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Bridling - Tuning an Indian Fighter Kite. |
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Click, for a printable Adobe Acrobat PDF Format Version of these
instructions. |
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Video on how to Bridle -
Tune Indian Fighter Kite. |
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Right - Click.
To Download, then Save Target As. Save to Desk Top. |
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A :
B :
C :
X :
Y :
Z :
V : |
Distance from upper tip to upper anchor point. Bow.
Distance from upper anchor point to lower anchor point.
2 times A.
Alternately C = 1/3 the
length of the Spine.
Most Indian Fighter Kites, now have a little rectangular
piece of sail material or such glued on back as reinforcement at lower anchor point area. Please use that as a guide.
Length from upper anchor point to point Z.
Length lower anchor point to point Z.
Intersection of
X and Z.
Tie a Knot at Z.
Kite line attach point. |
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| Bridle
Guide. |
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X :
Y : |
Should be equal to B.
Should be equal to B plus 1/2 inch to
1 and 1/2 inches. Depending on the size of the Kite. |
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Note: Bridle should be a
single length of line from the upper anchor point to point V, back to the lower anchor point. |
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| Tuning
an Indian Fighter Kite: |
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| The bridle of a kite sets the 'angle of attack'
- this is the
angle at which the kite faces the wind. By making fine adjustments
to the bridle, you can change this angle and alter the flying
characteristics of the kite to suit your own personal taste.
However, before attempting any tuning adjustments, try flying in
slightly different wind conditions first, because very often an
unstable wind will be the cause of your kite flying in an
unpredictable manner. |
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How Adjustments are made: |
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| If you look at the anchor points where the bridle is attached to
the kite, you will see a short length of line hanging from each
connection. These are left specifically for fine tuning the kite, and
adjustments are made by shortening either section of the bridle. To
adjust the bridle length at either connection point, twist the
bridle line into a single small loop, thread the loose end of line
through it, and pull into a knot. Try tying one knot at a time and
then fly your kite and note the difference it has made, repeating
the process if necessary. |
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If the Kite Spins too fast /
too much:
This usually means that the top section of the bridle is too
short, so shorten the bottom section to correct it. |
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If the Kite is too slow and
does not Spin enough:
Shorten the top section of the bridle, and this will make it
faster. |
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If the Kite consistently
Spins to one side:
The most likely cause will be that the bow is stronger on one
side than the other. Make sure you have tested the Kite in a steady
wind before making any adjustments. If the Kite spins more to the
left, the bamboo is likely to be weaker on that side. To compensate
for this you will need to weaken the opposite [right] side to
balance the bow and correct the bias. Gently bend the bow between
the thumb and forefinger of each hand, being careful not to break
it. The adjustment should be made some where near the point where
the bow is fixed to the tissue, or slight closer to the center of
the kite.
Some fliers even nip the bamboo between their teeth, and it seems to
work.
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