Leading edge spar placement

[Kay Tue]

Greetings,  New to forum….. New to kite flying….. having fun & learning lots of new things!!!

Bought a couple of larger deltas as they seem to fly well in my area.

The leading edge spars are always shorter the the length of kites leading edge…. The kites arrive with leading edge spar all the way forward with an unsupported gap of lots of flappy tip trailing edge….the split spar coupler @ rear, the spar slides back and slips out of coupler failing in flight……

??? Is the leading edge spars supposed to be all the way to the *rear*, with all the unsupported gap at the *front* of the kite???

K2

[frob]

It depends on the kite.

Some large show kites are designed to of flappy bits or dangling bits off the end, which drift and float in the breeze. Others don't. It is somewhat rare to have a large gap in the frame but for some kite designs having a gap near the nose is fine, but typically in that case the kite is held together through tension in the cloth.

Pictures showing the leading edge would probably help, both front and back if they're different. Since the spars aren't being held together there is probably meant to be some tension somewhere (or maybe even some hidden pockets) that holds it together. 

[mebeatee]

Like frob says….depends on the kite……however generally….yes the LE will slide to the rear or bottom of the kite for flying, and then slid back up to the nose for packing up. The spine and cross spreader will keep the tension on the nose and front while flying. Most kites will fly if the LE are not pushed down with a bunch of flapping but only if you like it that way… ….or if the kite is/was designed like and for that.

Also, pix are most welcome here….as are you!!!

bt