, and
absolutely beautiful 540's. After learning these trick on the SUL you transfer them to your Standards. It sounded like you needed a SUL bad. You can still find a HQ Breeze if you're looking. Let me know if your interested in one or put a listing in the Wanted Section. Are there better quality SUL's? Yep, and they cost a bunch more. The Breeze I know is $116.00. Great SUL, especially for the price.

Fade launches sucked. The kite would fall to the ground right after, unless I was backpeddling at a decent rate. I could hold it for 5-10 seconds, before it dove at the ground. I did get the lauches down better, though. I've read that it needs to be a sweeping motion. Well, that's not the whole of it, from what I saw. Trying to "sweep" it always made it stop the rotation pointed at the ground for me. It needs to start slow, to get the tail up a bit, but then I'd accelerate the motion to get it rotating and quickly throw slack to catch it on the lower bridle legs. That worked pretty well. So, at least I'm improving.

You need enough wind to do fade launches. I never needed to do a "sweeping motion" with any of my kites when doing a Fade Launch. Some kites don't fade launch very good, but most kites have their own down sides. I've always had to pop which raises the kite off the ground and then immediately give slack by extending your hands forward. You need to experiment with this. Don't get stuck with one way. Try a different method. It just might work better for YOU AND THE KITE YOU ARE FLYING.

But the wind at the deck was terrible. I'm thinking, inland, at least, I'll need to get into a fade up higher. I took my first stabs at spin axels. I think I'm getting good at them. They're not too tricky. I haven't managed to fracture one, though. I've only once fractured an axel, on accident, at the edge of the window.

You can also try a pancake to fade. Now, here is where it might call for a pop or a sweeping motion (for sure) depending on the particular kite. The Breeze likes a pancake to fade sweeping motion. Also will do them easily fractured Axel to fade.

Eventually, the wind picked up, so I got out the Nirvana STD. It's lighter-than-stock framing kept it flying in lighter winds than I would have guessed. My only other STD is the Quantum, and I haven't flown the Nirvana much yet. It surprised me. Same deal on the fade launches, though. The wind near the gound would not keep it up.

Yep, the fade launch needs a certain amount of wind or it's a NO GO. But, that doesn't say you couldn't have had someone turn your kite upside down for you at a higher level and practice your fade.

I expect it will be a while before I can manage to get those straps. I'm gonna have to get out to the beach more this year than last, or it might take ages. I appreciate the challenge and encouragement, though. I enjoyed today's session, even if there were frequent lulls in the wind. I probably wouldn't have even gone out today without the motivation.

Don't worry so much about those straps. They won't make you a nija flier, but close. The beach is a good way to go. When you get the fade, just show me a video and I'll show you the straps. Now, if the straps haven't motivated you for your next session, maybe having someone hold your kite upside down and you launch away from them will. Don't forget to steadily walk backwards (in the really light stuff) to keep the fade going. Then STOP......see what the kite does, let it go down and then walk backwards again.

I hope some of this makes sense and helps you.

[NormP]

I am still determined to get a "good" video of myself performing the AVFFF, so all my efforts are still concentrated on that trick.

I can't wait to see that SUL doing four AVFFF's......smooth.......slow.......and parallel  to the ground. Red/Purple ninja's are ready to ship.

[NormP]

Are you coming to Wildwood ? I'll film you completing the challenge in some good beach wind.

Can't beat this deal, beach wind, Rob filming/input. Should get it done. Let's put it this way: Even if there is already 2 approved videos posted I'll accept yours from Wildwood with Rob filming. You don't pass up an opportunity like this unless there is NO way around it.     

[Wayner]

I did get the lauches down better, though. I've read that it needs to be a sweeping motion. Well, that's not the whole of it, from what I saw. Trying to "sweep" it always made it stop the rotation pointed at the ground for me. It needs to start slow, to get the tail up a bit, but then I'd accelerate the motion to get it rotating and quickly throw slack to catch it on the lower bridle legs. That worked pretty well. So, at least I'm improving.

The inputs to pulling into the fade is vary a lot by for kite. Glad you found one that works for you.

Fade launches sucked. The kite would fall to the ground right after, unless I was backpeddling at a decent rate. I could hold it for 5-10 seconds, before it dove at the ground.

Sounds like you got the fade launch down and are working on the rasing fade.

Eventually, the wind picked up, so I got out the Nirvana STD. It's lighter-than-stock framing kept it flying in lighter winds than I would have guessed.

It will fly in even lower wind if you remove the upper spreader and tail weight

I haven't managed to fracture one, though. I've only once fractured an axel, on accident, at the edge of the window.

At least you know you can do it.

