Kites have a wing and a kite line (line), or sometimes more than one line. Kite systems may have more than one kite and more than one kite line.

Successful kiting in particular kite applications depends in large part on the kite line's specifications and handling. The integrity of kite lines is affected by wear, reeling, contact with chemicals, loss of strength from knottings, ultraviolet rays of the sun, repeated cycles of use, and damaging actions during use. There are historically classic specifications of kite lines. Kite lines for small toy kites differ greatly from kite lines used for kite tugs that pull commercial cargo ships across the ocean. Sport kites using kite lines two or three or four lines at a time have a need for very low stretch. Single-line recreation kite lines may do well with stretchy kite lines. Kite fighting kites' main tether lines have sharp glass particles bonded to the line. Kite lines misused or abused can cause injury to persons and property. Kite lines vary in pricing and availability. Repair of a particular line has its own arts. Reeling, handling, and storage methods differ for lines depending on the kite applications. Kite lines terminate at the kite's wing/bridle at one end and at some kite mooring at the other end; the mooring is to some object anchor that provides the tug or tension against the resultant of the lift and drag forces of the kite; the anchor is always powered by something even if that something is the Earth's moving surface relative to the air for air kites; a running human kite operator is the source of human powering.

Kite-line parameters[link]

Depending on the kite application and kite system needs, selecting a kite line will consider one or more of the following parameters: availability, base material, color, density, mass per length, size, manufacturer's reports, serial number or product number, diameter, cross-section shape, tensile strength new, aged tensile strength, resistance damage from chemicals, defects, safety factor, resistance to damage from solar radiation (UV stabilization), electrical conductivity, optical conductivity, heat conductivity, moisture intake from water (via humidity, rain, contact with liquid water), buoyancy in water, abrasion resistance, nature of manufacturer's line joins, feel, degradation from knotting, terminal methods, elasticity, structure, signal transmission capacity, visibility to radar, performance over time, maintenance actions, effect on performance from hours of use, drag, negative lift, auxiliary line uses, performance when being reeled under tension, performance when tensed line touches itself, action upon breaking, memory, veil, sleeving, inspectability, surface finish, reaction to heat and cold, taper (as wanted), flexibility, reeling behavior, breaking strength, critical diameter, reliability, test-results portfolio, visibility, twist, plasticity, safety, price. Toy kites sold with a manufacturer's selected line makes the decision easy; the decision is more challenging for custom kite applications. The design and handling of the piano-wire kite line for the high-altitude meteorological observations (1749–1933) was a keen engineering process.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]}

Kite lines for children's toy kites[link]

To avoid burns and cuts, kite lines for children toy kites are frequently soft fuzzy cotton twine.

Kite lines for sport control kites[link]

Lack of stretch or stable line length for control authority is an advantage of special control lines. Melting point is considered when controlling a kite for kite fighting; lower cost cotton line can melt a crossed expensive synthetic line. Kite lines Dyeing kite lines for show and control line management can occur at a line factory or by a user.^[9]

Kite lines for high altitude attempts[link]

Historically, high altitude kite flights were made by atmospheric scientists and meteorologists in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Routine flights around the world were made using steel wire with single kites and kite trains. The highest recorded flight was made by a German meteorological station at Lindenberg in 1919. It is reported that the top kite reached 31,955 ft above the launch point. The line was over 20 km of high tensile steel piano wire with a breaking strength varying between 134 and 225 kg.^[10] In 2000 the single-line single-kite altitude world record for kiting was made using a kite line of woven Kevlar line 3/32 inch in diameter at 270 pound breaking-strength. The kite was described by Richard Synergy in his account of the flight, as employing an angle of attack device to limit line tension to 100 lbs. This gives a safety factor of almost 3 to 1 if the breaking strength of this line is 270 lb.^[11] More recent high altitude kite flights by Robert Moore and his team in Australia^[12] have been made using Dyneema, a braided Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) line, and the identically structured line, Spectra. Both these lines are stronger and lighter than Kevlar for a given diameter. One of the most important characteristics of line for high altitude kite flying is small diameter and high strength to weight ratio. The greatest barrier to high altitude kite flights is aerodynamic line drag.^[13] The use of Dyneema over an extended period has shown that it is highly resistant to ultra violet degradation in comparison to Kevlar.^[14] Richard Crawford, a high altitude flyer from the USA, made an attempt on the world single kite altitude record using a 220 lb test, Technora line manufactured by Twinline. He reported that he flew a delta kite to approximately 6,500 ft in September 2008.^[15][16]

Kite lines for specialized applications[link]

When a kite application does not fit a common purpose, then specialized kite lines are used. Setting specific records under controlled conditions allows kite operators or competitors to choose kite lines with high specificity and without excessive safety factors.

The short kite line called the hang loop for the free-flying kite hang gliders has received special engineering attention; the further main kite-lines from the hang loop to the pilot's harness are also highly specialized in design.^[17]

When maximizing performance for large kites; E. D. Archibald was the first to use piano wire for kiting.^[18]

Flatland kiting hang gliders with 3000' of tow line holding the manned hang glider kite takes special care to specify. Protecting the kite line from ground abrasion is considered.^[19]

Want to fly an indoor kite without wind? The indoor no-wind kite operator need not worry about line breaks causing damages to downwind property. The choice of line can be very specialized here.

When the kite line is to be invisible, a clear translucent fine thread is chosen.

