Kite tail question

[c***@netcarrier.com]

Hello,
I really enjoy flying kites and while I take it for granted that some
kites have tails, what is the purpose of the tail? I mean, my box kite
does not have a tail and it flies. And speaking of tails, I've seen a
tail called a drogue - what exactly does the drogue do and is it flown
in conjunction with a tail?
Thanks.

[Rokkaku6]

Drogues are not flown in conjunction with tails. The purpose of a tail is to
provide drag (which is different from weight). It helps keep the front of the
kite pointed into the wind. A drogue is a type of tail that provides a lot of
drag versus the amount of material used. It looks like a cup with the bottom
cut off.

Many kites can be flown with tails even if they normally don't need one, such
as deltas and boxes This is especially true in a high wind where the tail will
keep the kite flying straight.

Tails also look great!

Todd

[Richard G Amirault]

***@netcarrier.com <***@netcarrier.com> wrote:
: Hello,
: I really enjoy flying kites and while I take it for granted that some
: kites have tails, what is the purpose of the tail? I mean, my box kite
: does not have a tail and it flies. And speaking of tails, I've seen a
: tail called a drogue - what exactly does the drogue do and is it flown
: in conjunction with a tail?
: Thanks.

Some types of kites will not fly without a tail. For instance a 'bermuda'
type kite which is basically a flat kite with no bow in its surface to
hold it in its proper flying position into the wind. While other kites
need a tail to stabilize them in stronger winds.

Of course most any kite that will fly without a tail will also (given
enough wind) fly with a tail as well. Tails add to the color, motion and
overall effect of the kite in the sky.

A drogue is a specialized tail. Generally a short tube, open at both ends
with the front wider than the rear opening. The bigger the difference
between the front and rear openings the more drag the drogue produces.

Spinsocks are a variation of the drogue that also spins. There are flat
tails, tubular tails, bowtie tails, fuzzy tails, and many other designs.

Richard in Boston, MA, USA