Paku Midin: Kite

What Is Kite ?

A Kite is a tethered heavier-than-air craft with wing surfaces that react against the air to create lift and drag. A Kite consists of wings, tethers and anchors. Kites often have a bridle and tail to guide the face of the kite so the wind can lift it. Some Kite designs don't need a bridle; can have a single attachment point. A Kite may have fixed or moving anchors that can balance the Kite. One technical definition is that a Kite is "a collection of tether-coupled wing sets.

The lift that sustains the Kite in flight is generated when air moves around the Kite's surface, producing low pressure above and high pressure below the wings. The interaction with the wind also generates horizontal drag along the direction of the wind. The resultant force vector from the lift and drag force components is opposed by the tension of one or more of the lines or tethers to which the Kite attached. The anchor point of the Kite line may be static or moving (e.g., the towing of a Kite by a running person, boat, free-falling anchors as in paragliders and fugutive parakites or vehicle).

The same principles of fluid flow apply in liquids, so Kites can be used in underwater currents, but there are no everyday uses as yet.

Man-lifting Kites were made for reconnaissance, entertainment and during development of the first practical aircraft, the biplane.

Kites have a long and varied history and many different types are flown individually and at festivals worldwide. Kites may be flown for recreation, art or other practical uses. Sport Kites can be flown in aerial ballet, sometimes as part of a competition. Power Kites are multi-line steerable Kites designed to generate large forces which can be used to power activities such as Kite surfing, Kite Landboarding, Kite Fishing, Kite Buggying and Snow Kiting.

Kite Made From What ?

Designs often emulate flying insects, birds, and other beasts, both real and mythical. The finest Chinese Kites are made from split bamboo (usually golden bamboo), covered with silk, and hand painted. On larger Kites, clever hinges and latches allow the Kite to disassembled and compactly folded for storage or transport. Cheaper mass-produced Kites are often made from printed polyester rather than silk.

Tails are used for some single-line Kite designs to keep the Kite's nose pointing into the wind. Spinners and spinsocks can be attached to the flying line for visual effect. There are rotating wind socks which spin like a turbine. On large display Kites these tails, spinners and spinsocks can be 50 feet (15m) long or more.

Modern aerobatic Kites use two or four lines to allow fine control of the Kite's angle to the wind. Traction Kites may have an additional line to de-power the Kite and quick-release mechanisms to disengage flyer and Kite in an emergency.

What Is Kite Designs ?