Your aim of your first flight with a new power kite should be to:

• launch,
• fly smoothly straight to directly above you (the zenith),
• then land the kite under control. 

Once this basic safety flight check has been completed then you can go on to learn about the kite safe in the knowledge that you have a basic level of safety and control.

First ensure you have choosen a safe flying site , have the right equipment (including kite killers) and have set up the kite correctly .  Please see our other guides for help with this.  Try to choose a steady light wind day 5 to 12mph for first flights.

Start with the kite staked down by the brakes at the handles, and the kite all set out and half inflated directly downwind. 

If the kite is trying to take off at this point, first check the lengths of the flying lines and equalise if required.

Ready for the first flight?

 

Initial ground trial

Un-stake the brake lines, keeping the stake handy, and carefully pick up the handles.  Keep the top, power end, of the handles pointing towards the kite, and the break end (bottom) away.   This ensures the brakes are kept on, and stops the kite from launching before you are prepared for it.   Do a final check to ensure the lines are not twisted and the right hand power really is connected to the right hand side of the kite.  It is surprisingly easy to pick up the wrong handle. 

Grip the handles with the power line leader between your index and middle finger. You are now ready to for the first launch.  Check the wind is still suitable, and that it is safe and clear before launching.  Remember to look behind you too.

The slowly rotate the handles so the brake lines move away from you,  i.e. towards the kite.  As the handles rotate and the brakes come off, you may see the kite begin to rise up.  Just as the kite starts to leave the ground, applying more tension to the brakes again, pulling the bottom of the handles towards you.

If the kite settles back onto the ground again smoothly, then it is safe to care on with a full launch.

 

Launching

Now its time to for a full launch where the kite will take off and head for the Zenith above you.  Again rotate the handles to slacken the brakes, but this time as the kite begins to lift, take a step back or pull gently on both lines.  The kite should start to take off and it will rapidly gain speed and genertae a large amount of pull.  You should be ready for this pull and lean backwards away from the kite to counteract it.   If you lean forward you may be pulled off balance, and this may result in been dragged along by your kite out of control.

Try to guide to kite to the top of the window by using small pulls on the handles.  Then do your best to just keep it there.  To steer:

• Pull back the right handle slightly, and the kite moves right
• Pull back the left handle slightly, and the kite moves left

If at any time it all goes wrong then let go of the handles IMMEDIATELY and let the kite killers do their job of stalling the kite and bringing it down safely.

 

Landing

Landing is really very easy.  With the kite at the Zenith, gently rotate the bottom of the handles towards you to apply light equal pressure to the brake lines. This will cause the kite to head backwards towards the ground.   The kite may become unstable if you use too much brake, so try to land using the minimum of brake movements and tension.  By putting more brake pressure on one line you move the kite in the opposite direction, and can to some extent control and steer the kite back down onto the ground.

When the kite has landed, keep the brakes pulled on until you have them safely staked down again.

Congratulations!  You have just completed your first flight with your new kite!
Please see our other guides for the next flying steps.

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