I bought a 78 inch Rokaku from Fun With Wind
My intention was to get a big kite that can fly in light wind. And be stable.
Earlier, I had looked at instructions for making my own Rokkaku.
So I understand a little about them.
My home-made Rok never flew, but sure dragged good on the grass . . . . .
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A reply to my first page about this kite: Post your question about launching the Rokkaku on the KAP discussion page found on Cris Bentons web site. It is very active and you should have some good advice in no time. Cris Bentons web site
Another very active site that allow KAPers to share is the KAP group on
flickr.com David Hunt KAPER |
The instructions that came with the Premier kite didn't mention putting the cross spars through the 4 rings. I think that's important to do.
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I knew this would be a big kite, but that didn't 'sink in' until I set it up the first time in my little basement.
It took 48 minutes the first time. (After practice, I can do it in five minutes.)
I disassembled it and almost got it to fit back into the carrying bag, too.
So here I am holding 14 feet ( 4 meters ) of 4 bridle lines. The instructions say have someone hold the kite up while the flyer pulls it.
I wondered if anyone had a method to launch this big thing by oneself?
(the wife doesn't consent to being a 'victim' in this endeavor. She's seen me power-dive crash a delta kite)
I knew this kite would have a 4-line bridle.
I just didn't realize how long this one is on the Premier kite.
| Later, maybe someone could give me some advice about whether it would be proper to shorten the bridle and keep the same proportions? Although, I wouldn't want to ruin its strength or performance. |
I start by rolling all 4 bridle lines onto my string reel. I get close enough to the kite to hold the top two bridle lines in one hand, and the reel in the other. The bottom two bridle lines will be slack, but as I run or the wind picks up, the kite will want to fly. Then I quickly unreel the bridle so all four lines get tight.
When the wind blows over 12 mph, the kite wants to turn 5 degrees to my left. But it doesn't get worse than that, and stays stable until the wind changes.
The bowing part is easy to adjust. I haven't checked the fabric with a ruler for squareness. And I haven't make any bridle length adjustments yet.
I intend to use this kite during low winds, but it seems I need about 7 mph to lift 1-1/2 pounds of camera equipment. The kite alone will fly in much less wind. This type is known as a stable 'Laundry Line' lifter.
I read that someone looped a Rokkaku, an event not expected or designed for this type. I practiced by getting the kite downwind of a tree 20 feet away, where there is suddenly no wind or a wind swirl maybe onto the top side of the kite. The bottom bridle lines sag slack, this is a forewarning . Then my kite turns upside down and heads earthward. A quick pull on the line makes the kite go back up. Now that I've LOOPed my Rok, I will avoid that situation while a valuable camera is attached to the line.
I've noticed that when the bottom bridle lines sag at anytime, the wind is decreasing. It can fly a long time this way, and the kite slowly comes dowm.
The line angle from the ground is about 45 degrees, although after gusts the angle may rise to 60.
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I used a marker to put red and black stripes on the bridle lines to help me keep them organized. Short and long black marks for the top two bridle lines, and red for the bottom.
Also, it helps to be careful when rolling up the kite.
