TWO-LINE PILOT’s GUIDE

WELCOME! WHERE TO FLY SAFETY

If you’ve never flown a two-line sport kite before, there’s fun and
excitement coming your way. NOT the static, one-line kites you played
with as a kid, sport kites are completely maneuverable by pulling one
line or the other, to give you fingertip control at speeds up to 60 mph.
Our high performance wings combine aerospace materials such as
carbon fiber, Spectra, and Mylar laminates with sophisticated wing
shaping to ease you into progressively more challenging maneuvers.
And with models for every application you’ll find the perfect combina-
tion of performance and durability for your needs. We even make a
sport kite so light you can fly it indoors in no wind at all!
Whether you’re off to the beach for a weekend, or gunning for a
world competition title, Prism kites are coveted worldwide as the gold
standard for kite design, quality and performance. We wish you smooth
winds and years of pleasure in the sky!
— The Prism Crew
Your choice of flying field is the most important ingredient for success Sport kites can move fast and unpredictably, especially in strong winds.
with your kite. It’s easy to choose a spot where the wind is turbulent Your kite or lines could pull you into danger or seriously injure anyone
and gusty from obstacles in its path. But like whitewater in a river, wind in their path. Be absolutely sure your flying area is clear before
that flows past trees, buildings and hills becomes gusty and choppy every launch.
and can make controlling your kite difficult or impossible. The best
place to fly is a 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 learn to fly in a fraction of the time. If you have to
fly inland, look for wide open fields with no trees, buildings, or hills for
at least a half mile upwind. With experience, you’ll be able to fly in less
than perfect conditions more easily, but when you’re just learning, a
smooth, consistent wind makes a huge difference.
For questions, replacement parts or repairs:
Not intended for children under 14
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KITE
ANATOMY
KITE ANATOMY
ANATOMY
KITE ANATOMY ASSEMBLY
KITEKITE
ANATOMY
ANATOMYLower Spreader Elbow
Lower Spreader Elbow Elbow
Lower Spreader Leading Edge Ferrule
LeadingLeading
Edge Ferrule
Edge Ferrule
Lower Spreader Elbow
Lower Spreader Elbow Upper Spreader
Leading Edge Upper
Leading Edge Spreader
Ferrule ElbowSpreader
Upper
Ferrule
Wingtip Nock Elbow Elbow
WingtipWingtip
Nock Nock Upper Spreader
Upper Spreader For questions, replacement parts or repairs:
Elbow Elbow
Wingtip NockWingtip Nock WWW.PRISMKITES.COM

Lower Spreader
Lower Spreader
Lower Spreader
Lower Spreader Upper
Lower Spreader Upper Upper
Leading
LeadingLeading
Edge Rod STEP 1 - Unfold your kite and lay it out in front of you with the STEP 4 - Hang the kite from the bridles as shown, checking that the kite
Edge RodUpper
Edge Rod
Spine Upper Leading printed logo facing up. is symmetrical and the bridle lines run clear without tangles around
Spine Spine LeadingEdge Rod frame or fittings.
Edge Rod
SpineStandoff Rod
Spine
StandoffStandoff
Rod Rod

Standoff Rod
PREFLIGHT
PREFLIGHT
PREFLIGHT CHECK
CHECK
CHECK
Standoff Rod
Lower
PREFLIGHT
PREFLIGHT CHECK
CHECK
For questions, replacement parts or repairs:

PREFLIGHT CHECK
Lower Lower
Leading
LeadingLeading
Edge Rod WWW.PRISMKITES.COM
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• Lower Spreader (2): Stiffen main body of kite and Check for safety
Check for safety
Leading edge ferrule: Connects upper and lower leding edge rods
STEP 3 - Push the lower and upper spreader rods ALL THE WAY into you hitHow
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power to start.
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the four rubber elbow fittings on the leading edge. Then insert tripping hazards?
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hooks onto to tension
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for safetyhazards?TT
• Standoff Rods (2 or 4): Tensions back edge of sail spreaders to tension the sail. If necessary, slide the fittings so all
Wingtip nock: hooks onto elastic to tension leading edge
standoffs are perpendicular to the spreader.
could you hit with the kite? Are you clear of vehicles, power lines,
BE CAREFUL! Hold rods tightly right at the end so they don’t slip storms, tripping hazards?TT
and puncture the sail.
Wingtip nock: hooks onto elastic to tension leading edge

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 FIRST FLIGHT THE WIND WINDOW M
LL IN
PU IM
Most sport kites perform best in a steady, moderate breeze
N
D
UL
L M
IN
U LIGHT WINDS: Light wind flying takes extra practice. The trick is
between 8 and 10 mph. IM

