House, design, renovation, decor.  Courtyard and garden.  With your own hands

House, design, renovation, decor. Courtyard and garden. With your own hands

» The best kite designs. Do-it-yourself kite - types and principle of operation, how to make it out of paper, fabric or polyethylene How to tie a kite correctly

The best kite designs. Do-it-yourself kite - types and principle of operation, how to make it out of paper, fabric or polyethylene How to tie a kite correctly

Doing something yourself and checking out how it works is definitely fun. This is why people launch boats, paper planes, or other crafts. This is a great time with your child on the street. How to launch kite so that it soars high, and how to properly control it?

From the outside, everything looks simple - people launch complex shapes into the air and can set their own height and speed of movement. How do you achieve this? And why do kites fly without large wings or other devices other than a tail?

Why does a kite fly

From the side it seems amazing the flight of the kite. Especially when he smoothly rises himself and holds on for a long time, carried away by unknown forces. A person adjusts the speed, height of the kite by moving and pulling the line.

If you delve deeper, you can understand that 4 natural forces will act on it immediately at startup:

The interaction of forces ensures flight. Resistance arises when certain conditions... This happens when the air is opposed to any moving body. It is not difficult to check the activity of the force - open your palm and move it from side to side. You will feel little resistance.

Now take a piece of cardboard and start fanning it around. The difference is noticeable right away - the air seems to slow down the movement. The operator uses this force.

He begins launching a kite like this: he puts the kite on the ground, takes the line and pulls it, quickly moving against the wind. The kite will take off. It is important to choose the angle here, as this will affect the overall takeoff speed. If there is a breeze outside, then a vacuum zone forms on top of the kite, which gives confidence to the movement. The aircraft uses the vacuum zone and starts hovering like an open sail.

It turns out that the main conditions for a quick take-off and subsequent flight of the kite are the angle of attack, which is the angle of the required lift. If the kite stands upright, then the natural air resistance will increase, and at the same time the lifting force will increase. In the horizontal position, it rapidly decreases.

Wind characteristic for flights

No wonder it is so named - its flight primarily depends on the presence and strength of the wind. In the calm, even a well-designed model will remain motionless. The only thing that can simulate the wind is physical effort, but then the operator will have to run constantly.


Power

First of all, before starting, you should check the weather: are tree branches, leaves and grass moving, the raised flags are moving, are there small ripples in the water? Great, the weather is right. It is important to find " the golden mean»Activity of air streams. Strong gusts can break or carry the kite away.

Direction

Here the kite flew up and soared. The best position is with your back to the wind, facing the kite. Determining the direction of air flows is easy. Where the grass bends, the tips of the flags point, the packages fly? You can expose your face to gusts of wind, feel how it touches your cheeks.

Those friends who managed to launch the kites will serve as clues.

How to choose a location to launch

To fly the kite correctly, you must first select appropriate place... Sometimes the launch is difficult - the kite barely rose, spins constantly, pulls the line. It will gain stability later, when it gains a certain height. Or it took off easily, and then "buried", becoming uncontrollable.


It is more convenient to launch kites from a small hill - a hill, embankment, platform. It is necessary to choose an even place not cluttered with foreign objects. After launch, attention will be focused on the kite hovering above, so it is important to ensure your freedom of movement in advance. It will be a shame to suddenly stumble while running.

Thus, the ideal place to start is:

  • smooth, free of debris and obstacles;
  • on a hill, a small embankment;
  • there are no houses, horizontal bars, trees, roads, or airports nearby.

Launching a kite: step by step instructions

To enjoy free flight, you need to fly the kite correctly. Consider the weather, wind strength, choose a location, calculate the ideal launch angle.

First of all, using the means at hand, determine the current wind direction. Remember, he is more active at altitude.


Launching a kite - alone, together

Intense wind. It is enough to release the snake, having opened your hands, having previously settled down with your back to the gusts. Before launching, point the nose of the kite up, keeping the handrail next to it, at the base. Releasing, slowly unwind the thread, increasing the height.

Running together. The helper holds the snake, guiding its nose up. You, having rewound 20 meters of thread from the spool, step back. Command the assistant to unclench his hands and at the same time toss the snake. Watch as the released kite takes off rapidly, carried away by the gusts of wind. Adjust the flight through the tension and length of the thread.

Light wind. There seems to be no wind at all below, but the tops of the trees are actively swaying. This means that he is strong enough, only at the height. Then it is important to help the snake to climb it.

Running alone. Taking a position with your back to the gusts of wind, place the kite down on the ground exactly perpendicularly, "facing" you. Unwinding the rope, slowly retreat, trying to hold it in the previously set position.


Having gone 8-10 steps, sharply pull the unwound rope and run until the kite gradually rises, reaching the area of ​​active wind. When you feel how he caught the currents of air, stop. Now you can adjust the hovering of the kite.

Running together. The assistant is holding the snake. This method is great for family startups with kids helping the parents. Keep it high, leveling it strictly perpendicular to the gust of wind. The child at this time moves away, unwinding the rope.

When he rolls off 2-3 meters, ask him to run. Unclench your hands in time, giving the snake the opportunity to take off. That's it, now help the kid to regulate the flight of the kite. Help guide your child in the nuances of management. This way he will be able to learn how to fly a kite faster.


Flight control

It mostly depends on the actual wind strength:

  1. The wind has died down, the kite is falling - pull the rope faster by lowering your hand or stepping back. Make sure that the thread remains taut at all times.
  2. Strengthened - on the contrary, unwind the rope, at the same time slightly weakening the tension and approaching the hovering snake. the main task- to catch the moments of wind changes and adjust the thread tension in time. To make the snake quickly break forward - loosen, if it goes down - pull it.
  3. The flight is unstable - at first it hovers, then suddenly begins to fall. Observing chaotic movements, you need to catch the dynamics. Remember, the direction of flight always depends on the position of the bow of the kite.


