From: togilvie@ionet.net (Timothy W. Ogilvie) Subject: wind tamer question Date: Sun, 14 Apr 1996 06:56:56 -1000 Organization: IONet Message-ID: <4kraoo$n0m@ionews.ionet.net> I'm wondering about the correct use of a wind tamer. Is it used INSTEAD OF adjusting the bridle for heavier winds, or IN ADDITION to it? thanks, Tim Ogilvie togilvie@ionet.net = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: djskites@aol.com (Djskites) Subject: Re: wind tamer question Date: Tue, 16 Apr 1996 03:13:52 -1000 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Message-ID: <4l06eg$14g@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Tim writes>I'm wondering about the correct use of a wind tamer. Is it used INSTEAD OF adjusting the bridle for heavier winds, or IN ADDITION to it? There are a few different types: One attaches between the fly lines and bridle. As wind increases, kite speed increases, which puts pressure on the wind screen. The effect of pressure on the screen changes the angle of attack of the kite (more than a bridle adjustment and changes with wind speed) thus reducing speed and pull. When using this screen, you may need to drop the nose back a little to compensate. Another type attaches directly on the kite either on the back of the keel or on the front attached to the standoffs (like the Jam Session). This slows the kite a bit. When using this one, usally no adjustment is needed. Hope this helps. Dodd Gross North and South America Importer/Wholesaler of HQ & Fizz Sport Kites Master Instructor Flight School World Tour Flight School Instructional Video Series \\\\\\\\\\\\Disclaimer/////////////// Because of my involvement with the above products and services, my views and statements may be seen as biased. I can assure you I am a flier FIRST! Quote of the month "Hay alquien aqui que hable ingles?" = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: bwg001@mirac.unm.edu (Brian W. Gordon) Subject: Re: wind tamer question Date: Tue, 16 Apr 1996 06:04:07 -1000 Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque Message-ID: <4l0gdn$pti@lynx.unm.edu> Timothy W. Ogilvie (togilvie@ionet.net) wrote: : I'm wondering about the correct use of a wind tamer. Is it used INSTEAD : OF adjusting the bridle for heavier winds, or IN ADDITION to it? Yes. Keith Kidder = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: NSVS12A@prodigy.com (Ken Forslund) Subject: Re: wind tamer question Date: Tue, 16 Apr 1996 16:55:51 -1000 Organization: Prodigy Services Company 1-800-PRODIGY Message-ID: <4l1mjn$s9e@useneta1.news.prodigy.com> Tim Ogilvie asked if wind tamers are in addition to or instead of adjusting the bridle in high winds. In my not totally expert opinion, it's mostly instead of making a bridle adjustment for a couple of reasons. First, a person who is not very good at bridle adjustments can stick one or two wind tamers in the flying line chain and slow down the kite, thereby reducing lift and the resultant pull. Secondly, the wind tamer doesn't alter the way a kite handles and its ability to be "tricked" since it does not change the height of the tow point on the bridle and therefore does not alter the stall characteristics at the edge of the window. If the wind tamer is too small for the kite the tricking ability may go down the tube since there may not be enough slack to release the flying lines during an axle. Ken Forslund Federal Way, WA, USA = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: KITEJAG@MOTHER.COM (John A. Gabby Jr.) Subject: Re: wind tamer question Date: Wed, 17 Apr 1996 01:17:34 -1000 Organization: Mother.COM Message-ID: <4l2p08$4di@pa.mother.com> togilvie@ionet.net (Timothy W. Ogilvie) wrote: >I'm wondering about the correct use of a wind tamer. Is it used INSTEAD >OF adjusting the bridle for heavier winds, or IN ADDITION to it? a good question...the wind tamer is generally used to slow the kite down while the bridle adjustments either increase or decrease pull. Please understand both are dependent on the other, ie, a kite that is moving faster will generally pull harder and a kite that is moving slower will generally pull less (assuming the same kite). It is, as always, best to experiment with both the size of the wind tamer and the bridle adjustments until you find what you like. You will probably want to adjust the bridle AND use the wind tamer. John Think Kindly Thoughts. