I just don't know. That's the beauty of it - there are no commercial products to compare it to.
I think my various NPW kites probably fly as well as most trainer kites. Mine are normally four line vs. 2 line for the usual trainer kites of about the same size. A four line gives a lot more control but is not as easy to fly.
The performance difference is minor compared to the quality and beauty of the workmanship. Its not that hard to make a good flying kite - making a good product is something altogether different. The commercial kites are really nicely made and fly very well. They will probably long outlast the user's interest. The kites I've made a do not look as nice since I'm not very good at sewing yet but they are pretty bombproof. And the commercial kites can't be water launched like my kite.
The difference in performance also is a function of design. The NPW kites are known for having a lot of forward pull, and less "lift." So the design is not as good for jumping. (Which I have no intention of trying.) They are good for pulling things or people. They are used for pulling buggies, skiers, mountain boards, even kayaks or SUP boards. There are no commercially available NPW kites in the US, though you could import one. (I got my first one from Germany.) There are also a few people who will make one for you and the cost is pretty low. My 4.0 meter was made for me by a lady in Louisiana. You can't tell the difference between that kite and the commercial kite products.
—
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
BTW - speaking of performance, here's a link to the wind tunnel tests on my kites design. I'm betting the commercial models didn't do any wind tunnel tests. :Phttp://2e5.com/kite/nasa/
—
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
BTW - speaking of performance, here's a link to the wind tunnel tests on my kites design. I'm betting the commercial models didn't do any wind tunnel tests. http://2e5.com/kite/nasa/
Read the research. Pretty depressing. Dated 1970. 19 effing 70. You know what was going on at NASA 1970? (Okay, technically Jan 1971) Apollo 14.
So, NASA is sending men to the moon, preparing for Voyager, Space Lab and a bunch of cool stuff. Meanwhile, poor Mr. Rodger L. Naesleth is in charge of kites. All that cool moon, Jupiter, Pluto stuff going on and the poor guy is designing kites (yeah, I know, they were trying to figure out a safe way to land capsules but still).
I can only imagine it went something like this:
Mr. N.: Say, boss, when can I work on the cool stuff?
Boss: Not now, Rodger. Maybe when you are a little older.
N.: But I am older. I'm almost 35.
Boss: I know, champ. And, look how much you've grown while 34. Hey, do you want some chocolate ice cream?
N (totally distracted): Yeah!
Rodger? Wasn't that Tony's friend?
Randy, all in fun. I used to be a big space nut as a kid. Who else remembers the Rogallo Wing?
I sure remember the Rogallo wing. I got to meet one of my heroes, Francis Rogallo, at his house on Nags Head. I don't think he felt relegated to the uncool stuff at NASA. His designs of course evolved into hang gliders. Today they look pretty different from his strut-less, soft wings
There were a few guys looping in 1996 when I put my glider away. The big carbon crossbars, that made it possible to eliminate all the top rigging, came a few years later. Topless gliders have way less drag. That allows you extra speed in the big, hairy dive you need to maintain positive G's going straight up & over.
BTW -I am not receiving any money from the ads running on my video about your arrest records being online, or whether Obama will step down, or how to date Kim Kardashian,etc.
—
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
BTW -I am not receiving any money from the ads running on my video about your arrest records being online, or whether Obama will step down, or how to date Kim Kardashian,etc.
The real Randy:
Glad you were at a secret spot. I was going to suggest maybe that you'd want to try Vann's Tavern.
—
--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.
As threatened. Here is another one. Yesterday at Mary Alice.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
And another one - not sure what the kite is for since the wheel is electric.
[vimeo]94751101[/vimeo]
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
If not cat videos, the how about Dog Videos?
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
tun, tun, tun, tun,tun,tun,tun,tun,tun... good boy
Back to kite videos. My first kite made from ripstop and sewing instead of tape. Its 1.8 meter.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Randy, the Cirq thing isn't going to happen. You can stop with the kites now.
Congrats on the kite. All teasing aside, how does it fly vs commercial offerings?
--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.
I just don't know. That's the beauty of it - there are no commercial products to compare it to.
I think my various NPW kites probably fly as well as most trainer kites. Mine are normally four line vs. 2 line for the usual trainer kites of about the same size. A four line gives a lot more control but is not as easy to fly.
The performance difference is minor compared to the quality and beauty of the workmanship. Its not that hard to make a good flying kite - making a good product is something altogether different. The commercial kites are really nicely made and fly very well. They will probably long outlast the user's interest. The kites I've made a do not look as nice since I'm not very good at sewing yet but they are pretty bombproof. And the commercial kites can't be water launched like my kite.
The difference in performance also is a function of design. The NPW kites are known for having a lot of forward pull, and less "lift." So the design is not as good for jumping. (Which I have no intention of trying.) They are good for pulling things or people. They are used for pulling buggies, skiers, mountain boards, even kayaks or SUP boards. There are no commercially available NPW kites in the US, though you could import one. (I got my first one from Germany.) There are also a few people who will make one for you and the cost is pretty low. My 4.0 meter was made for me by a lady in Louisiana. You can't tell the difference between that kite and the commercial kite products.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
You might find this on point - here's a link to pictures from a guy that used a NPW kite to tow his gear on an arctic expedition.
https://plus.google.com/photos/+claeskite/albums/5220306938867302593?banner=pwa
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
The dreaded double post. I've never done one before. I must be slipping.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Cirque de Soliel here I come:
BTW - speaking of performance, here's a link to the wind tunnel tests on my kites design. I'm betting the commercial models didn't do any wind tunnel tests. :Phttp://2e5.com/kite/nasa/
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Read the research. Pretty depressing. Dated 1970. 19 effing 70. You know what was going on at NASA 1970? (Okay, technically Jan 1971) Apollo 14.
So, NASA is sending men to the moon, preparing for Voyager, Space Lab and a bunch of cool stuff. Meanwhile, poor Mr. Rodger L. Naesleth is in charge of kites. All that cool moon, Jupiter, Pluto stuff going on and the poor guy is designing kites (yeah, I know, they were trying to figure out a safe way to land capsules but still).
I can only imagine it went something like this:
Rodger? Wasn't that Tony's friend?
Randy, all in fun. I used to be a big space nut as a kid. Who else remembers the Rogallo Wing?
--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.
I sure remember the Rogallo wing. I got to meet one of my heroes, Francis Rogallo, at his house on Nags Head. I don't think he felt relegated to the uncool stuff at NASA. His designs of course evolved into hang gliders. Today they look pretty different from his strut-less, soft wings
Here's another kite video :o
[vimeo]26210217[/vimeo]
Carbon fiber is a wonderful thing. Weren't most of these maneuvers potentially fatal not that long ago?
There were a few guys looping in 1996 when I put my glider away. The big carbon crossbars, that made it possible to eliminate all the top rigging, came a few years later. Topless gliders have way less drag. That allows you extra speed in the big, hairy dive you need to maintain positive G's going straight up & over.
A much better alternative to cat videos:
https://hitthewave.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/windsurfing-beauties/
(nsfw but entirely windsurfing related)
--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.
If Windsurfing Magazine had run pictures like that, they would probably still be in business.
But in the meantime we are stuck with more kite videos:
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
How about another Kite Video!!!!! This one unveils my top secret Camo Stealth kite as tested today at an undisclosed location.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
BTW -I am not receiving any money from the ads running on my video about your arrest records being online, or whether Obama will step down, or how to date Kim Kardashian,etc.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
The real Randy:
Glad you were at a secret spot. I was going to suggest maybe that you'd want to try Vann's Tavern.
--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.