Body position

From the videos of the launch, it is noticeable that the person always places the kite in front of him. This makes it more convenient to track the flight, control the tension force and the length of the rope. From time to time you need to move - run or move your hands. It all depends on the strength and direction of the wind.

The starting position is with your back to it, providing yourself with the freedom of possible movement.

First maneuvers

It is more difficult to launch when the wind is weak or, on the contrary, strong. If the impulses cannot be determined, they are constantly changing and the snake prowls, trying to pull out the fishing line, then it is better to wait it out. It is extremely difficult and even dangerous to regulate the flight in such conditions.


There is no wind, the launch will be difficult. You will have to replace the elements with physical efforts, constantly run so that the snake remains at the previously set height. Easier when the wind is at the top. Then it is enough to raise the kite, later the elements will pick it up by itself.

Always look where the nose is pointing, this determines the flight path. Down - the snake will fall, up - it will rise.

If the serpent falls

The following maneuvers will save the situation - release the initial tension on the rope, allowing the wind to straighten the flight on its own. You can gently adjust the direction of the nose. Wait for it to rise up and return the rope to its original tension. Adjust its length according to the wind pressure.

Is the fall inevitable? Loosen the rope, let the kite slowly descend by itself.

Landing

We walked up, it's time to plant the snake. The right approach is essential here, especially when the wind is strong. Many people think that it is enough to wind the thread and it will fly by itself. This approach is dangerous for crafts. Strong air currents can break the thread or harm the snake.


It is better to provide a safe landing for the kite. Plant it across the wind. First, take a 90 degree downwind position with the kite. Now slowly approach the hovering aircraft while shortening the thread. Make sure it stays taut and flexible enough.

Blowing hard? It is worth moving, looking for an area where it is weakened and landing there. Move, shortening the length of the taut thread as much as possible. A strong wind usually blows in gusts in one direction. There are places of calm there. It is important to find such a safe area and land the kite.

Safety engineering

Although flying a kite is considered harmless, there are a number of precautions to keep in mind.


Safety regulations:

  • do not choose a place for launching where there are power lines or stretched wires nearby;
  • look after a flat place without trees, horizontal bars and houses;
  • launch in windy (light to medium wind) but clear weather, not in a thunderstorm;
  • do not trust small children to launch, especially in strong winds;
  • if the line is rough, it is worth protecting your hands with gloves;
  • avoid roads, airports, especially when running with a child!

This is a complete instruction for kites (kites). It includes sections on basic flying techniques, wind corrections, introductory maneuvers, kite improvement, etc.

Kaite lovers call it "the Bible"

Note:

All kites (kites), without exception, are subject to the laws of physics. Depending on the strength of the wind, mass and design of the kite, its behavior changes, but again, it does not contradict the laws of physics. This manual and the author who wrote it does not bear any responsibility and does not give guarantees regarding the use of kites, both according to the rules of piloting and outside of any rules. This manual does not tell you how to make a kite or kite history, we would only like to convey the basics of piloting and slightly raise the curtain over these fragile but graceful creatures - kites (kites).

Chapter 1 - All About Wind and Terrain

Wind characteristics

Most people don't spend a lot of time identifying the wind, or even thinking about the wind. Sailors, pilots or others whose profession is related to the wind will be an exception, because for ordinary people the average wind has little effect on their daily life and, as a rule, they do not notice any minor changes.

Kites (kites) are different. By itself, the kite - wind connection is a system in which the wind is the engine, no engine - no flight.

Experienced pilots and those directly involved with the wind tend to watch the wind almost constantly, even when not flying. They look for flags, trees, circles on the water, and other signs of air movement in space.

Awareness of the wind is what transforms you from a wind lover to an experienced pilot. Therefore, no matter what your level of training, we want to warn you, the wind is not to blame for anything! Many began to think that the wind should listen to them and do what they say, but we will disappoint you, everything is exactly the opposite, you should "listen" to the wind, predict its behavior, because the wind itself, and it has the right to do whatever he pleases. If you learn to cope with the energy of the wind and direct it in the right direction, then you will become one of the best air conquerors.

So start watching the wind, become one of those brooding watchers who always notice the slightest change in the wind.

The wind has two characteristics: Smoothness (smoothness) and Strength!

Let's talk first about SMOOTHNESS (SMOOTHNESS)

Finding smooth wind for flying is just as important as finding a smooth road for a comfortable ride. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a "steady breeze", just like there are no perfectly perfect roads without bumps and holes. Although it seems to you that the wind is often steady and even, and that it is just a mass of air moving from one place to another, there are still a lot of nuances. The wind is influenced by many factors, such as friction with the ground, which slows down its movement, just as obstacles such as trees, buildings and hills create quite a few obstacles to the wind, including temperature changes, which also greatly affects the wind regime.

Let's look at the wind in the pictures, the direction of the arrow will indicate the direction of the wind, and the length of the arrow will indicate its speed.

If the earth were completely flat, the wind would look like this:


Air friction with the ground makes the air move more slowly near the ground than in the upper layers, even if the wind is strong.


You can even check it for yourself, on a windy day you can simply take a horizontal position in relation to the ground and feel how much the wind strength has changed. In other words, the closer the wind is to the ground, the more it slows down, this phenomenon creates the so-called boundary layer - an area from ground level to the level where the wind is no longer subject to friction. Anything above the boundary layer is called free flow or oncoming.

Here's what you need to know about the boundary layer; its thickness varies. And, as a rule, the kite is best kept in loose layers, as the boundary layers are less stable.

