Kite Line

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.