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How to Calculate Bridle Length for Kites

The bridle of a kite is the triangle-shaped length of string that attaches the kite line to the top and bottom of the kite. Finding the right length involves testing the kite and adjusting for the desired effect. In this article, P refers to the bridle point (where the bridle meets the line), A refers to the length from the top of the kite to P, and B refers to the length from P to the bottom of the kite.

Instructions

- 1
  Start with an arbitrary bridle length approximately 1 1/2 times the length of the kite.
- 2
  Try to launch the kite and observe how easily it launches, how it moves in flight and how responsive it is.
- 3
  Adjust the bridle length to improve the kite's performance. If it does not launch, try shortening A and lengthening B to move P toward the kite's top. If the kite rises easily but is unstable in flight, try lengthening A and shortening B to move P toward the bottom. If the kite makes a bobbing motion, lengthen both A and B to move P away from the kite. If the kite tends to overfly you, shorten both A and B to move P closer to the kite.
- 4
  Try flying the kite again, then bring it down and continue to adjust the bridle until the kite attains the desired performance and handling.

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