Sports | Watersports » Pilot Guide, Tantrum

Source: http://www.doksinet pilot’s guide The Tantrum is the perfect introductory trainer kite that delivers speed and maneuverability with impressive pull. The easy-to-use control bar, safety leash and aerodynamic wing profile makes it a perfect introduction to traction kiting, kiteboarding, or all-around fun. Mesh air inlets hold a clean aerodynamic wing profile and a central vent drains sand or water if needed. Read this guide carefully to be sure you set up your Tantrum correctly before flying. Pay extra attention to the safety section: KITES ARE NOT TOYS AND CAN BE DANGEROUS IF MISUSED. For more information on all aspects of sport kiting check out our website at wwwprismkitescom The Prism Crew safety setting up first flight Flying safely is YOUR responsibility. Your kite can fly faster than 50 mph and pull hard enough to hurt you, even in moderate winds. NEVER fly your kite in extreme conditions or winds that are too strong for your skill or equipment. Always practice in

lighter winds before you attempt to fly in strong winds. Take the kite out of the bag and unfold it flat on the ground with the logo side facing up. Your control bar and flying lines should already be attached to the red and blue bridle pigtails on either side of the kite. If they aren’t, tie the red and blue line loops to the red and blue bridle pigtails using a Lark’s Head knot (below). Soft parafoil wings like the Tantrum must be inflated by the wind flowing into them to take shape and fly, just like a modern parachute or paraglider. Kites are not designed for type of man-lifting activity. Never attach yourself permanently to the kite and never attempt to jump with your kite. Unwind some line from the control bar so you can hold the kite by the bridle pigtails and inflate it over your head with the mesh air inlets facing the wind. With the kite inflated overhead, check that all bridle lines are clear and untangled. NEVER fly your kite near power lines, in storms, near

airports, roads, railways, people or animals. If you have any doubts about the safety of your flying situation, don’t risk it! One slip, or a broken line, and you or a bystander could be seriously hurt. Lay the kite back on the ground with the ground with the trailing edge facing the wind and and put some sand or other suitable weight on the rear edge of the sail to keep it from blowing away. where to fly Walk slowly backwards into the wind as you unwind your flying lines from the control bar. Lay the lines on the ground parallel to each other and check for tangles as you go. Choose your flying spot carefully to avoid turbulent wind. Like whitewater in a river, wind that flows past obstacles like trees, buildings and hills becomes gusty and choppy and can make controlling your kite difficult or impossible. The best place to fly is an open beach or field with wind blowing in from off the water. When you reach the end of the lines, attach the safety strap to your right wrist and

hold the control bar in front of you with the red end on the right. BRIDLES LEADING EDGE AIR INLETS Once airborne, pulling the right line slightly will turn your kite clockwise, pulling left will turn it counterclockwise. The kite will turn in the direction of your pull and keep turning until you even out your hands. Practice making figure eights in the sky by alternating upward turns until you get a feel for keeping it in the air. If you repeatedly turn in one direction, you will build up a series of twists in the line. After around 10 twists, your lines will have noticeable friction as they slide past each other. When friction builds, make turns in the opposite direction until the twists are removed. SAFETY LEASH: If at any point the kite pulls too hard or you start to lose control, just let go of the control bar and the safety leash will cause the kite to collapse and settle to the ground. In an emergency, pull the red tabs on the wrist strap to disconnect from the kite. 220

BRIDLES LEADING EDGE AIR INLETS D PU M LL 220 IN IM M IMU ULL DP MAX SPEED AND PULL MIN BRIDLE PIGTAIL AN FLY HERE 220 VELCRO SAND DRAIN D SP EE EE D SP TRAILING EDGE U M N A If you have such a place available, it’s worth the extra travel time to get there because you’ll learn to fly in a fraction of the time. If you have to fly inland, look for wide open fields with no trees, buildings, or hills for at least a half mile upwind. With experience, you’ll be able to fly more easily in less than perfect conditions more easily, but when you’re just learning, a smooth, consistent wind makes a huge difference. With your arms outstretched in front of you, pull in the lines just enough to inflate the sail, then take a step backwards and sweep your arms down and back briskly to launch. Hold your hands even and the kite should climb straight up into the sky. DON’T FLY HERE Obstacles create turbulence downwind TRAILING EDGE VELCRO SAND DRAIN BRIDLE

PIGTAIL the wind window LAUNCH 220 220 The flight area of the kite is called the Wind Window and it extends in a semi-circle from the left to the right side of the pilot. In the middle of the Wind Window, known as the Power Zone, the kite will fly fastest and generates the most pull. Pull Left to turn left As it reaches the edge of the window it will pull less and slow to a stop. The Zenith, directly above the pilot at the top of the wind window, is the best place to “park” the kite when you want to rest your arms and minimize pull. Pull Right to turn right Hold hands even to go straight In a normal launch, the kite is flown from the ground through the middle of the wind window up to the zenith. This will result in near-maximum pull. For this reason, it is important before launch to check that the lines are attached correctly and not tangled, and that your safety leash is securely attached to your wrist. Make your first flights in lighter winds (10mph is perfect) until

