Launch and land by Aerialis Kites

Transcript

1. ›

   Three handle positions

   0:03

   Hi, and welcome to another tutorial. Today we're going to take a closer look at the basics: the launch and the landing. Okay, let's go. First of all, there are three handle positions that you need to know. Thumbs back, and your kite will fly forwards. Thumbs up, and the kite will hover. This is also called the neutral position. Finally, thumbs forward, and your kite will brake and even fly backwards.

2. ›

   The positions in motion

   0:47

   Now let's take a look at this in motion. Place your thumbs: forward, neutral, forward, neutral, brake and backwards. Braking, backwards, neutral, forward, neutral, braking, backwards, neutral.

3. ›

   Launching and landing

   1:10

   Okay, we're ready to fly: launch and land. Take a good look at my body position now. A good stance, with one foot a little in front of the other and both arms extended, firmly gripping the handles in a neutral position. I'm ready to launch the kite. Watch me now. Did you get it? A significant tug with both arms, while rotating my thumbs back, to make the kite take off and fly upwards. Then I gently put my kite back onto the ground again.

4. ›

   In slow motion

   2:15

   Let's take another look, and this time with the kite also in view. Get your body in position, and then the tug, back to neutral, and guide the kite down. And now we really slow things down. Get ready: the tug. Now handles in neutral, brake, and fly your kite slowly back to the ground. Just guide your kite downwards until both wingtips hit the ground. Here we go.

5. ›

   More examples

   2:59

   All right, here are some more examples. And remember: you don't have to fly so high in the air. Focus on control and smooth landings.

6. ›

   In light wind

   3:21

   In light wind conditions you might take a step or two back when launching your kite. This will increase the pressure in your sail and make takeoff a little easier. And now it's your turn.