A kite works by basically converting movement of air over its surfaces into a force which is felt on the lines. This movement of air has 3 significant sources:
1) The wind, also known as the true wind - this is what you measure on your windmeter.
2) Movement of the kite - by moving the kite through the window, additional air is forced over its surfaces, which generates additional forces on the lines.
3) Movement of the rider - If the rider flys the kite at the zenith then runs upwind, the kite is forced to move upwind with the rider, again causing more air to flow over the kite surface - leading to more force.
The apparent wind on a kite is a combination of the 3 factors above (some of which may be zero or even negative in certain circumstances) - it is highly beneficial to understand their potential uses and consequences, as the rider has control over (2) and (3).
explain apparent wind on kites.
- kite movement in window
- board movement -> kite movement (across wind, upwind, downwind)
- vertical up/down movement of rider (and subsequent downwind movement)
1) The wind, also known as the true wind - this is what you measure on your windmeter.
2) Movement of the kite - by moving the kite through the window, additional air is forced over its surfaces, which generates additional forces on the lines.
3) Movement of the rider - If the rider flys the kite at the zenith then runs upwind, the kite is forced to move upwind with the rider, again causing more air to flow over the kite surface - leading to more force.
The apparent wind on a kite is a combination of the 3 factors above (some of which may be zero or even negative in certain circumstances) - it is highly beneficial to understand their potential uses and consequences, as the rider has control over (2) and (3).
explain apparent wind on kites.
- kite movement in window
- board movement -> kite movement (across wind, upwind, downwind)
- vertical up/down movement of rider (and subsequent downwind movement)
