UKS Pilots to 2010

8m Pilot .

Change tuning to pulling in B and letting out C- works better.  Could be a shortish loop between B and C on each side, then a double sheet bend connecting a loop from left to right.  There would then only be 3 loops to main bridle attachment point.  A's don't require adjustment, but the centre B should have.

Having a secondary bridle loop is an excellent idea- prevents all possible knot loops during launching.

Stress importance of mirror image cutting and symmetrical sewing.

Build in centre slots for stacking.

12m pilot (higher aspect ratio).

Bridle set up and tuning as for 8m above.

Is currently tending towards undercorrection red skysilk at Berck, Cervia- try reducing leading edge heights in middle three ribs by 30mm each- or more?

Mirror image cutting and symmetrical sewing.

Facility for thru the centre stacking '

Sicilly and Andalo  June, '09

Stefs modification by removing the flares forward of B made it very difficult to get one of these to fly acceptably. It tended to undercorrect uncontrollably in light winds, overcorrect in strong, couldn't get acceptable  all winds performance, but did get it going well in stronger winds- VERY collaspse resistant but tending towards random undercorrection.  An assymetry was corrected letting out B left, but this caused left flying in light wind, right in strong- a clear angle of attack effect.

Pilots, (mainly yellow one at Bintulu) '09.
Especially in light winds, when this kite falls to one edge or the
other, the upside flare contributes a significant part of the total
lift while the downside one is generally reverse pressured (pushed
inwards).
Because this kite's flares have much more area behind the C of P than
forward of it, this tends to cause the kite to fall off to the edge
even more- to the point of collapsing and rolling under
This is a new perspective: that lateral area in this effect, doesn't
only have a wind aligning function.  The previous assumption that
disposing area to the rear would generally be beneficial to stability
is therefore not (ever?) correct .
Perhaps long shapes have a similar effect- when lying over at one
edge, if the rear body has more lift than the front has, then this
will tend to exacerbate the initial lean.
It probably doesn't make much difference whether flares or keels are
central or side- will still likelyhave thee same effect.
This probably explains much edging behaviour- but how to identify  the
difference between rearward disposition of lateral lateral area efects
and basic undercorrection?- Undercorrection should usually correct
eventually- provided the kites doesn't progress to a dive, but lat.
area edging should exhibit a stable mode hanging at the edge (unless
the lower side flods under).

Implications for Slarcs; LAD effects are VERY likely to be a major
cause of their edging behaviour.  Solutions may be:
1. To hinge the tips so that their lateral area is ineffective- or if
inged and of reflexive profile, such that the lift they generate acts
at the hinge- that is, more forward than for a stiff section.
2. To wedge a lot more so that the tips are not so rearward of the C
of P- but previous prototypes attempting this have required 100%
inflation for launching, flying- why?  Would separated cavities, (
centre span, or leading edge ?) fix this?
3. To taper the tips a lot.
Also for SLARCS:  low aspect ration version; why isn't it less
inclined to undercorrect than higher aspect ratio models?- suggests
that lateral area disposition is the major problem, not C of G/C of P
distance.

Rearward lateral area disposition (LAD) edging seems to be maximum  in
very light winds- why is this?- becasue in stronger winds the kite is
not able to move as far off line with wind direction before a strong
component of line tensions works to centre it again?
Sunday 9th Aug; cut off entire rear sections of flares on the yeelow
pilot.  LARD edging stpped immediately, kite swung back and forward
around a centre not far from the LE, quickly recovered from any
misalignment- too quickly: serious overcorrection.  Would just about
damp with max pull-in on b's, and reduced a lot at very low angle of
attack also- but not sufficiently for useful flying.  A significant
step for all that- suggests that the amount of lateral area matters,
and it's disposition matters- as expected.
For this kite; make new flares of at least the same area as originals,
but displaced forwards.
Average bridle length can probably return to original- lengthening did
not reduce undercorrection- which was caused by a LAD (Lateral area
disposition) effect it seems.
Tuning system on No1 yellow pilot (Liana's) at Bali worked very well-
and B bridle shortening also worked well to reset Endang's standard 8m