All about Kites

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There are forces that affect the flight of a kite.

The first is gravity everything falls to the earth, does it not? The heavier the object, the greater the chance of it falling. Kites, should be made of lightweight materials, to help fight the effects of gravity.

The second is lift. "Lift is the force pushing the kite away from the surface of the earth. It is produced by air moving over the top of the kite at a faster speed than the air that is moving over the bottom of the kite. Daniel Bernoulli, a scientist in the eighteenth century, discovered that the pressure of air becomes lower when it is moving. The faster the air is moving the lower the pressure becomes. A kite is shaped so that air will be slowed down if it is travelling under the lower surface of a kite and will speed up if it is travelling over the upper surface of the kite." (1)

The kite will rise to try to balance the air pressure above the kite with the air pressure below the kite.






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If it is a windy day you may not have much trouble getting a kite to fly, without a whole lot of activity on your part.

On a day with no or very little wind. You may have to make your own wind. Get those legs moving. It helps to have someone to hold the kite in the air until you get a distance from it.

Drag is the third force that affects a kite, it keeps it from flying right back into the ground. (hopefully!) Drag is created by the different types of materials used, the wood, the material, and even the tail of a kite can create drag.

Thrust is created by the string we hold. In holding it tight against the wind, it creates thrust that holds that kite up in the air.

A tail on a kite can keep it from rocking from side to side. It helps to balance the movement. A long tail is great, but cutting it into sections of tail, (long strips) can create even more drag than needed.

1. http://www.aka.org.au/kites_in_the_classroom/student.htm

2. http://www.gombergkites.com/nkm/why.html






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When were kites first invented you ask?

They have been around a long, long time.

"Historians believe that the first kites were built in China about 3,000 years ago, using materials, such as bamboo and silk. Kites may have been brought from China to Japan and other Asian countries, historians say, as part of early religious festivals or ceremonies. In fact, the earliest significance of kites was primarily religious. They were widely considered to be useful for ensuring a good harvest or scaring away evil spirits. Throughout the years, as the popularity of kites spread from Asia to Europe and beyond, they became more widely known as children's toys and came to be used primarily as a leisure activity.

Eventually, scientists discovered that kites were also useful for conducting scientific experiments, particularly those involving weather and aerodynamics.






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In the 15th century, Leonardo da Vinci discovered how to use a kite to span a river.
Leonardo da Vinci's method was later used, by 10-year-old Homan Walsh, in the construction of one of the world's first suspension bridges at Niagara Falls, New York.
In 1749, Scottish scientist Alexander Wilson used several kites, attached in a row, to measure and compare air temperature at different altitudes.
Benjamin Franklin used kites to pull boats, carriages, and sleds in experiments with traction and to experiment with electrical energy in the atmosphere.
In 1901, Gugliemo Marconi used a kite to help transmit the first trans-Atlantic wireless telegraph message." (2)

2. http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson056.shtml

There is the good old flat kite. Often diamond in shape. These are kites that have no curve to them. These are probably the type of kite you may have made as a child. The do need a tail to fly well.






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There is the delta wing kite. This kite is sometimes similiar to the greek letter delta in shape therefore it's name. A delta kite is lite and the sail billows and creates much of it's own drag and lift. It usually does not need a tail.






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The bowed kite, similiar to a flat kite, often diamond shaped, but are bowed. The do not always need a tail to fly either.

The box kite, like it's name, it is often box shaped with many angles and surfaces. These kites usually need a strong wind to achieve lift and thrust. They are also bowed, and do not need tails.

A parafoil kites, are often used in para-sailing. They are normally just material and depend highly on the wind to stay in flight. The wind opens and billows the sails, keeping it floating. They are lightweight and normally do not need a tail to fly either.






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A compound box kite, is much like it's relative the box kite, but it also includes wings attached the box structure. It creates a lot of pull, often requiring a harness and weight to the person flying it to hold it down.

A sled kite is of course "sled" shaped. It has several spines running the length of the kite, but no cross bars. It relies heavily on the wind to keep it in flight.
3. http://www.aka.org.au/kites_in_the_classroom/student.htm

If all this kite talk has left you with the desire to build your own, the first thing you need to do is to become familiar with some basic terminology often used in kite building. You need to know what each part is, and why it is there. This will allow you to correct problems you may have when you actually get to fly your creation:

"Basic kite terms.

