The GIF on the two phases of the yo-yo system is well done and gives useful insight.
Some extracts:
Phase 1: Reel Out - Energy Production
Energy is generated during the first phase when the kite is flown in a cross-wind figure of eight pattern to achieve a high pulling force and reel out the tether from the winch in the ground station. During reel-out the Kitepower Falcon produces 130kW throughout 80% of the cycle’s time.
Phase 2: Reel In - Energy Consumption
When the max tether length is reached, the kite’s profile is adjusted in order to reel-in the tether with low force, using a small fraction of the energy produced in the previous phase. During reel-in the Kitepower Falcon consumes 20kW throughout 20% of the cycle’s time.
Right - pleasantries out the way - I’m not fully aware and I’ve been holding off asking this question for too long now…
This document on the system https://kitepower.nl/resources/product/New Powerful Ways - The Kitepower Falcon 100kW.pdf
Shows the landing zone close to the ground station and mentions a parachute landing.
What’s that then?
How does that work?
Got any videos?
The kite features an inflatable membrane wing attached to a rigid, tube-shaped fiberglass composite skeleton, a combination designed to maximize strength with light weight. According to Peschel, carbon fiber was also considered but fiberglass was chosen for more flexibility while achieving the required strength. The skeleton is made up of 12 hollow tube structures connected via custom-made aluminum connectors.