- Flying a kite can be an enjoyable experience for someone with a lot of string and a nice, windy day with not a tree in sight. Getting the kite into the air, however, will require some understanding of aerodynamics and possibly a lot of running. This article will explain how a kite flies.
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A kite's surface is much like an airplane wing's design. The top layer of the kite is actually slightly curved from the leading edge, while the bottom surface is more flat in design. The surfaces meet at a tapered point. Essentially, a kite is a wing without a plane to power it. A basic kite is supported by a crossbar frame made of a light material like plastic.
When a kite meets moving air, the air tries to go over both surfaces. If air is able to pass over and under it, there is a chance that the kite's lightweight design can get it off the ground, even at a "resting" position. Keeping it off the ground, however, will require velocity and a way to create air speed. Since kites have no motors or attached propulsion system, people become the source of velocity. -
People can fly the kite by attaching it to a string and attempting to create air speed. Usually a person would attach the string to the kite in a balanced fashion, either from a single point in the middle or separate points on the edges of the crossbar. A kite flyer would let the kite hang off of a few feet of string. As the flyer starts running, he lets out a little more string at a time, hoping that the wind would travel over the kite's surfaces and create lift. If successful, the kite flyer can eventually stop running and let out even more string as the kite gets higher and higher in the sky.
The basic kite can be diamond shaped, although more modern kits can take on several figures and forms. Many actually resemble airplane wings, while other kites can be shaped like dragons, ladybugs and other animals. Quad-line kites are stunt kites that use four lines of string. They allow the kite flyer more maneuverability so he can perform tricks and turns with the kite.
