One lined kites

A single lined kite can't be controlled like kites with more lines. A single lined kite just sits up there in the air, and the only thing you can do is to adjust the line-lenght. You don't have to attend to the kite all the time, and this kind of flying may be the most relaxing. If you're an absolute beginner, one lined kites can be thwe best way to start. Young children can easily fly this kite, and later or move on to more complex flying.

There are several types of single lined kites. Read below for some examples of kite varieties.

• Diamond

A traditional kite that's most popular among children because it very easy to build. It's also a good flyer if made correctly. If you buy one of these kites, be careful. Most of the kites you find in a regular store are not worth being called kites, they don't fly very good and they break very easily. Don't buy a "Mickey Mouse kite" in a toy store - you will most certainly be disappointed.

• Dragon

A small kite with a very long tail. The kite can be seen from quite a long distance, and the tail is a very good place to put some text on. Company-banners or greetings are some uses for this.

• Sled

A type of kite that's made of a sail and two or more vertical spars. This is also an easy-to-build kite, but it may be hard to fly if not made correctly.

• Parafoil

A kite that is a combination between a ballon, an airplane wing, a parachute and a kite. It doesn't have any spars, and relies on the wind to inflate it. The parafoil is the kite-type that produces the most pull, and because of that large parafoils aren't for beginners.



• Delta-wing

A delta-wing kite has a triangular shape and has a keel instead of a tail to give it stability. A delta-wing kite is easy to fly, and therefor suited for beginners. Some delta-wings are poorly designed and need a tail to fly well.

• Box

A box kite is made in two or more planes, you could say it is three-dimensional. The kite gives a lot of lift because of the several "wings" and is good if there aren't so much wind. As with a parafoil, the box kite can be a hard puller.

• Fighter

Fighters are highly balanced, lightweight kites made from paper or bamboo. They are usually small and tail-less and requires some skill to build and fly. This kite is most common in Asia, children in countries like China, Malaysia and Indonesia are the most fighter kite-flyers.

• Oriental

Oriental kites are built mainly for religious purpouses. Oriental kites are usually found in China and Japan, and are very varied - no two kites look the same.



• Stack

A stack isn't really a kite type. A stack is made of several kites in a long row attached to each other. A stack can consist of all types of kites, but remember that the pull increases by the number of kites.



• Special

There will always be new kites created in the world. Some of the special kites are shaped to look like things, for example airplanes and boats, and some of them are very specialized and very big. If you want to see one of these special kites, a kite-festival is a good place.