How to Fly a Traction Kite

Most kites are for flying. Traction kites are for taking a ride. A traction kite is a large, steerable kite featuring a flexible airfoil with inflatable cells much like a sport parachute. Controlled by two handles, most utilize four lines: two control lines and two brake lines. Generally, the top end of the handle operates the control line, while the bottom end operates the brake line. The purpose of a traction kite is to harness wind power to pull you along on a variety of vehicles. What you ride is your business, but typical choices include a kiteboard on water, roller skates, a four-wheel land buggy, a snowboard or a sled. Quad-line traction kites can be self-launched in a variety of conditions but assisted launches are recommended for heavy winds.

  1. Preparation for Flight

    • A day with light, steady winds is preferable for your first self-launch. Lay the kite out on the ground with the back side facing down and the trailing edge pointing into the wind. Place a sandbag or other heavy, soft object on the trailing edge to hold it down.

    Control Lines and Handles

    • Stretch out the control lines to their full extent. The lines should not be twisted, and each must be connected to the proper side of the kite: left control line to the left-side kite harness, right control line to right-side kite harness. Grasp the control handles so that the main control lines are between the first and second finger of each hand. Grip the upper part of the handle and place a thumb on top of the end of each handle.

    Inflating The Airfoil

    • Pulling back evenly on both control lines causes the leading edge of the kite to raise off the ground, allowing wind to begin inflating the cells of the airfoil and generating lift. As the airfoil inflates, the kite stands straight up on its trailing edge, still secured to the ground by the sandbag.

    Takeoff

    • The airfoil fully inflates when you pull back sharply on both control lines. This motion also releases the kite from its ground weight. Hold the control lines steady, stay in one place and allow the kite to lift off and rise to the low power position directly above your head. This is the best position for getting the feel of the controls.

    Gaining Traction

    • Experiment with turning the kite left by pulling the left control line back toward your body and right by pulling the right control line back toward your body. By alternating back and forth between left and right, you can steer the kite into a figure 8 pattern. This maneuver takes it out of the low-power position directly over your head and into a lower-angle traction position to pull you. Away you go. But definitely practice stopping before you do.

    Stopping The Kite and Yourself

    • Pulling back simultaneously on both brake lines stops the motion of the kite in midair and returns it to the low-power position directly overhead. Rotate your wrists to pull only the bottom of each control handle back toward you, isolating the pulling motion to the brake lines. For safety's sake, remember that even though the kite has stopped, if you're on wheels and moving fast, you may continue rolling forward with momentum.

    Landing the Kite

    • Land the kite by pulling both brake lines back simultaneously as in the previous step to stop the kite. Continue holding the brake lines back as the kite descends from the low-power position. Increase and decrease brake-line tension as necessary to keep the kite in a stable, upright position as it settles to the ground.

    Assisted-Launch Conditions

    • Winds in the 7- to 14-mph range are acceptable for self-launches. In the 15- to 20-mph range, an assisted launch utilizing a single helper is recommended. Some managed-traction kiting areas, such as county beaches and kite-snowboarding sites, require assisted launches in all wind conditions. Winds above 20 mph are not recommended for amateur traction kiting, assisted or otherwise.

    Assisted-Launch Technique

    • Instruct your assistant to stand behind the kite and hold it up with both hands so that the leading edge of the airfoil faces into the wind. Allow the cells of the airfoil to inflate fully to generate lift. Tighten the control lines and signal your assistant to release the kite. The assistant should allow the kite to smoothly ascend out of his grip. Instruct the assistant in advance not to throw the kite into the air. Hold the control lines steady, stay in one place and allow the kite to rise to the low-power position directly above your head.