Making kite lines visible for night flying occurs in short-line and long line applications. Line lights is one solution sometimes used. Lines that carry light is another. Lights on the ground shining on stunt kites and their lines occurs. Flying Kites at Night

Spider silk and their kite line for their "ballooning" (mechanical kiting)[link]

Biologists began using the term "ballooning" for spiderling mechanical kiting.^[20][21] Another spider silk for the bridge thread is frequently kited. And another thread of the spider is used as a drag line from which spiders frequently swing in the breeze, getting deflected before landing. Humans have used spider silk for making kites.^[22]

Safety for kite lines[link]

Fit the kite line to the kite application; handle the line as needed to avoid hazards, accidents, and injury to persons and property. The operator of a kite system is fully responsible for damages done by the operation of his or her kite system; this includes the kite line. Pre-flight plan and pre-flight the kite line; avoid surprises. Piano wire is appropriate for certain applications, but totally inappropriate for recreational or sport kite flying. Fishing monofilament line is not used for most hobby, recreational, or sport power kiting because of its stretch, breaking behavior, and thinness; avoid it unless there is a very special application involved. Metal wire can conduct static and current electricity; avoid metal wires unless a professional scientific or industrial engineer approves the line for a specific purpose. Gloves, proper reel choices, goggles, guards, tension limiters, and other safety devices help to reduce accidents. Ability to de-power a kite's lift and drag is a part of sound kite systems. Tensed line can act as razors. Moving lines can cut through flesh too easily. Fatalities too often occur from kite line abuse. Keep kite lines in good condition. Realize that knots weaken kite line. Keep kite lines dry and clean. Log any wear and use of the line; replace lines as needed. Choose a safety factor when designing a line for an application. Avoid flying in the rain or stormy weather changes.^{[23][24][25][26][27]}

See also[link]

• Kite
• Kite types
• Kite applications
• Kite mooring
• Paravane (water kite)
• Paravane (weapon)
• Reel
• Cotton
• Dacron
• Dyneema
• Hemp
• Kevlar
• Linen
• Nylon
• Polyester
• Rayon
• Silk
• Manja or Manjha, Hindi word for the glass powder coated kite flying & fighting string from Indian subcontinent and surrounding regions
• Spider silk
• Ballooning (spider) The mechanical kiting of spiderlings has been descriptively called ballooning even though no actual balloon is ever formed.^[20][21]

External links[link]

• Kite Lines
• Kite Flight, Safety First!!!!!!!!!!
• Line adjustment
• 4-Line Tuning
• Line & Stakes

References[link]

Look up Line, line, or lines in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Line or lines may refer to:

Science and technology[link]

• Line (electrical engineering), a circuit or loop.
  • A power line for electric power transmission
  • line power or lines power, domestic mains electricity.
  • telephone line
  • RF transmission line
  • Line level, a common standard for audio signals.
• Line (video), a measure of video display resolution or image resolution
• line, former name of the unit of magnetic flux, the Maxwell
• Line (unit), an obsolete unit of length equal to one-twelfth or one-tenth of an inch.
• Line (geometry), an infinitely-extending one-dimensional figure that has no curvature.
• line: a medical catheter, particularly one used for intravenous treatment.
  • CVP line
  • PICC line
  • umbilical line
• Line (text file), a row of characters as a unit of organization within text files.
• A "line of longitude" or "line of latitude" in geography. "The Line" may refer to the equator.
• Relationships in genetics and genealogy, such as Lineage and kinship and descent.

Transport[link]

• Railway line
• Shipping line, a company engaged in sea transport.
• The International Load Line or Plimsoll line (Waterline), indicates the maximum safe draft for the vessel
• Airline
• A bus line, see List of bus operating companies

Business[link]

• Line function, a business activity.
• Product lining, in marketing.

Military[link]

• Line (formation), a standard tactical formation of forces.
  • Line infantry, a line formation of infantrymen who were part of the "Line Regiments".
• Line of battle, in naval warfare, a line of warships, hence "Ship of the line".

Sports[link]

• In water sports: small rope
• The point spread in spread betting
• In cricket, the direction of a delivery, see line and length.
• Offensive line or defensive line in American football.
• Racing line, in auto racing, a path taken through a corner.
• In kiting: kite line
• In fishing: fishing line

Arts[link]

• Line (play), a 1967 long-running play written by Israel Horovitz.
• Line (singer), a Danish singer and finalist in the Danish X Factor
• Lines (Emily Brontë poem), written in December 1837.
• Lines Review, a Scottish literary periodical published between 1952 and 1998.
• "Lines", abbreviation for "Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey, on Revisiting the Banks of the Wye during a Tour. July 13, 1798", a poem by William Wordsworth
• A line of text in writing or typography.
• Line (poetry), the fundamental unit of poetic composition.
• Line, or the melody in a musical composition.
• The dialogue to be spoken in a script or screenplay.

Sewing and fashion[link]

• To insert a Lining
• Fashion line
• Style line
• Empire line or Empire silhouette

The abbreviation LINE[link]

• LINE (combat system), a martial arts system
• Long interspersed nuclear element (LINE), a type of retrotransposon in genomics.

Other[link]

• Line (given name), a Danish and Norwegian female given name
• A length of rope, cable, or chain when put to use (such as a clothesline, anchor line)
• A line or queue of people waiting in a queue area
• A thin continuous length of ink or other marking in a drawing
• A geographical or political border that is clearly defined and demarcated
• A name given to some roads in Ontario, usually running perpendicular to concession roads
• Lines (punishment), punishment by forced writing of text
• Party line (politics), an idiom for a political party or social movement's canon agenda
• Lines of cocaine
• Lines (video game)
• A one-, two- or three-line whip, a notice issued by a Chief Whip in the UK parliament
• A "straight line" is used to set up a joke, while the punch line completes it
• Line Islands, an island group in the central Pacific
• Line, a drug in the video game Togainu no Chi

See also[link]

• Division of Lyne, Australian electoral district
• Lyne (surname)
• Lyne, Denmark (town)
• Liner (disambiguation)
• Lining (disambiguation)

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