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Light wind launch technique by Revolution Kites

A light-wind launch sequence that combines four secrets: walk back, bottom turn into a spin, lay the wing out and glide, in a simplified then an advanced version.

From the series Launching. Transcript by QuadKites.org.

Light wind launch technique by Revolution Kites

Key takeaways from this video

  • Walk back to gain speed at take-off, then link a bottom turn and a spin, which use gravity to speed up the wing.
  • Lay the wing out: lift is perpendicular to the sail, and laying it out points the lift upward; finish with a glide.
  • The most common mistake is trying to climb higher and higher: fly level instead, left to right.
  • The advanced version starts from an inverted launch, never stopping, and uses the float to regain ground.

Transcript

  1. The four secrets of light wind

    0:00

    Hi, I'm Joe Hadzicki, inventor of the Revolution, and today let's look at a special light wind launch technique that contains all four secrets of light wind flying. Practice this move to master your light wind skills. I'm using four techniques in this launch sequence. Number one, step back to build a little speed to get you off the ground. Number two, bottom turn and spin. This uses gravity to get you through the turn and at the same time accelerates and speeds up your wing. Number three, lay your wing out. Remember, the lift vector is perpendicular to the wing, so by laying it out you put most of the lift upward. And number four, glide. Bottom turn and glide again to continue the sequence. Repeat this and you will master your light wind skills.

  2. Simplifying the launch

    1:42

    We can greatly simplify this launch by taking out one of the skills, the bottom turn and spin. The problem with taking that out is that you lose the speed and the lift you get from it, but it simplifies the move. Here it is. The most common mistake people make is trying to fly higher and higher. The problem with this is that there's not enough energy to really lift your wing, so the key is to fly horizontally, left and right.

  3. The advanced version

    2:19

    Here's a slightly more advanced technique, and we start with an inverted launch. Let's review those four key elements. Number one, step back to add some energy. Launch in the air: you don't want to stop, you want to keep the Rev moving. As soon as you get in the air, pop that turn, that bottom turn and spin, which accelerates your wing instantly. Then go into the float move, which puts the lift vector upward. And finally, use that bottom turn again for acceleration, so you're not lifting against gravity, and then float it back. You can also use that to regain ground as you float. Using these techniques in all your flying will take your Rev mastery to a new level.

Keep going

In the series Launching — Revolution Kites tutorials

  1. The Revolution launch: 6 key techniques
  2. Launching and spinning your Revolution like a pro
  3. The Revolution hand launch: how to
  4. Light wind launch technique — you are here
  5. Guarantee success on your first Revolution launch
  6. New Rev skill: the Revolution Reflex ground zero hand launch

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