by Eamon
(Ireland)
Q:
Hi Tim, hows it all going now, good I hope. I wonder...
(A) Can you get electrocuted flying a kite if it's hit by lightning? I use nylon string.
(B) Any idea how to string a Malaysian kite? See URL below:
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/230768609716?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
A string comes off each wing at the shoulder/neck area, would love to know how to tie them to a bridle ring correctly, then another string comes up from the tail area, I guess I just tie that on normally?
And (C) what angle should all these strings be at as they join up to the bridle ring? Or is there any set angle?
A:
Things are going OK here, apart from heavy rain showers and strong wind as Winter gets closer! To answer your questions....
(A) As far as I know, any type of kite string that gets wet is a danger to the kite flier, assuming there is electrical activity (or the potential for it) in the area. There's a TV show in the USA (also shown here in Australia) called Myth Busters, one episode of which demonstrated what happens! It's dangerous alright. Water is not a great conductor, but the immense power of a lightning strike will still send plenty of current down the line!
(B) and (C) Nice looking Malaysian kite - should fly well if the bridle is adjusted properly. Here's my tips, which just involve using knots...
Seeing that the kite comes with 3 separate bridle strings, the following quick-n-dirty approach could well prove satisfactory, so try it first.
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Feb 20, 19 07:04 AM
As usual, the 10-cell Tetrahedral was a pain to launch inland... In fact, I had intended to fly at the beach, but there was a due-westerly breeze. This meant a very limited flying space between rocks…
Wind Speeds
Light Air
1-5 km/h
1-3 mph
1-3 knots
Beaufort 1
Light breeze
6–11 km/h
4–7 mph
4–6 knots
Beaufort 2
Gentle ...
12–19 km/h
8–12 mph
7–10 knots
Beaufort 3
Moderate ...
20–28 km/h
13–18 mph
11–16 knots
Beaufort 4
Fresh ...
29–38 km/h
19–24 mph
17–21 knots
Beaufort 5
Strong ...
39–49 km/h
25–31 mph
22–27 knots
Beaufort 6
High Wind
50-61 km/h
32-38 mph
28-33 knots
Beaufort 7
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