Page:Kitecraft and kite tournaments (1914).djvu/24



The Bridle. The kite is not supposed to be finished until the bridle (or belly band) is attached. Nearly all kites require a bridle, a very few have the kite line tied directly to some one point of the framework. The bridle is a very important part of the kite equipment, as the kite is dependent on it for the proper distribution of pull by the kite line, it also gives the inclination of the exposed surface to the breeze. The inclination is varied slightly for various purposes, such as high flying, strong pulling, steady flying, etc. To make the kite fly directly over head, the kite line is attached above the normal point, and to make it fly low, the attachment should be below normal. If the single line can be attached to the framework so as to give this inclination, no bridle is needed but it is usually difficult to locate the right point.

Many kites need attachment of bridle in but two places, while others require three, some four, and some are benefited by the use of