The boundary layer is one that we cannot change, but we can learn to work with it. But there is such a thing as Turbulence, and this is definitely bad news.

Turbulence creates anything that gets in the way of the wind, be it a stone, tree, building or any other obstacle, even your kite (kite) generates some turbulence. Turbulence downwind of an obstacle is called its aerodynamic shadow. All the shadows of the wind gradually disappear, depending on the distance from the obstacle, but this does not happen immediately.

For example, the shadow of an ordinary tree extends several hundred meters, while a large building can leave a shadow one and a half kilometers long.

The difficulty in flying in turbulent conditions is that you will experience sudden and unpredictable changes in wind direction and strength. Depending on the severity of the turbulence, coping with it will be either easy or last resort impossible.


POWER is another important wind characteristic

When determining the wind and talking about the strength of the wind, let's immediately determine the average value of the wind strength, and often this figure is 5m / s. At one time or another, the strength of the wind, in other words, its speed will change.

Perhaps for a better understanding of wind force you should look at the Beaufort chart. It was developed by Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort in 1806 as a standard guide for describing the strength of wind on sailing ships. The table was modified by us and slightly adjusted to fit the kites to make it clearer for you.

Beaufort table:



Choosing a place for the flight.

There are two main things to consider when choosing a location to fly, the terrain and the safety of the launch site.

Terrain - As we already know, flying in turbulence is not easy. And turbulence arises due to obstacles, but not only those that are on the ground, but can also be caused by irregularities in the shape of the earth. Let's see how the air flows over the hill:


On the upwind (front) side of the hill, the airflow is compressed and accelerated. This part of the hill is good for piloting, and this ideal hill shape can even help smooth out the turbulence that will build up on the far side of the hill. As you already understood, with back side the wind and its flow will differ markedly from the flow in front of the hill. Wind flowing over the hill creates turbulence, which can vary from moderate to severe, depending on the strength of the hill shape wind.

If a slight slope has a positive effect on flight performance, then you probably decide that a steep slope will be good place, but is it really so? let's figure it out ...


A sharp rip at the base of the cliff forces the wind into a dead end, creating a zone of turbulence. And the gap in the upper part on the example of the reverse side of the hill also forms a zone of turbulence. That is, as you already understood, the rocks are not better place to launch a kite.

The ideal flight location would be a huge, wide area, ideally without different trees and obstacles. The most best advice you will not fly the kite downwind of trees, buildings or geological formations, and avoid the zone of turbulent shadows.


Safety

We will talk a lot about safety, you will often hear about this from your friends, kite shop owners and other specialized kite organizations, and this is because the kite in the sky, although controllable, is not predictable, nor is the wind predictable. You can injure others, injure yourself, damage equipment. Even in a moderate wind, the speed of a kite can be about 100 km / h, and I think you understand that there is nothing pleasant in the fact that something from the sky will fall on you at such a speed. Tight lines are even more dangerous, so safety advice should not be overlooked.

Here's another of the most basic safety tips you should definitely heed - stay away from power lines! Anyone who says that kites do not conduct electricity is a lie, and if the kite is wet and you launch it in a thunderstorm it is even more dangerous!



The most important advice is to keep an eye on those around you. The most common example: a beautiful day, a perfect wind, there is only you and your kite, but soon your kite attracts people, you can hear ahh ooh sighs, the audience is getting bigger)


Some children are attracted by your kite and they run chasing it, it flatters you, you try to show some kind of trick, the kite writes out imaginable and inconceivable pirouettes, it seems to you that everything is just perfect, but it is not, you are in trouble! Because no matter how good you are, how prepared you are, there are rules and they should be followed! The wind is not a predictable thing, and if your situation is similar to this, then we advise first of all to tell their parents about the danger for children, tell them that the best and safest place is behind the piloted.


In general, the better you are in choosing where to launch your kite, the less likely it is that something will go wrong. The launch site should be clearly visible and preferably the more the better. Be careful, have common sense and you and your kite will be fine!

Chapter 2 - First Flight

Most people who ride bicycles did not learn to ride it right away, there were many falls, bruises and disappointments, but they did not give up and sat down on the saddle again and again making new attempts. Do not forget about this when learning to fly a kite. If you don't succeed right away, try again, do not give up after the first two or three failures. If you have never flown a kite, and there is no one nearby to teach you, do not be discouraged, we will try to help you, here are some tips for this:

1) Almost every kite you can buy comes with a manual, so be sure to read it all. If it is not there, you can contact the store where you purchased it, they will help you. The instruction usually contains useful information both about the kite in general and about the launch.

2) I hope you have read the previous chapter and have an idea about choosing a launch site. You must identify one or a couple of ideal startup locations.

3) Check the speed (strength) of the wind. For your first launch, the ideal wind would be 8 m / s, more is good but not so easy.

4) If possible, take an assistant with you, its presence will facilitate the launch at times. Also take with you a piece of a dowel, or something like a screwdriver, this will be your ground anchor, we will talk about it later.


Assembling a kite (kite)

When assembling, you simply follow the manufacturer's instructions, usually everything is described in detail in the instructions. There are differences between kites, but in general they are all similar. Almost all of them are made of clear vinyl tubing and spacers, which, roughly speaking, are the frame of your kite. When assembling the kite, make sure that all the tubes are firmly in the struts to the end, because a poorly fixed frame can simply fall apart in the sky, or at the slightest fall, the kite will have to be reassembled.

As a tip, you can put a small roll of duct tape in a briefcase, if some spars constantly pop out, then you can fix them in this way.

After your frame is assembled, carefully inspect the lines. For a perfect start, all lines
must be separate from each other and not twisted with the kite frame itself. The key to a good launch is careful preparation. If there are no loops at the ends of the lines, be sure to learn how to make them, there are special instructions for attaching lines to kites. Usually power lines are attached directly to the rigging of the swivel, which helps to reduce twisting of the lines.

