Bali Kite (Flying Advice Needed)

with flowing tail and 3-D head. If you've seen one ya know what I'm talking about.

Flight Characteristic: Did a long line launch. It looked great for a minute, then would suddenly turn and do a swan dive to a nose plant.

Is there a trick to flying one of these? Should I build a new bridle for it? It's just a two point 'body' bridle now, but the wingspan is pretty wide. Would a four point bridle work better.

HELP!!!!!

We have a large butterfly (16' wingspan) from Bali.....check your bridle. What's it made from? We had to change ours- it was made of a polypropylene-like stuff that wouldn't hold- Rod would adjust it, we'd launch her, then off to the side she'd go - CRASH!!!! Cindy T./Serendipitous Skies Custom Flags & Banners/Windsocks/Kite Tails

I have both a three footer and a six footer. Both flew like crap when I got them. I'd definitely go with the four point bridle. However, these kites are mad for the tourist trade and are not built to fly. Both of mine have severely asymmetrical bodies. One I managed to get adjusted so that it will fly. The other seems to be hopeless. Being a commitable flyer though, I haven't given up.

Just keep playing with it long enough and it'll fly well some day.

Did it fly consistantly to one side? If it showed no consistant directional preference, I'd move the bridle point down a bit to keep it from overflying its stable point.

If it goes off in one direction, one side of the bow is stiffer than the other. If it's wood (bamboo, ramin) flex the stiff side (the outside of the curve the kite took) a bit in order to massage the wood and give it the same flex as the weak side.

If it has a fiberglass bow, you'll probably have to mess with the bridle some. Maybe try a three point bridle like some of the fighters.