All about Kites - By: Azlan

Kites are ingenious contraptions that are intended to be flown high in the sky at the end of a string. Building kites and flying kites is an informal pastime, as well as a competitive game in several parts of the globe. In fact, most kite flying festivals all across Asia have "kite fights," which is a revered and an ancient tradition where players attempt to cut down their adversaries’ kites by cutting off their lines. This is accomplished by using small, highly maneuverable "fighter kites" that are connected to glass-coated "cutting lines." These specialized "cutting lines" are used to cut off the lines of contending kites.

In Korea, men, women and children fly kites during the first few days of the New Year. Kite flying is also something to look forward to, and an important part of the boys’ festival, which is held each May in Japan, and in China, one day each year is commemorated as Kites’ Day. On those days, thousands of kites shaped like fish, butterflies and dragons take to the air and soar over the cities and towns. Thailand also sponsors an International Kite Festival in which all kites fall into one of two categories: chula (male) or pakpao (female) kites. The kites are immense and need quite a lot of people to fly them. There are also kite-flying competitions held yearly in the United States and Canada.

Types of Kites

There are numerous assorted forms of kites. The simplest kind of kites is the two-stick solitary plane bow kite. It can be bought ready-made or it can be put together from do-it-yourself kits or made exclusively by hand. When creating plain kites, the sticks that are utilized can be of any sturdy, light wood with a straight grain. The covering material can be ordinary brown wrapping paper, or a wispy, light cloth, such as silk or nylon. Plastic sheeting of various kinds are also used. In addition, cloth is used for the tail and a string for the flight line. There are also more sophisticated kinds of kites that can be assembled.

The box kite consists fundamentally of two rectangular boxes, open on two parallel sides each and connected by a common framework. Lawrence Hargrave invented it in the 1890’s. Box kites are more difficult to build than stick kites, but they are excellent flyers and will maintain their position for long periods. Box kites also adjust well to changes in the wind, and they do not have need of a tail.

How to Fly Kites

Kites fly, like airplanes, on the aerodynamic principle of wind pressure against a heavier-than-air object. The motor and propeller of the airplane create a wind pressure as they move the plane through the air. When the pressure is strong enough to conquer gravity, the plane is pressed up and permitted to stay in the air. The similar consequence of wind pressure is produced by the kite flyer as he sprints across an open field. As the kite moves against the wind, the string tips the face of the kite onward. The wind shoves up on this tipped face and raises the kite, just as a wedge pressed beneath an object lifts it up.

About the Author

Jim Remington is a researcher and writer working for http://www.akiratoys.com, where you can get all the best kites, spinners, and toys at the best prices. Visit us for all your toy needs.

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