Foil kite
|
|
Foil kites are soft kites. They consist of a number of cells running fore and aft, some or all of which are open at the front to allow air to inflate the kite so it takes on an aerofoil section.
These kites are flown with 2, 3 or 4 lines and a bar; 2 lines and rings or wrist bands; or 4 lines and handles. (See also: kite control systems)
In order to make them suitable for use on water some foils have limited air inlets in the centre of the leading edge, with valves to keep the air in and (hopefully) the water out. Internal holes in the cell sides allow the whole kite to inflate. These kites are naturally slower to inflate than an open fronted foil.
Foils are the most efficient of the power kites. The aerofoil section means that they can still provide significant lift when parked overhead, unlike leading edge inflatable kites.