A spar is the name for any of the sticks which act as the "skeleton" of the kite. The spine is the spar that runs from the top to the bottom of the kite. The cross-spar is the spar that runs from wingtip to wingtip.

The leading edges of the kite are the edges which the wind flows over first. The trailing edges are the edges which the wind flows around last. " (4)

4. http://www.aka.org.au/kites_in_the_classroom/student.htm

"T
he bridle is the line that connects the kite with the flying line. It is usually connected to the kite in two places, but some kites use bridles that are attached to the kite in many places. The point where the flying line attaches to the bridle is called the bridling point. Each piece of the bridle running from the bridling point to the surface of the kite is called a leg. A bridle that is attached to the kite in two places is known as a two leg bridle. The bridle is used to control the angle of attack of a kite. This is the angle at which the kite meets the wind. A low angle of attack tends to reduce the amount of tension on the kite string. The kite will also fly closer to vertically above the kite flier. A high angle of attack normally increases the pull on the flying line. It also makes the kite fly at a lower angle, relative to the flier. The angle of attack can also be altered to make a kite fly in different wind conditions. A high angle of attack will enable the kite to "catch" more of the wind in light wind conditions, whereas a low angle of attack will allow more wind to be "spilt" by the kite in strong winds. " (5)

5. http://www.aka.org.au/kites_in_the_classroom/student.htm

"The cover of the kite is called the sail. The sail is pushed against the spine and the cross-spar, dividing the sail into four areas. The two small areas at the top of the kite are called pilot sails, while the two larger segments are known as driving sails. The pilot sails partly control the direction in which the kite moves and the driving sails provide most of the lift.

The tail of a kite refers to the strips of paper, plastic or fabric which are attached to the bottom of the kite in order to increase the drag of the kite. Tails can be made in a number of different ways, and can also be added to the wingtips of kites. " (6)

6. http://www.aka.org.au/kites_in_the_classroom/student.htm

D
i·he·dral
Spelled Pronunciation[dahy-hee-druhl]
-adjective
1. having or formed by two planes.
2. of or pertaining to a dihedron.
-noun
3. dihedron.
4. Aeronautics. the angle at which the right and left wings or the halves of any other horizontal surface of an airplane or the like are inclined upward or downward.

Dihedral [Origin: 1790-1800; di-1 + -hedral]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Kites can be bowed, or bent, in order to give the cross-spar a dihedral angle. When this happens the cross-spar is bent so that the wingtips are at a slight backwards angle to the spine. This helps make the kite stable. If the kite starts to roll to one side the wing on that side presents a greater surface area to the wind and the wing on the opposite side appears to reduce in surface area. The greater pressure being exerted on the wing with more surface area being exposed to the wind forces it to return to a normal attitude again.

Works cited:

American Psychological Association (APA):
dihedral. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved May 11, 2008, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dihedral
Chicago Manual Style (CMS):
dihedral. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dihedral (accessed: May 11, 2008).
Modern Language Association (MLA):
"dihedral." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 11 May. 2008. /dictionary.reference.com/browse/dihedral>.
http://www.aka.org.au/kites_in_the_classroom/student.htm

Find a place that is a large, uncluttered space on the ground as well as above the groung. Always watch for any power lines that your kite may get tangled in.

Maybe a large park area, or a field, the best place of all to fly a kite is at the beach.

You can find great information on the Oregon Coast at Visit the Oregon Coast

Recreational Stunt Kites - Prism Designs Nexus 5-Stack

When will this ship? Please allow 1 day before shipping Prism Designs products. Prism Designs Nexus 5 Stack Kites is a combo package of Nexus Kites that can be flown all together at one time. This stunt kite is quick and agile but forgiving enough for first-time pilots. It will fly in lower winds than typical beginner kites, a big plus for inland pilots. I Once you learn the basics, it\'s capable of an amazing range of acrobatic maneuvers at speeds up to 60 mph. The Nexus kite features a collapsible leading edge that folds to just 28 inches so you can stick it in a suitcase or on your backpack for distant adventures. Its high performance delta wing is carefully shaped from ripstop nylon and Mylar laminate with Kevlar reinforcements at the nose and tail for impact resistance . Color-coded lines make setup a snap. Ready-to-fly package comes complete with high performance Spectra lines, winder, flight straps, and compact zippered travel case with easy instructions printed on the case so you will never lose them. * Skill Level: Novice-Intermediate * Wingspan: 5-foot wingspan * Wind Range: 6-25 mph * Speed: Moderate * Pull: Medium-Strong * Frame: Carbon Fiber/Fiberglass * Sail: Ripstop Nylon and Mylar Laminate * Flying Lines: 100 Feet x 200 lbs Spectra *Folds to just 28 inches for easy travel *Kevlar reinforced nose and tail *Quick-attach, color coded bridle clips *Collapsible leading edges for travel *High grip elastomer connectors

