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The Revolution hand launch: how to by Revolution Kites

The hand launch on short lines: how to hold the wing and the handles, throw it like a spear almost across the wind, then stop the Rev in the inverted position.

From the series Launching. Transcript by QuadKites.org.

The Revolution hand launch: how to by Revolution Kites

Key takeaways from this video

  • Hold both handles and the middle of the leading edge in your non-throwing hand, and put a finger of the other hand on the wingtip.
  • Throw it like a spear, Rev flat, almost across the wind, with a slight flick of the finger at the end, for a steady glide.
  • The Rev normally glides into an inverted position: push your thumbs forward to stop it, like a dive stop, then flip it over.
  • The Reflex design and its glide are what make the hand launch easy.

Transcript

  1. Why hand launch on short lines

    0:00

    Hi, I'm Joe Hadzicki, inventor of the Revolution, and today we're going to look at the amazing skill of the hand launch. Today we're flying on short 30-foot lines. Short lines have huge advantages. Number one, they're super easy to set up. Number two, they take hardly any space. Number three, they're a great way to sharpen your skills. And number four, they're a great way to learn the advanced skill of the hand launch. Although the hand launch is a favorite of Rev master pilots, it's actually pretty easy to do. Let's go over a few basic tips and tricks. I'm flying a Tarantula. The Reflex design and the glide it produces is what makes the hand launch easy to do.

  2. Holding the kite and handles

    0:56

    Here's my favorite technique. Hold both handles in your non-throwing hand, so you're ready to take them and pull them apart and fly. With the handles in your hand, grab your Revolution in the middle of the leading edge and hold it with that same hand, just like this. Now, with your other hand, your throwing hand, put your finger on the tip of the cap, just like this. Now we're ready to throw our Rev. I happen to be left-handed, so I'm using my left hand on the tip. If you're right-handed, switch the positions: hold the handles in your left hand, put your right finger on that tip, and you're ready for a right-handed throw.

  3. Throwing it like a spear

    1:33

    Now, to launch your Rev, throw it like a spear. Guide it out and release. At the end, flick your finger to give your Rev a little rotation. I like to hold the Rev nice and flat, fighting the wind, and I'm almost throwing crosswind. The wind is blowing that way and I'm launching this way. You can launch at any of these angles. I like the flat one, because it allows my Rev to glide out on the hand launch. Your goal is a smooth glide. At the end, add a little rotation with your toss. This makes your Rev fly out, rotate and glide downwind. Here are a couple of examples for comparison.

  4. Stopping in the inverted position

    2:34

    Now, here's the trick. Your Rev will normally glide to an inverted position, so the key is to grab those handles and throw your thumbs forward to stop your Rev in the inverted position, just like a dive stop. From there, recover as you would from a dive stop: turn your Rev over and fly away.

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 — you are here
  4. Light wind launch technique
  5. Guarantee success on your first Revolution launch
  6. New Rev skill: the Revolution Reflex ground zero hand launch

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