Scott sled
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Scott Sled is a type of kite developed in 1964 by Frank Scott of Ohio and based off an earlier design called the Allison.[citation needed] The design is known for its ease of construction, sturdiness, light weight, stability, and good performance. It's a sort of scoop-shaped parachute, held open by parallel spars. Most of the shape of the kite is produced by the pressure of the wind.
[edit] Description
The sail is a six-sided polygon. The top and bottom side are the same length. The top left and top right side are the same length, but about half the length of the bottom left and bottom right side. A heart-shaped or circular hole, about 3/4 the width of the bottom side is placed about 1/4 of the height of the sail from the bottom side. The heart shaped hole flies slightly better. The point of the heart should point at the bottom of the kite. The heart shaped hole can be slightly smaller than a circular hole.
The Scott sled has one, two or three spars which hold the sail open from top to bottom. The spars are parallel, running from the top left corner to the bottom left corner, and from the top right corner to the bottom right corner. Very large sleds add a third spar in the center. Very narrow sleds can have a diamond shape, with a single spar going from the top to the bottom.
The spars are best made from very light, flexible wood rods. Any other material will serve. Some sleds use inflatable pockets, with the scoops for the pockets being on the top edge of the sail. The tension of the sail must not pull the scoops closed.
The bridle string goes from the left and right corners of the sail to the main string. The bridle string is usually a loop, with the main string tied to it with a movable lark's head, so that the two sides of the bridle can be adjusted to be even.[citation needed]
The sail must be cut precisely so that the bridle's vertical positioning is good. Too high and the kite glides to the zenith directly overhead and collapses from lack of wind pressure. Too low, and the kite is unstable, turning in circles, and hitting the ground.
