Question by kinsora: How to balance the delta kite strings?
I bought a delta kite recently. After opening the box, I noticed the strings and building sticks to be messy. No construction manual was inside neither.
So, after using logic and setting up the delta kite, now i have a problem. The strings !!! I cannot make the kite fly. Either it goes up 10 metres, make a loop and goes straight to the ground or, the kite simply doesn’t take off.
How to properly balance the strings? My delta kite is about 1.5 mts end to end width, 1 mts from top to bottom (north to south).
Best answer:
Answer by Ken E
The strings should be set in the bridle so that the kite when hung from them in a still room makes an angle of about 30 degrees to the floor, nose up. This angle will vary with the performance you want, but 30 degrees is a good start for a kite of almost any kind. Both sides should be equal of course.
One of the mistakes a lot of people make when first trying to launch a dual line kite is to try to do it with a short string. Use the full length of the strings. If you have no-one to launch the kite, place it on its back on the ground downwind from your intended flying spot and then walk away from it, keeping slight tension on the strings so that it does not tumble away. Walk backwards is easiest.
When you have the loops or handles in grasp, pull firmly and evenly on them and maybe step back a little. If there is not enough wind to launch, there is probably not enough to fly, there is little point in trying to run.
Make sure that anyone launching it steps backward, as it may crash and can injure them if they step forward.
The other thing is to keep the hands down. You cannot control a stunt kite with your arms above your head. Keep your hands at waist level.
It will take you at least half an hour to get any degree of control. If the kite looks like crashing, step or run forward. This will reduce the speed of a crash and can save spars and fabric. You can slow the kite’s reactions down a bit with a long ribbon tail from a sewing store.
It has just occurred to me that you might have been asking about a single-line kite. No matter, the 30 degrees is still good. Single line delta kites generally are better fliers in light winds, they can be unstable in strong winds. With a single-line delta, you can launch yourself, start with a metre of free line, lift the kite above your head and let the line out slowly. I often wear thin leather gloves to avoid string burn.
Have fun! Here are two kite sites, there are many others.
http://www.kitebuilder.com/kitestudio.html
http://www.keywestkites.com/singlelinekites.htm
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