What is the minimum wind speed needed to get 'pop' from a Kitewing?

  • Thread starter Phrak
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In summary: I'm just not sure how CL max is determined.In summary, the Kitewing can be swung horizontally to lift. It can be flown using a V of 30 mph for a relative wind of 30 degrees. To lift with a ground speed of 30*0.866 mph, a wind speed of 15 mph must be used.
  • #1
Phrak
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There's a product on the market called a Kitewing. It's a hand held sail for ice, water or land. It can be swung horizontally to lift. I'm curious to know how much mimium wind speed would be needed to get some pop?

There are some utube videos out where some get 5 ft of air from level ground. Suprizing for such a small wing.

The sail is symmetric like a wing, having a 5.5 square meters, with an aspect ration of about 2.2, and a roughly eliptical profile. Wing span and washout aren't given.
 
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  • #2
So I guess there aren't any AEs around who have any interest in fluid flows without a cabin wraped around them and 500+ horses in the front...
 
  • #3
Your question doesn't leand itself to a simple answer. Aerodynamics is highly experimental. There isn't a magic formula you can use to arrive at the answer you want.
 
  • #4
I've run out of time. I'll have to generate some numbers tomorrow afternoon.
 
  • #5
Cyrus said:
Your question doesn't leand itself to a simple answer. Aerodynamics is highly experimental. There isn't a magic formula you can use to arrive at the answer you want.

I'm looking for a, not too, rough idea of how well it could perform. So far I have,

Mg = ½CLρV²S

ρO = 1.225 kg/m³, density of air at sea level
ρ = 1.1 kg/m³
CL_MAX=1.2
V = 30 mph = 44 fps = 13.4 m/s
S = 5.5 m²
g = 9.8 m/s², acceleration due to gravity.
M = 67 kg
Mg = 146 lb ...very marginal.

For a sail on land, we could assume a "beta" of at least 30 degrees. This means wind speed is 15 mph to obtain a 30 mph relative wind, V at the most favorable tack. The ground speed would be 30*0.866 mph.

For a wing that is mostly single sided except along the leading edge, I'm assuming a max coefficient of lift of only 1.2.

I still don't know if I'm using the right coefficient of lift. CL_MAX is the lift coefficient of an infinite aspect ration section.
 
  • #6
Sorry, that's way wrong. You want 'not too close' build or use a wind tunnel, or find data generated by someone who has. You've pretty much assumed 99.9% of the problem. Your answer is probably as much as 40% off.
 
  • #7
You're estimating on the Cl and treating like an infinite wing. Of course it's going to be off, but, IMO, for a first guess, those numbers don't seem all that bad. At least you aren't in the area of an order of magnitude off. Especially since you are treating Cl as a constant (which it isn't) and who knows just what the relative velocity a wing actually sees is. As a total SWAG I think you're not too bad. Just understand that to be accurate you need way more information.
 
  • #8
FredGarvin said:
You're estimating on the Cl and treating like an infinite wing. Of course it's going to be off, but, IMO, for a first guess, those numbers don't seem all that bad. At least you aren't in the area of an order of magnitude off. Especially since you are treating Cl as a constant (which it isn't) and who knows just what the relative velocity a wing actually sees is. As a total SWAG I think you're not too bad. Just understand that to be accurate you need way more information.

I don't understand the sources of large amounts of error. Is it just CL? But, this is what I was asking. How is CL max obtained from CL max from section data?
 
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  • #9
Phrak said:
I don't understand the sources of large amounts of error. Is it just CL? But, this is what I was asking. How is CL max obtained from CL max from section data?
It's usually not. It is done experimentally...hence Cy's comments.
 
  • #10
FredGarvin said:
It's usually not. It is done experimentally...hence Cy's comments.

I'll read theory of wing sections.
 

Related to What is the minimum wind speed needed to get 'pop' from a Kitewing?

1. How much pop can I get from a Kitewing?

The amount of pop you can get from a Kitewing depends on various factors such as wind speed, body weight, and technique. Generally, you can expect to get a few feet of height with a well-timed jump and a strong gust of wind.

2. Does the size of the Kitewing affect the amount of pop?

Yes, the size of the Kitewing does play a role in the amount of pop you can get. A larger Kitewing will have a larger surface area and can generate more lift, resulting in a higher pop. However, it also depends on your body weight and wind conditions.

3. Can I get as much pop from a Kitewing as I can from a kite?

No, you cannot get as much pop from a Kitewing as you can from a kite. Kites are designed specifically for generating lift and can provide much more pop compared to a Kitewing. However, Kitewings are a great alternative for those who prefer a simpler and more portable option.

4. Is it safe to attempt jumps with a Kitewing?

As with any sport, there is always a risk of injury when attempting jumps with a Kitewing. It is important to have proper training and to always wear protective gear. Additionally, make sure to check wind conditions and use common sense to avoid any potential dangers.

5. Can I adjust the Kitewing to get more or less pop?

Yes, you can adjust the Kitewing to get more or less pop depending on your preferences. Moving the Kitewing closer to your body can help generate more lift and result in a higher pop. On the other hand, moving it further away can decrease lift and result in a smaller pop.

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