In our team flying toolbox we (the AERIALIS Team Flyers) have included a handful of tricks to spice up our routine. Both the 2 point landing and half axels all around the wind window are such tricks and here’s how I’ve put together a nice practice pattern that works. At least for me!
OK, start….
- The kite should be on the ground straight down wind.
- Launch and immediately turn the kite and fly a straight line 45 degrees to the left.
- Just before hitting the edge of the wind window, initiate a half axel with the inner hand.
- Fly the kite towards the ground (reversing point 2) and aim for the start position.
- Do a 2 point landing (RIGHT) at the start position on the ground
- Pause for a second or so before mirroring the steps above
- Launch and immediately turn the kite and fly a straight line 45 degrees to the RIGHT.
- Just before hitting the edge of the wind window, initiate a half axel with the inner hand.
- Fly the kite towards the ground (reversing point 7) and aim for the start position.
- Do a 2 point landing (LEFT) at the start position on the ground
That’s all there’s to it. Just repeat and you can go on for ever!
This exercise will force you to practice half axels and 2 point landings both ways (left and right) and your focus on the spot to land – try to hit the same spot continuously. Also try to initiate the half axels at the same spots too by memorizing an anchor in the sky for which to aim.
You can also include speed control practice by focusing on flying your kite the same speed wheter flying upwards or towards the ground.
Killing several birds with one stone actually!
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Updated June 18th
As Anders (Matson) commented on Facebook, you can steepen the angle step by step until you fly the kite straight up, do the half axel and reverse straight down for the two point landing.
Just make sure you alternate direction for both the half axel at the top of the wind window and the 2pt landing on the ground. 👍