From: cyuen@rci.rogers.com Subject: Re: Axelling a Tracer or axels in genera Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 09:19:00 -1000 Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Message-ID: > fsiegel@newshost.li.net (Frank Siegel) wrote: >In summary, I found the stall and the push with the popping hand as a >setup is very helpful, but turning in the "easier" direction did the >trick for me... I don't know if it's been discussed before, but I think whether you axel upwind or downwind affects the 'type' of axel and how the kite behaves. If you're at the edge of the window, axelling upwind is more of a 270 degree rotation and is a very fluid sort of manouver, while axelling downwind is easier (the wind helps the spin) and you do the full 360 degree spin (or 450 if you reverse direction) but you lose a bit of altitude on the extra rotation. Also some kites do axels where the spin is parallel to the ground easier than others although you can encourage it by giving a lot of slack with the opposite hand. And here's a new manouver I discovered this past weekend, I don't know if it has been described before...for lack of a better name I call it the 'genie' or the 'swirl'. It may or may not be kite specific. The setup is the same as for a half axel or rixel...for example, flying right to left across the window at 5 to 10 ft. above ground level. Slow the kite by stepping forward or pushing the upper wing, but instead of popping the upper wing as in the half axel/rixel, pop the LOWER wing and give slack to the opposite hand. I found it easier by using a diagonal popping hand motion (upwards and to the right). The lower wing will axel downwind at a 45 degree tilt, and will continue onto a second spin which is flatter (like a double axel). At the end of the last spin the wingtips will be parallel to the ground and the kite can be landed. The kite seems to materialize and 'appear' (like a genie) and is a very fluid manouver, especially if done close to ground level. Kite used: Box of Tricks. Most likely a light wind manouver (done in 5 mph). Haven't tried this with other kites yet, although... Regards, Cal Yuen (cyuen@rci.rogers.com) Vancouver BC Canada Aoxo -> BBT2/SBBB <- moxoa! = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =