Before starting the story about how to make a flying kite with your own hands, we explain what it is and how people used it.
An air or flying kite is an aircraft that rises into the sky by the force of air currents and is held with the help of a leer. Already in the II century BC, the first mention of the flying dragon-serpent, which was launched by the ancient inhabitants of China, appeared. Since then, people have been constantly thinking how to make a flying kite with their own hands and where such an invention can be applied.
Many great discoveries have been made by scientists with the help of a kite. This is the antenna for the best signal in the invention of the radio by A. Popov, and the measurement of air temperature at high altitude by meteorologists. Even during the war, such devices served as reconnaissance soldiers to correct artillery fire on the enemy.
Having appreciated such benefits for humanity, since 1985, people around the world have been celebrating World Kite Day, held on the second Sunday of October. Now such devices are used only for sports and entertainment. The article describes how to make a flying kite with your own hands.
Ways to do the work
In ancient China, snakes were made from light bamboo sticks and a piece of silk fabric. Now, a variety of manufacturing methods are used for such items. Consider the types of snakes:
1. The simplest option is a kite in one plane. Such an aircraft is not intended for serious long flights. A strong wind will immediately break it, but it is with this option that children who want to know how to make a flying kite with their own hands are introduced to it.
2. The second view is a construction of several layers: whatnot, in the form of a box or parallelepiped, having many cells and parts. They are stable, can withstand a fairly strong wind.
3. The next view is a group connection of several devices into one. It turns out a long structure. Such kites are used at festivities, as they look very picturesque against the blue sky.
Kite components
Consider the simplest option, how to make a flying kite with your own hands, what it consists of.
1. Rigid frame base. The shape of the future design depends on the location of the rails. It can be in the form of a triangle, rhombus or multi-tiered.
2. Lightweight material or oilcloth surface of the snake, which is pulled onto the frame. It is she who performs the aerodynamic function and keeps it in the air currents.
3. Fastenings of slats and material. It can be scotch tape, simple threads or a thin rope, or there can be stronger bindings that are disassembled. If the snake has a regulation of movement, then they are hooked to the rope adjustment of the direction of the tail.
4. The tail of the device. When flying, it curls and looks very impressive. In addition, it also performs the function of a stabilizer in flight.
5. The holding thread or rail. It should be very strong, but at the same time light. Better if it will be wound on a reel. This will protect the owner of the snake from painful unraveling.
Material for making
Before you make a flying kite with your own hands, you need to prepare all the necessary materials. For the simplest diamond-shaped snake, you need to take:
- thin and light slats or sticks;
- a piece of polyethylene;
- fishing line;
- Scotch;
- sharp knife or scissors;
- tape measure or a long ruler;
- good strong glue;
- drawing;
- marker.
How to make a flying kite with your own hands: a step-by-step description
1. It is necessary to draw a drawing according to this sample.
2. Transfer the dimensions to polyethylene and saw off the desired length of rail.
3. The sticks are folded in a cross and tightly wrapped with tape.
4. At the ends of the slats we make small cuts and insert the fishing line into all the holes, stretching it along the contour of the rhombus or “diamond”.
5. Next, cut out the size of the polyethylene and stick it, pulling tightly on the fishing line. The edges are bent inward.
6. On the top and on the two side rails you need to reel in a piece of fishing line, connecting them in the central part into one long thread called a raiser, with which you need to hold the snake in your hand so that it does not fly away.
You can do the job easier - from plastic sticks and double-sided tape (as in the photo), but such a snake will be fragile and, in principle, disposable.
How to start the device?
You already know how to make a kite with your own hands. Now you need to go to nature and try to run it. This, too, must be able to, otherwise the snake may fall and crash without ever taking off. How to launch correctly?
First you need to choose an empty place, without trees, bushes and water barriers. To take off a kite, a wind is needed. Without even a light blow, nothing will come of it. After waiting for the breeze, you need to determine its direction and become your back, holding the snake in your hand.
Then you need to take the apparatus in one hand, and in the other - a reel with fishing line. Turn the snake with its nose up and push it away from you in the direction of the wind. When the kite flies up, you need to regulate the flight with the help of a leer.
If the tension has subsided, you can run forward, keeping the snake in an even position relative to the ground. If the wind subsides and you see that the apparatus falls to the surface of the earth, you need to loosen the thread so that the tension decreases. Then the fall will not be so strong and critical. The snake will not break and it will be possible to restart it.
Safety precautions
The article showed how to make a simple kite, but you must also understand what danger this device can pose during startup. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to get acquainted with the safety rules.
Before starting, make sure that there are no wires from the power lines on top, as an electric shock may follow.
It is strictly forbidden to launch during a thunderstorm.
You can not fly with a large crowd of people in the area of railways, highways or airports. This can interfere with other people and harm them.
Use a reel when starting up and it is best to wear gloves. With gusts of wind, the snake can jerk violently and cut a hand from a sudden movement of the line.
Before starting the movement of the kite, it is necessary to check all the connecting elements so that an accident does not happen and the flight is not interrupted at the very beginning.
If all safety rules are observed, then you can safely start this exciting activity.