Also, a common mistake at the first start is a descriptor taken incorrectly in the wrong hand, this is in the event that the bar consists of two separate handles. From the outside it looks funny, you want a right turn from the kite, pull the right handle and it flies to the left)) So be sure to take the right handle in the right hand, usually the right one is indicated by some kind of red element, if this is not on your pens, you can color them yourself.

IMPORTANT: When buying a kite, measure its tubes and all other parts, this is necessary in the event that your kite breaks and one of the parts is lost, you can find, buy and replace it.

Spread the lines straight upwind, the lengths usually vary from 30 to 45 meters. Lines shorter than this shorten the response time of the kite to your control, and the kite moves too fast, which is not good for first launches and training.


Running

So, you took the kite control sticks, red in your right hand as you already know. Ask your assistant to take the kite, even if he is holding it by the base or the center of the struts. There should be a tension in the lines between you and your helper. From your helper's point of view, it should look something like this:


Pre-start control:

1) Check the area where your kite is expected to fly, preferably for people or other hazards.

2) Look back, there should be plenty of room for maneuvers and your movements.

3) Make sure all lines have the same tension.

4) Make sure there are no other kites in the sky that you might collide with in the sky.

Well, it seems like you have already learned how to launch a kite (kite), it soars in the sky, you are delighted, but there is still such a moment, what to do if you do not have an assistant, or he simply cannot help you at the moment, sit at home and wait? Not! You definitely need to learn how to fly the kite yourself!

Self-launch
Self-launch requires more preparation and patience, and differs from each other in the way of launching depending on the model of the air kite, we will analyze the launch on such models as Delta and Brilliant. There are a large number of shapes and sizes.



1) Extend the lines straight upwind, position the handles so the right (red) is on the right hand. Remember the ground anchor? Now we need it, you should fix your handles for control in the ground in the form of an anchor. Stick the anchor into the ground at an angle away from the kite, and place the handles with lines as if on top of the anchor.

2) Grab the kite itself and, as if walking with your back, pull the lines, make sure that the anchor does not rip out of the ground. When launching a Delta-type kite, it must be positioned so that it is the base to the ground and tilted slightly back. And the diamond snake should stand on a side stand, with its nose buried in the ground on one side, and directed upward on the other.


3) Now we return to the anchor, take the control sticks of the kite and once again check the tension of the lines, but this should be done lightly, because if you pull them strongly, the kite will begin to prematurely try to take off, or simply fall to the ground.

4) Do not forget about the pre-start control rules.

5) Further movements in order to make a separation of the kite (kite) from the ground should be done in this way: we move a couple of three steps back:


There is also such a useful technique for launching a kite like Delta:

If you are launching your kite on a sandy beach and your anchor cannot be securely anchored, do the following. Lay the kite flat on its "back" that is outer part, and sprinkle on the bottom edges of the sand, especially on the corners. Then return to the control knobs and pull gently on them. The kite should start to get up and fill with the wind, the sand will slowly but surely crumble, freeing the kite and lifting it into the sky.

So, you have learned how to fly a kite, you can now hone your skills. But here's what I would like to say and warn. If you decided not to move away from the kite for a long time and hoped for an anchor, then this can "go sideways" for you. You can't, remember IT IS FORBIDDEN Leave the kite, ready to launch, unattended!


Separately, I would like to talk about the independent launch of kites by type Parafoil.

Parafoil(English parafoil) - a soft tissue membrane wing inflated through the air intakes by the incoming air flow. Lift force is created due to the counter-flow of air flowing around the wing profile. This term is often referred to as a frameless type of kite. Parafoil consists of upper and lower shells, ribs, stabilizers. Ribs define the wing profile and divide the wing into sections.

The peculiarity of such a kite (kite) is that it will fly only if the air intakes are filled with wind. There are cases when sand or other debris gets into them and the kite stops flying as before, you have to land it and clean the sections.

To launch a kite with the help of an assistant, no special labor is required, your assistant must stand behind the kite, grab the canopy from both sides and position the air intakes in the wind so that they are filled with air during the first toss, and you, in turn, will simply have to pull on the lines and the kite will soar into the sky.

Technics self-launch without help is not nearly more difficult. To do this, you need to position the kite with its outer side to the ground, air intakes from the wind, sprinkle it with a little sand, but only the part that is closed from the ingress of sand and other debris. Then go to the control handles (bar), take a couple of steps back, pull the slings. With this tension on the lines, the front edge of the kite, which is not currently covered with sand and has open sections for air intake, begins to rise and fill with air. A couple more movements, a step two back and the kite, having straightened all the sections and filling them with air, goes straight into the sky.

Launching in a stronger wind alone is in principle possible, but there is a possibility that while you go to the control sticks the kite will fill with air and spontaneously begin to take off, and if you have not taken care of the ground anchor, then your kite can do a lot of trouble.

Chapter 3 - Piloting Basics

Steering

You can already raise a kite (kite) into the sky, but you are having difficulties with control, we will try to help you with this:

That's actually the whole story with the controls) Whatever maneuver you want to make and whatever the difficulty, there are basic concepts for piloting, and they consist in turning right and left. But nevertheless, let's dwell in more detail on each of the movements.

When moving straight, the kite does not have to move vertically upward, the concept of a kite flying directly means that it moves in a straight line in the sky. The figure below shows the options for driving straight ahead:


There is a big difference in types, models and designs of kites, and accordingly, some of them fly straight better, some are better in various tricks, more nimble or less controllable - it all depends on the type of kite, but also on the design, because For example, one delta can perform some maneuvers better than the other. The best you can do in this case is to experiment with different types and brands of kites.

