Articles > Mx5Alan's Articles > PeterLynn ARC set-up FAQ

Note: The angles from the Rear Pigtails to the Front Pigtails are based on the Original Guerilla Kite Setup using the PL03 control bar.

Before testing with the following settings - test fly the kite you are using with the 'Default' - as supplied settings.

Angle from Rear Outer Pigtail to front lower knot = 3°
Angle from Rear Inner Pigtail to front upper knot = 7°

2002

F-ARC details to follow

2003

2004

Red & Black Rear Pigtail - Safety Warning

If your kite has these pigtails fitted, extra knots should be added just above the knots you use as it was reported that some existing lines could slide over the knot and detach from the kite.
Download a copy of the required Pigtail modifications - Click Here

2005

2006

Due to changes/differences between the PL Control Bars available, pigtail settings may need adjusting.
An extra or new knot is often needed to be added 4 - 5" closer to the kite connections than the original bottom pigtail knot if you are not using the latest available PL bar, or you are using a non PL bar.

Kite |---------------------New Knot-@----4"?----@ Original Knot

Scorpion - dimensions to be added when available.

Before making any adjustments try and fly the kite as supplied.

If when first setting up your kite and the kite refuses to launch, back stalls, or just sits at 6ft off the ground in light winds. It is due to the fact that the kites AoA is far to big. The kites performance may improve when there is far more wind. Other key symptoms are very loose rear lines and little or no steering when controlling the kite fully powered. To correct the problem new knots need to be added to the front pigtails.
Your other option would be to adjust your Control Bar Leader Line lengths to compensate for the differences, but it is often preferred to adjust at the kite, this then allows your bar set up to be used on any other similar kite.

Kite Pigtail Settings Required for 03 Control Bars

S-ARC (Measurements for both 02/03 control bars)
460 ... 230mm / 460mm - 9" / 18"
630 ... 256mm / 530mm - 10" / 21"
840 ... 290mm / 600mm - 11½" / 23½"
1120 ... 320mm / 690mm - 12½" / 27"
1510 ... 320mm / 690mm - 12½" / 27"

Guerilla = No extra knots are use, supplied lengths are correct
10 ... 520mm / 380mm - 20½" / 15"
13 ... 665mm / 490mm - 26¼" / 19¼"
15 ... 690mm / 610mm - 27¼" / 24"
18 ... 710mm / 410mm - 28" / 16¼"

Guerilla II
9 ... 450mm - 17¾"
11 ... 500mm - 19½"
13 ... 530mm - 21"
15 ... 580mm - 22¾"
18 ... 680mm - 26¾"
22 ... 710mm - 28"

Bomba
8.5 ... 500mm - 19½"
10.5 ... 540mm - 21¼"
13 ... 570mm - 22½"
15 ... 610mm - 24"
17 ... 630mm - 24¾"
20 ... 680mm - 26¾"

Phantom
6 ... 610mm - 24"
9 ... 730mm - 28¾"
12 ... 845mm - 33¼"
15 ... 930mm - 36½"
18 ... 1010mm - 39¾"

Venom
8 ... 490mm - 19¼"
10 ... 550mm - 21½"
13 ... 600mm - 23½"
16 ... 680mm - 26¾"
19 ... 750mm - 29½"

Vortex
8 ... 510mm - 20¼"
10 ... 570mm - 22½"
12 ... 610mm - 24"
14 ... 660mm - 26"
17 ... 720mm - 28½"

Venom II
8 ... 490mm - 19¼"
10 ... 550mm - 21½"
13 ... 600mm - 23½"
16 ... 680mm - 26¾"
19 ... 750mm - 29½"

Scorpion
6 ... ???mm - ??"
9 ... ???mm - ??"
12 ... ???mm - ??"
15 ... ???mm - ??"
18 ... ???mm - ??"

Note: inch measurements are to the nearest ¼"

These values will also work well with the Zero4/5 bars, which have more adjustment. this means that the measurements can be adjusted anything up to 100mm for fine tuning.

