Want to fly with a quad line kiteflier team soon? Here’s the starting point for kitefliers who want to fly in a team soon.
Introduction
General
Flying a quad line kite is a lot of fun. But there’s more: team flying!!! As Mike Kory wrote in the “Revolution Mega-Fly figures” manual: “the wonderful thing about flying a Revolution kite is that you can fly shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers and soon you’re laughing with friends”.
As a beginner in team flying, you’re not familiar with the vocabulary or the maneuvers, but you’re eager to enter this wonderful world.
This standard provides the small step between a good kite pilot and the “Revolution Mega-Fly figures“.
You don’t need to be a member of a kiteflying team, you just need to meet other kitefliers who know the same techniques, and you’ll be flying together in no time.
The main aim of this document is to create “FUN” by flying together, hence the name of our standard: Just for Fun / Jst-4-Fn.
Who this standard is for
As mentioned above, you don’t need to be a member of a kiteflying team – anyone familiar with the Jst-4-Fn standard can fly together.
Main objective
The main objective is to enjoy flying with kitefliers of different skill levels. Individual skill levels are not a barrier. All kite pilots are welcome to participate.
Sub-objectives
- A simple standard for team flying, with the aim of maintaining a link with the vocabulary, figures and international rules used.
- Acquire the basic skills and knowledge of team flying
- Improve your individual flying skills
- Have fun flying as a team
When and where to practice?
Anywhere, as soon as you meet a kite pilot. All experienced kite pilots are willing and able to help you, and answer your questions – that’s the kite family.
Basic skills required
You must have some knowledge and experience of the six basic flying techniques and the maneuvers based on these techniques, as described Revolution Kites:
- Basic flying techniques
- Flying forward (in all directions)
- Turn left and right, fast and progressive
- Stop and hover, motionless (in all directions)
- Fly reverse (in all directions)
- Speed control (forward and reverse)
- Side slide (lateral flight)
- Speed and spacing
- Speed: being able to fly evenly, with the same speed
- Spacing: maintain a fixed distance from the kite in front of you
It’s important to get used to flying with a lot of “brake”, see the note in the section on handle adjustment.
The gear
The kite
There is no particular rule on the type of kite to use. It’s best to use the same type of quad line kite (for example, all pilots fly ventilated or semi-ventilated sails).
Carbon rods are a matter of taste. Choose a set of rods that allows you to fly with other pilots at the same speed and spacing.
Lines
Preferably LPG, Shanti, Climax or other professional lines.
A line length of 120 feet (approx. 36.6 m) is the international standard for team flying.
Handles
It’s a matter of taste. Whether long or short, everyone has their own preferences. The most important thing is to be able to adjust your “leaders” to fly with plenty of brake.
Tip 1
If you set your leaders as illustrated below, you’ll be able to cover virtually all wind conditions and fly efficiently as a team.
Note that this setting depends very much on your kite’s bridle and handles.
Tip 2
Try to fly with as much brake as possible:
- Start with the upper lines hooked to the end of the high “leaders” (the knot as far away from your hands as possible).
- And attach your lower lines (brake lines) to the knot closest to your hands.
- Launch the kite.
- Have you succeeded in flying the kite? Even if it’s less comfortable than usual, it’s okay! Keep flying with this setting.
- If it’s absolutely impossible for you to launch the kite, move one knot towards your hands and try again.
This leader setting may seem strange. Your previous settings probably made it easier for you to fly. Bear in mind that you’re just starting out in team flying, and you’ll need maximum control over your glider’s speed and positioning. This setting will give you more control over your kite. Keep this setting and it will feel more comfortable after half an hour to an hour of practice.
Dress code
No dress code, just take care of yourself and make yourself comfortable.
Wear clothes that protect you from the wind and rain, and good waterproof shoes or boots. If it’s cold, more layers of clothing and gloves.
In sunny weather, a cap or hat and sunglasses. Don’t forget to protect your skin with sunscreen.
In hot weather, be vigilant: drink enough water.
Basic team rules
Orders (“calls” in English) given by the leader are in English. This standard is also available in other languages. Give preference to orders in English. This opens doors to international team flying. It’s an excellent way to broaden your friendships.
The leader
(Also called “Caller“)
As a leader, you have additional responsibilities. Your team-mates may be less experienced than you, and less able to anticipate each other’s reactions.
Try to get an idea of the experience level of your “temporary” team.
Start with simple calls or use kite sticks to prepare the moves you want to make.
And, most importantly, leave an extra second between your order and the “Go” to allow your team members to shout “What?”. (= SAY WHAT).
Numbering
Numbering starts on the right. The kiteflier furthest to the right is number 1. The one to the left is number 2, and so on. In the illustrations, the color of the kite is linked to this line numbering.
Even & Odd
Your place in the team is also your number. Know this number. The leader uses these numbers or specifies “Even” / “Odd” when giving orders. For example, “Face left, even… Go !“
In practice, we often use synonymous expressions: “Numbers 1” for “even” and “Numbers 2” for “odd“.
