Delta-Kite Plans

For All the MBK Delta Kites

These delta-kite plans and hints are aimed at summarizing the more in-depth instructions to be found in the How To Make A Kite section of this website.

For each of the delta plans below, there are also a pair of plan-view photos.

The one on the left is of the front surface. That is, the surface of the flying kite which faces the flyer. The other photo is of the back surface, which exposes the spars.

All three designs work well with light single-ply plastic for sail material. Many types of large plastic bags are suitable. And of course you can substitute the lightest Tyvek or ripstop nylon material.

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Dowel Delta-Kite Plans

Plan-View Photos

Tips and Hints

1. Because of the size, you might find it necessary to use two plastic bags for the sail. One for the left wing and one for the right. Overlap them down the centerline, as you can see in the photos below. Tape the full length of both edges with clear sticky tape.
2. For the spars, use hardwood dowel of 5 mm (3/16 in) diameter.
3. The spreader and its shorter reinforcement dowel are also 5 mm. Secure these two dowels together with three wraps of sticky tape, at five points—including the extreme ends of the shorter dowel.
4. When cutting out the sail, include a long narrow flap to fold over each leading edge spar, to completely enclose it in a pocket.
5. Reinforce the edges of the sail by adding clear sticking tape flush with the outline.
6. Lash and glue the spreader tips to the leading edge. The glue is necessary to prevent slippage.
7. Cap the spar ends with electrical insulation tape.
8. Seal the leading edge spar pockets with long lengths of clear sticky tape.
9. After cutting out the keel from sail plastic, use clear sticky tape to run a length of flying line down from all three attachment points down to the towing point. One on each side of the keel, so that's six pieces of line altogether
10. Knot the keel lines together, close to the plastic, and add another knot to the six lines coming out at the towing point. Tie the keel to the vertical spar and also use sticky tape to attach the keel's edge to the sail.
    
    

 

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2-Skewer Delta-Kite Plans

Plan-View Photos

Tips and Hints

1. Each spar, including the spreader, is two bamboo skewers butted together and reinforced with short lengths of skewer glued on as shown.
2. When cutting out the sail, include a long narrow flap to fold over each leading edge spar, to completely enclose it in a sleeve. Make cutouts for the ends of the spreader.
   
3. Reinforce all edges of the sail (except the long edges of the tabs) by adding clear sticking tape over the outlines, then trimming back to the outlines.
4. The spreader should be glued and tied in place where it crosses the leading edges. Then the bamboo can be trimmed to length, with a small overhang.
   
5. Cap the spar ends with short lengths of electrical insulation tape.
6. Seal the leading edge spar pockets with long lengths of clear sticky tape.
7. After cutting out the keel from sail plastic, use clear sticky tape to run a length of flying line down each edge that leads to the towing point. Do each side of the keel, so that's four pieces of line altogether.
8. Knot the keel lines together, close to the plastic, and add another knot to the four lines coming out at the towing point. Tie the keel to the vertical spar and also use sticky tape to attach the keel's edge to the sail.
9. No tail is necessary for this design, even near the top of its wind range.

 

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1-Skewer Delta-Kite Plans

Plan-View Photos

Tips and Hints

1. When cutting out the sail, include a long narrow flap to fold over each leading edge spar, to completely enclose it in a pocket.
2. Glue the spreader to the leading edge spars, but not to the vertical spar.
3. Cap the spar ends with clear sticky tape.
4. Seal the leading edge spar pockets with long lengths of clear sticky tape.
5. After cutting out the keel from sail plastic, use clear sticky tape to run a length of flying line down each edge that leads to the towing point. Do each side of the keel, so that's four pieces of line altogether.
6. Knot the keel lines together, close to the plastic, and add a another knot to the four lines coming out at the towing point. Tie the keel to the vertical spar and also use sticky tape to attach the keel's edge to the sail.
7. For a start, try making a single tail about five times as long as the kite itself, looping it around the bamboo and tying it off near the tail of the kite.

 

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I hope one of these delta kite plans is just right for you!

 

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