Synapse Pilot's Guide
Welcome, and congratulations on your selection of a new Synapse - we hope you'll love it as much as we do! In this guide we've put together all the info, tips, and tricks you'll need to get the most out of your new kite: From setup and launching instructions to maintenance and customer support, we've got you covered! Read through to get the full story on your new kite, or use the table of contents to jump straight to a specific topic.
Not finding the answers you need? Contact our team at info@prismkites.com and we'll get back to you ASAP. We look forward to making your flight a success!
Smooth winds,
The Prism Team
Safety Information
As a pilot, you - and only you - are responsible for your safety and the safety of those around you when you fly. Read these instructions thoroughly, and make sure you understand how to properly use your kite before launching. Below are some important notes to keep in mind in order to ensure a safe flying experience:
Make sure your flying space is clear before launching. Kites can move quickly and unpredictably, and your kite or its line could seriously injure anyone in their path if something goes wrong.
Never wrap your flying line around your hands. In a gust, the wind can cause your kite to pull hard enough to for the line to cut you seriously. Always hold the lines by their wrist straps.
Parts Overview
Parts
1 - Air Inlets
2 - Bridle
3 - Flying Line Attachment Pigtails
4 - 'Dirt-Out' & Tail Attachment Point
Setting Up Your Kite
Because the Synapse doesn't have any parts that require assembly, getting ready to fly is fast and simple. Here's how to prep your kite before launching:
Unfold your kite and lay it flat on the ground. If your flying lines aren’t already attached, tie the colored loop ends on your lines to the red and blue bridle pigtails using a Lark’s Head Knot.
Check to be sure the bridle lines aren’t tangled by holding the kite overhead by the bridle pigtails and letting it inflate.
Have a helper hold the kite facing the wind. If flying by yourself, you can keep the kite in place by weighing down the bottom edge with some sand, smooth rocks, or a water bottle.
Unwind the flying lines from the winder as you walk upwind, laying them out in a straight line on the ground.
Attaching Tails
You can attach a tail to your Synapse using the small white loop located at the middle of the kite's bottom edge. A clip-on tail can be clipped in place here, and a tail without a clip can be connected by passing its attachment pigtail through the loop, and then feeding the tail through the pigtail to secure.
Flight Basics
Soft parafoil wings like the Synapse must be inflated by the wind flowing past them to fly, just like a performance parachute or paraglider. We recommend getting started in smooth, moderate winds between 8 - 12 mph for your first few flights to ensure that you have enough wind to fully inflate the sail and make it easier to launch, but not so much wind that controlling the kite becomes more difficult.
Launching
With your kite set up, walk to the end of the flying lines and pick them up, holding the blue strap on your left, and the red strap on your right.
Hold your arms outstretched in front of you, walking back to create just enough tension to lift the flying lines off the ground (if you are launching by yourself, use enough tension to just raise the top edge of the sail off the ground).
Take a step backwards and sweep your arms down and back briskly to launch. Bring your hands back in front of you and hold them even, and the kite should climb straight up into the sky.
Sweep both arms back to launch. Keep your hands close together and in front of you for best control - don’t wave them over your head!
Steering
Once airborne, pulling the right line slightly will turn your kite clockwise, pulling left will turn it counterclockwise. The kite will turn in the direction of your pull and keep turning until you even out your hands.
Pull right line to turn clockwise, left line to turn counterclockwise. Hold hands even to continue straight in the direction the kite is pointed.
Maneuvers
Practice making figure eights in the sky by alternating upward turns until you get a feel for keeping it in the air. If you repeatedly turn in one direction, you will build up a series of twists in the line. After around 10 twists, your lines will have noticeable friction as they slide past each other. When friction builds, make turns in the opposite direction until the twists are removed.
Practice figure 8’s, loops, power dives, squares, horizontal low passes and landings to learn the basics.
Landing
When you are done flying, you'll need to bring your kite down to the ground so you can pack up. The easiest way to do this is to steer your kite all the way off to one side, where it will eventually loose the wind and settle to the ground. Once grounded you can have a friend hold it in place for you while you wind up your flying lines. If flying on your own, it can be helpful to stake your wrist straps to the ground to hold the kite in place while you walk over to secure it.
