Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1993 16:28:20 GMT
From: M.N.Oakden@durham.ac.uk (Mark N Oakden)
Message-ID: <AA29777.9303121628.cpt1@uk.ac.durham>
Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Subject: line lengths

Hi all,

Does anyone have experience of choosing line lengths for small stunt
kites?  I have a home made delta which has a span of just under 3 feet
and was wondering what line length to fly it on.  I am pretty
inexperienced in two line kiting.  Since actually cutting lines to
length, attaching them to handles, etc. is a bit of a hassle, I would
rather have some advice to start me off rather than just go out and
experiment from scratch.  I gather that flying on shorter lines
increases apparent speed (presumably not a good idea for a beginner
like myself) and also I realise that smaller kites tend to be faster
but smaller kites presumably suffer more from the drag of long lines.
I don't really have any idea on the relative sizes of these effects so
would be grateful for any suggestions.  

I am currently using some industrial sewing thread for lines, it seems
quite strong but presumably generates more drag than something like
spectra, as well as not slipping over itself as well when the two
lines are twisted together. Is this going top be a serious problem for
me or am I OK waiting till I have got the hang of flying before
worrying about hi-tech lines.  
-- 
M.N.Oakden@durham.ac.uk | Centre for Particle Theory, | "No Moon, no flowers,
19681::MNO              |       University of Durham, |            no friend-
                        |        Durham, DH1 3LH, UK. |  and he drinks sake."

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Date: Sat, 13 Mar 93 18:57:09 GMT
From: egc@daimi.aau.dk (Esben Gorm Collstrup)
Message-ID: <1993Mar13.185709.1301@daimi.aau.dk>
Organization: DAIMI: Computer Science Department, Aarhus University, Denmark
Subject: Re: line lengths

M.N.Oakden@durham.ac.uk (Mark N Oakden) writes:

>Does anyone have experience of choosing line lengths for small stunt
>kites?  I have a home made delta which has a span of just under 3 feet
>and was wondering what line length to fly it on.  I am pretty
>inexperienced in two line kiting.  Since actually cutting lines to
>length, attaching them to handles, etc. is a bit of a hassle, I would
>rather have some advice to start me off rather than just go out and
>experiment from scratch.  I gather that flying on shorter lines
>increases apparent speed (presumably not a good idea for a beginner
>like myself) and also I realise that smaller kites tend to be faster
>but smaller kites presumably suffer more from the drag of long lines.
>I don't really have any idea on the relative sizes of these effects so
>would be grateful for any suggestions.  
.
.
.
>-- 
>M.N.Oakden@durham.ac.uk | Centre for Particle Theory, | "No Moon, no flowers,
>19681::MNO              |       University of Durham, |            no friend-
>                        |        Durham, DH1 3LH, UK. |  and he drinks sake."

I suggest starting on some 30 meter (100 ft) lines. For your size of stunt kite
Catch The Wind in USA sells some 45 lb and 25 lb Spiderline (Spectra) in 250 ft
spools for about US$ 8 if memory serves me right. But since you lives in UK you
may like to try:

	Quicks
	18-22 Stakes Hill Road
	Waterlooville
	Hampshire PO7 7JF
	England
	Phone: 0705-254114
	Fax: 0705-251519

They sells 75 lb 300 ft twisted Spectra (in four colours) for GBP 6.20

Esben

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