you are familar with the power and handling of your kite. CONTROL BAR SAFETY LEASH STEERING CONTROL BAR Practice figure 8’s first! SAFETY LEASH 22 0 220 zenith 22 Power dive ing area For attaching flying lines to bridle pigtails LARK’S HEAD KNOT power zo ne lan g din For attaching flying lines to bridle pigtails 220 Loop Low Pass 220 PULL TIGHT HEAD KNOT LARK’S Square 220 PULL TIGHT land 0 220 Land here Land here BASIC MANEUVERS a are Source: http://www.doksinet flying tips removing sand from the kite care and repair • Expect some “unplanned landings” while you learn to steer the kite. Most people take at least half an hour in steady winds to get the hang of it. Open the Velcro closure at the middle of the trailing edge of the kite and slide out the fabric tongue to hold it open. Shake sand towards the opening to drain. Small amounts of sand or water can be shaken out in flight. The advanced materials in your kite are durable and

designed for a long life with minimal maintenance. Keep your kite out of the sun when not in use to keep the sailcloth from fading. Beach sand is abrasive and will wear on bridles, so do what you can to dust off the sand after a session at the beach. A freshwater rinse is a good idea if your kite has been swimming in salt water. Keep your kite out of hot car trunks and don’t use solvents for cleaning. • Hold your arms outstretched in front of you at chest height as you fly, not over your head. Holding your arms high over your head will only make it more difficult to control the kite. TRAILING EDGE • Use small hand movements so you don’t over-control. SAIL REPAIRS: Your kite will last a long time unless you like to fly near cactus or barbed wire fences. Many tears and punctures can be invisibly repaired using a special transparent adhesive film which is unaffected by moisture or UV from the sun. Repair tape and other repair materials are available from the spare parts

section of our website at www.prismkitescom • After an “unplanned landing,” check the kite closely for loose parts or tangles before you re-launch. Light Winds: Light wind flying takes extra practice. The trick is to keep tension on the lines at all times by constantly moving around on the field. Gain altitude by walking backwards, and regain lost ground by moving forward while the kite glides down and away. Keep the kite moving and turn it before it comes to a stop. Strong Winds: Launch closer to the edge of the wind window to avoid getting yanked forward when the kiteblasts straight up into the power zone. Be sure your flying area is clear of tripping hazards in case you get pulled forward. Don’t fly in strong winds until you are comfortable steering the kite in moderate conditions. landing To land, fly the kite all the way to the edge of the wind window and slowly steer downwards. The kite will settle to the ground Have a helper catch it and secure it to prevent it from

blowing away in stronger winds. In an emergency, simply let go of the control bar with both hands and the safety leash will collapse the kite. Pull the red tab on the wrist strap to disconnect from the kite if necessary. packing up Be sure the kite is secured by a helper or weighted on the ground to keep it from blowing away. Walk towards the kite as you wind the flying lines in figure eights onto the control bar to prevent twists or tangles. When you get close to the kite, use the wrist strap and elastics at the bar ends to secure the lines on the bar. Leave the bar and lines attached to the kite to prevent tangling the bridles. If you need to remove the lines for some reason, tie the two bridle pigtails together to prevent the bridles from getting tangled. Shake and sand or dirt from the kite and fold it from tips to middle, then from trailing edge to leading edge until it is small enough to fit in the bag. Fold the the bar with lines attached into the bag and store together. The

cords on the outside of the bag can be used as shoulder straps. Adjust their length with the cord lock hidden just inside the mouth of the bag. TO SEND IN A REPAIR, download our repair form from the website and include it with your kite so we know who you are and how we can help. troubleshooting videos and more information If your kite doesn’t seem to be flying correctly, check the following: Visit www.prismkitescom/support for video tips on more advanced tricks, tuning, and flying sport kites. Is there enough wind? Your kite will need around 4-7 mph of smooth wind to fly depending on your skill. Lighter winds are more difficult for beginners but become easier with practice. Are there obstacles disturbing the wind? Wind can become turbulent and inconsistent from trees, hills, buildings, etc. nearby You’ll feel turbulence in the lines as irregular pull in the lines and/or erratic behavior in the kite. Are you holding the control bar correctly? The color coded red bar end

should be in your right hand, blue in your left. Are your bridles tangled? Sometimes a bridle line can become snagged on the kite or a line attachment point and affect the flying shape of the wing. Inflate the kite overhead and inspect each bridle while holding it from the line attachment pigtails. Are your flying lines the same length? Occasionally lines can stretch unevenly, causing the kite to veer in one direction. If they are uneven by more than an inch, adjust the knot position where lines attach to the control bar leaders to even them out. If none of these points solve the problem and your kite still doesn’t fly correctly, contact your retailer or us directly and we’ll be happy to help. specifications TANTRUM 220 TANTRUM 250 Wind Range Kite Size Packed Weight Line Length/Weight Line Material Includes 5-25 mph 220 cm 21 oz 85’/150 lbs Polyester Flying lines, control 4-25 mph 250 cm 26 oz 85’/300 lbs Dyneema bar, safety leash our word At Prism, we are confident

you’re going to have a great time with every product we make. But for any reason you’re not happy and your retailer is unable to help, let us know and we’ll do what it takes to make things right. Damage due to normal wear and tear can almost always be repaired at a reasonable charge. Spare parts for all Prism kites can be ordered direct from our web store at www.prismkitescom 4214 24th Ave. West Seattle, Washington 98199 Phone: 206.5471100 Fax: 206.5471200 e-mail: info@prismkites.com