Synergy Deca Flying 2

In many ways the Deca files like any quad line kite - pull on the top lines, the kite moved forward, pull on the bottom lines the kite goes backwards. The difference is: a) how it steers, and b) how it can be flipped on it's front and back.

I have found that there is very little pull on the lines even in a strong wind - this takes a little getting used to, if you are used to flying a Revolution as there is much less feedback on the flying handles.

Forward Float

If you pull back too much on the handles the Deca stops it forward flight and falls onto it's front (pointy wings facing up). The kite then starts falling back to the ground - still face down. To recover you can do either:

    1. Pull back very sharply on the bottom lines - I find that you have to rotate your hands as if you were simply putting the kite into reverse as well as pulling you hands down by your side.
    2. Pull one side's top lines very sharply - this causes the Deca to kind of flip around itself and then starts flying backwards. This appears to be harder to do than number one, but does look good!

The problem is once you have flipped the Deca on it's front it will float down (i.e. fall) very quickly, so you have very little time to recover.

But since Deca's are, well, bouncy usually the kite will simply bounce back up. No flyer input needed!

Backwards Float

    1. From the kite in position at the top of the wind window (i.e. straight in front, right at the top) gently pull on both the bottom lines - the Deca should start reversing down to the ground.
    2. When it's about two thirds from the ground sharply pull on both bottom lines together - you may need to move your hands down to your side whilst pulling (depends on the wind speed).
    3. The Deca will suddenly fall onto it's back (with the wing tips facing the ground) and more or less stay there.
    4. By gently pulling either your left hand or right hand you can get some limited movement of the Deca in this position.
    5. Be warned that in gusty wind it will not stay like this - I always find that it quickly becomes unstable.
    6. To recover again you either pull sharply on both of the top lines to cause the kite to return to normal flight, or give a very large tug with just one handle to cause the Deca to swing round and return to flight.

Dive stop with a Difference

One of nice things that I never tire of is doing the old 'Dive-Stop' thing - fly to the top of the window, rotate the kite round so it's leading edge is facing the ground (or what passes for a leading edge with a Deca!) then fly full speed to the ground but putting the brakes on at the last minute to have the kite hovering just above the ground. This works with any Quad line kite (especially the Rev) and of course the Deca (although not as 'snappy' as the Rev). However with a Deca you can do something different - When the kite is coming full speed down to the ground rather than applying full brake, apply full top line (like to the Forward Float). But instead of flipping the kite so the wing tips are towards the sky (as in the Forward Float) instead you actually get into the Backwards Float where the wing tips are towards the ground.

This take some practice, not least because it's somewhat counter intuitive - applying full speed towards the ground - something one does not do when flying a Rev (at least not twice).

Timed right it's a very pleasing thing to do. Timed wrong you have planted the kite into the ground. Again.