Picture Kites

Follow the links below to view my creations with plans, pictures, and construction techniques.

This kite is an excellent kite for reading wind speed and condition. It moves almost instantaneously to any change in wind speed or direction. When the wind speed increases the kite visibly moves upwards and responds fast enough to show gusts in the air. I have flown this kite in very low wind speeds (5km/h) and it is very stable, a short drop in wind speed, however, may land the kite. The kite can also fly in moderate to strong wind, however, the pull on the kite line is strong, the spars start to bend drastically and it fights its way sideways out of the wind window.

When I have flown this kite in good wind conditions, it is capable of being used for KAP (Kite Aerial Photography) with a light camera and will fly at a relatively steep angle. The Dopero kite, which comes from the Roller design, is an excellent kite for KAP and provides excellent stability.

Originally I made this kite with a three point bridle, however, it was incredibly difficult to find the perfect symmetry and it would fly to the side. I changed the bridle system to a two-point bridle which instantly improved the kite's performance and reduced the setting up time prior to each flying session.

The kite's sale was originally held together using Venture Tape, however, after its completion I had access to an old (and reliable) sewing machine which I then used to reinforce the sail laps. A zigzag running stitch was used to sew the sail laps. With the sewing machine to hand, I travelled the perimeter of the sail installing a hem as I went. The hem gives the kite a neat look as well as reduces the stretching of the kite sail.

The webbing pocket at the bottom of the spine had been penetrated by the fibreglass spar during one flying session and so it had to be fixed by doubling up the webbing. I believe one layer of polyester webbing would be sufficient, however, the Nylon webbing I have used is thinner and allows greater movement and stretching between the threads.

To maintain the symmetry within this kite I had sewn in some small guidance pockets for the central spine to go through. The guidance pockets restrain the sail from sliding sideways around the spine.

Materials

60gsm Ripstop Polyester

6mm Venture Tape

5mm Fibreglass Tube Spars

5mm End Caps

5mm Nocks

5mm Plastic Dihedral Connectors

25mm Hook and Loop

25mm & 50mm Dacron Tape

25mm Nylon Webbing (Use Polyester Instead)

4mm Eyelets

3mm Bungee Chord

35daN Bridle Line

22daN Flying Line

Dimensions are in millimeters.