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P to keep tension on the lines at all times by constantly moving around on

A
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SP
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L M the field. Gain altitude by walking backwards, and regain lost ground

EE PEE
IN

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UL

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SP SP
For your first flight, pick a place to fly that is wide open and free from IM

D
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AN AN
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obstructions to the wind. A beach with smooth wind coming off the N

I M U I N I MIUN I M U
MAX SPEED AND PULL lighter lineset to decrease the weight and drag on your kite. Maximize

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water is ideal. Obstructions such as trees, hills and buildings will cause

SP
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lift by adjusting your bridles for light winds. (See Tuning)

EE

ULL ULL ULL

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MAX SPEED AND PULL
turbulence in the wind and your kite will be much harder to control.

SP
M M

D
A
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Attach red and blue clips on your bridle to the corresponding MAX SPEED AND PULL STRONG WINDS: In strong winds (18+ mph), consider using

MIN
colored loops at the end of your flying lines. stronger flying lines. For most kites, you’ll want at least 150# lines when
the wind comes up. If you have a kite that pulls hard, 200# or even 300#
Lay the kite on its back facing away from the wind and walk upwind lines are the minimum for windy days. Longer, heavier lines slow the
while you unwind the lines. When you reach the end hold the red wrist kite down and give you time to react. You can also adjust the bridles to
strap in your right hand and the blue one in your left.
LAUNCH reduce lift and pull. (See Tuning)
With your arms outstretched in front of you, take a step backwards LAUNCH
and sweep your arms down and back briskly to launch. Hold your VIDEOS AND MORE INFORMATION: Go to the website at
hands even and the kite should climb straight up into the sky. LAUNCH
LAUNCH www.prismkites.com/support for video tips on more advanced tricks,
tuning, and flying your sport kite.
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
EQUALIZING FLYING LINES: Flying lines can stretch with use
Pull Left Pull Right
or occasionally end up uneven during manufacturing. Our “Equalizer”
out your hands. to to
Pull
turn Left
left Pull
turn Right
right adjustable flight straps incorporate adjustable-length pigtails that you
to to
Practice making figure eights in the sky by alternating upward turns can shorten in seconds to equalize your lines. Just tie an overhand knot
turn left turn right
Pull Left Pull Right to shorten whichever side is too long - for an instant fix without even
until you get a feel for keeping it in the air. If you repeatedly turn in one to to
direction, you will build up a series of twists in the line. After around 10 turn left walking to your kites.
Hold hands even turn right
twists, your lines will have noticeable friction as they slide past each to
other. When friction builds, make turns in the opposite direction until
Hold
gohands even
straight Uneven lines
to
the twists are removed. go straight
Hold hands even
to
TIPS: go straight

• 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 STEERING
hang of it. STEERING
STEERING Step 1: Pull in pigtail on longer line to adjust
• After an “unplanned landing,” avoid damaging your kite by inspecting STEERING
practice figure 8’s first!
it closely for loose parts or tangles before you re-launch.
practice figure 8’s first!
• 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 practice figure 8’s first!
control easily.
Power Step 2: Tie a knot in the pigtail
• DO use small movements so you don’t over-control. Expert pilots dive
Power
use mostly fingers and wrist to feel and control the kite. Square
Loop dive
Square Power
• DO keep the kite moving and high in the wind window so you have Loop
dive
time and control to react. Square
Low Pass
Loop
Low Pass
• DON’T try to do radical tricks before you master the basics. land here land here ... and you’re done!
If you practice basic maneuvers till they’re wired, the tricky stuff
land here Low Pass land here
will come easily.
land here
BASIC MANEUVERS
BASIC MANEUVERS
land here

