Postby kitesafeflorida » Tue Jul 27, 2010 5:26 pm
Thought I would chime in.
Instructor on the IDS kites, so I am using the system all the time with students.
In very light winds, the kite wants to hover a bit, but usually flips back on on the leading edge as if you are setting the kite down on the ground. From that point, easy to wrap up lines, or walk up lines.
In stronger winds, the kites lays down nicely as the video on Cabrinha's site demonstrates. Someone mentioned that there isn't much wind in those videos but I beg to differ. It looks fairly breezy to me.
Years ago, I experienced these same scenerios with 5 line kites.
The good news, is the kite isn't out of control. Even if lines or pulleys break, the IDS system does the job. Is it perfect. NOPE. Is it effective and an improvement from past designs by Cabrinha, I think so.
Typically, I self land with my kite CL attached to a fixed point, land the kite at the edge of the window, 3 or 9 o'clock, and then walk out and secure kite. I have been using this technique since Cabrinha brought the Crossbow to production back in 2006/07.
The only point I would like to add that hasn't been mentioned is the bungee line that is attached to the IDS landing line. If alot of tension is placed on that line, it can stretch out and loose its ability to spring back tension. If this is the case, the IDS landing line can wrap around the load line and cause more tension and potentially cause your IDS system to not work as effectively. Basically, the bar is not sheeting away as far as it was designed to. So if that happens, it will effect how the kite behaves when using the IDS system.
The easiest way to check your bungee tension, is to depower the kite in the air. If your IDS landing line is slack, then your bungee needs replacing. With many of these below the bar safety's, a bungee is present and the same stretching is possible.
Easy fix, replace the bungee line.
For what its worth, the bar system that Cabrinha has out right now, is much improved from years past, but I would still like to see some refinements in other areas. OS handle, better CAS strap, ect.
Good luck!