Peter Lynn SPARK Instruction Manual

Instructions and safety manual
12

12
12
Congratulations!
Thank you for purchasing a Peter Lynn product. The Spark has been designed by one of the
world's foremost designers of power-kites and buggy equipment and is constructed to give you
many years of good service.
You are now the proud owner of a power kite which has been designed for use on land. Please
read this manual carefully before using it for the first time in order to get the best result and to
ensure the safety of yourself and others. Please keep this manual together with your Peter Lynn
Spark kite for future reference.
Traction kiting is a growing sports activity across the globe with product innovation and techni-
cal development evolving fast. To learn more about this exciting sport and about the complete
Peter Lynn product range, please visit
www.peterlynnproducts.com
Introduction
Contents of your Spark package
You will find your kite Ready-to-fly, in a neat functional bag together with the required control
gear.
The Spark package contains:
1. Spark kite
2. Spark bag
3. Dyneema flying line set
4. 2-line handles (padded straps)
5. 2-line control bar (optional)
6. Instruction manual
Handles or control bar
Handles give a more direct feel of the kite. A control bar makes flying slightly easier and lets
you get used to controlling a kite with a bar when training for kiteboarding.
Line length
Each Spark is delivered with a set of Dyneema flying lines, the length and strength of which
have been individually chosen for each size of kite.
A line length anywhere between 15 and 30 meters works fine. Shorter lines means more direct
steering and less power being generated by the kite. Longer lines means less direct steering
and more power from the kite.
1
2
3
4
5
6

12
Setting up - overview
Setting up your kite
left handle right handle
left flying line right flying line
sleeve on end
of flying line
sleeve on end
of flying line
sleeve on end
of flying line
sleeve on end
of flying line
lower skin
trailing edge
air inlets
right bridle
left bridle
top skin
left bridle
loop
right bridle
loop
leading edge Velcro tag

12
12
Setting up your kite
Step 1 - Getting started
1. Find a good location to set the kite up.
WARNING!
Never fly a kite near power lines, railroads and airports. Make sure the area is clear of
people and other kite flyers. Never fly a kite on crowded beaches! Make sure you have
a downwind area of at least 100 meters which is clear of buildings or other obstacles.
2. Take the kite out of the bag and unfold the kite. Lay the kite down with the lower skin up,
trailing edge opposite to the wind direction. Make sure you put some sand or other suitable
weight on the trailing edge of the kite to prevent it from blowing away.
3. The two bridle loops are secured together in the Velcro tag in the centre of the leading edge
of the kite. Remove the bridle loops from the Velcro tag and lay the bridles on the ground.
The 'Wind Window'
Before flying your kite it is important
to understand the 'wind window'.
The image shows where the kite will
create the most power (straight
downwind, also known as the ‘power
zone’) and where the kite will create
the least power (edge of the window
and zenith).
E
d
g
e
o
f
t
h
e
w
i
n
d
w
i
n
d
o
w
DOWNWIND
Minimum power Maximum power
Minimum power
Zenith
cross wind cross wind

12
Setting up your kite
Step 2 - Unwinding your flying lines
Starting at the kite, slowly walk backwards while unwinding your lines. Walk in the opposite of
the wind direction. This prevents line tangles, and enables you to launch easier and faster.
Always try to keep your lines in a straight line, this prevents line tangles. Lay your lines out so
red is used as the left flying line, and black as the right flying line.
Step 3 - Attaching the flying lines
Attaching the lines to the handles
Attach the flying lines to the handles by using larkshead knots
Make a larkshead in the sleeve on the end of the flying line. Slide the larkshead over the end
knot on the line attached to the handle. Tighten the larkshead and slide it against the end knot.
Attaching the lines to a control bar
When using a control bar check the manual with this bar for the appropriate method of attach-
ing the lines. For most bars you can also use the larkshead knot to attach the flying lines to the
bar.
Attaching the lines to the kite
Attach the lines to the kite by using the same
larkshead knot as described above, and sliding
it onto the bridle loops on the ends of the bri-
dles.
You are now ready to start flying your kite!
1 2 3

Steering your kite
Once the kite is airborne, flying it is pretty
easy: almost like riding a bike. Pull on the left
line and the kite will turn left, pull the right line
and the kite will turn right.
Looping your kite
Pull in one line and hold this position. The
kite will now make a full loop. The lines are
now twisted, but no worries! Loop the kite
in the other direction to undo the twist.
Launching
To launch your kite:
1. Make sure the kite is still secured from blowing away
by some sand on the trailing edge. Stand at the posi-
tion so your flying lines are at about 45 degrees to the
wind direction. The more you launch your kite directly
downwind, the more power the kite will produce when
launching.
2. Check again if the area is clear of people. Slowly take
a few steps back. You will see the leading edge rise
and the sand will fall from the trailing edge of the kite.
You can stop walking when the kite launches.
3. If there is sufficient wind, the kite will start flying to the
zenith.
Launching with a helper
As an alternative to step 1-3, you may also ask someone
to hold the kite by the leading edge, so it is ready to fly
off. First let the kite fill with air, then the helper guides it
upward on your command.
Flying your Spark
12
12
Launching and flying your Spark
45º
Steering
your kite
Looping
your kite

