KiteJan

KiteJan's Setup Method

Note that this method assumes you have put the kite away using my method as well!

1. Carefully open the bag (Fig 1).
   
   

   Fig 1: C-Quad in it's bag
2. Get the handles and unwind fully (at this point don't worry about twists and tangles) & secure the handles firmly into the ground using a suitable peg (make sure it's the bottom, or brake, line that's securing the kite.
3. Returning to the bag, remove the kite by holding the leading edge ends and the leading edge loop (Fig 2).
   
   
   Fig 2: Removing kite from bag
   At this point you want to keep it folded up until you have completely removed it from the bag & all the bridle lines have come free (Fig 3).
   
   
   Fig 3: Holding folded kite
4. Now the tricky bit ......... with one hand keep hold of the ends of the leading edge and let the looped (or folded) part of the kite 'boing' out into a kind of round shape (Fig 4).
   
   
   Fig 4: Unfolded kite
   
   You really need to keep a strong hold on those ends - the whole 'boingness' of the leading edge spar is working against your grip here.
5. If this worked OK then you should end up as in my photo - i.e. holding the bottom leading edge ends of the kite uppermost in one hand, and the top loop downwards, with the front of the kite (i.e. the bit with 'Peter Lynn' and the bridles) pointing away from the wind.
6. If this really worked OK you won't see any bits of bridle crossing the back of the kite (Fig 5).
   
   
   Fig 5: Unpacked kite
7. Now lay the kite face down (i.e. the side with the 'Peter Lynn' writing), with the leading edge into the wind.
8. Next you need to undo the Velcro ties that attach the bridles and flying lines to the central spar. Lift up the kite by holding the centre of the leading edge with one hand. So long as the whole kite is parallel to the ground it won't take off or anything - just flap a bit.
9. With the other undo the Velcro cables ties from the spar - they will now form the left line pair and the right line pair.
   
   
   Fig 6: Bridle lines knot
10. Put the kite face down on the ground again.
11. What I normally do now is to stand the kite up as if it was ready for take off but don't fly it yet. You can now check if the bridle is untwisted.
12. If it looks OK then remove the Velcro ties from each line pair - the kite should settle backwards onto it's brake lines. If it's not OK then at least you know you have a problem before attempting to fly.
13. So long as you know that the bridle hasn't got in a mess you can assume the lines are not tangle - try flying the kite to see how the lines perform. For me now 9 times out of 10 everything is OK and I can fly straight away - just might need to spin the kite a few times to the left or right, or untwist one of my handles.]

Comments

The C-Quad can be nightmare to setup - here are some of my experiences:

• Practice setting up and putting away inside - it might provide entertainment for your family (it did mine!) but it's better to work it out now than on the field (someone I know had to carry his C-Quad 8.5 back to the house and phone a friend...........).
• If you actually get someone to show you it's even better - but you still need to practice!
• The stronger the wind the harder it is - if you are new at this make sure you have someone with you to help (also sensible from a safety point of view when flying).
• In strong winds the kite tries to lift off from the ground when flat - having a rucksack or sand or something to weigh the flapping kite down is essential. Oh yes and that flipping bag flies off as well........
• If the wind is so strong that you having problems walking with the bag then you need to have someone to help - I tried this and broke a leading edge trying.
• I went through a stage of removing the lines & handles when I finished flying & (obviously) reattaching them next time. I found this didn't help that much & ended up this this method of leaving the lines/handles attached to the kite. One situation where you would still remove the lines would be if you have several kites (e.g. different size C-Quads for different winds) - you could then swap the kite over onto the same lines.
• The real problem is if a bridle loop has passed either over the kite, or round the handles (that's why you aim to have the bridles in one side of the bag and the handles in the other, separated by the kite). It's kind of hard to explain what it looks like, but imagine that one part of the bridle has passed around the back of the kite, and ends up back in front - you would see that the bridle attachment points are sort of squeezed together (when the Velcro ties are holding the line pairs together). This is not good & needs sorting out before flying (don't even think about getting away with it... trust me. It doesn't work).
• Curing bridle problems - no easy solution I'm afraid - if you are lucky you can spot which bit of bridle has looped over which other bit and you can reverse it. Otherwise you are going to be spending the next 45 minutes of your life unattaching all the lines and making sure they are untangled, then trying again.