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Kite flying has been a popular hobby for hundreds of years and has evolved from the diamond figure and long tail the Victorian children enjoyed with the basic paper and string kites of yesteryear to stunter kites with two lines for controlled tension and ability to perform difficult maneuvers.
THE SAIL
There are thousands of different kinds of kites but the basic tools and techniques always remain the same. The Sail, canopy or cover should be made of a light weight material and there a large number of options available. Kraft Paper are both strong and cheap but is not waterproof and not particularly as attractive as Polythene, polyester films or Mylar.
SPARS
Spars are the "sticks" that are used as the frame for your sail. They need to be strong, rigid and yet flexible enough to withstand sudden crashes to the ground. Think of using softwoods like pine, spruce or birch. Commercially available fiberglass or dowels are also a good choice as well as bamboo. PVC piping can be used to glue your joints together. You can reinforce your kite with light weight carpet fabric tape, electrical tape or fiberglass strapping tape as well.
KITE LINE
You will find kite line wound on either cardboard or plastic cards and sometimes wooden dowels. Kite line is one of the most important parts of kite plying and you will want a good quality thread. Polyester or nylon industrial thread works nicely.
Generally your kite line will not be attached directly to your kite. You will have more maneuverability by tying two or three intermediate lines known as the bridle. The bridle is attached to the kite at two points one below the other or at three points called a "three-leg"
TAKING FLIGHT - BASIC AERODYNAMICS
Most people connect kite flying with a stiff wind to get the kite into the air but most kites are designed for light breezy conditions. Although you do not need to know anything about aerodynamics to fly a kite, it helps you control your kite if you understand basic wind flow and lift.
Your kite will be creating an obstacle to the normal air flow which will cause the air to change direction and speed. When the air flows across the objects surface it moves faster over the kite while the flow across the lower surface of the kite moves more slowly. Air pressure could be altered due to the changing air speed and results in the kite being pushed higher producing lift and flight.
The second stage of kite flying aerodynamics is when the airflow is not just split along the upper and lower kite surfaces but when the split air vaults over the kite and doesn't meet up again right away. When this happens a lower air pressure is created directly behind the kites flight pattern. The kite can be sucked into the area of low pressure and give your kite drag.
Lift and drag are important to remember in the performance of your kite. For your kite to fly stationary in the sky the lift and drag must be equal and opposite to the force pulling it down.
You will find that the position of the center of pressure is best controlled with the positioning of your flying line. For example, in light winds you will achive the best lift by lowering your towing line to the base of the kite. This may produce a slight wobble or bring about large circles in flight. If your bridle towing line is to high it may cause your kite to tip side to side and could tip over. Experiment with your line placement to get the most out of your kite flying experience.
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