Circoflex kite

The Circoflex is a ring shaped kite that consists of a strip off fabric 750 x 50 cm. ( or 1000 x 60 cm), a seam of 2 cm at front containing only the construction material, a reinforced fiber ring of 750 cm (or 1000 cm) 3 or 3.6 mm and a seam at the back containing a 2mm line to ply the fabric into a curve that increases the wind pressure in the construction. The Circoflex has 12 bridles that join in groups of 7 and 5, interconnected with a string to adjust the flight angle.

The only construction needed is a ring of fibre or reinforced fiber which can be folded for transport into 4 small rings, together with the fabric ready to fly when it unfolds in a second (1000cm into 4 rings or 250cm circumference, diameter about 80cm). For more than 4 to 5 Beaufort winds or when scaling up the size, carbon fiber could be applied. At the end of the ring is another 'construction' existing of 2mm nylon line in the seam of 2-2.5cm. This line brings about the effect of a curve causing the air pressure in the construction to maintain the ring shape. It should be about 20-25cm less in circumference than the fiber ring.

One important feature: a weight of about 35gr should be taped or taped by Velcro. The weight should be spread evenly over 30-35cm inside the bottom of rite kite in the middle of the hours 5 to 7, some 8 to 10cm before the end seam. As a weight, balls of lead, used in the seams of curtains should be fastened to the sail. Instead of the lead balls, a zipper could be stitched at the bottom. This functions not only as a weight but as a device to build up the Circoflex easily.

When using nylon, the fiber ring can also be taken out the construction for transport. Stitch a ring on both sides of the zipper on front seam. Spread out the nylon, put a tent pole through each of these rings and the fibers can easily be put into the seam, This is even more important with an upsized Circoflex when using carbon fiber

The bridles should be connected to nylon tape stitched directly to the seam before stitching the seam itself. The rings should be pointing to the center of the fiber ring. When the seam is too wide the bridles pulling on the fabric via the tapes and on the rings will cause a smaller ring in the front (a kind funnel shape) which disturbs the flying characteristics. When the lines in case of Mylar and high density plastic will be knotted directly to the fiber ring, the seam should also be rather small. Via the openings in the fabric where the bridle lines are knotted an air flow may pass and blow up the seam with the same consequences for the flight characteristics. When the lines are connected directly to the fiber, an extra check is needed after unfolding the four wise fold Circoflex. While folding, the fibers turn, and the lines will turn too and may become shorter..

The 12 bridle points are evenly spread over the fiber ring like on a clock. It is also easier to communicate when the ring is not fully in a circle share and some Adjustments need to be made, The bridles of 9,10,11,12,1,2,3, should be connected to one ring. The bridles of 4,5,6,7,8, should be knotted to another ring. In between these rings a line 20-25cm will be connected in order to adjust the third ring to which the kite line is fastened. The length of the lines are in the table. As a rule of thumb: when the kite has the tendency to turn to the left the bridle at the opposite should be repositioned. The ring Should have an ideal round circle shape.