Just got your new Bee from the nice kite man eh!

The following is a guide to help you get started with the minimum of grief.

You will need:
Kite
Lines
Handles
Stake (tent peg, stick or similar)
First put stake in the ground, put one end of the lines over stake and run out the lines downwind, check they are all the same length, if not then adjust them.
Take the lines off the stake and attach the lines to the handles using lark's head knots.

Stake the handles down (some handles have a handy loop of rope near the bottom, use this) Take kite to the other end and attach kite to lines again with lark's head knots. Unfurl kite and take out any slack in the lines by moving away from the stake. Kite should sit nicely in an arc on the ground ready to fly.
Go back to stake, take hold of the handles, check lines are not twisted or tangled. Launch kite by taking a few steps backward and/or pulling arms quickly towards body. If kite refuses to fly it is probably the brake lines that are a bit short, adjust them, to do this you move the attachment point of the lines nearer or further away from the handles. If you run out of adjustment then you may need to add an extension, a short piece of 5mm rope should do, tie an overhand knot on one end and make a loop in the other. Then attach with alark's head knot. When the kite is flying the handles should be in a comfortable position i.e. 90º to the forearm. The brakes should have no perceivable effect in this position and the kite should fly to the top of it's climb and then just sit there. Now gently apply one of the brakes the kite should start to turn immediately if not then the brake lines are to long, adjust and try again.
In standard trim like this the Firebee is a great kite, get used to flying it like this for a few hours.
You will be knackered and wanting a rest anyway.
Then have a go at installing and flying with the Powerings...

Now that you have got you bee nicely set up and you have had your fun for the day it is time to put it back in the bag. Leave everything connected. With the kite landed put the handles on the stake. Get your bag and walk to the kite. Fold up the kite with all the bridles in the centre so that you end up with a neat parcel of fabric with just the four lines coming out. Put this in the bag and pull the drawstring shut. Leave it there and walk back to handles. Put stake in pocket or somewhere that you will not lose it. Hold both handles together and wind all four lines around both handles whilst walking towards the kite bag. Open bag and put handles down the side of the bag. Here are some pictures that may help explain the winding procedure. You don't have to do figures of eights, it is a personal thing, I find it is kinder on the lines and is quicker but if you prefer just go round and round the handles.

The next time you want to fly your bee do this:

Stake in ground, pickup kite bag and walk downwind line length away from stake, normally 1 stride = 1m ish therefore I walk out 30ish strides. Drop kite bag, leave kite in bag, extract handles. Walk back toward the stake whilst unwinding the lines. On reaching the stake, place you handles around it to secure the brake lines, walk back to bag, unpack kite and shake to inflate and take out any slack in the lines by moving kite away from stake (kite should now sit nicely on ground) walk backup up lines removing tangles as you go, on reaching the stake, put kite bag somewhere safe. Pick up handles check and remove twists etc if required finally launch away.


marcus@stratus-design.co.uk