[mikenchico]

I never see hijacks,although we do tend to branch out in different directions sometimes, but there's always something that seems to instigate it .... oops .... this thread is starting to look like my family tree   

Congrats Wayner, looked like some challenging conditions you had to deal with there.

[NormP]

The next "trick challenge" will be for beginners only , but all input and videos are encouraged, welcomed, and much appreciated.

I did ask for help from fliers like yourself and others. I am not experienced enough to answer all the question that the beginners usually will ask. I hope you will continue to participate. You have a lot of valuable information that will help Beginners. thanks, Norm 

[Ara Ararauna]

Argh! Sh*t* winds this weekend. 
Yesterday would rip branches off trees and today very light and silly gusty breeze.

I went out this afternoon for almost two hours.
No way I could do a fade...
Most of the time rowing like crazy with my Talon UL and basically using the small gusts to do a couple of axels or 540.

Hopefully next weekend
So I'll have to have quite a bit of patience before I can achieve the challenge... 
Please bear with me.

[Wayner]

Argh! Sh*t* winds this weekend. 
Yesterday would rip branches off trees and today very light and silly gusty breeze.

I went out this afternoon for almost two hours.
No way I could do a fade...
Most of the time rowing like crazy with my Talon UL and basically using the small gusts to do a couple of axels or 540.

Hopefully next weekend
So I'll have to have quite a bit of patience before I can achieve the challenge... 
Please bear with me.

Sorry the hear that. Sounds like the extremes of our local winds 

Time for a SUL. 

[vertigo2u]

Wow !!!! Norm you got all kinds of action going on.  I've been gone a few days and everyone is active.  Nice to see... I was in Kentucky for four days.  Temp. hit 72 degrees Saturday..Really nice. came home to snow again... Didn't bring a kite.  Knee is feeling better.  But still a bit sore.  That video of you flying the Fade makes me want to cry...  .
 That is my goal as I stated.  You got some crazy Fade flying hands.  Seriously because I struggle so much with that Fade.  Watching you hold her for so long.  It encourages me to stay focused and read all the input.  I do well from a Fade launch but that is not acceptable.  I have to pancake to Fade.  Hold her and fly her.  I really appreciate the video and feed.  However side of my knee is still tender and the snow prevents anytime to practice this week.  I'll be peeking in and re-reading input...

[Wayner]

I was in Kentucky for four days.  Temp. hit 72 degrees Saturday..Really nice. came home to snow again... That video of you flying the Fade makes me want to cry... 

I do well from a Fade launch but that is not acceptable.  I have to pancake to Fade.  Hold her and fly her. 

Make your next trip to the beach not Kentucky to hold those long fades. 

[Allen Carter]

Never fails, I go away for a couple of days and something interesting happens. Why did skb take down his posts? Who else did? What did I miss???

[red sweater]

You are probably finding out by now (if you haven't already) why we have a bag full of kites. You should have an SUL if you don't already. The HQ Breeze I am flying in the video is an SUL. Old school, so it does great Long Fades, Perfect Pinwheels, Slow Axels, Never ending Side Slides, and
absolutely beautiful 540's. After learning these trick on the SUL you transfer them to your Standards. It sounded like you needed a SUL bad. You can still find a HQ Breeze if you're looking. Let me know if your interested in one or put a listing in the Wanted Section. Are there better quality SUL's? Yep, and they cost a bunch more. The Breeze I know is $116.00. Great SUL, especially for the price.

I appreciate every response to my post about my Saturday sesson.

Yes, a SUL is probably in order. Everything I read about the Breeze is positive, and that's much more affordable than I figured. It fits in the budget, and will get me flying more. So, I am quite interested. Should I post in the Wanted section, or did you have something up your sleeve?

In response to a comment about shaving weight, yes, I was flying without tail weights for both kites, and without the upper spreader for the SF. I tried leaving the spreader in for the Nirvana when winds picked up, and it still had sufficient drive.

I do need to work on the pancake to fade. I've never pulled it off quite right, but I suspect I'm closer on that than on the fractured axel. Especially now that I've found the right touch for a fade launch for these two kites.

I hope to get out again this weekend, and the next I'll be at the DC festival. But I have to get over this cold first.

Thanks again for all the helpful responses.

[NormP]

OK...I'll get them in the mail.

Wayne,
   
   I put these in the mail on an unexpected red-eye trip through Las Vegas. I had my GPS mounted and found a USPS on Decatur Ave. I mailed these on Monday 18th. Since you haven't acknowledged receiving them yet, I thought I should post this so you and other winners will know I'm good for sending the winners straps to them.

[Wayner]

Norm,

I got them, just check the mail box.

now I can replace a old pair of HQ straps.

Wayne

[roisinroisin21]

Grounded 

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