When you pull the right stick towards you, the kite reacts accordingly by starting to turn to the right, but it does not necessarily mean that it will fly to the right side of the sky, it still depends on the correctness of your movements and what you need from the kite. It is enough just to set the direction of the kite and it can easily move, for example, from the left to the right edge of the wind window.

In each of these pictures below, the kite (kite) turns to the right (left turns work the same way):


No matter how many kite loops you make, your kite will always remain in the sky and will be controllable. In order to unwind the lines, which were twisted during kite loops, it is enough to direct the kite in the other direction.

Body positions

The correct piloting position is one that allows you to enjoy the control while also resting. There is nothing difficult, just stand up straight, your arms are bent at the sides at the elbows, your elbows are pressed to the body, or close to the body, your gaze is fixed on the sky at the kite. The movements are smooth and purposeful, that is, either to the left or to the right, there is no need to invent anything and try to pull the lines especially strongly or to the side.

Remember:
All unnecessary movements only waste your energy and no more
Keeping hands on top above the head, the kite will not fly higher
Squeezing the sticks tighter will not improve the control of the kite.
Hip movement will not change the position of the kite
Keeping your hands apart will only make the controls harder.

Concentrate on the flight, watch the kite and at the same time think over its trajectory, try to control the kite to move it across the sky as you want it. Some special additional or sometimes unnecessary movements will only attract the attention of other persons but will not add anything positive to your flight.

Don't forget to smile))) Flying a kite should be fun;)

First maneuvers

Let's go back to the moment when you just learned how to fly a kite, and of course you want to perform some kind of maneuver, or even just a meaningful element of piloting. Let's try to help you with this:

When launched, the kite rushes upward:

Your sticks are positioned at the same level, the kite can be deflected left or right. If the kite turns to one side, then add a little tension on the opposite line to align the direction of the kite.

If the kite is turning left, pull slightly to the right.

If it turns right, pull slightly to the left.

When you reach a certain height, pull the right handle and direct the kite to the right, but do not overdo it. The movement should be smooth, do not allow the kite to make a kite loop (loop).


After that, when the kite has flown about 1/4 of the loop, pull on the left control stick so that the kite makes a left turn much higher than the trajectory of the first right turn. Then drive the kite straight, do not overdo it with a left turn to avoid a loop.


Then RIGHT again, and RIGHT


Congratulations !! You just made a horizontal figure eight. Now do it again!

Most The best way to master flying a kite (kite) is to try something new again and again and hone the maneuvers that you have already learned. Over time, you will realize that the main thing in piloting is refinement and precision, that delicacy is much better than brute force.

Note: Never drop the control sticks when the kite is in the sky, as this can lead to dire consequences. Some models of kites can then glide over long distances, and the control sticks "dangling" behind it have a direct danger to everyone on the ground, without human control they can be dangerous!

Landing

There are three types of kite landing, but we will specifically focus on the first two: random, normal and what we call "Eagle has landed", the third method is the most difficult and requires separate skills.

Random (emergency) landing, in its essence, is not a method of landing a kite, since in most cases the kite falls to the ground due to the inability to land it correctly, or it is simply corny not to want to do it carefully. The only disadvantage of this method, besides the aesthetics of piloting, is that you can easily damage the kite. Having broken, for example, one of the spars is not so difficult to repair it, but who wants to do this instead of launching a kite. The usual reaction of a person who, for one reason or another, did not keep the kite in the sky and observes its uncontrolled fall, is to grab hold of the handles and pull them on, while taking a step or two back.


90% of all beginners do this, and it's true. But you don't need to do this, as you already understood, since pulling on the lines and pulling them towards you will only give acceleration to the kite and it will fall to the ground with more force than if you were not doing anything. The whole point is that the whole flight depends on how tense the lines are, there is no tension and there is no flight. If you let go of the kite, it practically stops in the air, and then glides to the ground like a regular leaf. All that is required of you is to try to reduce the tension, if possible, then you can quickly run towards the canopy. It is the most reliable and safe way save the kite in an emergency landing.

Normal The (recommended) landing is the planned landing of the kite at the point where you would like to land it. This exploits the fact that the kite loses speed and traction as it descends into the edge of the wind window, whether it is the right or left edge, it makes no difference.

When landing, you need to lead the kite at a slight angle to the edge of the wind window, feeling that the thrust has decreased, and when there are a few meters to the ground, you need to make a slight left turn, this will allow your kite to be parallel to the ground. After that, a complete weakening of the lines is possible, or another hand movement, but only to the right and the kite will very gently land on the ground by itself. Congratulations, your landing was successful.

With practice, you will find that you can sit wherever and wherever you have planned.

Kite packing, assembly

When you're done flying, take a few minutes to pack your kite properly. To do this, make sure that the lines are parallel to each other and not entangled with each other, the next time you want to launch the kite, you will not have to spend time untangling the lines. Next, disconnect the lines from the kite (kite) and carefully reel them in, then if the structure has tubes and other frame parts, they should be disassembled and placed neatly in a special cover, which, by the way, should come with the kite. After them, put the kite itself and the lines in the cover. Another piece of advice, if you have time, you can check if the lines were not stretched, because after long flights there were cases when they stretched and became of different lengths.

Repair

Cases when the kite breaks are unfortunately inevitable. Whether it is an ordinary puncture of the dome, or broken parts of the structure, repairs cannot be performed without special repair parts. The best and most commonly used material for canopy repairs is (ripstop) nylon ripstop, the same material your kite is made of. You can buy it in specialized kite shops. A conventional plan puncture is repaired on site in a matter of minutes, and you can launch the kite into the sky again. Repair of spars without special spare parts is practically impossible, and when using them on the spot, repairing a kite is not always quick, but feasible.