12
Landing, packing up and troubleshooting
Improving your kite flying skills
Frequent practice will help you improve your flying skills quickly. Start in medium winds. You
probably will find steering in very light winds the most difficult and in very strong winds the most
nervous. After starting with simple figure eight patterns, you can continue doing more
aggressive turns and looping the kite.
Landing
To land your kite:
1. First check if the area is clear of people.
2. Fly the kite to the edge of the wind window, either to the left or the right, and steer it down
to the ground. Here a helper may grab it. Secure it with some sand or other suitable weight.
Sometimes it may prove difficult to land foils, particularly in stronger winds, as the kite may eas-
ily refill with air and launch again. Therefore make sure that when the kite is on the ground there
is no more air inside it and the kite is secured properly.
Packing up
1. You can leave the lines on the kite, or loosen the larkshead knots attaching the flying lines
to the bridle. Secure the bridle loops with the Velcro tag in the centre of the leading edge.
This will prevent the lines from getting tangled when unpacking the kite next time.
2. Wind the flying lines in figure-eights on to the winder or control bar.
3. Then make sure you remove all the sand and dirt from the kite and fold the kite from the
tips to the centre until it is small enough to fit in the bag.
4. Place your kite with handles and line in the Spark bag to prevent the kite from getting
damaged when not in use.
Troubleshooting
In case the kite doesn’t launch or fly the way it should, please check the following:
•Is there sufficient wind? Your Spark needs a bit of wind to get going. Flying the kite in winds
that are too light make it very difficult to fly your kite properly.
•Are there any obstacles disturbing the wind? Winds can easily get disturbed by large
obstables like buildings, trees, hills or dunes.
•Are you holding your handles the right way around? Use the color coded lines as described
in this manual, to make sure when grabbing your handles, the correct handle is in the
correct hand.
•Is the kite clear of sand and water? Wet kites, or kites with a lot of sand in it are hard to fly.
Hold the kite upside down by its trailing edge and shake the sand out.
•Are your bridles free of tangles? Bridle lines can also easily get caught behind the bridle
loops or parts of the kite. Untangle the bridle by taking off the flying lines, undoing the
tangle and reattaching your flying lines to the bridle loops.
•Are your flying lines untangled and the same length? On a very rare occasion Dyneema
lines can stretch unevenly. Adjust the line length by moving the knots on either the bridle
loops or the line attachments on the handles.
If none of these issues are applicable and the kite still does not fly properly,
please contact your local dealer or email: [email protected].

12
Important information
Care and Maintenance
Peter Lynn kites are designed and built using the best and most reliable materials and proven
construction techniques. Apart from regularly checking the kite and the flying lines for damage
and normal wear and tear, it requires no particular maintenance. To ensure a maximum life
span for your kite, please pay attention to the following:
• Always store your kite dry, to prevent it from getting any mould spots.
• Let your kite dry naturally, do not use devices such as a hair dryer.
• Do not leave your kite unpacked unnecessarily on the flying field. UV radiation will deterio-
rate the fabric's colour and strength. It is advisable to minimise sunlight exposure.
• Regularly check the bridle lines for knots or tangles, replace lines that show signs of wear.
• Avoid crashing the kite on its leading edge. A hard crash can damage the profiles or cells
of the kite.
• Avoid cleaning your kite as much as possible. In case you do want to clean it, use soft cloth
moistened with lukewarm water only. Never use chemical cleaners as they will damage the
fabric.
• Never put the kite in a washing machine or try to iron your kite.
Safety
Kite flying can be dangerous. To ensure maximum safety for you and others, please take note
of the following safety rules:
• Do not fly near power lines, roads, airfields, railways etc.
• Do not fly on crowded beaches and certainly not over bystanders.
• Do not fly during lightning or stormy weather conditions or in offshore winds.
• Kites are not designed as 'flying' devices or for any other type of man-lifting activity.
• Do not use a kite that is too big considering your weight, experience and wind conditions.
Ask for advice from an experienced user when in doubt.
• Never attach yourself permanently to the kite and never jump off high places.
• This kite is a powerful traction kite and therefore not suitable for smaller children.
• If you are new to the sport, start using the kite in light to moderate winds only.
Warranty
This Peter Lynn kite has been designed and built for all round traction kiting purposes. Being
made of first class materials, it has been thoroughly tested and approved by Peter Lynn
designers and testers. The kite is warranted to be free of major defects in materials or work-
manship to the original purchaser for a period of six months. Peter Lynn shall not be responsi-
ble for any costs, losses, or damages incurred as a result of using this product.
In case you may find any problems with your new kite, please contact your retailer.
More information
For more information about Peter Lynn products, please visit
WWW.PETERLYNNPRODUCTS.COM