As explained below the Pigtail knot positions above, are for PL Control Bars - Use of any other type of control bar, then it may need further adjustments to allow it to work correctly as outlined in 'Bar & Line Settings' below

PL kite Pigtails are made from 500Kg - 700Kg Spectra line.

Control Bars - 02 - as supplied with the original S-ARC's

Trim Adjuster Strap = 7" adjustment
Leaders = 56" from bar connections (safety leash leader = 325")
Bar movement = 0mm
Depower Line total length = 43" (LE connections to Bar)


Note - above dimensions work with the following kite pigtails ~ Arc 1120 = Front 3". Back 15". 

Control Bars - 03 - as supplied with the original Guerilla's



Trim Adjuster Strap = 200mm adjustment
Leaders = 650mm from the bar to knot
Bar movement = 370mm
Depower Line total length = 720mm (LE connections to Bottom Chicken Loop Stop)


When using a 03 bar on the later kites GII, B, P, V's there is less depower adjustment available than there is with a 04/Zero4 bar.
The difference has a large effect on the usable wind range of the kite. The GII-9m when set up with pigtails as indicated above will work fine in winds above 20mph wind but to get it more usable in lower wind (<20mph) an extra knot needs to be added 25-30mm further away from the spar connection. This give the kite more AoA so it is able to catch more of the wind, but not enough that the kite stalls.

Control Bars - 04 - as supplied with the Original Guerilla II's Bomba's



Trim Adjuster Strap = 260mm adjustment
Leaders = 650mm from bar connections
Bar movement = 370mm
Depower Line total length (extended) = 820mm (LE connections to Bottom Chicken Loop Stop)
Depower Line total length (extended) = 560mm (LE connections to Bottom Chicken Loop Stop)

When using a 04 bar with the GII, B, P, V's it is possible that the pigtail lengths listed above maybe 100mm to long. This being the case you will need to either :

1. Shorten the pigtails further by another 100mm (example: if correct length should be 700mm with the 04 bar would need to be adjusted to 600mm)
2. Extend the kites rear pigtails by 100mm
3. Using above pigtail lengths - extend the Brake Leaders by 100mm

This is the key reason why there was so much confusion with the PL bar setup and the kite stalling issues.
The Brake leaders for 03/04 bar are the same length, but the 04 bar trim adjuster is longer than the 03 bar. (It is the same length as the Zero4 bar.)

Control Bars - Zero4/5 - as supplied with GII's, Bomba's, Phantom's and Venom's



Trim Adjuster Strap = 260mm adjustment
Leaders = 840mm from the bar connection to knot (780mm for pigtails with no extra pigtail knots added)
Bar movement = 370mm
Depower Line total length (extended) = 840mm (LE connections to Bottom Chicken Loop Stop)
Depower Line total length (Full depower) = 580mm (LE connections to Bottom Chicken Loop Stop)

Safety Warning - DO NOT USE the 'D' (Leash Guide) ring fitted on the rear of the Trim Adjuster Strap to pass the Kite Safety Leash through. The safety leash should be fitted like shown in the colour image above.

There is a VERY high risk of it jamming if the leash is fed through the D-ring when the kite is released to the leash. Trim Strap and kite safety leash gets tangled or the knot which attaches the Safety Leash to the flying line gets caught. End result is that the kite stays powered up. The kite will not flag out as it should then float to the ground.

Authors Note: I have had this happen when using a Zero4 bars on a F-ARC 1600.

Another improvement is to replace the red stopper where the flying line attaches to the safety leash with a S/S ring. See 03 bar information and how the safety leash is attached

Control Bars - 07 - as supplied with the Scorpion



Trim Adjuster Strap = 260mm adjustment
Leaders = ???mm from the bar connection to OS handle
Bar movement = ???mm
Depower Line total length (extended) = ???mm (LE connections to Bottom Chicken Loop Stop)
Depower Line total length (extended) = ???mm (LE connections to Bottom Chicken Loop Stop)

When using a 07 bar with the GII, B, P, V's the pigtail lengths listed above will need ???mm extensions to be added.