If it seems to you that you yourself cannot repair the kite, or are simply afraid to do something wrong, then you can always contact specialized stores, which, in combination, are most often kite clubs, they will definitely help you there!

Chapter 4 - Study of conditions and flight modes

So what are the conditions for flying a kite? First of all, of course, the strength and density of the wind, its speed, the model of the kite and its configuration. Probably no need to explain that in a weak wind, kites do not fly, there is not enough power. In this section, we will explore the kite's response to wind conditions and how to influence the kite's response. And also what should be done if the conditions do not correspond to the norm.

When flying a kite, your kite is usually on the leeward side. As you know, in the sky, it moves over a large space, and depending on the direction of the wind and the region (part) of the sky in which it is located, its behavior also changes.

Center line is an imaginary vertical line straight downwind.

Center of the wind- this is an area in which the kite (kite) has good speed and maneuverability. The first maneuvers are usually done in the central part of the wind. The size of this area is not fixed, but changes depending on the strength and speed of the wind, weather conditions and kite designs.

Wind window edge is an imaginary line from the center line to the ground, extending to the right or left of it. A kite located at the edge of the wind window has minimal thrust and is therefore less maneuverable.

Between the center and the edge the kite will fly normally, but slower than the center. It is worth remembering that the wind zone increases in proportion to the strength of the wind, in a strong wind the zone will extend by 120 degrees, and in a weak angle it decreases to 45.

Chapter 5 - Advanced Piloting

After studying the previous chapters, you already know how to launch and land a kite, learned how to perform some maneuvers, as well as control the flight. In general, we learned all the essentials that are needed for a pleasant pastime with a kite. But what if you don’t want to stop there, and for you kite tricks is something more than just daily entertainment. In this case, we suggest continuing the study of advanced skills:


Flight control

As you probably understood, there are two ways of piloting: playing form and practicing.

When you fly a kite in a playful way, your piloting is limited to some simple tricks and you do not strive for something new, your main task is to relax, have fun and give a smile to others. This style of piloting allows you to escape from the thoughts that bother you, assumes relaxation and inner calmness.

The practicing form differs significantly from the play one, as it has a purposefulness and a high degree of concentration. A person who wants to progress in piloting skills is aimed at specific tasks, the study of specific maneuvers and behavior of the kite. Naturally, there is no reason to separate one from the other as things completely distant from each other, one does not interfere with the other, so to speak. You can easily play for a while and practice new skills for a while.

Level flight

Level flight is performed along the horizon, from left to right or from right to left, in a straight line. This is not so easy at first glance.


Most likely, you will not be able to perform these maneuvers "cleanly", since their clean execution requires not only training, but also the ability to concentrate and keep constant control. You need to learn how to concentrate your attention on your hands and give the kite commands exactly as you want to see it in motion. You will feel the tension in the lines increase or decrease depending on which part of the sky your kite is in. The best exercise to control the snake you can't imagine, try to pass the snake, as shown in the picture above, from top to bottom, reaching the lowest border, which may be a meter from the ground.

Direct flight

Then, as your next exercise, try to mentally "draw" straight lines in the sky in any direction, not necessarily along the horizon. Use all the same skills of concentration and complete mastery of the kite and you will succeed, because apart from complete control, nothing is required of you. As you understand, it is much more difficult to write out some ordinary maneuvers in an arbitrary order to perform this or that trick or maneuver that was planned earlier.

Throttle control

This concept includes an increase in power or a decrease due to the simultaneous tension or release of both lines. Control of such a plan is a high level of preparation. Remember, steering and throttle power are two different things: steering means a change in power relative to the voltage of one of the lines in relation to the other, and "throttle" means the voltage on both lines at the same time. More often than not, however, you will be using both styles at the same time.

Vertical figure eight

It is performed in almost the same way as the horizontal figure eight, with the exception of one, in the upper layers of the air the kite moves more slowly. To perform this trick on the highest level you will need to draw smoother lines through the center of the figure eight.

Who in childhood did not fly a kite! For many of us, it was a favorite pastime to make with my own hands was not difficult at all. We made the simplest paper kites and rejoiced at how our creations flew in the wind. Now in stores you can find a variety of models of kites, from small children's kites to huge professional ones. And now we, having already become parents ourselves, are going with interest to the sports department to buy this bright toy for our children. Let's remember together how to assemble a kite, and in what ways it can be raised into the sky.

Assembling the kite

Regardless of the level of difficulty, all kites consist of a standard set of components. The most important thing in any kite is a strong frame that holds the shape of the structure during flight. It can be made of two or more slats. A canvas made of lightweight material is stretched over the frame, which creates an obstacle to the wind and allows the kite to float in the air. It is important to know that when launching, the kite must be positioned in such a way that the canvas is in front of the frame, and the wind hits it. In some models of kites, a tail made in the form of beautiful ribbons is attached to the canvas, which is designed to smooth out gusts of wind and stabilize the kite in the air.

The kite is controlled from the ground using a rope or thread, which is also called a rope. It should be very strong, but light enough not to interfere with flight.

The thread is wound on a special convenient reel. Often times, kite makers make rails with carabiners so people can unhook them. The junction of the thread with the kite is called the bridle. Depending on the number of attachment points, this can be:

  • bridle with one attachment, which does not require adjustment in the air. The kite is only corrected by the tail.
  • a bridle with a keel, made in the form of a single piece from a cloth of the same material. Also does not require adjustment during flight
  • a bridle with two or more attachments, which assumes control of the kite. To do this, it has a ring that allows you to adjust the flight angle.