Tips
Expect to crash more than once before you can keep the kite in the air. Most people take at least half an hour in steady winds to get the hang of it.
After an “unplanned landing,” avoid damaging your kite by inspecting it closely for loose parts or tangles before you re-launch.
DON’T hold your arms over your head or outstretched to the side as you fly. Keep your arms together and in front of you or you’ll lose control easily.
DO use small movements so you don’t over-control. Expert pilots use mostly fingers and wrist to feel and control the kite.
Light Winds: Light wind flying takes extra practice. The trick is to keep tension on the lines at all times by constantly moving around on the field. Gain altitude by walking backwards, and regain lost ground by moving forward while the kite glides down and away. Use a shorter, lighter lineset to decrease weight and drag for light winds.
Strong Winds: In very strong winds (25+ mph), your Synapse can pull hard enough to break a flying line. They’re easy to repair with a Blood Knot, but stronger flying lines - 200# or even 300# may be necessary. Longer, heavier lines also slow the kite down and give you more time to react.
Managing Your Flying Lines
About Your Flying Lines
IMPORTANT: The flying lines that come with your kite require proper care and handling to ensure their longevity. Used correctly your lines will last many years, but if mishandled you'll risk breaks, tangles, and even the loss of your kite. We've outlined the most common issues flyers encounter with their lines below, along with information to help you avoid making these mistakes yourself. Replacement flying lines are not covered under your kite's warranty, so be sure you read and understand the information in this section before you start flying.
Broken Flying Lines
The included lines are sufficiently strong to support your kite when flown within the advertised wind range (5-25 mph), but if those speeds are exceeded your lines may break. To prevent this, avoid launching your kite in winds near the very top of the recommended range. Wind speeds are variable, and flying at the maximum wind speed will leave you vulnerable to breakage if conditions suddenly change or an unexpected gust of wind comes along. Wind speeds are also generally stronger higher up in the air, so if you notice ground level speeds near the upper limit it's best to wait until conditions calm a bit before launching.
Breaks can also occur when attempting to tug your kite free of something it's become tangled in. Stay away from trees and other obstacles to avoid getting stuck, and if you experience an unplanned landing, check to be sure your lines aren't caught on anything before re-launching.
Lastly, keep a safe distance from other kites when flying. Lines can cut through each other when they get tangled in flight, so leave enough space for your neighboring kite flyers when choosing a spot to fly.
Tangles & Knots
Tangles and knots can be hard to fix, but luckily they're also very easy to prevent. Just remember this - your flying lines should always be either completely wound onto the included winder, or they should be making a straight line from the wrist straps to the kite. Avoid dragging your flying lines on the ground, unwinding them into a pile at your feet, or taking 'shortcuts' when winding them up at the end of your flight session, otherwise you're likely to end up with a tangled mess as your reward.
Winding Your Flying Lines
When you're done flying for the day it's important to properly store your flying lines back on their winder, ensuring your lines are ready-to-use and tangle free when you start your next flying session. Here's our preferred winding method:
Hook the colored cords from both wrist straps through the slot in your winder to anchor your lines in place.
Holding both flying lines together, wrap them onto the winder in a figure-8 pattern, continuing until all the line is on the winder (single line shown for simplicity).
Once the lines are fully wrapped, fold the wrist straps over the wound lines. Pull the elastic cord around the winder and slip the knot into the notch on the winder’s handle to secure.
Equalizing Your Flying Lines
Your new lines will stretch as you use them - don't worry, this is normal! The adjustable wrist straps that came with your lines can be used to quickly even them out as you break them in over time. Here's how to make this adjustment:
Anchor the sleeved ends of you lines to something sturdy and unwind them fully. Note any difference in length between the lines.
Pull the knot out from inside the wrist strap on the longer line, and slide the wrist strap forward to access the adjustment pigtail.
Tie an overhand knot in the pigtail. The distance between the new knot and the old knot should be equal to the difference in length between the two lines. Slide the wrist strap back into position, seating the knot inside.
Confirm that the lines are now even (within a half inch)), and reposition the knot if necessary.