Tip: when the team includes more than 4 members, the leader can ask for a different count. The leader says “1”, the second says “2”, the third says “1”, the fourth says “2”… In this way, kitefliers clearly identify who is even and who is odd. This is very useful for understanding leader calls like “Numbers 1 up, numbers 2 down“.
Grid
Grid flying (GRID flight ) is not included in this standard. We offer an introduction to grid flying here.
The problems
If a pilot loses control of his kite, stabilize your kite in a position suitable to the situation (stop the kite in the air or land the kite). Give the pilot the opportunity to recover and give him time to rejoin on the correct place.
Another option is for the leader to shout “Fire drill“. Each pilot then moves to a safer position in the air or on the ground. The most experienced pilots generally position themselves at the highest possible altitude (100% of the window) and wait there.
As a crew member, you can shout ” SAY WHAT ” if you don’t understand an order from the leader. As a leader, don’t give the “Go” if you hear ” SAY WHAT “.
If ever the lines get tangled and form a knot… Stay calm and start untangling together. Don’t worry. It happens to all of us one day.
A basic set of orders
Composition of an order
The leader shouts:
- The maneuver to be performed or a figure, e.g. “Face left“
- Optionally, an additional explanation/specification, e.g. “ODD face right“
- A short delay to allow pilots to say “Say what“
- and “GO“.
Example:
- Without specification: FACE LEFT,…GO
- With specification: FACE LEFT, ODD FACE RIGHT, … GO
50 %, 75 %
This is an indication of the flight altitude in relation to the wind window.
Go
In Holland, leaders say “GO“. In the USA and UK, you’ll often hear “NOW“. In France, leaders say “GO” or “TOP”.
After “GO“, the leader’s instruction is carried out by the whole team.
Pay attention to orders when the leader gives specific instructions to team members. For example, “Face right, number 1 and 3… Go“. Numbers 2 and 4 remain in their original positions.
Basic maneuvers
We’ve illustrated the basic maneuvers.
Up / left / down / right
The kites are in motion. They turn around the center by 90° and continue to fly in the direction indicated by the leader:
- Up: upwards
- Left: to the left
- Down: downwards
- Right: to the right
Calls from the leader in the animation above: up, left, down, right.
In / out
The kites are moving in formation (line, ball, square, grid, etc.). They turn around the center by 90° and continue flying in the direction indicated by the leader:
- In: towards the inside of the formation
- Out: towards the outside of the formation
Tip: the leader should specify the meaning of in / out on first use, e.g. “in 1 right 2 left“.
Leader calls: fly, up, in, down, out, up, in, stop in line.
Face up / left / down / right
The kites are motionless. They turn around the center 90° in the direction indicated and then hold this position:
- Face up: upwards
- Face left: to the left
- Face down: downwards
- Face right: to the right
- Face in: towards the inside of the formation
- Face out: towards the outsite of the formation
Here, the leader uses these calls: face up, face left, face down, face right.
Face in / out
The kites are hovering, for example in a line, ball or square… They turn around the center by 90° in the direction indicated and then maintain this position:
- Face in: towards the inside of the formation
- Face out: towards the outside of the formation
Leader calls: face in, face up, face out, face up.
Turn up / down
The kites rotate on the tip indicated by the leader. If the kites were initially motionless, they then maintain their position. If the kites were moving, they then continue in the opposite direction.
List of calls in the animation above: fly, turn up, turn up, turn down, turn down.
Turn out / in
The kites are initially in formation (line, ball, square, grid…). They make a half-turn on the tip, which is outward or inward.
Leader calls: turn out, rotate, turn out, rotate, turn in, rotate, turn in.
Calls from the leader: turn out, turn out, turn in, turn in.
Left / right turn up /down
Kites go up or down. They turn on the left or right tip. We could call these maneuvers “turn left” and “turn right“, but kitefliers sometimes misunderstand that kites must turn to go left or right. Marc and Roelof therefore propose instructions consisting of 3 words:
- Left/Right: the direction of rotation
- Turn: rotation around a tip
- Up/Down: the direction of the kite after rotation
For example: the kites go up; the leader says “left turn down“; the kites turn on their left tip and go down.
Calls from the leader: fly, left turn down, left turn up, right turn down, right turn up.
Forward / Reverse / Fly
The leader can indicate whether the kites are flying forwards or backwards.
The leader can also say “fly” instead of “forward”. The leader may say “to the edges“, “to edges“, or “edges” to fly the kites to the edge of the window.
Calls from the leader: forward, stop, reverse, stop.
180 up / down / clock / anti-clock
A 180 is a half-turn around the center of the kite. The direction of rotation is :
- Either explained by the leader, for example:
- 180 up: half-turn from the top
- 180 down: half-turn from the bottom
- 180 clock / 180 clockwise: clockwise half-turn
- 180 anticlock / 180 anticlockwise: counter-clockwise half-turn
- Or implicit. For example, in horizontal flight, the 180 is made downwards.
Leader calls: fly, 180 down, 180 down, 180 up, 180 up, stop in the middle, 180 clock, 180 anti-clock.
Leader calls in the animation above: fly, 180 down, 180 down, 180 up, 180 up, stop in the middle.