Recreational Stunt Kites - Prism Designs Micron Kite, Purple

When will this ship? Please allow 1 day before shipping Prism Designs products. Prism Designs Micron Stunt Kite is the fastest little sport kite this side of the Milky Way. Measuring with a 39 inch wingspan, it is small enough to stuff in a backpack for a day hike or in your suitcase for some extra fun while on vacation. The Micron is available in 5 different colors so you can express yourself. This kite may be small, but because it moves so quickly it is not for the beginner. Add some excitement to your kite flying with the Micron Stunt Kite. Ready-to-fly package includes Sectra Lines, mini-winder, finger straps, instructions and travel case. For more of a challenge try this kite tied together as a 5-stack. * Skill level: Intermediate-Advanced * Wing Span: 39 Inches * Wind Range: 5-25 mph * Speed: Very Fast * Pull: Light * Frame: Pultruded Graphite * Sail: Ripstop Nylon / Mylar Laminate * Flying lines: 50 Feet x 50 lbs Spectra *Tiny 3-foot wingspan is lightning fast and responsive *Unbreakable MicroCarbon frame *Includes matching tail for speed control in high winds *Fingertip response and outrageous speed to challenge even expert pilots *Take one everywhere - packs up small to fit in a suitcase

Recreational Stunt Kites - Prism Designs Stylus P3 Parafoil, Coral

When will this ship? Please allow 1 day before shipping Prism Designs products. Powerful enough to challenge you in a blow, Prism Designs Stylus P3 Parafoil develops enough pull to drag anyone down the beach. Treat it with respect and it will teach you the basics of power kiting without boring you with the sluggish response of most larger parafoils. When you are ready for more, stack two together to double your power, or switch the convertible bridle to quad line mode for a great introduction to four-line flying. Ready-to-fly package includes Spectra lines, winder, flight straps, and compression pouch. Power kites are the most extreme tools Prism Designs offers. Based on paraglider technology, these all-fabric wings self-inflate as they fly to deliver maximum speed and pull for anyone looking for a rush. With a three-wheeled buggy, skis, snowboard, or just the soles of your shoes our bigger power kites develop enough pull in a breeze to send you ripping downwind. With no assembly required , no frames to break and to easy stuff pouch storage, Prism Designs power kites can go anywhere, from beach to back country, and keep you thoroughly entertained for hours. * Skill level: Novice-Intermediate * Wing Span: 108 Inches * Sail Area: 2.5 sq. meters * Wind Range: 4-25 mph * Speed: Moderate * Pull: Strong * Sail: Ripstop Polyester * Flying lines: 100 Feet x 200 lbs Spectra

Recreational Stunt Kites - Prism Designs Quantum, Citrus

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Recreational Stunt Kite - Prism Designs Triad, Fire

When will this ship? Please allow 1 day before shipping Prism Designs products. Prism Designs Triad is a magical little single-line box kite that flies stable like a traditional kite, or tug on the string and watch it tumble and dance like an easy-to-fly fighter. Fly this beginner kite till you decide not to and then watch it tumble down magically, end over end, swooping and diving till you straight-line it back into the wild blue with a tug. It is small enough to take everywhere, kids of all ages can fly it, so if you want to put a grin on their face, give them a Triad Box Kite . And if you really want to dazzle, tie several to the same line and watch, entranced, as they dance together in the sky. Ready to fly with 100 feet of line included in a compact travel case. * Skill: Novice * Wingspan: 16 inches * Wind Range: 4-25 mph * Pull: Light * Sail: Ripstop Polyester * Frame: Fiberglass * Flying Lines: 100 feet x 20 lbs Dacron