NOTE - Zero7 bar info. is work in progress. I haven't seen the new bar yet and still waiting for dimensions to do kite set-up calculations.

Bar & Line Settings

ALL lines should be of equal length, size and rating.
4 x 300Kg @ 30m - minimum line strength should be 2½ - 3 x body weight. 
Example: 75kg x 3 = 225  minimum line rating would be 250 or 300kg

All ARC's should be able to fly off just the front lines and sit directly over head when used in their correct wind range.
If when launching the kite stalls and sits at about 45° check the pigtail lengths against the figures above. If they are similar then you need more wind to allow the kite to perform as it should. The kite will still be able to fly in lower wind but will need far more pilot input to keep the kite moving to generate the lift/power. Wind speed may not be enough for Kitesurfing or Landboarding.

How to check your setup:
Put the kite at the zenith
Pull the depower/trim strap all the way in.
Bar positioned at the top knot - Back lines should be slack (No tension).
Adjust the trim strap out for full power.
Bar positioned at the top knot - the back lines should be tight.
Pull the bar fully in, down to the Bottom knot - Kite should start to stall.

No depower/trim and fully sheeted (Bar pulled in) the LE connections should be level with TE leader knots. (for 03/04 PL bars and Zero4 bars if the rear line leaders have been adjusted shorter else there may be up to 210mm difference between both sets of connections)


The Depower Line

The depower line is divided into 3 zones:
Neutral - Bar is resting at the top knot.
Normal Riding - Middle 2/3rds
Stall - Bar is pulled down to the bottom knot.

The Kite Stalling test:
If the kite doesn't stall when the bar is pulled in, lengthen the front pigtails.
If the kite stalls too much, shorten the front pigtails.

There is no rule as to depower line length, though as shown earlier default length is 370mm of bar movement.
Length of the line should still allow you to grab the bar and adjuster when trim strap is fully out. If adjusted you also need to adjust the Rear line connections by the same amount. 

Other Setup Problems...
Why does my kite sit to far back in the window ?
Answer: The rear lines are too tight.
Answer: The Leech strap is to tight for the wind speed you are flying in. (Phantom, Venom, Vortex) You need to loosen the leech line 'Fully Out' for light winds. (<8 knots)

Why does my kite wander side to side when flown overhead and wont Auto-zenith ?
Answer: The rear lines are too slack

De-power Line connections and knots used

03/04 connections



Zero4/5 connections

Control Bars - Non Peter Lynn

Non PL control bars often have Trim Adjuster Straps of less than 200mm. Using such bar setup, has a big effect on the usable wind range and may require lots of tweaking to get full range from the kite. 
One method has already been highlighted above, by using Extra pigtail knots. 
Major disadvantage is that you need to land the kite before adjusting them.

If using Non PL bars a better option would be to use a Clam Cleat setup. You can then set any adjustment you wish.

Adjust your rear leader lines to match the Front connection points - Both Front and Rear Line leader end knots should be roughly level as shown in the above diagrams.

If not...
Rear lines are longer - Add another knot lower, or move the current knot position closer to the bar.
Rears lines are shorter - Add longer rear leader lines or use extensions either on the kite or the Brake Leader lines if you are unable to replace them..

Or adjust the "chicken-loop" line to suit. There is no rule for chicken-line length, except you need to be able to reach it when the bar is pushed out. But a shortened depower line reduces the kites usable wind range.

DO NOT cut your lines for the required length differences. Its recommended that you keep the 4 flying lines equal length this then allows any bar and line set to be used on any of your kites. 



Control Bars - Pulley Bars

Pulley Bar Set up

These need slightly different settings than a standard bar. The trim strap is used to keep the kite powered as the kite is flown with no sheeting (Like a 2 line kite on a bar).
From the 'regions' diagram the control bar needs to operate just as 'region 2' between the Min. & Max. trim adjustment.

