Converting Skydiving Parafoils To Kites?
Coast Guard Kiteman
former square ram-air parachutes (parafoils) as kites? Thanks.
-Allan "CGK" Gaines
P.S. Yes, I *KNOW* big kites can be potentially dangerous.
I plan on being VERY careful. All big kites need to be flown
'respectfully'.
Gene
I've been wanting to try this for ages. Problem with them is that they are
heavy, even the 150 and 170 sq.ft. weighs over 3 kg's(with lines). In that
respect you have trouble launching them in lite winds and almost anything
below 5-7 knots is near impossible. The next problem is the size, above 7
knots(referably above 10 if you can hold on) you run the risk of ending up
overseas without a passport LOL. You can howeevr start by replacing lines
with Spectra and tune the angle of attack upwards a bit as most canopies
fly at a very small(sometimes negative a.o.a.). You might have another
problem with it's dynamics as it will end up a slow flyer at windspeed etc.
etc. etc.
I do however know of someone who flew one(210 sq. ft. on a quadline
configuration) at some stage. Afterwards he pulled his pickup along the
runway with him standing on and tethered to the loadbed and someone else
steering the vehicle in 10 knot winds.
Regards,
...from an x-meatbomb.
Coast Guard Kiteman <exflor...@ecsu.campus.mci.net> wrote in article
<3606BCF1...@ecsu.campus.mci.net>...
lom...@transport.com
Suggest you contact the folks at Catch The Wind, probably Rob McDaniel, as
they in the past converted parachutes to lifting kites to use in their
beach displays, especially their 90 foot and larger SpinSocks. 800-227-7878
Mel Hickman
AKA XD
Gofli
Allan,
I have a decertified chute that I got at the flea
market here in Raleigh for twenty bucks. The
lines are cut off, but there is enough to attach
a bridle to left. I asked the same question some months ago, and didn't get a
whole lot
of help. I would be interested in hearing how
yours works out...I just havent gotten around to mine yet. It is about 25ft by
10ft, but the label says it is 292sq ft....they must measure the top skin, or
it shrank, or something.
Seeya,
David Hogue
Clayton, NC
SEDG104
YES, I HAVE DONE THIS WITH A FEW CHUTES AND HAVE USED THEM FOR MANY USES.....
WHAT ARE YOU PLAN IN TO DO WITH THEM?????MY OR THEE FIRST QUADFOIL WAS A
CHUTE.WORK GOOD, BUT YES IT CAN BE POWERFUL NOT TO BE USED IN GUSTY WINDS!!!!
LEE
Pierce Nichols
>
> Hiya,
> I've been wanting to try this for ages. Problem with them is that they are
> heavy, even the 150 and 170 sq.ft. weighs over 3 kg's(with lines). In that
> respect you have trouble launching them in lite winds and almost anything
> below 5-7 knots is near impossible. The next problem is the size, above 7
> knots(referably above 10 if you can hold on) you run the risk of ending up
> overseas without a passport LOL. You can howeevr start by replacing lines
> with Spectra and tune the angle of attack upwards a bit as most canopies
> fly at a very small(sometimes negative a.o.a.). You might have another
> problem with it's dynamics as it will end up a slow flyer at windspeed etc.
> etc. etc.
I've thought of doing this for boats. And filling the bloody thing with
helium, to make it a bit more flyable in low winds -- small parafoils
are just getting to the size where this really works.
-p
--
Bring back the Global Killfile!
Gene
What do you want to fly it as, oneline, dual or quad?
Ciao,
Gofli <go...@aol.com> wrote in article
<19980923150215...@ng146.aol.com>...
>
> Allan,
> ...snip
> a bridle to left. I asked the same question some months ago, and didn't
get a
> whole lot
> of help. I would be interested in hearing how
> yours works out... snip
E...@pe.net
Not sure what the purpose of the helium would be. 1 cu ft (about a large child's
party balloon will lift about an ounce so you aren't going to be using it for
lift.
Eric
TBakerAKF
Be very careful! A group of us own a 30ft by 10ft chute which we converted to
a kite and it lifted my Ford Escort (Pinto in USA) 2ft off the ground after
dragging it up to a bank, before it veered off and landed itself.
It hasn't been out of the bag since!!
Tony Baker
Avon Kite Flyers
Bristol UK
Pierce Nichols
> Not sure what the purpose of the helium would be. 1 cu ft (about a large child's
> party balloon will lift about an ounce so you aren't going to be using it for
> lift.
When a foil hits about 15-20 m^2, it has enough internal volume to hold
enough helium to lift the kite and bridle.
Pierce Nichols
>
> Be very careful! A group of us own a 30ft by 10ft chute which we converted to
> a kite and it lifted my Ford Escort (Pinto in USA) 2ft off the ground after
> dragging it up to a bank, before it veered off and landed itself.
>
> It hasn't been out of the bag since!!
How is it bridled? (1, 2, 4 lines)? And are you willing to part with
it, and for what price?
Gadget
>> Not sure what the purpose of the helium would be. 1 cu ft (about a large
>child's
>> party balloon will lift about an ounce so you aren't going to be using it for
>> lift.
Pierce Nichols wrote:
> When a foil hits about 15-20 m^2, it has enough internal volume to hold
>enough helium to lift the kite and bridle.
Do you mean m^2 [square metres] or m^3 [cubic metres]?
The former seems unlikely.
--
Gadget [Bude, Cornwall, UK]
mailto:gad...@DELETE-THIS-BITbluewatch.demon.co.uk
http://www.bluewatch.demon.co.uk/index.htm
[a rather dull homepage, with a few new pics added, but hardly worth the effort]
Andrew Beattie
> >enough helium to lift the kite and bridle.
>
> Do you mean m^2 [square metres] or m^3 [cubic metres]?
> The former seems unlikely.
In order to float a kite with Helium, you must first build it Helium-tight.
This increases the weight. Using regular construction techniques, icarex
fabric and inserting Mylar bladders to contain the Helium, you end up needing
a kite in size range indicated just to break even and achieve bouyancy in air.
Andrew
TBakerAKF
Its single line, and I'll ask the other 4 if we want to sell or have a go at
making it slightly less "aggressive"
I'll come back to you ASAP
Tony