Glossary : Powerkite and traction kite - Definition of key terms

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Wind / Traction sail handling

pilotage aile de traction en barre
 
Wind window : Zone in which thetraction wing. This zone is delimited by the position of the rider, the wind direction and the size of its lines. If we consider flat, featureless terrain, this zone will consist of a quarter sphere to the leeward side of the rider (facing the wind) rider when the wind is at his back).

Window sill : The extremities of the wind window (including the zenith position). These are the areas where the traction kite will pull the least.

Full window : The center of the Wind Window. This is the area where the traction kite will develop the most power.

Lofer: A change of course to get closer to the direction from which the wind is blowing.

Slaughter : A change of course designed to deviate from the direction from which the wind is blowing.

To the wind (of someone or something): Position in relation to someone or something according to wind direction (inverse of "leeward"). To be to windward of another rider means you're on the side where the wind blows.

Downwind (from someone or something): Position in relation to someone or something according to wind direction (inverse of "upwind"). To be downwind of another rider means you're on the opposite side of the wind direction.

Edge: Go from point A to point B on a linear trajectory without tacking.

Zenith: Position of the kite when it is above the rider.

Shock: Control action consisting of reducing the wing's power. With a bar fitted with a tuck/shock system (depower), you shock by pushing your bar in the direction of the wing.

Border : Control action consisting in increasing the wing's power. With a bar equipped with a tuck/shock system, you tuck by pulling the bar towards you. This action is performed by the kiteboarder when he/she wishes to increase speed or gain more amplitude for a jump.

Offshore : Wind direction when the wind blows inland and perpendicular to the beach. Offshore winds are often synonymous with irregular winds and dangerous conditions for sailing kitesurf.

Onshore : Wind direction when the wind blows from the sea and perpendicular to the beach. This wind direction generally produces steady winds and rough seas. This is the preferred orientation for windsurfing kite on the beach, as it allows you to make long runs along the shoreline.

Sideshore : Wind direction when the wind blows parallel to the beach.

Spotlight: Location

Beaufort : Scale for measuring wind force.

Subtitle : Practice powerkite with a wing size too small for the wind force.

Over-top : Practice powerkite with a wing size too large for the wind force.

Stability (of a traction wing) :A traction wing is said to be stable when it behaves smoothly and evenly in flight. An unstable traction wing is one that behaves badly in flight and tends to stall (lose the wind), resulting in considerable irregularity in the power it generates.

Loop: Looping a traction kite means rotating the kite through 360°. This often helps to keep the kite moving in light winds, to prevent it from falling over. A kite loop also generates extra power.

Dumping : Activate the safety catch on your traction glider to neutralize its power. When a difficult situation arises, releasing your wing is the right action to take to avoid any risk. When the wind rises suddenly, for example, and you find yourself lifted by your traction wing, releasing the wing neutralizes its power and allows you to land. A release system must be accompanied by a safety leash, which allows the pilot to release the kite rider maintain a point of attachment to the wing (often on a single line).


Traction wing components

les composants d'une voile de traction
 
Leading edge : The leading edge of the traction wing, the first point of contact with the wind when the wing is in flight (just above the air inlets for a box wing).

Trailing edge : Edge of the traction wing, the rear end through which the wind escapes. The thinnest part of the profile.

Drag : Resistance due to wind friction on the wing profile of powerkite.

Extrados : The upper surface of the traction sail, facing the sky when in the zenith position.

Intrados : The underside of the traction wing, where the air inlets are located. The lower surface is in direct contact with the wind, and is oriented towards the ground when the wing is in the zenith position.

Air inlets : Openings on the lower surface of the wing, near the leading edge, through which the wind enters the wing boxes

Ears: Right and left wing extremities.

Bridle : A set of lines (bridles) that link the lines to the traction kite. A kite's bridle will determine its operation and part of its performance.

Lines : Usually made of Dyneema / Spectra, these lines connect the rider to the wing. Lines can withstand different forces depending on their construction and intended use: from 50 kg for a low-power traction kite for children to 400 kg for a high-power kite.

Pre-lines : End located on the bar or handles and connecting them to the lines. Pre-lines allow you to adjust the kite by moving the attachment point of the front or rear lines, thus lengthening or shortening them.

2-line traction wing : The two-line configuration is usually proposed for kite traction child or small trainers kite bar. These kites are basic and easy to fly. For bar use, each line attaches to the end of the bar.

3-line traction wing : Exclusively offered in bar form, this is the 2-line configuration to which a third line has been added to provide safety and assistance when relaunching the kite. The third line is often connected to a safety leash at the trailing edge.

4-line traction wing : The most common configuration for land traction: 2 front lines and 2 rear lines. Power is concentrated in the front lines, and the rear lines are used to control the kite's movements and proportion its power. It's important to differentiate between a 4-line blocked or fixed configuration (often used in buggies with handles) and a 4-line tuck - choke configuration (used in mountainboard, snowkiting and kitesurf with a bar to better manage the wing's power).

5-line wing : Similar to a 4-line configuration to which a fifth line has been added, often for the security system.

Front lines : The 2 lines connected to the top of the clamp where the power will be concentrated.

Back lines : The 2 lines connected to the lower part of the bridle, with which you will control and brake your wing

Tip: Rope often thicker and stronger than the lines.

Boxes : The different vertical and internal divisions in a traction wing that inflate in flight when the wind rushes in. These compartments generate part of the sail's power.

Inter-caissons : The vertical partitions between each box. The inter-boxes can be reinforced to a greater or lesser extent to prevent a box bursting when the wing hits the ground.

Spi : Traction wing design fabric.

Aspect Ratio : Ratio of wing length to width. Usually, the higher this figure, the more technical the traction kite will be to fly, and the more power it will generate.

Brakes : Back lines of the wing. In handle configuration, the brakes are activated by pulling on the lower part of the traction wing. Pulling on one brake will rotate the wing. Pulling on both brakes at the same time will cause the wing to move backwards until it lands.

Control accessories for traction kites

poignées de controle de l'aile
 
Bar : Visit control bar is an alternative to handles on a traction kite. However, it should be noted that the use of a locked 4-line bar (as opposed to a border-choquer) will lower the level of control of your traction wing. This is because, with a bar, you can use very little brake to turn your wing.

Border - Shock : A bar power control and management system widely used in the kite land and sea. The border shock for fine control of sail power and sound kite.

Harness end : An end that serves as an attachment point for the harness. This harness end can be sheathed and released.

Chicken loop: Releasable harness loop usually used on border-choquer wings.

Handles : Wing control accessory. The handles can be as basic as strap handles on a 2-line wing, or as advanced as thermoformed handles on a 4-line wing.

Kite Killers : Wing leash attached to handles or 4-line bar.

Lark's head: A knot used extensively on traction equipment and kitesurf, the advantage of this knot is that it can be undone very easily, even if it has been subjected to a great deal of pressure. The advantage of this knot is that it can be undone very easily, even if it has been subjected to a great deal of pressure.

Safety : A traction kite release system that allows the pilot to neutralize the power of the kite in the event of an uncomfortable or dangerous situation.

Harness : A harness allows the pilot to be attached to the wing, but above all to concentrate the power generated in the back and/or pelvis by positioning the body in opposition to the wing. The use of a harness requires prior training in the basics of paragliding kite terrestrial.

Pulley : The pulley is attached to the harness of a pilot using a handle wing. The classic harness hook has been replaced by a pulley that allows the harness tip to slide very smoothly, giving the pilot excellent control over the glider.



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