When setting up a pulley bar, adjust the trim strap fully out so kite would be fully powered. Adjust the control bar rear leader lines so that lines are tight, but not enough to stall the kite. (On the original Guerillas an extra knot on the front pigtail is needed (above normal connection point) to prevent the kite from stalling. This is with a PL 03 control bar.) When calculated, the brake leader lines need the connection knot on the bar to be around 30-50mm shorter if you don't add the extra pigtail knots. Adding an extra pigtail knot will effect your normal bar setup, as it will not allow the kite to stall when the bar is pulled in.

How to Check your lines

DO NOT attach all the lines to a fixed point, and just pull them tight. The lines may have different tensions even though they look the same length.
NEVER pull the lines tight to measure lengths, let the lines sag. Look down the lines and watch the movement of the lines - they all should be the same.
From a fixed object (solid fence post) attach 4 leader lines of equal length and strength rating.
Larkshead the lines to the fixed leader lines while the other end of the flying lines are attached to your bar.
Pick up the bar and tension the lines to see what differences there are in each.
If there is a big difference - enough to make steering a problem the lines may need stretching.
Note: Each line has to be stretched on its own, NEVER as pairs or quads.
Mark the ground where the bar is, then with both hands PULL on the side of the bar which has the shortest line (while trying to break the line) If it breaks - replace it. Better a line breaks while testing than when the kite is in the sky.
Use all the strength in your body... Release the tension and repeat a minimum of 20 times for EACH individual line. 
Stretching front lines requires a piece of bar passing through the loop at the end of the line in order to just pull one line at a time. 

• Ask your local kite shop to shorten them buy the required distance (if they offer this service) 
• Depending how the loops are formed remake them yourself.
• Extend  your BACK leader lines with longer ones or adjust the knot positions until all 4 lines are equal.
• Adjust the knot in the front "pigtails" of your kite equal to the difference. 

Set-up with the chicken loop against the bar and trim strap set to full power - all lines should be equal.

How to make the line end loops

Add sleeving and form a loop as shown at the required point. Allow 3" of line to form the loop. Then sew with a zigzag stitch through both line and sleeving. This is a far better method than a tied loop as below. The extra knot is a weak point because the tied knot takes full line tension before the larkshead knot does. A sewn loop is stronger as there is only the larkshead taking the full line load.

Tie knot in end of line after fitting the sleeving - form loop at required distance and tie knot as shown.

BOTH methods work well and down to personal preference. Tied loops are normally found on thinner lines where stitching is difficult/impossible. When buying lines, sewn loops normally also means the lines are pre-stretched. You are advised still to check lengths are all equal when first attaching the new lines to your kite.

Larkshead Knot - How to attach your flying lines...

Stopper Ball Fitting.

This device is added to the flying line which has the safety leash attached to, which allows the kite to flag-out when the bar is released or safety/chicken loop is released. It is designed to stop the bar traveling to far up the line and reduces the risk of tangled lines.
To fit correctly you need to position the stopper so that the kite when released will lay flat. If you only have one bar, set the stopper for your largest kite.
Best method and easiest method is to, in light winds setup your kite and launch as normal unhooked. With the kite downwind, release the bar and allow the kite to flag-out and land.
Secure the safety line, then walk to control bar.
Move bar away from the kite (parallel to the line) until the downwind back line starts to lift the downwind tip.
Note bar position.
Now move to the kite, remove the front line and add stopper. Reconnect line before positioning stopper.
Gently slide the stopper to desired position, making sure that the kite remains flat on the ground.
Safety Note: it is always best to allow some extra distance (anything up to 1 metre) so that there is no chance the kite can stay powered up when the bar/safety is released. If this happens the kite will spin very fast dragging you downwind, or may put too much tension on the stopper and snap your line which will mean you will loose the kite.
When positioned and secured correctly, the line used with the safety leash should be tight, ALL others should be slack and the kite laying flat on the ground.
Relaunch and check for correct operation.

