I understand the "hold the CL" method, but in strong winds I've seen kites do crazy things and I'm not sure I'd want to have the kite free while I hold the CL and fly a separate kite, especially if you've got rocky, sharp launches like we have in the gorge. I've used this method http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=484345246395&set=pb.203819931395.-2207520000.1352931165&type=3&theater many many times, and though you should understand what you're doing and the risks involved (plus be very very comfortable flying a kite), it's always worked out well for me, in any wind conditions.

Just my .02.

-Dan

As long as your tether is fixed, and provides a good firm and strong launch point, I can't see any real advantage with someone holding the chicken loop. What happens if it powers up, or a line snaps or gets tangled round a pulley

Personally, if I didn't have a fixed tether or the ballast to fill a kite bag sufficiently, I would buddy launch holding the kite, and as somebody else mentioned, you get the other person to hand the kite to you, when you are ready, no need to pick it up yourself.

Also, I usually bring the kite very low, depowered and on the edge of the window, basically in the launch position, and I watch my kite, not my buddy's kite. It's up to him to get in the right position for launching .. when it's ready, you get the nod and you let go.

The only time I can think of it being an advantage, is if the other person is uncomfortable holding onto the leading edge, but then if that's the case, you would do it the other way round wouldn't you??

Why not just do a standard self launch or a drift launch? Involving another kiter with a kite in the air seems like a bad idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2W4fNVq6S4

This is the method I use for launching almost exclusively. I have never had a bad experience in 2 years. The only time I can see it being a problem is if the beach is full of really sharp rocks or shells. In that case, a drift launch performed with a hand on the quick release would be preferable to me over involving a kiter who is too busy with his own kite to devote all his attention to yours.

Exactly... we've done that a few times... it's much better than, as you say, trying to pick the other persons kite off the ground while flying yours.

It can still easily go wrong though ... like if the pilot tells you to let go of the kite and suddenly the wind dies as it's flying up and then quickly falls back in the window for hot launch

We've never tried hanging onto the CL... probably good for light winds but not sure I'd trust it otherwise. For sure I'll probably get a chance to try that next season or maybe this winter.

hm, yeah I guess either way would work. Your buddy could lift the kite if that was a problem. For people that have not tried eitheron, make sure you test the kite fixed point type launch with your kite so you know how it behaves..not all kites are created equal in this respect.

If you land your buddy while flying the kite, your buddy needs to lower it, then quickly walk forward as you grab the kite...or he could hand you the CL. I have definitely had gusts that would make ithmm, challenging to hold on to a CL. Make sure your downwind is clear of people so your kite doesn;t hit anyone else.

Or your buddy could bring the kite to the side of the window and throw his safety release, thereby safely landing his kite while not endangering another kiter's life.

Aah, but you say:

"FlightTime, if you throw the release at the side of the window, the kite will tumble downwind!"

To which I say:

"Not if you quickly circle upwind, and either way, it's power is gone."

I land my 16 meter Switchblade like this 90% of the times I fly it, and in all cases, I can simply hand over hand up the center lines to grab the kite, even when I come in almost to lit to ride.

thats what I do also for landing and launching, piece of cake.. I'll come in land someone and go back out.. takes a sec.

What an excellent and useful topic. Here is a subject that, wether you agree or not, every one of us has to deal with. I like the idea on a nice steady thermal breeze. It is easier. In nuking and gusty post-frontal madness, I'd sooner subdue the landing person's kite by the leading edge to avoid a potential catastrophe. In launch you can pretty well see that it will stay and then why not? I also use Plummet's method of holding the top leader as I run out to the kite and it works.

Way simpler and safer to launch your friend first and then self launch.....

that is true, but not all beaches are very easy to self launch on