contributed articles ...
the fat kid’s notebook - jeff macinnis
the bridle — length / lower pick point experiment
here is a good method for determining bridle length and where the lower pick point should be attached. this method employs a fully adjustable lower bridle leg, and several points about the lower spine to accommodate finding the ‘sweet spot’. this experiment will work with either a two leg or a three leg bridle system; maybe more.
flat kite bridle lengths vary. many paper indian kite bridles are long; rigged in a manner that allows the kite to pass through the bridle. nearly all western style kites are rigged so the bridle is too short to allow the wingtips to pass through. an extreme example of flat kite bridle length can be seen on the “thai cobra” kite. this two leg system calls for about twelve feet of line — doubled over — making for a six foot long bridle. the thai kite, with its lengthy rig, allows for very minute adjustments about the pitch axis.
begin by leaving an ample amount of bridle leg dangling from the upper attachment point. in the general area of the lower attachment point/points, tie five (more/less) loops an inch or so apart in succession. the loops need only be an inch or so long. the first loop may be located at the center balance point of the kite, with the following loops attached incrementally toward the direction of the tail. the last loop may be at the tail kite — if you like.
the attachment loops allow the kite experimenter choices as to ‘where’ the lower pick points may be tried. the extra bit of lower bridle leg allows for choices of ‘length’. use a tiller hitch knot to temporarily secure the lower bridle (any length) on to any loop. use an adjustable tow point — and tune to suit. try the various settings in different conditions on different days. play with it.
the fat kid’s notebook - jeff macinnis
oh and maybe a deal in there about how ya’ ain’t spozed’ to copy, distribute, disseminate or sell the stuff with out permission of the author/authors – jeff
browser compatabilty!!! ... built for use with firefox [win/mac], netscape [win/mac], opera [mac] and safari [mac]. shame on you microsoft for not making ie web compliant.