A Success Story With A Roller Kite

by Craig Ensey
(Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA)

Taken on my birthday over in Newport, Oregon

Taken on my birthday over in Newport, Oregon

So, got inspired to build a Roller by this site. It took about 6 hours, but I used taffeta nylon instead of a bag. It was OK for a first try...

When I got to the beach over in Newport, Oregon I let it out in about 8 mph winds hoping for the best. I flew from altitudes varying from 100-300 feet and it flew great the whole time. I'm thinking about switching to bigger cross spars like 1/4" 'cause they bend a lot. I'm thinking bigger is better, yes?!

It's a great design... If you're thinking of building one - DO IT!

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starstarstarstar 		Stiff breeze
by: Tim Parish

8mph winds are a little stiff for this design if made exactly according to instructions, yes. Give 1/4" dowel a try if you are likely to fly in this kind of breeze most of the time.

I fly my Roller in the lightest of breezes, and usually in thermal conditions inland.

Thanks for encouraging other would-be kite builders out there!

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  1. Flight Report:
    Big Box In Booming Air

    Jan 19, 19 02:53 AM

    Remarkable. Before leaving for the field, the online weather station reported 20kph gusting to 28kph. And then on arriving back, again, the speeds were 20kph gusting to 28kph! However, the direction w…

    Read More

Wind Speeds

Light Air
1-5 km/h
1-3 mph
1-3 knots
Beaufort 1

Light breeze
6–11 km/h
4–7 mph
4–6 knots
Beaufort 2

Gentle ...
12–19 km/h
8–12 mph
7–10 knots
Beaufort 3

Moderate ...
20–28 km/h
13–18 mph
11–16 knots
Beaufort 4

Fresh ...
29–38 km/h
19–24 mph
17–21 knots
Beaufort 5

Strong ...
39–49 km/h
25–31 mph
22–27 knots
Beaufort 6

High Wind
50-61 km/h
32-38 mph
28-33 knots
Beaufort 7

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