The basics of flying

This page suggests an order for setting up, launching and beginning to control a quad-line kite. It brings together resources from several authors: it is a QuadKites.org selection, not a single official method.

Videos are in English or French. You can activate subtitles in the YouTube player if you need to: how to activate subtitles.

Thanks to all the video authors for sharing their tutorials.

1. Prepare your equipment before going to the field.
2. Choose suitable wind and a safe flying field.
3. Launch, turn, stop and land.
4. Practise reverse flight and relaunches.

Move at your own pace and compare several videos when one explanation does not work for you. In the field, always favour safety and control over height or speed.

Goal: recognize the main parts of the kite, set it up, lay out the four lines and pack everything without tangles.

Try this: rehearse the complete setup and packing process in a sufficiently large wind-free space before your first trip to the field.

Continue when: you can orient the leading edge, position the vertical rods and correctly connect all four lines to the kite and handles.

Polo Kites shows which way to put the connectors for the vertical rods: Facebook post.

These two videos can wait until after your first sessions. They cover more advanced setup and replacing the leading-edge rods.

Goal: choose a clear space, check local rules and fly in wind that suits your equipment and experience.

Try this: before leaving, check the wind direction, average speed and gusts, then identify the obstacles around the field.

Continue when: you can identify the flying area and keep people, roads, trees and power lines at a safe distance.

Safety is essential for you and for everyone around the flying field.

Here are some basic rules to check regularly during your flying sessions: Safety rules.

Before going to the field, use tools such as Google Maps to inspect the location and check the weather forecast. Flying objects may be restricted in some places. Where flying is allowed, some fields will suit the wind direction better than others.

You can find tips on :

• Choosing your flying spot - WindR
• Finding a place to fly - Prism kite technology

Check the weather before heading to the field. Wind forecasting websites and apps can provide both the average wind speed and the expected gusts.

Here are the weather forecasting applications:

• WindFinder - Website - Google Play - App Store
• Windy Website - Google Play - App Store

Tips are available for guessing wind strength from the field:

• Wind strength - WindR
• Wind speed - Prism kite technology
• Beaufort scales - Kite service

Goal: understand the handle inputs, launch, change direction, stop the kite and return it to the ground cleanly.

Try this: repeat small launches, a stable stop and a controlled landing without trying to fly high.

Continue when: you can repeat a launch and landing while keeping the kite within the area you chose.

Thierry explains more about hand movement according to the desired movement on his blog KiteJust4Fun.

Tutorial 1

Tutorial 2

Goal: extend your control near the ground and recover after an imperfect landing.

Try this: practise a short reverse movement near the ground, followed by a deliberate landing and a calm relaunch.

Continue when: you can slow down, land the kite and start again without rushing your inputs.

Tutorial 1

Tutorial 2

If these basics are already comfortable, continue with:

• Precision flying
• Tricks & freestyle
• Learn team flying

You can also choose a learning method to follow one author’s progression or simply find a useful exercise.

These external resources offer more exercises and points of view:

• Kite Service tutorials:
  • First setup and exercises
  • How to fly your quad-line kite
  • The wind window
  • Line sets
• Competing - KiteJust4Fun blog
• Four ways to progress - SportKite.org
• American podcasts - SportKite.org
• Kite anatomy - WindR
• Two-line progression course - WindR
• Quick guide and kite notions - AKA
• Kite basics - AKA
• How to fly a kite - AKA
• Kite flying on the road - lenkdrachen-24.de

• Discover the different types of flying (long lines, short lines, …)
• Indoor flying