With National Kite Month upon us, it’s time to think about the many different types of kites that fly in the sky.
Here are a few tidbits on some of what you’ll see at this year’s Discovery Museum Kite Festival:
• Diamond: The most recognized of types, the diamond-shaped sail is supported by at “T” cross that acts as a backbone and arms to keep it flying. It usually has a simple “one-point bridle” that can be adjusted for various wind conditions.
• Delta: Another favorite, this triangular-shaped specimen will usually have a two-point bridle used to adjust between high and low wind conditions. The frame of the kite has a “tip-to-tail” rod for its backbone, along with rods sewn into the “leading edges”—or left and right sides of the front of the kite.
• Box: Always a winner, the box kite is made by using four rods of exactly the same length, forming a rectangle. The sail is made by attaching fabric to the sides of the rectangle at both ends.
• Delta-Conyne: The most stable of all kites, the “DC” is a favorite among experienced fliers. It is a combination of a delta and half of a box kite. Underneath the standard delta, a V-shaped undercarriage is attached to act as a keel to let some of the “disturbed air” flow cleanly underneath the delta wing.
Regardless of what you fly, the important thing to remember about kite flying is being outside and sharing a moment with the wind.
Glen Rothstein is co-founder of the Ventura County Kite Club, a member of the American Kitefliers Association, and kite coordinator for the Discovery Museum’s free Family Kite Festival. Discovery Corner is a weekly column in the Sun, highlighting events, science activities, and more for the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum at 705 S. McClelland in Santa Maria. Send comments to discoverycorner@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Apr 12-19, 2012.