The major defining factor in modern kites are standoffs, which provide a 3D shape to kites even when not billowed from wind pressure. As the kite was no longer relying on wind pressure to hold its shape there were pronounced gains in competitive precision flying (especially in light winds) and creation of an entirely new branch of slackline trick flying. Rather than requiring wind to provide billowed sail shape to catch the wind, designers formed the kite into a 3D shape allowing it to catch the wind at any angle, even when slack, drifting backward, or lying on its back. In the 1990s sport kites saw a design change which transformed sport kite flying. The control lines, standoffs, and 3D shape are more visible from this vantage point. Modern dual-line sport kites ĭual-line sport kite shown from below. The addition of standoffs, small rods to continually maintain the sail tension and the billowed shape, with kites becoming able to perform actions on slack lines generally and the ability to perform multi-dimensional acrobatic tricks marked the transition from traditional to modern designs. Flying was generally limited to linear flying and precise turns relying on straight-on wind pressure. They often are heavier than modern kite designs with a straight-line triangular appearance. Traditional sport kites are generally flat when not billowed under wind pressure, although some later and transitionary models may include short standoffs. Kites are generally considered traditional or 'old school' when they are flat and lack modern features. The sport kites were increasingly built for precise control, which featured heavily in competitions and demonstrations. Traditional sport kites were most prevalent from the 1970s through the 1990s. Larger kites were capable of pulling pilots or lifting passengers in water ski shows, smaller designs were flown by pilots on beaches or stands. The Rogallo wing's simple design of triangular fabric was easy for amateurs to construct on their own. Multi-line sport kites were popularized by designs of Francis Rogallo and Domina Jalbert, which were used in televised water skiing shows and movies in the 1960s. Traditional dual-line sport kites Ĭontrollable dual line kites have been around since at least the mid-1800s, and likely much earlier considering the history of kites into antiquity. There are three main categories of sport kites: Unique quad-line maneuvers include reverse flight, axis spins, hovers, and side to side flight. Skilled use of these handles allows a quad-line kite to perform in ways that are difficult or impossible with a dual-line kite. The pitch of the kite affects lift and forward drive, and since each of four lines can be moved the kite can be tilted, rotated, twisted, or pitched in any direction. The kite experiences more force on the lines held on higher tension. To control the kite the pilot applies tension to the four lines, typically all four lines have some tension with some lines drawn back more than the others. Quad-line kites are controlled with a pair of handles, each with two lines attached to the top and bottom and attached to the kite correspondingly. This type of stall allows for various other acrobatic maneuvers to be performed. During diving maneuvers sport kites may reach speeds of 100 km/h (60 mph), while in stall type maneuvers they can remain nearly motionless. These range in difficulty from turns, loops and landings, to maneuvers where the kite is flipped and turned end over end, wrapping the lines or floating on its front or back. Using a combination of pulls (to add tension or direct kite motion) and pushes (to give slack and let float into motion), complex tricks and patterns can be flown. The pitch can be controlled by walking/running forward or backwards, giving the lines different amounts of tension. A pilot may pull on the right-hand line to turn right, pull left-hand line to turn left, pull equally for straight flight, push the left-hand line to release air and turn right, and so on.

The flying lines are made from braided ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, which is light, does not stretch under tension and stays slippery even when wrapped many times.ĭual-line sport kites are controlled by the pilot adding and releasing tension on the right and left lines. These kites are normally constructed from lightweight ripstop nylon or ripstop polyester with spars made from carbon fiber tubing. Another common configuration is a W-shaped panel based on the Hadzicki wing, with four lines for control.

One common configuration for a sport kite is a roughly triangular 'delta' shape based on the Rogallo wing, with two lines for control.

Prism kites