Recreational Stunt Kites - Prism Designs Stylus P3 Parafoil, Seafoam

When will this ship? Please allow 1 day before shipping Prism Designs products. The Prism stylus P3 is powerful enough to challenge you in a blow. Prism Designs Stylus P3 Parafoil develops enough pull to drag anyone down the beach. Treat it with respect and it will teach you the basics of power kiting without boring you with the sluggish response of most larger parafoils. When you are ready for more, stack two together to double your power, or switch the convertible bridle to quad line mode for a great introduction to four-line flying. Ready-to-fly package includes Spectra lines, winder, flight straps, and compression pouch. Power kites are the most extreme tools Prism Designs offers. Based on paraglider technology, these all-fabric wings self-inflate as they fly to deliver maximum speed and pull for anyone looking for a rush. With a three-wheeled buggy, skis, snowboard, or just the soles of your shoes our bigger power kites develop enough pull in a breeze to send you ripping downwind. With no assembly required , no frames to break and to easy stuff pouch storage, Prism Designs power kites can go anywhere, from beach to back country, and keep you thoroughly entertained for hours. * Skill level: Novice-Intermediate * Wing Span: 108 Inches * Sail Area: 2.5 sq. meters * Wind Range: 4-25 mph * Speed: Moderate * Pull: Strong * Sail: Ripstop Polyester * Flying lines: 100 Feet x 200 lbs Spectra

Recreational Stunt Kite - Prism Designs Triad, Ice

When will this ship? Please allow 1 day before shipping Prism Designs products. Prism Designs Triad box kite is the perfect gift for a childs first kite. This magical little single-line box kite that flies stable like a traditional kite, or tug on the string and watch it tumble and dance like an easy-to-fly fighter. Fly this beginner kite till you decide not to and then watch it tumble down magically, end over end, swooping and diving till you straight-line it back into the wild blue with a tug. It is small enough to take everywhere, kids of all ages can fly it, so if you want to put a grin on their face, give them a Triad Box Kite . And if you really want to dazzle, tie several to the same line and watch, entranced, as they dance together in the sky. Ready to fly with 100 feet of line included in a compact travel case. * Skill: Novice * Wingspan: 16 inches * Wind Range: 4-25 mph * Pull: Light * Sail: Ripstop Polyester * Frame: Fiberglass * Flying Lines: 100 feet x 20 lbs

Recreational Stunt Kites - Prism Designs Micron Kite 5-Stack

When will this ship? Please allow 1 day before shipping Prism Designs products. Prisms classic miniature sport kite, the Micron, now comes in a 5 stack , already rigged in a handy new bag that means you can be up and flying in two minutes flat. Snap on the tails for higher winds and you will always draw a crowd. Overachievers, of course, are welcome to stack more for even bigger fun. The record is 28 on one set of lines! The Micron 5 Stack comes in a single carry bag so you can keep the kites stacked for the next fly time. Comes ready to fly with Spectra lines, winder, flight straps, and zippered case with quick-start instructions printed on the back so you can never lose them. * Skill Level: Intermediate * Wing Span: 39 Inches (100 cm) * Wind Range: 8 - 25 mph (13 - 40 kmh) * Speed: Fast * Pull: Medium * Frame: Pultruded Graphite * Sail: Ripstop Nylon / Mylar Laminate * Flying Lines: 85 Inches x 150 lbs Spectra *Tiny 3-foot wingspan is lightning fast and responsive *Unbreakable MicroCarbon frame *Includes matching tail for speed control in high winds *Fingertip response and outrageous speed to challenge even expert pilots *Take one everywhere - packs up small to fit in a suitcase *Micron 5 Stack includes one of each color

Kite Carry Bag - Prism Designs Roll Up Bag, Blue

When will this ship? Please allow 1 day before shipping Prism Designs products. Rolls up neatly like a burrito and provides a nice clean surface at the field where you can work on your kites without losing parts in the sand or grass. Mesh pocket ends drain sand. Zippered, detachable waist pack holds your keys and personal items while you fly. Organizes ten kites, spare parts and line-sets in separate pockets, and if you need to travel with your whole collection it can easily roll up with an additional ten kites. For travel, it folds neatly at half length to fit it in an overhead compartment. Nicely padded and contoured shoulder strap will not slip as you run for cover in a rain shower.

The Kite Making Handbook

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