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Turn in backward flight: changing direction while moving back

This lesson is part of the Cramayailes indoor 4-line school, restored by QuadKites.org. The text is Thierry Bressure’s, in the first person, translated from French. The video commentary is in French.

Prerequisite: backward flight, leading edge on the ground.

The figure

Section titled "The figure"
Watch the figure: backward point turn Watch the figure: backward centered turn

The lesson

Section titled "The lesson"

We started looking at the revo’s rotation in backward flight. Now we go all the way with the movement to be able to change direction in backward flight.

Turn in backward flight lesson by Cramayailes

Key takeaways from this video — Turn in backward flight lesson

  • Before turning, climb to the second flight level: the turn is made from below, which avoids picking up a twist in the lines.
  • Move straight back throughout the half turn, with more pressure than in forward flight.
  • The centered turn, more dynamic and more technical, requires putting the wings back under pressure properly to set off backward again.

Transcript — Turn in backward flight lesson

  1. Two variants in backward flight

    0:00

    The second level of the progression path puts a lot of emphasis on backward flight.

    In this lesson we are going to learn how to turn in backward flight, with the two possible variants: the point turn and the centered turn.

  2. The point turn: releasing the lower wing

    0:26

    We start with the point turn. We get into a 360, then into backward flight. We are going to release the lower wing to make a point turn.

  3. Climbing to the second level before turning

    0:49

    Note that before making the turn, I climb the kite a little to put it at the second flight level, because the turn is made from below, since we are in backward flight. This avoids picking up a twist in the lines.

  4. Moving straight back during the half turn

    1:00

    As backward flight needs a lot more pressure than forward flight, do not hesitate to move back well during the half turn. I move straight back throughout the whole half turn.

  5. The centered turn

    1:30

    If you want to avoid gaining altitude to be able to turn from below, you can make a centered turn, a half turn in rotation centered around the Revolution logo. More dynamic and therefore more technical, it requires putting the upper wing properly back under pressure to set the kite off again in backward flight.

Video page: transcript, series and other uses

Movement

Section titled "Movement"

As in forward flight, during the rotation the pilot moves straight back, then changes the direction of the circle.

Control

Section titled "Control"

We distinguish two types of turn: the point turn and the centered turn, as in forward flight at the novice level. However, since we are flying backward, it is wiser to change direction from below, so as not to pick up a twist. It is also easier.

Let’s start with the point turn. From a backward 360, say to the left, stop the circular backward movement and move straight back. Meanwhile, “brake” (in fact, release) the lower (right) wing. “Brake” in quotation marks, because in backward flight you rather release the lower wing.

As you turn from below, you need room to turn downward. Remember to climb a little before turning. Ideally, be at flight level 2, that is, with one revo height below you. This lesson also teaches you to manage altitude in backward flight.

It is a maneuver that requires precision on the lower wing, even more than in forward flight.

As in forward flight, you must manage compensation throughout the turn and finally reverse the compensation at the end of the 180. In fact, at the end of the 180 the offset of the arms has reversed, but you still compensate upward!

When the revo has finished its 180, you must put it back under pressure by pulling the brake of the right wing, now on top. The kite flies backward to the right. The pilot then resumes the circular movement, now to the left.

The centered turn is a half turn centered on the Revolution logo. Simply release the lower wing more, which amounts to braking it more since you start from backward flight. You can also brake (pull the brakes) the upper wing a little more, but lightly: beware of the wing flipping over.

When the LE is vertical again, put the brake back on the right wing, now on top, to fly backward to the right.

What comes next

Section titled "What comes next"

The intermediate level focuses on backward flight. Now we will learn to alternate forward and backward flight: forward/backward.

Last updated: — restored Thierry Bressure's lesson on turning in backward flight, with the figure reference