Wind Speed for Kite Flying

Estimating Wind Speed

• Unless you happen to have a home weather station that gives you exact wind speed readouts, you need to learn how to judge the average wind speed based on environmental signs. For instance, if smoke drifts slightly, the wind is around 3 mph. If lightweight flags blow, it might be approaching 12 mph. If large trees are swaying in the wind, the wind has probably exceeded 25 mph.

Lightweight Kites

• Lightweight kites need to be flow in light wind conditions. They don't need much wind to keep them aloft, and stronger winds can actually damage them due to their light construction. Delta shaped kites come in very lightweight models and are quite easy to fly. These kites are roughly triangular in shape with a pointed nose and two inward curves on the rear edge. Winds of up to around 12 mph are suitable for these kites, and it only takes a light breeze to get one airborne.

Mid-sized

• Mid-sized kites need a little more wind in order to stay aloft. These kites are bigger and may have more materials involved in their construction. A good example of a mid-sized kite is a box kite. In order to fly well a box kite needs at least 8 mph of wind, but it will fly well up to speeds of around 25. Parafoil kites also fly well in these kinds of wind.

Sport Kites

• Sport kites and other heavy-duty models need quite strong wind in order to fly effectively. Winds need to get over 20 mph to fly heavier kites. Keep in mind that flying other types of kites in the wind needed for the advanced models is likely to ruin a lighter kite. Heavy duty kites can be equipped with gear designed to slow them down in heavy air that act as breaks. The heavier the wind, the heavier a kite you will be able to fly in it.