Launch/Land Unhooked?

[kitedancer]

Hi There,

I was originally taught to launch/land unhooked. I also have read a few articles promoting launching/landing unhooked - that it is safer. Yet, I see no one launching/landing unhooked. Was wondering why?

Thanks, Lisa

[Scotty]

Too dangerous, it is better to launch/land hooked in with your kite sheeted in for maximum launchibility. Launching and landing unhooked with the winds we have are not advised. I do remember in my learning days hearing about that but i never attempted it. It may have been back in the day when you had a wrist leash and literally had to unhook out of the chix loop in order to engage the leash. Nowadays you can stay hooked in and still engage your safety system, kind of like my existing system. Someone else may have a different opinion though.

[michael]

I really doubt anyone could teach such a thing as launching and landing unhooked anymore (unless you are using a 2-line kite). For a 4-line kite the advice I found really usefull is to be de-powered while launching. I think the best is to be almost fully de-powered for C-kites, and about half de-powered for bow kites.

[kitedancer]

I was taught this on a 9M Best Kite, summer of 2004 in New York. I do launch/land hooked in, depowered. I was curious - since it comes up in various posts, articles I read. No matter what I was taught, I go with what the locals do - within reason :)

Cheers, Lisa

[elli]

If you are flying a flat kite, launching unhooked is a death wish. I have actually seen it done by someone that did not know better, and it was as scary as you would think.

[Bulldog]

Yeah, that is a holdover from days when chicken loops didn't have quick releases (pre-2004?). I learned to kite on a 2003 kite and was told the same thing. The 2006 version might be to launch with one hand on your QR if you're worried about getting lofted (big gusts, etc)

I always launch with my depower strap pulled all the the way in, unless it's very, very light.

[airess]

Ultimately, the SAFEST way to launch and land, is unhooked. if anything goes wrong, you just let go of the kite (most likely the kite will let go of you!) however, you have a fully powered kite and if you rigged too big for conditions or get hit by a gust, you will have a hard time hanging on and your arms will be twice as long as when you started (this can be done, it's how we did it in the early days). the problem with being hooked in is that if something goes wrong (lines on wrong, kite hindenbergs and relaunches, you bring it up too hot...) you have to have the presence of mind to hit the safety release on your chicken loop. 9 times out of 10, you're digging a ditch on the beach with your face (or if you are on sherman island, you are in the berry bushes) and an unfortunate few of those times you get a helicopter ride to your local neighborhood trauma center. moral of the story: use the chicken loop but always check and double check your lines, don't rig too big, ask for a hold-down, know where and how your quick release works and everytime you launch and land think about where that quick release is. also, be familiar with the quick release on your kite leash if you ever need to completely disengage from the kite.

[knyfe]

Ultimately, the SAFEST way to launch and land, is unhooked. if anything goes wrong, you just let go of the kite (most likely the kite will let go of you!)

No, mostly you mess with the kite while try to hook in. Thats the standard I have seen several times. Hook in, keep it low and go. If you are a beginner (or you want to go BIG) have someone experienced hold you on tha back of your harness. Thats how we do it at 3rd and all have a save ride.

Wasnt it really gooood today? fun for everyone. G

[airess]

did you read the whole thing? (or did your ADHD prohibit it) i did say to use the chicken loop, just be careful and be aware of how to quick release. and, if you are at sherman island and you "hook in, keep it low and go" you just may find yourself eating the balckberries that no one has pissed on yet.

[Greg]

So thats why onone else eats the berries....