So you´re saying that C kites have a consistent pull as they race across the wind window when unhooked, as opposed to bridled kites that may pull too hard when deep in the power zone, and too soft when closer to the edge of the wind window? Just trying to wrap my head around it.Faxie wrote: ↑Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:28 amConsistent forward drive with different angles of attack due to the towpoints being on the wingtips, giving a predictable pull at different wind speeds. Then there's a good distribution of mass, giving stability. In combination with the front and rear towpoints always at the same place on the tips the kite won't recover as fast after a pop, giving you the slack.
Bridled Ckites almost always have the towpoints very close to the wingtips too for the same reason.
That's right. When you depower a bridled kite, the towpoints (bridle) moves forward relative to the center of pull. With a C-kite, they move backwards. A kite not only has lift and drag, but also a forward component of the lift, thrust. When you lower the angle of attack, the thrust component pivots forward a bit as well. When the towpoints move forward at the same time it increases the forward speed of the kite in the window. Now, with a C kite, the towpoints move back when you lower the aoa, compensating for the higher speed. Because of this, the pull you get when you pop is very consistent. Bridled kites have a pretty narrow range for consistent popping. If the wind picks up and you have to trim, they will pull much harder when you pop and give very little slack. You have to pop fast and aggressive to get decent pull and slack.podiatanapraia wrote: ↑Tue Mar 20, 2018 7:43 pmSo you´re saying that C kites have a consistent pull as they race across the wind window when unhooked, as opposed to bridled kites that may pull too hard when deep in the power zone, and too soft when closer to the edge of the wind window? Just trying to wrap my head around it.Faxie wrote: ↑Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:28 amConsistent forward drive with different angles of attack due to the towpoints being on the wingtips, giving a predictable pull at different wind speeds. Then there's a good distribution of mass, giving stability. In combination with the front and rear towpoints always at the same place on the tips the kite won't recover as fast after a pop, giving you the slack.
Bridled Ckites almost always have the towpoints very close to the wingtips too for the same reason.
If I understood correctly, this is due to the position of the front lines right at the wing tips, right? Can you tell me how aspect ratio plays into it?
Sorry for nerding out on this, I guess I like to understand how things work...
Cheers!
I think that´s just about as complete an explanation as I could possibly hope for. Thanks so much, Faxie! Really appreciate it.Faxie wrote: ↑Tue Mar 20, 2018 8:10 pmThat's right. When you depower a bridled kite, the towpoints (bridle) moves forward relative to the center of pull. With a C-kite, they move backwards. A kite not only has lift and drag, but also a forward component of the lift, thrust. When you lower the angle of attack, the thrust component pivots forward a bit as well. When the towpoints move forward at the same time it increases the forward speed of the kite in the window. Now, with a C kite, the towpoints move back when you lower the aoa, compensating for the higher speed. Because of this, the pull you get when you pop is very consistent. Bridled kites have a pretty narrow range for consistent popping. If the wind picks up and you have to trim, they will pull much harder when you pop and give very little slack. You have to pop fast and aggressive to get decent pull and slack.podiatanapraia wrote: ↑Tue Mar 20, 2018 7:43 pmSo you´re saying that C kites have a consistent pull as they race across the wind window when unhooked, as opposed to bridled kites that may pull too hard when deep in the power zone, and too soft when closer to the edge of the wind window? Just trying to wrap my head around it.Faxie wrote: ↑Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:28 amConsistent forward drive with different angles of attack due to the towpoints being on the wingtips, giving a predictable pull at different wind speeds. Then there's a good distribution of mass, giving stability. In combination with the front and rear towpoints always at the same place on the tips the kite won't recover as fast after a pop, giving you the slack.
Bridled Ckites almost always have the towpoints very close to the wingtips too for the same reason.
If I understood correctly, this is due to the position of the front lines right at the wing tips, right? Can you tell me how aspect ratio plays into it?
Sorry for nerding out on this, I guess I like to understand how things work...
Cheers!
Aspect ratio is not very relevant I think, all C kites have a high AR. I don't think they would benefit from lowering it, would just create more drag, killing upwind and pop.
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