BASIC MANEUVERS
BASIC MANEUVERS

TUNING FOR DIFFERENT WINDS CARE AND REPAIR FLYING LINES

While it’s not necessary to adjust your bridle, small adjustments will
help you fly your kite more easily in a wider wind range. The more you
fly the more you will be able to feel the differences that tuning makes.
On sport kites, the bridle determines the exact angle the kite holds to
the wind as it flies (the “angle of attack”). Tipping the nose slightly fur-
ther forward or further back affects the speed, pull, and turn radius of
the kite.
Angle of attack adjustments can be made by moving the color-coded
pigtails along the bridle legs. Your kite will come with the pigtails on
the factory setting, which is at the midpoint between two knots spaced
about 1” apart. The factory setting works best in the light to moderate
side of your kite’s wind range.
The advanced materials in your kite are durable and designed for a
long life with minimal maintenance. Keep your kite out of the sun when
not in use to keep the sailcloth from fading. Beach sand is abrasive
and will wear on bridles and fittings, so do what you can to dust off
the sand after a session at the beach. Compressed air works great for
this if it’s available, 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.
STORAGE: To fold up your kite the way we do at the factory,
disconnect the upper and lower leading edges at the joints and fold the
lower leading edges up against the upper leading edges. Then fold the
Your sport kite can be flown on a wide variety of lengths and strengths
of Spectra flying line depending on the wind conditions. Longer,
stronger lines slow the kite and reduce pull in strong winds. Shorter,
lighter lines reduce drag and let you fly in the very lightest winds. Many
pilots travel with three or more linesets to get the widest wind range
out of their kites. For ultimate performance, try our professional grade
Modulus™ Spectra lines, specially braided, pre-stretched and coated
for minimum diameter and stretch.
Sometimes lines stretch unevenly over time, creating a tendency for
the kite to turn more easily in one direction. If left and right lines are
more than 1 inch different in length, our Equalizer flight straps make it
easy to even them out in seconds. (See above)

Once you’ve gotten to know your kite, try moving the pigtails slightly
above or below the factory setting, moving them only 1/4” at a time.
You’ll find that the kite flies easier in light winds with the pigtails slightly
higher (nose tipped forward), and in strong winds you’ll find it turns
easier and pulls harder with the pigtails lower (nose tipped back). DO
NOT MOVE THE PIGTAILS BEYOND THE LIMIT KNOTS ON EITHER SIDE
OF THE FACTORY SETTING.
leading edges against the spine so all the spars are next to each other. Lines can wear and break if you fly regularly in sand or strong winds.
Tuck the standoffs into the sail and roll the sail neatly up to (but not Retie the two ends using a blood knot if it breaks in the middle, or tie a
around) the bundle of leading edges and spine. Try to avoid wrinkles new loop in the end using a double overhand loop if it breaks at the end.
as you fold as they break down the coatings in the sail and cause it to Then stretch both lines out together and tie a new loop in the longer
stretch out. Use the Velcro strap provided or a rubber band to bundle it line so that your two lines are once again equal in length (within 1/2”).
all together, and don’t forget to include your upper and lower spreaders.
USEFUL KNOTS
FRAME REPAIRS: The carbon spars in your kite will not fatigue DOUBLE OVERHAND LOOP
over time, but occasionally you may break one learning new tricks or Double Overhand Loop: Used to finish the end of your flying lines.
Spec .
pushing the limits in high winds. Replacing a spar is quick and easy -
many pilots carry a couple of extras when traveling just in case. Spare
parts for all current Prism kites and many discontinued models are
4” -

Limit knot available direct from our website at www.prismkites.com. 6”

To center “T” Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

SAIL REPAIRS: Your sail will last a long time unless you like to
ng ligh
stro ds win t
win ds Blood Knot: For joining Lark’s Head Knot: Secure flying lines
Limit knot fly near cactus or barbed wire fences. Tears can also happen during a split in your flying lines. to the kite and wrist straps.
To lower spreader To center “T”
ligh
To upper spreader assembly or disassembly if a spar slips in your hands. Most tears
ng
stro ds win t
win ds and punctures can be invisibly repaired using a special transparent
adhesive film which sticks to the back of the sail and is unaffected by
To lower spreader To upper spreader moisture or UV from the sun. Repair tape and other repair materials
are available from the spare parts section of our website
at www.prismkites.com.
OUR WORD At Prism we’re confident you’re going to have a
great time with every product we make. But if for any reason you’re
If your repair requires sewing, remove the frame from the kite and not happy and your retailer is unable to help, let us know and we’ll
send us just the sail so we can get you a quote and take care of it for do what it takes to make things right. Damage due to normal wear
you. There are very few mishaps that can’t be effectively fixed by our and tear can almost always be repaired at a reasonable charge.
talented in-house repair team. To send in a repair, download our repair Spare parts for all Prism kites can be ordered direct from our web
form from the website and include it with your sail so we know who store at www.prismkites.com.
you are and how we can help.
CONTACT US
Lightest Winds: Medium Winds: Strongest Winds: REPAIR KIT: A handy kite repair kit with everything you need for 4214 24th Ave. West,
NOSE FORWARD FACTORY SETTING NOSE BACK most common repairs is available from Prism retailers and our website
Seattle Washington 98199
at www.primkites.com. It includes a handy instruction booklet with a Phone: 206-547-1100
Move pigtails UP Move pigtails DOWN
Lightest Winds: Medium Winds: Strongest Winds: wealth of useful repair tips. Fax: 206-547-1200
NOSE FORWARD FACTORY SETTING NOSE BACK e-mail: info@prismkites.com
Move pigtails UP Move pigtails DOWN

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