Kite performance measurements in natural wind

Abstract Kites are currently used in a number of applications (anemometry, aerial platform, traction), but very little information is available for the systematic design of kite systems. An experimental technique based on an instrumented tether for single-line kites is described. This was used to measure the performance of a variety of single-line kites. The analysis techniques are briefly outlined, and incorporate allowances for kite unsteadiness, the displacement of the kite from the anemometers, extrapolation of the line tension from the tether to the kite, and the kite’s velocity relative to the ground. The results are correlated with aspects of kite design, and specific recommendations for kite applications are made.