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Chapter 15, Advanced Ground Handling, covers The
Alan Method of reverse kiting. This method can also allow you to fly
backwards.
Recently, we set out to get pictures of this
technique and others from one of our motor haunts near Chicago. The chosen
hill, a dirt pile, wasn't much but, with the strong winds present, it was
indeed soarable. I would kite up the face of the cliff and push off the
top, using the brakes as shown for both steering and to prevent twisting
around to forward. Normally, you would let yourself untwist and fly
forward but I held it for the pictures. Plus, the value of this
technique is that if you get successively lifted and plopped down, you
maintain far better control.
Admittedly, flying backwards is neither safe nor
terribly useful in most cases. But in strong winds, where you are likely
to get lifted, it can be the skill that prevents a toppling turtle.
As described in the book, if you get lifted
unexpectedly while reverse kiting, expect to get twisted around and
dropped, off balance, in the turtle-inducing forward position.
Flying backwards is a skill that can really only
be practiced in a soaring harness from a small hill. Even then it's quite
dangerous due to getting disoriented and pulling the wrong control. So the
way to practice it is from level ground in a moderate wind. Only do that
once you've mastered high-wind kiting as described in Chapter 15.
The two keys to success are 1) keeping your body
horizontal to increase rotational inertia which helps prevent untwisting
and 2) countering the small untwist force with the brake lines. This is
possible because, by holding the brake lines above their pulleys as
shown, you can impart an anti-twist force. Without this, you'll eventually
succumb to the risers wanting to untwist.
Please don't try such antics without significant
soaring experience. I had planned on getting blown over the back and had
an out (which I had to use). Getting blown over the back would likely
result in an injury, at best, since you'd be in for a 20 foot free fall
when the wing deformed in rotor from the hill.
Thanks to Tim Kaiser's help, we got all the
pictures we set out for. Other techniques that we captured were high-wind
inflations, some riser holds and how to handle a cravat. These will be
posted eventually as PPG Bible Extras. |
Unusually
warm weather in Illinois let us go for a photography
mission. It was gusting to about 19 mph here. The reward was some gorgeous motor flying
after the wind
mellowed. Photos by Tim Kaiser.
Below, Tim pointing to the Fly 75 (left) and Pete Sachs, who joined
us, landing.
 
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