Leader calls in the animation above: fly, 180, 180, 180, 180, stop in the middle.
180 left & right
Kites do a half-turn from the left or from the right.
Calls from the leader: 180 left, 180 left, 180 right, 180 right.
180 out / in
Kites turn inwards or outwards.
Calls from the leader: 180 out, 180 out, 180 in, 180 in.
Slide up / left / down / right
The kites slide in the direction indicated by the leader. Slides can also be made with the leading edge down.
List of calls in the animation above: slide right, stop, face right, slide up, stop, face up, slide left, stop, face right, slide down, stop.
Slide out / in
Kites initially fly in a formation (ball, square, grid, etc.). They slide outwards or inwards.
Leader calls: to the edges, stop, face up, slide in, stop, slide out, stop, slide in, stop in line.
Leader calls: left tip in, slide out, stop, slide in, stop.
Follow & stop
During the Follow maneuver, the first kite flies freely: it moves forward, turns, slides, etc. This first kite determines speed and direction. The other kites follow the first kite’s path exactly. Be careful not to “cut” corners, turning at the right moment around the center of the kite or a kite wing tip. The first kite is not always number 1. For example, after a 180, the last kite leads the movement.
The path of the first kite should be simple. It often involves following horizontal figure-8 patterns, doing straight lines, wide rotations, and sometimes slides.
Speed and spacing are essential for this maneuver. They must be as stable as possible. The first kite should not fly fast. Be aware of team-mates following you. This is all the more reason to set more “brake” on your handles.
This maneuver is widely used to warm up at the beginning of a flight and to relax after a series of advanced maneuvers.
This maneuver takes effect as soon as the leader calls. The “Go” command is not necessary.
When the leader calls “Stop”, all kites stop simultaneously. The leader must keep in mind what his next command will be. After giving the “stop” command, wait a little while before stopping your kite.
Leader calls in the animation above: follow, stop.
Calls to the leader in the above animation: follow, stop.
Tip landing & 2 tip landing
The leader specifies how the landing is to be made. The most common is to land on the 2 tips.
List of calls in the animation above: 2 tip landing.
List of calls in the animation above: tip landing.
Big foot left/right
Kites land on the outer trailing edge on the side indicated by the leader. Caution: this position can be unstable, depending on the wind.
Calls from the leader: big foot left, big foot right.
Odd / even & in line
The leader may also give different instructions depending on the number of each kite. The most common is to distinguish between even and odd kites. Instead of Odd / Even, the leader can say:
- “1” or “Numbers 1” to designate odd-numbered kites
- “2” or “Numbers 2” for even-numbered kites.
It is also common for the leader to specify an instruction only for odd-numbered kites (e.g. odd face up). In this case, odd-numbered kites must do the opposite (e.g. odd-numbered kites put their leading edge to the left). Teammates must be vigilant about these details. When in doubt, shout “SAY WHAT“.
When the team is large (more than 4 people), the kitefliers can count each other before starting to determine their number. The first kiteflier says “1”, the second “2”, the third “1”, the fourth “2”, and so on.
Calls from the leader in the animation above: odd face up, even face down, forward, stop, reverse, stop, in line, face right.
Training instructions
What can you do to train for team flying?
- Read this standard. If you have any questions, please contact us.
- If you’re flying alone, practice the movements as if you were in a team. That is, don’t cut corners for the movements RIGHT, LEFT, UP, DOWN. Turn around the center of the kite.
- Practice turning around a kite tip for TURN UP / TURN DOWN.
- Practice flying in a straight line with a constant rhythm (horizontal and vertical trajectories).
- If you’re just starting to fly together, keep your maneuvers simple. Start with “Follow” and try to keep a slow speed and fly carefully observing the distance to neighboring kites.
- If you’re flying with lots of pilots, often use “Stop” to explain the next command or to answer any questions it raises.
- With a team of less experienced pilots, start with simple movements.
1st exercise
- In line
- (wait), Follow, Stop, Go, Stop, 180, Forward, Stop, etc.
2nd exercise
- In Line
- Follow, …Go
- (During Follow, form a column in the center of the wind window with the kites leading edge up)
- Stop
- 1 and 3 Face right… 2 and 4 Face left… Go
- To the edges… Go
- Stop
- 180… Go
- Go…. Stop in the middle
- To the edges… Go
- Stop
- 180… Go
- Go… Stop in the middle
- Face up… Go
- Follow… Go
- (At follow, make a horizontal line over the field)
- Stop
- Face down… Go
- Into landing, face down,… Go
Instructions for large teams
- Check your lines in advance (same lengths).
- Have a ” ground stick ” handy (a peg to tie your handles to the ground).
- Identify who the leader is, and move to position 1.
- If you’re the leader, know your participants and their levels. Adapt the flight to keep it fun for everyone.
- Decide on the ground what maneuvers will be performed during the flight.
- Make sure you have the basic routines with you to practice. If necessary, put the kites down and simulate with kite sticks (several rods with a kite shape at the end for handheld simulation).
- Explain if a pilot doesn’t understand an order: a pilot should say ” SAY WHAT ” (what?) if he doesn’t understand.
- Keep your good mood!
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