Kite Science Why a Kite Flys LIFT, DRAG, AND GRAVITY

Flight Stability

Properly balancing the dihedral of the kite, the tow point of the bridle, and even a varying amount of tail will affect the stability of your kite along the vertical (yaw), lateral (pitch) and longitudinal (roll) axes

equilibrium

So with a proper dihedral angle built into the kite's design, it will fly properly balanced in the sky

Dihedral

The one other thing that is important in understanding flight describes the angle formed when two wings come together For example, dihedral angle of a kites wings helps the kite fly smoothly

tow point

( this is were you tie your kite string) By moving the place your string is attached to the kite on the bridle line, you can change the amount of lift that is created

Drag

is created by wind resistance on the kite's surface (and tail). Drag can also result from turbulence behind the kite.

Gravity

is the downward force created by the weight of the kite.

Thrust

is the power of the wind which creates lift.

Pitch

is the rotating action about a kite's lateral axis. This is another imaginary line. On an airplane, you can think of the wings as the lateral axis

Roll

is the rotating action about a kite's longitudinal axis. On an airplane, this would be the imaginary line through the body or fuselage.

Yaw

is the rotating action about a kite's vertical axis This is the imaginary line that goes from the ground up through the kite into the sky

Lift

results from this wind pressure being deflected along the face of the kite. In other words, the wind pushes up on the kite.

What is the kite effected by?

thrust, drag and by gravity

To fly, a kite needs what?

to have enough lift to overcome gravity and drag

center of pressure

when all of these forces (lift, drag, gravity, and the thrust) come together to a center point ( this is were you tie your kite string)

angle of attack

By moving the place your string is attached to the kite on the bridle line, you can change the amount of lift that is created This is the angle that the kite leans into the wind