New additions to my reviews and articles...

I have added a couple of new articles to the My Reviews and Articles section, over there on the right of your screen...

An idiots guide to kite buggying

Hotwire

Converted...

I have just got back from my first hotwire experience and I'm a convert! 

The wind was 14, gusting to 21 knots flying the 6m Access. Launched using the harness and then hooked into the Hotwire. First few runs felt a bit strange but soon got used to the feeling of not being hooked directly to the kite.

It was awesome, where as gusts would of lifted my backside from the seat and scared the sh1t out of me I just kept going, if not for the Hotwire I would have probably packed up and gone home - too scared! :eek: 

I would of also de powered the access using the trimmer, but felt confident and secure enough to fly fully powered. On a couple of occasions when a big gust did hit (it was the remenants of tropical cyclone Olwyn) the buggy automatically turned slightly downwind. I did reposition the straps further back after a couple of runs as the front initially felt a bit light.

Slides etc were all the same as being harnessed and the bug felt stable and not once did a rear wheel lift or it feel like it was going to turtle.

Landing was the same as ever powerslide and as the kite de powered grab the brake strap and down it would come.

I would like to get the technique for hooking in and launching in the buggy sorted, then I could do away with the harness completely.

track.

Hotwire - finished & ready for testing...

I bought some 80mm stainless-steel snap hooks and 2m of seat belt webbing from BCF. And in under an hour I had made myself a pretty decent looking hotwire system.

Best of all I got to use the sewing machine again!

The loops, I actually made these too small to thread the snap hook through, but managed it in the end...

First fix of the hooks...

Testing the position...

 Double checking with a body double..!

Check out the quality workmanship...

The finished product...

Checking with the chicken loop...

Chicken loop and 5th line safety...

Tuck down the side of the seat when not in use...

I'm pleased with how they look and the positioning, the seat belt webbing should be pretty strong, but I guess the proof will be next time I fly!

Hotwire - part 2...

I'm really hooked on this idea (forgive the pun!) and Ive seen a couple more pictures and am getting an idea how i'm going to build this...

Plummets hotwire.

I've got some old webbing; I will have a look in Masters, Bunnings and BCF for the rings and clips...

Then a bit of sewing and playing around and I should have a working hotwire set-up. I have shortened my spare safety leash ready to go..!

Mini leash

Hotwire..!

Just been reading a post on hotwiring on Extreme Kites and it has got me thinking I may try this.

I've just been rummaging around the garage to see if there is anything I can use/recycle! I have found a spare safety leash which has a release and a couple of clips. If i get some webbing and shackles I maybe able to come up with something!

Looks like the sewing machine maybe coming out again!