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: hayden1009@aol.com (Hayden1009) Subject: Re: wind tamer question Date: Tue, 16 Apr 1996 23:58:22 -1000 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Message-ID: <4l2fbu$qm2@newsbf02.news.aol.com> In article <4kraoo$n0m@ionews.ionet.net>, togilvie@ionet.net (Timothy W. Ogilvie) writes: >I'm wondering about the correct use of a wind tamer. Is it used INSTEAD >OF adjusting the bridle for heavier winds, or IN ADDITION to it? > > Actually, I'm not real fond of the mushy feel you get with wind tamers. I prefer trying heavier lines 1st. Alice Hayden 8^) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: "George W. Gilchrist" Subject: Re: wind tamer question Message-ID: <3175B703.49D7@eskimo.com> Organization: Eskimo North (206) For-Ever Date: Wed, 17 Apr 1996 17:29:07 -1000 Timothy W. Ogilvie wrote: > > I'm wondering about the correct use of a wind tamer. Is it used INSTEAD > OF adjusting the bridle for heavier winds, or IN ADDITION to it? > > thanks, > Tim Ogilvie > togilvie@ionet.net Tim, A wind tamer is ususally used when it's really pumping and no amount of bridle adjustment will slow the kite down. When I use a tamer, I usually pull the nose in (move the tow point towards the nose, like for low winds) a little bit. A wind tamer, according to a seminar with Team Tsunami at WSIKF last year, is better than a vented kite since it does less to reduce the width of the window. Cheers, George -- *********************************************************** George W. Gilchrist Biologist and Kiteflyer home/kites: kitesci@eskimo.com biology/office: gilchgw@zoology.washington.edu = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: bluekites@inmind.com (BlueKites) Subject: Re: wind tamer question Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1996 12:10:35 -1000 Organization: Blue Ridge Kites Message-ID: <4l6iou$fft@mujibur.inmind.com> In article <4kraoo$n0m@ionews.ionet.net>, togilvie@ionet.net (Timothy W. Ogilvie) wrote: >I'm wondering about the correct use of a wind tamer. Is it used INSTEAD >OF adjusting the bridle for heavier winds, or IN ADDITION to it? > Tim, I may get people that dissagree with this, but in reality "some" people adjust bridles on delta type stunders not so much for wind conditions (that is a factor) but for performance, oversteer and turn rate. You can reduct the pull of a kite by bringing the nose down, effectively reducing the wind image of the kite, but it will also change it's flight manners. For me, I have a "sweet spot" that I like the bridle set at for "my" flying. Once I locate that spot, I adjust to wind speed by using heavier lines or by attaching a screen. Only when those items fail to reduce the pull will I move >From my "sweet spot" on the bridle. The best choice (and one I recommend) is to simply move to a high wind kite. James Ervin/Blue Ridge Kites/Check out the new kite page at bluekites@inmind.com/ http://www.inmind.com/people/jervin/kites.html (540) 586-9590 And the new Benjamin Kite Cartoon at http://www.inmind.com/people/jervin/ben.html ____________________________________________________________________ Can I go home now? My brain is full. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: skyvis@shell.portal.com (Richard P Cornwell) Subject: Re: wind tamer question Date: Mon, 22 Apr 1996 15:13:33 -1000 Organization: Portal Communications Company -- 408/973-9111 (voice) 408/973-8091 (data) Message-ID: <4lhart$6ua@news1.shell> Ken Forslund (NSVS12A@prodigy.com) wrote: > In my not totally expert opinion, it's mostly instead of making a bridle > adjustment for a couple of reasons. First, a person who is not very good > at bridle adjustments can stick one or two wind tamers in the flying line > chain and slow down the kite, thereby reducing lift and the resultant > pull. Secondly, the wind tamer doesn't alter the way a kite handles and > its ability to be "tricked" since it does not change the height of the > tow point on the bridle and therefore does not alter the stall > characteristics at the edge of the window. If the wind tamer is too > small for the kite the tricking ability may go down the tube since there > may not be enough slack to release the flying lines during an axle. I disagree, having flown kites with wind tammers and vented kites (same type), you lose something when you put a wind tammer on. Kind of takes the snap or spark off the kite. I also find that a 3" tammer will drop the pull way down without much effect. When you put a wind tammer on you almost have to move the bridle to get the speed back (but this reduces the pull). If you only fly in high winds a few days per year, a wind tammer is a very good alternative to a vented kite. If you compete or regularly fly in high winds, then go for the vented kite. A properly vented kite will reduce pull without effecting preformance. A wind tammer works by slowing the kite by adding drag. A vent works by reducing the sail area where the pull is generated. Also typical wind tammers are usualy shorter than the distance between the bridle pick points. So when you put them on you pull the bridles lines in. Also the wind pressure on the tammer tends to pull the bridle lines together. Basicly it comes down to cost verses preformance. For the best preformance get a vented kite. Otherwise just get a wind tammer, at least you can fly without being dragged or breaking your kite. Rich ========================================================================== Richard & Kim Cornwell skyvis@shell.portal.com Sky Vision Kites http://www.portal.com/~skyvis 415-112 No. Mary Av. Suite 111, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408) 733-9313 ========================================================================== = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =