Author : Glenn Davison. the book, “Kites in the Classroom.”
There are a multitude of different kite styles that are flown today. Hundreds of different styles exist and can been seen on the web or at kite festivals nationwide. But they have some common features:
Sail :
regardless of its shape or size, every kite has a lifting surface
called a kite sail. The sail resists the force of the wind and the kite
is therefore pushed into the sky. A sail needs to be both strong and
light, relative to its size. A sail can serve as a canvas for beautiful
art. It can be made of many different materials.
Tails
help stabilize kites. some kites do not need a tail since they are
designed to be stable. That supports a saying among Japanese kite
makers: a good kite needs no tail. Even when tails are unnecessary, they may be added for artistic or visual effect.
There
are many possible tail configurations : thin, thick, multiple,
u-shaped, balanced, Y-shaped, twisting, drogues and combinations. Here
are a few ideas for your next kite :
Spars : the sail is usually supported by spars.
The spars form the framework or skeleton of a kite. The spars may be
formed wood (such a bamboo, spruce, or pine), plastic, fiberglass or
graphite. Depending on the kite style and the location of the spars,
they may be rigid or flexible.
Bridles :
most kites have a bridle, made from a line or a set of lines that are
attached to the kite. The bridle is possible the most important part of a
kite - its proper position and adjustment is essential for obtaining
the most suitable flight angle (or angle of attack or attitude) into the wind.
The
bridle line is usually the same strength as the flying line.Adjusting
the bridle establishes the flight angle of a kite. Some kites are
supported by more than 50 bridle lines, while others fly well with the flying line attached directly to their framework.
Commercially
produced kites usually have fixed flight angles. The flying line is
connected to a certain point on the bridle called the tow point. The bridle is connected to the kite at the bridle point.
Keels : A keel is
a piece of material that is a substitute for a bridle. Attached to
the sail over the spine (on kites that have a spine), a keel evenly
distributes pressure on the spine so that the kite will not bend or lose
its shape in a strong wind. Some kite makers believe a keel also helps
stabilize a kite when it slips sideways. A keel often has a number of
fixed points where a flying line can be fastened to make adjustments for
light or strong winds.
