Collecting Pieces

the examples i have given demonstrate the general principles that allow kites to operate and can serve as a starting point for kite design. note that i have only described the force component that is directly resisting the force of the wind. because as this force is deflected, it produces lift on a kite. ultimately the kite achieves a static condition where the weight of the kite is precisely balanced with its lift.

Maxwell Eden has written an excellent book on kite building--THE MAGNIFICENT BOOK OF KITES, Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers,Copyright 1998. on p. 201 Eden gives the following formula for the minimum wind speed required to produce lift.

w = wt. in ounces
A' = effective area in square feet
v = minimum wind speed in mph

v = 7*(w/A')^1/2

note the similarity to the equations we have used so far.
the coefficient of 7 is generally applicable but smaller coefficients ~5 are used for kites designed for light wind.