How to fly a kite

It is easy to fly a kite, the main thing is to choose a suitable place and catch the wind. To do this, we find a large open area of ​​land, preferably on a hill, where the air currents move from bottom to top. If you are surrounded by trees and houses, it will be more difficult for the snake to climb due to the uneven wind, and it can only stabilize at an altitude of about 50 meters.

Important to remember:

  • Under no circumstances should you fly a kite under power lines, near highways and airports, or during a storm with thunder and lightning. Even if the place seems to you perfectly flat and spacious, and the wind in a thunderstorm is just perfect for launching a kite, such games can be life-threatening.
  • Never fly heavy kites over people or animals. If you do not cope with the controls, this whole structure with a rigid frame at high speed can fly at a person and cripple him. If you want to play with children on the beach by the sea, a light paper kite is suitable for this, which does not harm anyone.
  • Use sunglasses when flying the kite in sunny weather. Carried away by the game and gazing intently at the sky, you may not notice how the bright sun will harm your eyes.
  • Be sure to protect your hands. Use gloves and a reel. Never wrap the rope around your hands. A strong gust of wind can lift the snake up, and the quickly unwinding thread will burn your skin.

Before sending our kite into the sky, we place it facing us, stand with our back to the wind and pull the threads. The launch of a kite is highly dependent on wind speed. If the wind is strong enough, the kite can be launched directly from your hands by placing it with its nose in the wind and slowly unwinding the rope. If the wind is not very strong, you may need help. Spin the bobbin about 15-20 meters, pull the thread and ask someone to toss the snake up. It so happens that the wind is weak near the ground, and strong enough at the top. This is evidenced by the swaying treetops. In this case, the kite will only fly at a certain height. But in order to raise it to this height, you will have to run a little against the wind.

Pay close attention to the thread tension. If the wind stops and the tension starts to loosen, wind the thread around the spool or simply pull it towards you. If the wind intensifies, the rope needs to be unwound a little, or, for example, you can take a few steps in the direction of the wind. When the kite starts to fall, and the situation can no longer be corrected, release the rope so that the impact on the ground is softer.

Controlled kite

When you have the opportunity to fly a kite, it is always interesting. However, to launch such kites, a strong wind is needed, since in a weak wind, holding two coils in your hands, you will not be able to run backwards. It is advisable to have an assistant during the launch. But you can also cope on your own, although, most likely, not on the first try.

When the kite takes off, keep your hands at chest or hips level. Try pulling the right thread towards you. You will see the kite fly to the right. If you pull left hand, you can straighten it or tilt it, respectively, to the left. Movements should be smooth. If you pull on the strings, the kite will quickly fall. Do not unwind the thread too much. Get used to the snake's maneuvers first. And after a little workout, release it higher. Do not worry if the threads twist several times, this will not affect the control in any way.

In skillful hands, the snake can draw different shapes in the air, as well as perform such tricks as "figure eight", "dead loop" and "spiral descent". If you still cannot control the kite, do not worry, very soon you will master all the subtleties of flight, and your kite will float in the air for hours for the joy of you and your children.

From improvised means, it was very relevant. It was unrealistic to buy it in the store. And to assemble it on your own was considered a task of increased complexity. Now the situation has changed. Only the demand for kites has dropped very much, which is very wrong. In the proposed article, the procedure for the manufacture of two such structures is given. Their main advantage is that you can make houses from what is available.

We will need

Before assembling the kite, first of all, let's pay attention to the frame. To make it, we need thin wooden sticks. They should be lightweight, strong and well dried. Frame proportions are usually 4: 5 or 4: 6. It is with this aspect ratio that the best aerodynamic performance is achieved. For assembly, use either threads complete with glue, or scotch tape. Also

You will need a strong garbage bag that acts as a load-bearing element. You also need a skein of strong and sturdy fishing line.

Option one

Now let's figure out how to assemble a kite most in a simple way... First you need to take 2 sticks 120 and 90 cm long. On the first, we make a mark at a distance of 30 cm from the edge. We measure the middle of the second. In the place of these notches, we fasten the sticks to each other perpendicularly with tape or threads with glue. Next, a strong garbage bag is put on this frame and attached with a certain step (2-3 cm) using the same adhesive tape. A fishing line is attached along the edges of a 90 cm long stick. A tail is attached at the back. It can be made from fishing line and pieces of a bag that will be tied on it. As a result, you should get a diamond with a tail. After these manipulations, the kite is ready to launch.

Option two - more difficult

It's a little harder to make a rectangle snake. One of its sides should be 58 cm, and the other - 45 cm. The diagonal is equal to 75 cm. Both sticks, which form the frame of this air apparatus, should be of this length. Also

you need another one, 45 cm long, which is installed in the front.

The order for assembling this kite is as follows: we install the front bar, and on each side we put two diagonals crosswise. All three joints are fastened with tape or threads with glue. Then a plastic garbage bag is put on the resulting frame again. The rest of the algorithm for how to correctly assemble a kite is similar to that previously stated. Even the components are exactly the same. It is worth noting that it is much more difficult to do. There are no clear angles and must be determined by fit or complex mathematical calculations. This is not always convenient. Therefore, this method of solving the problem "how to assemble a kite in the best way" is suitable for more experienced craftsmen... Only after a successful assembly of a simpler snake can you proceed to a more complex, second option.

Afterword

Now you know how to assemble a kite. The instruction consists of the following basic steps.

  • We make a frame from boards.
  • We put a plastic bag on it.
  • Add a tail to all this.
  • We attach the handle.

The rest (decoration and addition with any details) can already be added at your discretion.

