Stunt Kites for Sale

Archive for June, 2009

Over the last few years developments of multi-line kites have given way to the sport of kite flying. The sport has spawned the competition between kite fliers. The performances are judged in a similar fashion as the ballet and figure skating. Performances have compulsory figures as in figure skating and artistic interpretation of music like the ballet.

Competitions are performed by individuals, sometimes pairs of pilots and also in teams. The most exciting competitions that create the most spectacular performances are the team kite flying. You can see as many as eight pilots stacking kites with tails inches apart and a deep breath away from a disaster. The team will perform all kinds of spectacular formations in the air.

International and national competitions are held under “STACK” (Sport Team Competitive Kiting). The annual World Championship was held in 2008 in Berck Sur Mer, France.

Sport Kite contests are held in the United States via the American Kitefliers Association an organization that oversees sport kite contests. A number of regions hold competitions and the winners get invited the the annual AKA Convention for national championships.

In the United States, the American Kitefliers Association is the umbrella organization for sport kite contests. Competition winners from the various regions are invited to the annual AKA convention for national championships.

Back in 1996 two organizations STACK and AJSKA (American Kitfliers Association and the Japanese Sport Kite Association) met to form what we have today. The IRBC (The International Rule Book Committee) standardized the rules and processes for competition kite flying.

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Sport kiting acronyms and terms if you are new to the sport or even if you have been at it a while, you may not have the meaning to them all yet. After an exhaustive search the list of sport kiting acronyms and terms is very near complete.

1/2 Axel

The ½ axel or axel is a kite trick with a 2 line stunt kite that is an interesting way of changing direction rather than a carved turn. At the edge of the window, having done a ground pass, release the top wing and then pop the same side. The kite will make a half turn and then pull back on both lines to fly off in the opposite direction.

The 360

Is another kite trick that is performed in very light or no wind, you can fly your kite outside of the normal 180° window and complete a flight 360° circuit around the pilot. Start by flying right out to the left edge in a nice straight ground pass, then as you reach the edge start to walk backward to power the kite around, keep the kite's speed up until you reach the beginning of your wind window on the right side.

Access Power

This is the maneuver for a traction kite to give extra power

Active Bridle

The control lines that form the connection between kite and control line for active flight. The bridle passes the commands of the pilot to the kite. There is a number of specific points that make up the bridle. First is the tow point, this is where the control lines are attached. Next there is the (in-haul) this connection is from the centre T to the tow point. Next we have the (upper out-haul) this connection from the upper spreader leading edge to the tow point and the (lower out-haul) goes from lower spreader leading edge to tow point.

Aerodynamic

This means a shape that is capable flying and not adversely affected in the wind.

A Gas

This acronym is used buggy slang with traction kites that means it is As Good As Skiing

Airfoil or Aerofoil

This is the name given to the shape of a wing or, sail whose shape controls stability, direction, lift, thrust or propulsion. The shape provides force when in motion to surrounding air and can lift.

Airtime

More buggy slang referrers to the amount of time spent in the air while jumping

Alee

This has to do with downwind or the leeward side

Angle of Attack

Sometimes referred to as the angle of incidence for short (AOA or AOI) is the angle which the kite flies in relation to the wind. This angle is adjusted from the bridle.

Angle of Incidence

This angle can mean the angle the kite takes compared to the wind direction

Apparent Wind

For short (AW) The wind imposed on the kite or rider as it passes through the air. Example, if the true wind is blowing North at 10 knots and the kite is moving West at 10 knots, the apparent wind on the kite is NW at about 14 knots. The apparent wind direction shifts towards the direction of travel as speed increases

Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio of a kite is calculated from the height/width. Kites are referred to as having a high aspect ratio or a low aspect ratio.

Back of the sail

The side of the kite facing the sky