Kiteplane Challenge

Kiteplane

The kiteplane project aims to design, build and fly a large controllable kite which has a conventional aircraft configuration. The project started out as a product from the KitEye project where an aircraft-type kite was envisioned to break the world altitude record for a single kite on a single line. Kiteplanes are kites which can fly in the regime of a kite (cable under tension) as well as in the regime of aircraft (slack cable). This ability allows the laddermill to reel in the kite with minimal loss of power.

Currently, large inflatable kiteplanes are in production. The principle of inflatable structures was chosen because it allows for a low-weight and durable structure with no rigid parts. This allows the kite to be operated safely. In the event of a crash, one only needs to release the air pressure to thansform the kite into a slack piece of cloth.

Kiteplanes are remotely controlled from the ground using radio control. The full range of pitch control allows the kite to fly within a wide range of wind velocities. On the laddermill this would mean that with the same kite, energy can be generated at both low and high wind situations. In low wind situations, cross-wind power is generated by flying the kite in a figure eight during ascension. In high wind situations, the cross-wind power motion is reduced. This allows the kite to operate at its near maximum speed, regardless of wind conditions.

The high lift-over-drag capabilities of the kiteplane allow it to fly at a higher cable angle than other kites. Kiteplanes can be used for energy generation, traction for boats and as a sensor platform for atmospheric instruments or cameras.