Blackheath 2nd August 2020

Asymetric Kite Stack 1995
9 kites each measures 140 x 140 cm from tip to tip (12 square metres)
full length of the train: 16 metres
Weight: 6 kg
JMH design

Windspeed 12mph gusting to 22mph Blackheath 24/07/2022.

150.5cm dowels purchased, cut from 200cm lengths! (White 10mm fibreglass could be used as connectors/ferrules... )
Flown 5th Jan 2020, issue with front set configuration which will need to be resolved by checking the bridle line length.

A temporary adjustment was made on the left flying line on 2nd August 2020 to change the angle of the one side of the leading set of sails. Shortening this line slightly did not impact on the overall flight but did lift the leading set.

As at 3rd September 2020 one side of the front set of sails needed to be adjusted. The lower left bridle leg was extended by 10cm.

As at 21/08/2021, while it is not urgent, there is some rust evident on the metal components so they should be replaced by stainless steel eventually. There are 72 end caps so a streamlined process will be needed rather than the manual forming used for the replacements on earlier kites.

Back in September 2020 I replaced a temporary fix on the front sail by extending the bridle by 10cm. This was the first flight following that adjustment.

The wind was 12mph gusting 22mph or possibly more.

We went for an extended launch from an anchor point and I shortened the lower bridles of the last set of sails by setting a clove hitch around a 6mm dowel peg on either side.
A hand held launch might have been better as it might have been possible to mitigate the powered dives that ended the flights today.

Preparing a tidy wrap.

Ready for stick practice on Sunday morning. The assembly time was just over one hour.

Waiting to see if conditions would be 'right'!

A careful dis-assembly should prevent tangles next time...