Leading Edge Loop Size

[JohnC]

How wide should I cut my leading edge material, the piece that holds the fiber glass rod, for a 2 string sport kite?  From the beginning, I noticed that the Escape plans have nothing about this in the plans.  Originally, I thought I would try mimic what my Quantum has on it for this piece of the kite.  But didn't know if there is an ideal spacing between the sail's edge and the fiberglass frame. 

[Zuul]

The “normal” leading edge construction uses a 2” strip of material folded in half.  On plans like the Escape, the sail material goes all the way into the fold, so the rod is following the inside edge of the material.   The leading edge does not make the wing larger than shown by the plan.

Maybe you are using the term “fiberglass rod” generically, but in case you aren’t...  the spars called for in the plans are tubular carbon fiber.  That makes them very light and stiff.  If you substitute a basic, solid fiberglass rod, the kite will require a lot more wind to fly, and it’s it’s characteristics will be very, very different.  (Probably not for the better, but hey, who knows?)

[JohnC]

Thanks Zuul.  Taking another look at the plans with what you described, it makes sense now.  

Just one more question, how are the stand off reinforcements being  located?