A basic do-it-yourself kite consists of three strips glued to a sheet of dense material. At the end, a tail is attached with a small weight, which acts as a rudder. It is important to place the center of gravity in the middle of the hull, then the structure can rise into the air. The lower the load on the kite, the higher the take-off will take place. It is necessary to take into account the fact that with an increase in the rise of the kite, the thrust from the ground increases. Basic structure exposed to air pressure, therefore the material for manufacturing must be strong and tough.

What is a kite

Initially, such aircraft were made in China in the shape of a dragon - no traditional ceremony in the sky could do without this symbol. And although the manufacture of structures has long gone beyond the borders of China, the name stuck. Various models of flying devices can be with a base, frameless, flat and multi-plane designs. The finished apparatus is held by a long rope called a handrail. The aerodynamic shape contributes to a stable condition, and the strong thread helps to keep the kite at the selected air flow angle.

Design

The structure of a simple kite, from a flying frame with a stretched cover, can be assembled at home. It will not gain much height, but it will be a good start to gain basic construction skills. There is a single principle based on aerodynamic, physical properties items. Lanyards are attached to the corners of the body and combined into a bridle for stable control. Each model is decorated and stabilized by the tail. Maneuverability will improve additional load or multiple tails.

Operating principle

The main condition for a high start is wind speed (3-4 m / s). It is recommended to run the finished model in an open area where there are no trees and wires. A well-made structure will lift the air masses themselves. It is necessary to stand against the wind, letting go of the rope 10-20 meters. In light winds, you can jog to catch the moment when you send the flying vehicle into the air. It is better to cope with this task together. The smoothness of the flight depends on how correctly the tail and the length of the lines are adjusted to the size of the structure.

Types

There are a large number of models to choose from: flat, three-dimensional, curved, frameless, triangular or multi-link. The latter differ from the flat kite in their high structural stability. The multi-cell form, with a large number of individual links, connects in the form of polyhedrons. A group of interconnected flying devices looks spectacular in the sky. The width of such a product is suitable for attaching a small camera for aerial photography from a height.

How to make a kite with your own hands

To make a flying kite at home, you need to choose a model that determines the shape of the frame and the material of the surface. Determine the number of bearing rails holding the web in tension ... Sheets of paper, cloth, plastic bag, cardboard are used as a canvas. You can fasten the slings in one or two places of the base. It is possible to give good aerodynamic power both to an uncontrolled (single-line) and controlled (multi-line) model. The thread take-up spool will eliminate tangling during starting.

From paper

You can make a paper kite as follows:

  1. Fold a square out of thick paper.
  2. Mark the axis of symmetry.
  3. Bend the sides in half.
  4. Bend the corners to form an accordion.
  5. Pass a long string through the center of the accordion.
  6. Attach the adjustment rail.
  7. Connect a bundle of threads prepared in advance.
  8. Decorate the free end of the tail with bows or rags.
  9. Pull the tail through the hole, secure it securely with a rope.

From fabric

Design an original scheme to make a flying toy snake from wire using fabric:

  1. Wrap a piece of flexible wire with threads, fix them at the ends.
  2. Shape the wire to the desired shape.
  3. Trace a piece of fabric along the contour of the frame, leaving an allowance of one and a half centimeters.
  4. Glue the fabric to the wire piece.
  5. Decorate the surface.
  6. Tie a rope in several places.
  7. Bring the ends of the ropes to one point, stepping back 30 centimeters from the kite, fasten them together.
  8. Attach the rope.

Polyethylene

DIY polyethylene kite:

  1. Prepare two planks, where one is twice as long as the other.
  2. Fold them up from the top of the long plank.
  3. Secure the connection point with tape.
  4. Wrap the strips with tape, make small cuts.
  5. Pull a strong thread through the cuts, secure it.
  6. Trace the outline of the finished frame on polyethylene, adding one centimeter.
  7. Cut and tape the edges.
  8. Tie a 30 cm thread on a short stick.
  9. Tie a piece of fishing line to the top of a long stick.
  10. Connect all three ends of the fishing line to each other and the thread of the lower corners, for which you will hold the snake, secure with tape.
  11. Decorate with ribbons.

Dragon kite

Design big size, with contours resembling a dragon, is performed as follows:

  1. Select materials for framing and covering.
  2. Craft a support base for the desired soaring dragon shape.
  3. Secure the connected structures with a thin rope.
  4. Draw a drawing of the model on paper, use it as a template.
  5. Cut out the contours of the kite for aerodynamic coverage.
  6. Decorate the surface with homemade designs or stickers.
  7. Attach the outer upholstery to the frame.
  8. Attach the slings, tie the handrail.

Box kite

The box kite belongs to the multi-plane models. It is done like this:

  1. Make 4 long slats and 6 slats half as short.
  2. Fasten the short ones crosswise with a self-tapping screw.
  3. Attach the long slats to the smaller ones in the center and at the ends.
  4. Pull the large sides together at the corners with wire or string criss-cross.
  5. Wind the rope around the slats, fix it with tape in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped of the frame.
  6. Attach the plastic strips to the slats, making a full turn around the item.
  7. Pull the rope over the cellophane covering the perimeter of the square, glue tightly on the surface.
  8. Make loops of wire to tie the rope.

Rhombic serpent

You can assemble a kite with your own hands so that the structure has improved aerodynamic characteristics. The description will help you:

  1. Make 6 long wooden slats and 4 slats half the length.
  2. Make from small crosses.
  3. Wrap the sides with wire, fix.
  4. Attach long strips to the sides of the crosses.
  5. Coat the wooden slats with linseed oil.
  6. Tape the frame with tape around each spider.
  7. Align the frame in the perpendicular position of the rails in the crosses.
  8. Cover the body of the snake with tape in two layers, being careful not to damage the shape.
  9. Tie a strong thread to each rail, secure with a strip of tape.
  10. Attach line to the wider side of the diamond at both ends of the batten.

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