The reason why kites keep crashing and how to fix them
There are many reasons why a kite needs to be flown quickly. Sometimes it may be because a storm is coming, or your kite is flying into some kind of danger. Either way, safety should be your first priority when retrieving your kite.
Generally speaking, kites often crash because they are flying at the wrong wind speed, the reins are not properly adjusted, the wing spars are faulty, the kite is unstable without a tail, or the line used may be faulty. To set the kite down, it is best to place the line winder on the ground behind you and secure it with a sandbag or tie the line winder to a railing. Then quickly pull the kite by hand - be aware that if the wind is particularly strong, this may cause burns or cuts to the line. Alternatively, you can walk towards the kite to reduce the tension on the line and start reeling it in.
And much more. This article covers all the causes of kite crashes and how to fix them.
Why should I drop my kite quickly?
As mentioned earlier, there are a variety of situations where you may want to launch your kite quickly and safely. We'll cover some of these situations in more detail here.
Approaching storm
The average kite can fly well in winds of 4 to 15 miles per hour. Some lighter kites can fly in low winds, while larger kites, such as power kites or two-line stunt kites, require winds in excess of 10 mph and can fly well in winds up to 20 mph.
Heavier kites require strong winds, such as 40-50 mph. Here are the types of kites you can expect to fly in different wind conditions.
Breeze (2 to 12 mph): Diamond kites or dragon kites are best used in breezes. They perform well in winds of 2-5 mph. If the wind is a little stronger between 6 and 12 mph, light kites (such as deltas, power kites and large foils) will do well.
Medium winds (13 to 20 mph): This is suitable for most standard kites.
High winds (20 to 50 mph): Sport kites, parachute kites and professional kites require higher winds to fly and fit into this wind speed range.
If the wind is too strong, your kite will pull hard, which can break your line and cause your kite to crash. In addition, the pressure of the wind on your kite can damage it, again causing it to fly erratically or even crash.
If you see dark clouds on the horizon and the weather forecast indicates an approaching storm, it's a good idea to put your kite down quickly. Wind conditions can change very quickly, which can shorten the time you have to fly your kite.
What happens to your kite if the wind is too weak?
Low winds are the most common cause of kite crashes. The only way a kite can stay in the air is if it has adequate wind support. So, first verify when your kite crashes. Perhaps your kite is not suitable for flying in low winds.
Or maybe the weather conditions have just changed, causing the wind to diminish. In this case you need to change position or wait for the wind to return.
2. Reins problem
The reins connect the kite to the flying line. Most kites have adjustable reins that can be moved higher (near the top) in high winds and lower (toward the tail) in low winds.
In general, the knot that connects the reins to the kite line is the "moving knot". Sliding the knot up or down will allow you to adjust the reins as needed depending on weather conditions. Sliding the knot towards the bottom of the kite will reduce the tendency for the kite to spin.
Moving it towards the top will increase the kite's spin. It is also possible that the reins on the right or left side are too short. In other words, the sides are not level.
If this happens, the kite will become unstable and will turn and rotate to one side. Usually the knot can be adjusted by sliding it to the right or to the left.
3. Flying a kite without a tail
Flying a kite without a tail will cause the kite to spin and roll. It occurs because of a lack of stability.
However, the tail increases the stability of the kite because of the added weight and weight of the lower end. The length of the tail will have a different effect on the stability of the kite.
In general, it is recommended to add a tail between 3 and 8 times the length of the kite. You should try different combinations to see which one works best. If the tail is too small, it will not add enough stability to the kite to cause it to spin and roll.
4. Kite Crystal Problems
The kite wing beam or frame helps to maintain stability and balance during flight. If the structure is damaged or broken, it can cause the kite to crash. You may suspect that there is a problem with the wing beam because the kite was spinning in one direction before it crashed.
All you have to do is repair any damaged wing beams, and if they are found to be unbalanced, make sure they are adjusted. In a large kite, the stiffness of the beam can cause the kite to crash. The remedy for a stiff spar is to sand or treat it to match the rest of the spar.
How to fly a kite quickly and safely
In the video below, you can see how to launch a kite quickly if you use a spool or reel. Please note that this only applies to single-line kites. Here we assume that most people looking for an easy way to enter the world of kites will start with a single-line kite.
If you have a line winder instead of a spool or reel, it may be difficult to wind your kite quickly, especially in windy conditions. Instead of trying to wind it, throw your kite spool to the ground and then pull your line by hand as fast as you can.
