1. Imagination is the highest kite one can fly.

2. HOW KITES FLY

3. From Wikipedia…
A kite is a flying tethered aircraft that depends upon the tension of a tethering system.
Heavier than air
Has one or more surfaces to provide lift using the wind.
Must be tethered with a line.

4. LIFT, DRAG, AND GRAVITY:
A kite and airplanes are objects that are flown by the lift created by air in motion over their wings.
An airplane relies on thrust from its engines. A kite is tethered in place and needs moving air (wind) to fly.
A kite is effected by lift, drag and gravity.

5. LIFT
Wind moving across the sail of a kite creates pressure. Lift results from this wind pressure.
In other words, the wind pushes up on the kite. At the same time, wind passing over the top of the kite creates an area of low pressure along the back of the kite. This creates a pull from behind.

6. DRAG
Drag is created by wind resistance on the kite's surface (and tail).
Drag can also result from turbulence behind the kite.

7. GRAVITY
Gravity is the downward force created by the weight of the kite.
To fly, a kite needs to have enough lift to overcome gravity and drag.

8. All of these forces - lift, drag, gravity, and the thrust of the wind come together in the kite at the center of pressure place called the tow point.
That's where the kite line (string) is attached to the kite.

9. THE ANGLE OF ATTACK
By moving the place your string is attached to the kite on the bridle line, you can change the amount of lift that is created.

10. The angle of attack is the angle that the kite leans into the wind.

11. DIHEDRAL
The one other thing that is important in understanding flight is something called dihedral .
This is a word from geometry that describes the angle formed when two wings (planes) come together.

12. The dihedral angle of a kites wings helps the kite fly smoothly
The dihedral angle of a kites wings helps the kite fly smoothly. If the wings lean back at the same angle, then the wind pushes equally on both wings.
If one side of the kite begins to turn further into the wind, then the wind will push harder on that side until the kite becomes stable again or crashes.

13. So with a proper dihedral angle built into the kite's design, it will fly properly balanced in the sky.
That would be equilibrium

14. If the kite is not properly balanced, it may not fly steady in the sky
If the kite is not properly balanced, it may not fly steady in the sky. To correct the problem:
Try moving the tow point back
Check the kite for balance
Try adding tail (drag at the bottom of the kite

15. Kites also need a steady wind to fly well
Kites also need a steady wind to fly well. Wind Turbulence is what happens when the wind has to go around obstacles like trees, buildings or hills.
The distance that it takes the wind to smooth out is seven times the height of the obstacle.
WIND
TURBULENCE

16. Natural Wind Speedometer
Since you can't see the wind, how can you tell how fast it is moving?
You can see what it does to other things around you!
(8-12 mph is best for most kite flying)
 1-3 mph 
Smoke drifts lazily, branches are still, flags hang limp
 4-7 mph 
Tree leaves rustle, flags move slowly
 8-12 mph 
Flags fly, bushes shake, leaves move
 13-18 mph 
Small branches shake, grass moves
 19-24 mph 
Large branches sway, flags flap noisily
 25-31 mph 
Trees shake, dust and sand flies

17. Imagination is the highest kite one can fly.