The following provides a link with more information of Wang Chifeng Eagle Glider kite.
http://english.cri.cn/4026/2008/04/04/1361@341786.htmThe kite he is flying is a single line glider kite, where the flying line is connected at a single point very close to the center of gravity. The wing loading is higher than what we use in the USA for this type of kite, which is why he needs to keep it flying at the speed he does. If you are curious about what we fly in the USA, please continue reading.
In the USA, we have been exploring glider kites for a number of years. We use these type of single line kites to perform routines to music as part of indoor competitions and shows. We also use these type of kites to fly outdoors in winds less than 10 mph, riding the wind currents and thermals. Our glider kites have dihedral to allow us to perform turns and provide stability on the climb and glide. We connect our flying line to a bridle line, where the bridle line is connected along the center of the kite at two locations. This type of bridle allows the glider kite to climb like a conventional kite when tension is applied to the flying line, and steer the glider kite during a glide, where only the front portion of the bridle line is under tension at angles greater than the angle of attack for the climb.
To show what my glider kites look like in the air, the following two links prior videos of my 2018 indoor contest performance and my 2019 indoor show performance.
2018 Indoor Contest Performance: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CyWztvczuv9PEYtYOPDRngNQa8i0hAq_/view?usp=sharing2019 Indoor Show Performance: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n361spPapLNkKPmrec1r5DSmzaX6IWnJ/view?usp=sharingThe following provides pictures and descriptions of the two kites used in the videos, which have swept forward wings.
Raptor 36M
My Raptor 36M indoor glider kite is used for indoor competition, made from ultra-light Dyneema Composite Fabric, where the lightest density is 0.34 oz./sq.yd. This glider kite has a wingspan of 36 inches, project wing area of 303 sq.in., weighs 8.2 grams and a wing loading of 0.137 oz./sq.ft. The center of gravity is slightly behind the neutral point, with a static margin of -1.93 percent. The low wing loading allows me a glide speed of about 4 mph. The flying line is 10 lb. spectra fishing line, at a length of 30 feet.
Raptor 74F
My larger Raptor 74F is used for demonstrations, made from 24 panels of ripstop polyester fabric, with a density of 1.06 oz./sq.yd. This glider has a wingspan of 74 inches, projected wing area of 1,267 sq.in, weighs 84.2 grams and a wing loading of 0.338 oz./sq.ft. The center of gravity also is slightly behind the neutral point, with a static margin of -2.42 percent. The wing loading allows me a glide speed of slightly above 6 mph. The flying line is 90 lb. spectra kite line, at a length of 50 feet.
As a point of reference, I was active in CLPA in the 1970s and competed in the northeast and in several AMA Nationals (Senior: 1973, 1974 and 1975; Open: 1978 and 1979) during that period of time. In the 1980s, I transitioned to RC sailplanes and competed in the Eastern Soaring League for a number of years. My first interaction with dual line stunt kites was in 1986, where I learned that I could use the wind to my benefit and not detriment. These type of kites allowed me to perform aerobatics like my CLPA days, with the silence of my RC sailplanes. Pursuing stunt kites also allowed me to stop punishing my body as the result of a very bad allergy to balsa wood that I developed over the years. Spent the 1990s developing, designing, building and competing with dual line stunt kites, where I became a successful Master Class competitor. Due to low wind conditions in northwest New Jersey, I explored other aspects of kiting and discovered single line glider kites in 2010. Since that point of time, I have been developing, designing, building, and flying single line glider kites, which I use for indoor competitions and indoor/outdoor demonstrations. In our version of the AMA, American Kiteflyers Association (AKA), I have been very successful at indoor single line competitions for a number of years. I also am a member and contributor to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Tethered AeroSystems Working Group.
I follow this great forum as way of keeping in touch with CLPA, where I have very fond memories. CLPA and my various engineering degrees provided me with an excellent foundation for all of my current tethered flying activities. I am very active on a forum like this one, for the kiting hobby.
Doug
Topic: Kite Whipping! Sorta CL-Like (Read 898 times)