You may also want to go downwind (the way the wind blows away from you) - this is called "kite walking down" - but don't just leave your reel, spool or winder on the ground. Try sandbagging it or attaching it to a railing. This is best for larger single-line kites, or if the wind is strong.
When your kite is within reach, grab the line or keel attached to your flight line, or grab the kite at the front edge or in front of the kite. These are the 2 points on the kite that allow you to control the kite and prevent any fresh gusts of wind from taking it out of your hands.
When holding the kite (either before launching or when retrieving it from the air), make sure the wind doesn't suddenly grab the kite, which can put undue stress on it. If a lot of pressure is applied to a specific point on the kite, the wing beam or frame may break, or the sail may tear.
If you are an advanced user, it is a good idea to keep some small pulleys with straps and climbing buckles in your kite kit to quickly retrieve a large, powerful kite. To do this, place the pulley on the kite line and put the climbing buckle through the hole. Grab the strap and pulley, then you can safely lower and retrieve the kite.
Always be careful not to wrap any line around your hands, wrists, arms or any other part of your body. This is because kite lines can cut through flesh under tension. In an emergency, you should always be able to completely free yourself from the kite - so do not wrap the kite string around your fingers, hands, wrists, arms, or any other part of your body. In your mind, you should also tell yourself that safety is your first priority and be prepared to unhook the kite in an emergency. Remember: new kites and kite kits are always cheaper and less painful (or deadly)!
What to do after you fly the kite
When the kite finally hits the ground or is in your hands, take some time to reel all the lines back onto your spool, reel or winder. Due to changes in weather or lighting conditions, it may not be possible to check for knots, tangles or twists. If this is the case, pack up as much as possible and seek shelter immediately.
Packing
Unless you are staying overnight at a beach or park, there will always be time when you must pack your bags and go home. Usually packing is simple - you reverse the order in which you assembled your kite.
When threatened by a storm, it can be difficult to remember the above. Here are some tips to remember when packing your kite or getting home safely.
If your kite bag has a zipper, place your hand on the inside of the zipper when you pull it up. Be careful to make sure your kite doesn't get caught in the zipper.
Make sure your lines are not tangled before you pack them up. This will help you when you get home and unpack everything.
People tend to buy spare parts for their kites not because the parts are broken, but because they get lost or forget in the rush to leave. Be sure to check all kite kits one last time before you leave.
Commonly used kite sail materials are ripstop nylon, which can become moldy or rotten when exposed to moisture. If your kite is wet or damp (possibly due to a storm), be sure to remove it from the kit when you get home and allow it to dry completely before storing it.
We recommend drying your kite indoors on a clothesline and not heating it (i.e., don't use a blow dryer or put it in a dryer) as it will change the shape and size of the kite.
Do not put it on the lawn to dry because
If not secured, your kite will fly away and/or
Dew/moisture will still collect on the kite and prevent it from drying completely.
If you have been flying your kite on the beach, you should check your kite for salt. The evaporating salt water will rub your kite sails and lines and often cause abrasion or a "sanding" effect on the material. Rinse your kite with fresh water after flying it on the beach, then let it dry completely before storing it.
If your kite has pockets where the wing spars are located, be sure to check these pockets for sand or salt residue and remove them.
Be aware of the limitations of your skills and strength. It is best not to fly anything too large for current and predicted conditions. Never try anything complicated near other people that you are not 100% sure you can handle. If you want to practice, it is best to go to a local kite club so that someone can act as your "spotter".
Be aware of the power and limitations of kites! Novelty kites may be very pretty in the air, but they also need to be set up and constantly monitored. Always be aware of wind conditions and be prepared for any sudden gusts or unexpected changes.
Kite flying can look like a lot of work! Professional kite flyers make kite flying look easy because they have a lot of practice. Remember, safety should be your first priority. If you are too tired, you may not be able to put the kite down safely. In turn, this could cause serious damage to your kite or serious injury to yourself and/or others.
Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to retrieve your kite quickly? Let us know how it went and how you got your kite down in the comments!
Soar to dizzying heights with JEKOSEN brand kites. Fun for you and your family and a great gift for the little ones. Take your adventure outdoors and into the sky with a colorful and creative kite this season, and make memories that will last a lifetime
Source：Wikipedia：https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kite
my-best-kite：https://www.my-best-kite.com/kite-string.html
https://seasia.co/2018/06/02/the-top-10-must-know-facts-about-the-world-s-first-oldest-kite
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