kite size/type

[Grey_Squirrel_Hawker]

does it matter what kind of kite you use? i mean obviously you need one that will atain a good heigh and quickly for trainig a falcon to get height for hunting but if you were, for example, training a buzzard to soar for demonstration purposes, could you get away with using a cheap kite, the kind you would find for a fiver in toy shops?

[Hawkmaster]

Yes it matters and you need two different ones one for high wind and a bigger one for low wind conditions.

There is a pattern to make your own here on the site.

HTH?

[Grey_Squirrel_Hawker]

was just curious realy as the kites you see recomended aint exactly cheap (i sound like a righ skinflint!) and i just wondered if there was a reason for needing a specific kind of kite.

[Hawkmaster]

I also feel they are too much and that is why I made my own ones. The Delta kites (http://freespace.virgin.net/mike.go/Pages/delbuild.html) move around in the air too much and found the Delta-Conyne (http://www.aka.org.au/plans/dc.html) a better low wind kite and the Double Conyne in a smaller variety is better for high winds with the centre panels removed.

[GriffMJ]

Hi GSH

I have "Just" purchased a "Whirlwind" 8ft Delta from Dan Leigh (http://www.deltakites.com/)..... this is said to be the best all rounder and it was just under £100 inc VAT. You will have to buy all the rest of the stuff seperatly (I recommend Julian @ Falconers Emporium).

[Dagi]

just got a 6foot single line delta from asda half price only cost a fiver must be worth a try

[GriffMJ]

Almost have all my kit now... just waiting in a fence post reel with drill attachment and we will be away.....

I will be using ....


8ft Delta (lite to medium winds)
400m 80lb Braided Dacron (also 600yards of 130lb braided Dacron)
Rutland Fence reel with drill attachment
A coat hanger boom to a steel ring, silicon sleeved line with sampo snaps to a pull away (Julians) & a sleeved Lure line to a small sampo to a 4 wing kite lure I have designed. Full length of lure assembly is 10ft for good clearance all attached to a karibiner.Will have pics up when all is set up and in use :D

[Dagi]

looking forward to the picks ,i fancy having a go with a kite as when the gulls are away from the site for a few hours it will give me and the birds something to play with and i can tell the boss im training falcons ,every ones a winner

[Frankie69]

Yes it matters and you need two different ones one for high wind and a bigger one for low wind conditions.

There is a pattern to make your own here on the site.

HTH?

Hawkmaster,

I can't find this pattern, can you help

Cheers,
Frankie

[Hacker]

looking forward to the picks ,i fancy having a go with a kite as when the gulls are away from the site for a few hours it will give me and the birds something to play with and i can tell the boss im training falcons ,every ones a winner

Tell the boss it is a bird scaring kite for the gulls.:D

[MikeGyr]

can anyone show me a kite to use in strong winds?



Mike:)

[KiteTrainer]

The best type of Kites are made by Dan leigh, they are designed to fly at a high angle of attack so you get the best from the amount of line that you put out. A smaller kite for stronger winds and a bigger kite for light winds
I also made up a winder from an old electric golf cart. This holds the kite even in the strongest winds and allows me to concentrate on the bird.od car

It allows me to control the decent of the kite and saves a great deal of time.

Dan Leigh produces a good catalogue which is well worth a look, well worth the money like everything else you get what you pay for

[BlueHawk]

Rutland Fence reel with drill attachment


Griff,

Pick one of these up from a farm/agricultural shop only £20 rather than pay the inflated prices..

Gareth

[GriffMJ]

Hi Gareth

Got the Rutland Fence Reel and drill attachment for £41 in total :D

I have made up a Kite lure ..... very light weight and with pheasant wings attached....... just a bit concerned about total weight ..... I dont think this is an issue as I have a Dan Leigh 8ft Delta ......... BUT its the weight on the ring clamp that I am bothered about....... do you clamp tightly with the release mechanism so the falcon has to realy hit the lure ......or just enough to keep all in the air without falling away half way up?

http://www.m-jhoods.co.uk/images/Clients/KiteLure/KL1.JPG

[BlueHawk]

Hi Gareth

Got the Rutland Fence Reel and drill attachment for £41 in total :D

I have made up a Kite lure ..... very light weight and with pheasant wings attached....... just a bit concerned about total weight ..... I dont think this is an issue as I have a Dan Leigh 8ft Delta ......... BUT its the weight on the ring clamp that I am bothered about....... do you clamp tightly with the release mechanism so the falcon has to realy hit the lure ......or just enough to keep all in the air without falling away half way up?

http://www.m-jhoods.co.uk/images/Clients/KiteLure/KL1.JPG


Griff,

I'm using the parachute release with mine, so I'm not sure that the set up is the same, but in honesty I haven't used it yet as the falcon is making a good pitch this season without the help of a kite. His first season seemed to be spent skimming the ground about 3 ft off the ground and I was going to start this season on the kite and switch him to game if he wasn't too keen at the black stuff, but he's surprised me.

I understand your concerns with the tightness of the clamp, but I would be wary of going too tight. IMHO I'd would suggest that they only need to associate the pitch with reward, rather than stooping at the lure which is essentially inert at that height.

Regards


Gareth

[GriffMJ]

Hi Gareth

Well the rig has been tested and all is fine...... his pitch as a 1st season eyeass is not bad .... the Kite is really a fitness aid after a "virus" episode ....all is well now and he is recovering well.... he did about 5-600ft yesterday with the kite laid out on the floor :lol:

[KiteTrainer]

Hi Gareth

Well the rig has been tested and all is fine...... his pitch as a 1st season eyeass is not bad .... the Kite is really a fitness aid after a "virus" episode ....all is well now and he is recovering well.... he did about 5-600ft yesterday with the kite laid out on the floor :lol:


Sounds interesting I will be interested to see how you get on