Jim:

For what it's worth here's my comments:

Firstly, nobody gets " the hang" of kiting in 2 hours. Some people
are able to learn enough to barely launch in that period of time.
Kiting, or more accurately, ground handling, is a skill much like golf
in that it takes lots of effort and practice, some people pick it up
faster than others, and it must be practiced often to maintain some
level of skill.

I don't know where you're practicing at but if you're somewhere that
the air is laminar the problem you describe is a result of not pulling
the wing up directly into the wind. Build your wall and just barely
pull the "A's". If one side jumps up faster that other other,
reposition yourself around more toward the high side then do it again.
When you're positioned so the center comes up first, confidently pull
that baby up. Pull evenly on both risers or have them both in one
hand. The wing will come up straight. Bend your knees until you feel
pressure in the harness and let the wing fly. Most problems I see
beginners have is a result of thinking they need to control the thing
rigidly overhead and over-use of the brakes. If positioned and
weighted correctly the wing will seek the wind direction which shifts
a little all the time. Let it. The brakes are off. The whole thing
is like a dance: If you feel one side of the harness lighten sit
farther on that side (This is what turning toward the falling side is
supposed to do.) If the wing pulls go with it. If it doesn't you pull
it. Use the brakes sparingly and only until the wing starts to move
toward where you want it. Brake inputs are proportional to the
movement you want. A tiny bit of brake to slightly reposition the
wing and, conversely, if it swings quickly in a direction you don't
want, hit it hard but briefly with full brake to stop it.

Again the most important thing is practice and don't try to do it all
at once. Start with getting the thing to come up straight. When you
can do that consistently, try bringing it up and letting it fly a
little and bringing it down again. Then, when you're comfortable with
that, practice maintaining it overhead for increased lengths of time.
If it gets away just bring it down and start again. When that feels
good try turning around and maintaining it overhead while facing
forward.

Lastly, in my experience, to get and remain good at ground handling
you need to practice it at least as much as you fly. Most of us
don't. Just watch others thrashing around on launch when things get
strong and you'll recognize the importance of being good at it.

wrongwind

www.wrongwind.com


posts@jimwiley.com (Jim) wrote in message news:<ecd625a0.0206291112.61ac3977@posting.google.com>...
> I started paragliding pilot trainging two days ago and after my second
> full day of kiting or ground handling practice, I am still unable to
> control the wing for more than a few seconds. My instructors are
> helpful, but they can't spend all day with just me, so most of my
> training is self-experimentation. I have watched "The art of kiting"
> video , which was somewhat helpful and I think I know the basics of
> what to do, but seems like I am missing something fundamental. Others
> I watch barely move at all, especially their feet. I see young kids
> and women out there barely even fussing with the kites and they
> control them perfectly, while I am running side to side making huge
> corrections, using brakes constantly, etc. Its a mess. Am I just using
> too much power? Should I even be moving side to side trying to get
> under the center?
>
> Basically my issue is that once the wing comes up overhead, it
> immediately starts to turn either left or right and eventually "flip
> over" as it crashes. Very frustrating since my instructor said that
> most students get the hang of it in just 2 hours...
> Usually when this happens I try to turn towards the side of the wing
> that is falling and pull the break of the side that is higher, then I
> try to move backwards into the wind, but I usually end up going
> sideways because the kite drag prevents me from going backwards. They
> say I am fighing it, but I am really trying to go with the kite.
> ..Just not going well.
> Also, should all my weight be on my butt/harness rather than on my
> feet?
>
> If anyone has had this issue themselves and has a helpful tip, I would
> appreciate hearing about it. Starting to wonder if this is just not my
> sport.
> Thanks
> Jim

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