Useful Knots
Double Overhand Loop
Used to finish the end of your flying line. Works well for both sleeved an un-sleeved lines.
Blood Knot
Can be used to join two pieces of line if your flying line breaks.
Lark's Head Knot
Can be used to connect your flying line to the line attachment point on your kite's bridle without the aid of an attachment clip.
Choosing a Flying Location
Choose your flying spot carefully to avoid turbulent wind. Like whitewater in a river, wind that flows past obstacles like trees, buildings and hills becomes gusty and choppy and can make launching your kite and keeping it in the air difficult or even impossible.
The best place to fly is an open beach or field with wind blowing in from off the water. If you have such a place available, it's worth the extra travel time to get there because you'll have a much easier time launching and flying your kite. If you have to fly inland, look for wide open fields with no trees, buildings, or hills for at least a quarter mile upwind.
Troubleshooting
If you're having trouble with your kite, check below for answers to the most common problems that come up. Not seeing your issue listed below? Reach out to our support team at info@prismkites.com and we'll be happy to help you get it sorted out so you can get back in the air.
Kite feels uncontrollable or keeps crashing
Control movements are too big
Sport kites take small, precise movements to control and beginners often overdo it at first. Try keeping hands low and close together. Don't let them go over your head.
Obstacles disturbing the wind
Trees, buildings, or hills in the area create turbulence, making the wind gusty and inconsistent. Choose a different location or wait for a different wind direction that is less obstructed.
Tangled Bridles
Check to be sure bridle lines run clear and aren't twisted around each other before each launch.
Kite turns to one side
Uneven flying lines
Flying lines can stretch unevenly. Check that they’re equal within an inch, and if necessary shorten the long one slightly by shortening the wrist strap pigtail as shown in Equalizing Flying Lines.
Tangled bridles
Check to be sure bridle lines run clear and aren't twisted around each other before each launch.
Launching in wrong part of the wind window
Make sure that you are launching your kite in the center of the wind window, directly downwind from where you are standing.
Kite is reluctant to fly upward or feels sluggish
Not enough wind
Flying in light winds takes practice, especially with smaller more responsive kites. Wait for a windier day (we recommend 8-12 mph winds if you are just getting started).
Obstacles disturbing the wind
Trees, buildings or hills in the area create turbulence, making the wind gusty and inconsistent. Choose a different location or wait for a different wind direction that is less obstructed.
Flying lines are different lengths
Lines can stretch out unevenly as the braid settles during first flights
You can quickly even out your flying lines using the included adjustable wrist straps. See Equalizing Your Flying Lines.
Maintenance & Repairs
Maintenance
The materials in your kite are durable and designed for a long life with minimal maintenance. Here are few tips to keep it healthy:
Give your kite a pre-flight inspection before you launch to be sure everything is properly set up, the sail is intact, and the flying line isn't worn.
Beach sand is abrasive and will wear on your lines and sail, so do what you can to dust off the sand after a session at the beach. A soft brush works great if you have one, and a freshwater rinse is a good idea if your kite has been swimming in salt water.
Keep your kite out of hot car trunks and avoid using solvents to clean the sail as they can dissolve the adhesives in the seams. Warm water and a little dish detergent on a soft sponge works best for cleaning kites.
Keep your kite out of the sun when not in use to prevent the sail from fading or becoming brittle.
Repairs
Sail tears are rare, but can happen if your kite lands in a sticker bush or needs to be yanked free from a tree. If this happens to you, don't despair! Our favorite repair tape is made specifically to make permanent, nearly invisible repairs to torn sails.
Support
Our Warranty
We’re confident you’re going to have a great time with every product we make. We guarantee that your new kite will arrive ready-to-fly and defect free, with all parts and accessories included. If you run into any issues upon inspecting your new kite, let us know and we’ll do what it takes to make things right.
Need Help? Get in Touch!
For help with general inquiries, repairs, or warranty issues, please contact us at info@prismkites.com. We’ll respond within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. To ensure fast service please include any relevant information in your email so we can get started helping you right away. This could include the model of your kite, the name of a part you are looking for, or your mailing address if we need to send something your way. We look forward to hearing from you!