Stopper Ring Fitting

does the same job the ball...
Slide sleeving onto the line you wish to attach the stopper then larkshead the ring as shown in following diagram, using the same method as above to get correct stopper position.

Riding Un-hooked

To ride unhooked you need to adjust the trim strap before the move you plan to do, so that the kite does not stall when being flown against the bottom knot (bar pulled in)
The other method is to add an extra knot on the front pigtails above the knots used for the flying line connections. This shortens the front lines by about 1" and doesn't allow the kite to stall. See Pulley bar setup above.

Control Bar Setup - Safety

• If in doubt don't fly... 
• Checking lines - check, check & CHECK again.... 
• NEVER launch a kite with short back lines - The kite could launch Fully Powered up. 
• Always launch with the trim strap pulled in - Kite should be depowered.
• NEVER launch straight downwind.

ARC Safety Systems

The ARC's use the 'Sliding Ring' system on one of the Front lines

<-- Kite Safety Leash attaches to this ring

Safety Note - Attach the safety leash with a Larks-head knot DO NOT use a clip with sprung loaded gate. There is a possibility of any one of your lines or leader lines getting caught this will then prevent the kite depowering when the kite is released to safety.

As already mentioned earlier - DO NOT feed the Safety Leash through the D-ring attached to the depower strap on the Zero4 PL Control Bar or if you have modified your bar with the Zero4 adjustable strap.

How to Launch your ARC

   or  

Allow the Downwind tip to lift by walking back and away from the kite. When kite is off the ground fly the kite up the side of the window. NEVER launch Downwind in winds over 8 knots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't my ARC turn correctly - Turns to the Left when I pull the right hand side of the bar ?
Answer: You have the LE (from/power) lines connected to where the Rear lines should be connected. TE (back/brake) line should be connected to the ends of the control bar.

Do my lines all need to have the same strength rating ?
Answer: Yes, all 4 lines should be the same. 2½ - 3 time riders bodyweight minimum.

Lots of modifications are posted on the web, do I need to add them to my kite ?
Answer: No, they are not needed, your kite should fly fine without them. Any modifications you do add are 'at your own risk'.

Can I use my Ozone Frenzy bar to fly my ARCs ?
Can I use my Flysurfer bar to fly my ARCs ?
Answer: No, the brake setup is totally different. The bar will need major modifications to allow it to work correctly. It is recommended that the control bar uses the sliding ring setup on one of the front lines. You will not be able to depower the kite as you can a Ozone Frenzy/Flysurfer or similar kite by distorting the Trailing Edge.

Why can't I launch my ARC in low wind. ?
Answer: A few possible reasons
 1: There's not enough wind for it to fly in. 
 2: Fully release the internal strap if fitted. 
 3: Kite setup is wrong, see above and recheck your setup. 

I have just connected my Zero4 bar to my kite and it looks like the brakes lines are far too long, and there is no/very little steering ?
Answer: The problem is the way the kite is setup as explained in the above notes. Check Kite Pigtail lengths and Control bar set up.

I am thinking of buying another Peter Lynn ARC. Will my current Peter Lynn bar work on the new kite ?
Answer: Yes, the Peter Lynn bar will on every ARC they have produced so far. But earlier '03' bars have slightly less depower available than if you are using a Zero4 bar.

There is now a Zero7 bar do I need to replace my Zero4 bar.
Answer: No, if you are happy with the Zero4 there is no need to replace it.

Other ARC info...

