How on earth do you fly a kite, does it take much practice?

Question

I got one today and took it out for an hour but the longest it stayed int the air was for about 15 seconds!...it's a parachute kit about 6ft. in diameter...it was very cheap so do you have to pay for a decent one and has anyone got any tips before my daughter thinks I'm useless!!

Answer 1

OK, firstly, if your kite is a one-line parafoil kite, you may need to adjust the 'bridle' if it's having problems getting into the air. There is information on how to do this here:http://www.xs4all.nl/~pdj/bridling.htm

If your kite is a traditional 'Parachute' design (i.e. shaped the the parachutes in old war movies) then such designs rarely fly very well, usually designed more to create 'pull'.

If your kite is a two line parafoil (either one that looks like a modern parachute or a 'clamshell' NASA wing design) then these few steps should help you to fly it.

1: Pick your spot. Choose where and when you will fly carefully. Going to the beach, a recreation ground or a hillside on a windy day will net good results. Most parks or sports fields in residential areas are less than ideal as the wind is not 'clean' as the surroundings create turbulence. This can make your kite difficult to fly.

2: Measure your lines. As you said you got a cheap kite, I'll guess that it didn't come with good-quality, pre-measured lines. More than likely it came with either two traditional kite winders or two 'hoop' winders. It might be a good idea to pay out the lines and measure and cut them to exactly the same length and always use them fully paid out. If the lines are uneven, it is far easier to loose control of your kite.

3: Launching. With practice you should be able to launch a parafoil without assistance 9 times out of 10. However, to start with get someone to help. They should hold the kite into the wind whilst you stand with your back straight to the wind. Don't run backwards - you should never try to run with a two line kite. You merely need to take a couple of brisk steps backwards until the kite catches the wind and rises up into the sky.

4: Using the wind. Parafoils are designed for power. It is at it's weakest high in the sky, which is also where it's easiest to learn. Let the kite rise until it is 60-80 degrees in the sky from you. It should not pull too hard at this angle and should be far enough from the ground that slight mistakes won't bring it back to earth.

5: Control. Always start by keeping both hands level, some advise you to keep them by your side. Make gentle movements with your left or right hand and the kite will 'steer' accordingly. Once you get used to the speed and turning circle you can experiment more.

6: Power: Up high, the kite will not pull too hard and it's movements should be quite 'lazy'. Once you gain confidence manouver the kite lower. At lower angles the wind exerts more force on the kite and it pulls much harder, also usually making it faster.

As with so many things, it all takes practice. I learned to fly my first stunt kite at around eleven years old (A 'Star Wars' kite) and I crashed that many times, so practice is the real key.

Find your nearest kite specialist and see if they know any clubs or groups nearby, who will usually be very helpful and supportive, even pointing you in the right direction if you want to get a better or more suitable kite.

Also, at this time of the year in the UK there are numerous Kite Festivals, there is a list here:-
www.thekitesociety.org.uk/events.htm
Visiting one of these will allow you to talk to kite flyers and retailers who will be able to help.


It will just take a bit of patience is all. Some people 'get' parafoil kites very quickly (A colleague of mine used mine once and was flying it acceptably in just a few minutes with some coaching, although he was unprepared for the pull on my kite) whilst other's struggle (My wife tried my kite at a recent kite festival and was able to handle it only about 40% of the time). However, as with so many things practice makes perfect.

Answer 2

So sad, but very funny to. No you do not have to pay a lot for a kite that will fly but you do for a kite that will last. A kite from the 99 cent store would be enough to impress your daughter for one or three evenings. You need to make sure that there is wind, then you ask your daughter to hold the kite lightly, then you have to tell her ok let go while you are at least 10 feet away from her and start running, after you feel the kite go up just let more string out slowly and kind of guide it. Once a kite has caught good wind it can stay up all by itself alls you have to do is hold it or tie it to a chair. (Try the beach it is so cool. Take snakes and everyone will jock your daughter for having a cool dad who thought about bringing a kite to the beach.) Good Luck Awesome Dad!)

Answer 3

well first of all you need wind. No wind, no flying kite! You don't have to run with a kite to get it up you can get them up just by holding them high above your head.( Maybe a little trot) A great place to fly them is at a beach. Make sure the sticks are in the right way and it needs a tail. I fly both and cheap ones are easier to get up than the expensive ones. I say go to an open field or a beach. Good luck. Also pulling the string up and down helps keep the kite in the air.

Answer 4

You say it's a parachute kite. I therefore assume it has two handles, one each side. Stand with the kite against the wind. The skill is to keep the same tension on each handle, otherwise the kite will veer to the left or right and dive into the ground. Once it's up, make small pulls on both handles together to make it climb; when it's high, steer it left or right by applying LIGHT pulls to the appropriate handle.

Answer 5

Ok, stupid sounding answer, but you need a strong wind to take it up. I've got a 6ft paragliding-shaped kite & it really does need a good gust to make it go - cost £70 about 15 years ago. Unfortunately though, a very cheap 6 footer probably won't be that strong, yet will need a strong wind to fly it.

Answer 6

A kite is a heavier than air, flying tethered guy-made merchandise. the needed carry that makes the kite fly is generated whilst airflow over and below the kite creates low stress above the kite and intense stress below it. besides to the carry, this deflection generates horizontal drag alongside the direction of the wind. This drag is antagonistic with the stress of the a variety of of lines held by potential of the operator of the kite. immediately, besides to kites that are especially flown for sport, artwork or sensible use, there are game kites and power kites. game kites are flown in aerial ballet. power kites are multi-line steerable kites designed to generate extra stress which could be utilized in correct activities including kite surfing, kite landboarding or kite buggying

Answer 7

If I can fly 1 anyone can. You need a good, but not strong wind. and a large expance of space so you have plenty of running space.

Answer 8

get some wind