RISD KAP KITE

There are many different types of kites used for KAP (Kite Aerial Photography). This is a simple 48" Allison Sled Kite. It flys in a wide range of wind speeds and it is an easy 'first-time' build.

At left is a pic of the prototype flying in very gusty 15 to 20 mph wind at Rocky Point State Park in Warwick, RI. This was the first flight of the kite.

Since the kite is intended for KAP with a 155 gram GoPro camera, the Official Test Weight was a water bottle filled to weigh 6.5 ounces. The kite barely knew the weight was there.

The wind was very gusty and turbulent. The kite was all over the sky. It was not a good day or time for KAP. The kite collapsed and recovered several times.

Cutting the first Flare

There was a roll of fabric calling out to me to use it. When it was removed from the shelf, it revealed itself to be 41" from decades ago, not the 60" it was expected to be.

Cutting second Flare

Always the goal is to minimize waste. There were pre-exising cuts in this fabric that made it a good candidate for the prototype 48" Sled Kite.

Squaring, Trimming

The Sled Kite consists of 3 panels: 2 identical Flares, and a rectangular Body. My method of squaring off the fabric involves a 24 x 6 Quilting Ruler, a Rafter Square, and a 4-foot straightedge.

Cutting Main Body

The Main Body is a rectangle 48" by 34".

The Cutting Table is a 4-foot by 6-foot glass panel. There is a 4-foot florescent light underneath the glass that is useful for aligning templates to the grain of the fabric.

Cutting first Flare

Above is cutting the first Flare from 60" fabric. TMI: The template is paper from the Dollar Store. The black things are 5-pound Soft Dive Weights for SCUBA divers. The red bottle is a Nalgene bottle filled with lead shot and paint. It is a nifty, handy fabric/template weight. The gray tool is an Engel Hot Cutter with the Fine Tip.

Cutting second Flare

Template is located on the fabric for minimum waste. Ah, but, there is no 'waste'. There is only Scrap Fabric. To quote a great kite maker, "There are no scraps. There are only pieces of fabric with 'yet to be determined' use.

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