All the ARC Dimensions

		Area (m)	Span (m)	Cord (m)	Proj. Area (m)	AR	Spar (mm)
	S-ARC
	460	4.6	4.60	1.50	3.50	4.5	82
	630	6.3	5.40	1.65	4.50	4.5	95
	840	8.4	6.20	1.90	6.00	4.5	110
	1120	11.2	7.20	2.20	8.00	4.5	127
	1510	15.1	9.60	2.20	10.00	4.5	127
		Area (m)	Span (m)	Cord (m)	Proj. Area (m)	AR	Spar (mm)
	F-ARC
	1200	12.0	8.80	1.40	7.50	6.5	109
	1600	16.0	10.60	1.52	9.50	7.0	120
		Area (m)	Span (m)	Cord (m)	Proj. Area (m)	AR	Spar (mm)
	Guerilla
	10	10.0	7.44	1.60	6.50	4.25	107
	13	13.0	9.18	1.81	8.50	4.5	127
	15	15.0	9.90	1.95	10.00	4.5	145
	18	18.0	10.64	2.10	12.00	4.5	150
		Area (m)	Span (m)	Cord (m)	Proj. Area (m)	AR	Spar (mm)
	Bomba
	8.5	8.5	6.12	1.55	5.30	3.5	83
	10.5	10.5	6.70	1.67	6.60	3.5	91
	13	13.0	8.00	1.90	8.10	3.5	102
	15	15.0	8.30	2.00	9.30	3.5	111
	17	17.0	8.90	2.32	10.60	3.5	116
	20	20.0	9.80	2.53	12.50	3.5	127
		Area (m)	Span (m)	Cord (m)	Proj. Area (m)	AR	Spar (mm)
	Guerilla II
	9	9.0	6.81	1.44	5.60	5.0	73
	11	11.0	7.94	1.60	6.90	5.0	82
	13	13.0	8.40	1.75	8.10	5.0	90
	15	15.0	8.80	1.92	9.40	5.0	97
	18	18.0	10.20	2.13	11.30	5.0	120
	22	22.0	10.50	2.17	13.80	5.0	127
		Area (m)	Span (m)	Cord (m)	Proj. Area (m)	AR	Spar (mm)
	Phantom
	6	6.0	6.20	1.00	3.80	6.5	81
	9	9.0	7.60	1.35	5.70	6.5	99
	12	12.0	8.80	1.50	7.60	6.5	116
	15	15.0	9.90	1.70	9.50	6.5	129
	18	18.0	10.80	1.85	11.50	6.5	140
		Area (m)	Span (m)	Cord (m)	Proj. Area (m)	AR	Spar (mm)
	Venom
	8	8.0	6.32	1.37	5.60	5.0	85
	10	10.0	7.07	1.53	7.00	5.0	93
	13	13.0	8.06	1.74	9.10	5.0	105
	16	16.0	8.94	1.93	11.30	5.0	120
	19	19.0	10.00	2.16	13.70	5.0	132
		Area (m)	Span (m)	Cord (m)	Proj. Area (m)	AR	Spar (mm)
	Vortex
	8	8.0	6.00	1.45	5.50	4.0	92
	10	10.0	6.71	1.62	6.90	4.0	103
	12	12.0	7.35	1.78	8.30	4.0	114
	14	14.0	7.94	1.92	9.70	4.0	123
	17	17.0	8.75	2.12	11.70	4.0	135
		Area (m)	Span (m)	Cord (m)	Proj. Area (m)	AR	Spar (mm)
	Venom II
	8	8.0	6.32	1.35	5.60	5.0	87
	10	10.0	7.07	1.50	7.00	5.0	97
	13	13.0	8.06	1.70	9.10	5.0	109.5
	16	16.0	8.94	1.88	11.30	5.0	122.5
	19	19.0	10.00	2.09	13.70	5.0	137
		Area (m)	Span (m)	Cord (m)	Proj. Area (m)	AR	Spar (mm)
	Scorpion
	7	7.0
	10	10.0
	13	13.0
	16	16.0
		Area (m)	Span (m)	Cord (m)	Proj. Area (m)	AR	Spar (mm)
	???
		Area (m)	Span (m)	Cord (m)	Proj. Area (m)	AR	Spar (mm)