Bridle
From KiteWiki
The bridles or bridle lines are lines that connect to the underside surface of a fixed bridle foil kite or depowerable foil kite.
The bridle lines are carefully measured so that when connected together to the point where the power lines are connected, they maintain the kite's aerofoil shape. The accuracy of the length is very important, as a difference of only a few millimetres can affect the kite's stability and performance.
Contents |
Primary bridles
The connection points are know as bridle attachment points and are normally arranged in rows across the wing span at the ribs between cells. The row nearest the leading edge of the kite are known as the A bridles. The next row back is known as the B row then C, then D. The primary bridles connect to these points directly.
Secondary bridles
The primary bridles are then connected together in bunches (typically three or four at a time) where they join to a secondary bridle line. The secondary bridles are again bunched together where all of the bridles for one side of the kite's A, B, C and D rows reach a single point. This collection of bridles for the left side of the kite terminates in a pigtail where the left hand power line is connected.
The same applies for the right hand bridles, which terminate in a pigtail where the right hand power line is connected.
Brake bridles
For four line kites, there is usually a set of brake bridles connected to the trailing edge of the kite. These will generally be the E bridles depending on how many rows of power bridles there are. These are again arranged as primary and secondary bridles and then left and right bunches, and connect to the left and right brake lines via pigtails.
Bridle numbering
Bridles are numbered according to their position on the kite, counting from the centre outwards. The 4th bridle point from the centre in row C would therefore be referred to as Primary C4. Note that there will be two equally lengthed Primary C4 bridles for any kite, as the kite is symmetrical around the centre line. This is useful to remember if a bridle line breaks, as you can always measure the bridle line at the same position on the other side of the kite.
Angle of attack
The arrangement of the bridles also determines the kite's angle of attack, which can make the kite more or less lifty.
A special arrangement of bridles involving pullies allows the angle of atack to be varied whilst the kite is being flown, usually such that the angle of attack increases when the control bar is pulled in. This arrangement is is known as a depower bridle or speed system, and as such creates a depowerable foil kite.
