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6 Tips for Flying Your Revolution in High Winds by Revolution Kites

Six tips for flying in high winds, above 12 mph (about 19 km/h), by reducing the Rev's speed to soften crashes.

From the series Wind and places to fly. Transcript by QuadKites.org.

6 Tips for Flying Your Revolution in High Winds by Revolution Kites

Key takeaways from this video

  • Choke down on the handle, move the top line outward and the bottom line inward: the Rev slows down and is easier to control.
  • Short 11-inch (28 cm) handles, instead of the standard 13-inch (33 cm) ones, make the Rev more stable in high wind.
  • Start with a very simple launch, stop it immediately and bring it back down, to stay in control.
  • A vented sail reduces the pull; if the sail flutters, remove the Reflex springs so as not to damage it.

Transcript

  1. Flying in high wind

    0:00

    I'm Joe Hadzicki, inventor of the Revolution kite. Our main goal is for you to have fun, but in high winds, over 12 miles per hour, the possibility of damaging your Rev with a high-speed crash is a concern, especially for new pilots. The key to avoiding damage is to reduce the powerful crashes that happen in high winds. Here are six tips to help you fly your Rev in high-wind conditions.

  2. Grip and line positions

    0:25

    Tip number one: move your grip down the handle. This changes the pivot point on your handle, slowing your Rev down. Tip number two: move your top line out and your bottom line in. The goal when flying in high wind is to reduce the speed of your Rev. If you can reduce that speed, it will decrease the power of the crash. In light winds you can move your top lines in, which makes it easier to launch your Rev in light conditions. But in high-wind conditions you want to move that top line out and move your bottom line in. This will reduce the speed of your Rev, making it easier to control in high-wind conditions.

  3. Handles and control

    1:17

    Tip number three: consider shorter handles. Your standard Rev comes with 13-inch handles, but you can also order short 11-inch handles. The 11-inch handles will make your Rev more stable, which is a great option for high-wind flying. Tip number four: stay in control. Start with a very simple launch, instantly stop it, and back it down.

  4. Vented sails and springs

    2:01

    Tip number five: get yourself a vented Rev model. Here we have the Reflex XX Super Tarantula. This reduced sail area makes it easier to control the burst of speed and power that happens in high winds. Tip number six: consider removing your Reflex springs. The Reflex system offers stability when flying your Revolution, but some new pilots get flutter while flying. This flutter can cause damage to your sail, so if you notice flutter when flying, consider removing your Reflex springs when flying in high winds. We'll see you on the field.

Keep going

In the series Wind and places to fly — Revolution Kites tutorials

  1. No Wind? No Problem! How to Fly Your Revolution in Light Winds
  2. Master Light, Unsteady Wind with Your Revolution Reflex
  3. How to Reach the Highest Levels of Rev Mastery, Even in Light Winds
  4. 6 Tips for Flying Your Revolution in High Winds — you are here
  5. Revolution Reflex Blast in High Winds: Speed, Power, and Total Control
  6. Rev Mastery, Episode 3: High-Wind Mastery
  7. What Is the Wind Range of My Revolution? Tips and Tricks to Increase Your Wind Range

See the 16 videos of the series

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