How to Make a Bridle for a Stunt Kite
You're getting bored with one-line kites. You're ready to move on to swooping, soaring stunt kites. The thing you need is a way to control the way the stunt kite moves in the air. This is where the bridle comes in. For a two-line kite the bridle is made up of a collection of strings controlling the left side of the kite, they come to a point and are attached to a single string, the end of which you hold in your left hand. The opposite is true for the right side. The handles of the strings are usually color coded to avoid confusion.
Instructions
-
Constructing the Bridle
-
1
Cut two eighteen-inch lengths of bridle line, and two twenty-inch lengths of bridle line.
Tie all of the pieces off with an overhand loop making sure the end lengths of all of the pieces are even. -
2
Use a lark's head knot to attach one of the twenty-inch lengths to the kite's t-connector (found in the center of the kite). Use the same knot to attach the other end of the piece of bridle line to the ring end of one of the swivel rings. Repeat for the other side.
-
-
3
Use a lark's head to attach the other twenty-inch length to the lower spreader end and attach an eighteen-inch length of line to the upper spreader end. Attach both of these to the ring end of the swivel ring. Repeat for the other side.
-
4
When ready to fly the kite, use an overhand loop to attach the kite line to the clip end of the swivel ring.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You can use regular kite line if you can't find bridle line. Keep in mind, though, that it won't be as stretchy and may not last as long.
Making a long loop in the bridle strings will allow for more adjustments in control.
You can adjust the bridle by pulling up the larks head of either the inner or outer bridle strings and knotting it so the lark's head is shorter.
A tangled up kite can be a mess to try to fly. Detach the flying lines from the bridle and clip the two swivel rings together when preparing the kite for storage. This will help prevent the bridle lines from tangling.
Remember that stunt kites can achieve speeds of upwards of 60 miles an hour. Be careful not to fly your kite over people, as they could be injured by either the kite itself or the by the strings.
The lengths of the bridle strings may vary depending on your kite.
References
- Photo Credit flight of a kite image by Katya Mikhlin from Fotolia.com
