Kytoon

A kytoon or kite balloon^[1] (a portmanteau of kite + balloon) is a tethered aircraft which obtains lift both dynamically as a heavier-than-air kite and aerostatically as a lighter-than-air balloon.

The primary advantage of a kytoon is that it remains in a reasonably stable position above the tether point, irrespective of the strength of wind, whereas ordinary balloons and kites are less stable.^[1]

The kytoon has been used for many purposes both civil and military.

The inflation gas need not be of lower density than the fluid stream in which it is operated. It is sufficient that the kytoon be part balloon and part kite. Hydrogen, methane, air, helium, etc. may be used to inflate the balloon aspect of a kytoon. So the kytoon is a special kind of kite.^{[citation needed]}

History

The kite balloon was invented by Domina Jalbert^[2] in 1944. and later became known as the kytoon.

The Allsopp Helikite is a modern helium-filled example.

Stability

A captive balloon tends to drift down the wind and the harder the wind blows, the further the balloon drifts. This leans the tether over at an angle, pulling the balloon lower. On a kytoon, the kite action lifts the balloon, counteracting this pull and holding the kytoon in position. As the wind blows harder, the kite action lifts harder. This can provide good stability even in strong winds.

In low or gusty winds a kite can nose-dive, losing a large amount of height even if it recovers. Because a kytoon is bouyant it does not nose-dive and remains in position even in still air.^[2]

Applications

Applications of the kytoon have included:

• Raise communications antenna aloft.^[2][3][4]
• Commercial advertising^[2]
• Low-level aerial photography^[2]
• Raise wind turbines for generating electricity
• Raise emergency signals in calm or wind
• Meteorological measurements ^[5]
• Sighting target for conducting geographical surveys^[2]
• Scare birds away from crops
• Recreation

See also

• Kite types

References

v t e Kites and kite flying Types by use Fighter kite Human-lifting kite Indoor kite Kiteboating Kite buggy Power kite Sport kite Water kite Types by shape Arc kite Bermuda kite Bowed kite Rokkaku dako Box kite Chapi-chapi Foil kite Inflatable single-line kite Kytoon Leading edge inflatable kite Bow kite Malay kite Rotor kite Rogallo wing Scott sled Soil kite Tetrahedral kite Wau bulan Activities & applications Hang gliding Kite aerial photography Kite fishing Kite ice skating Kite landboarding Kite skating Kitesurfing Paragliding Parasailing Powered paragliding Snowkiting Parts Kite control systems Kite line Kite mooring People Alexander Graham Bell Connor Doran William Abner Eddy Lawrence Hargrave Jackie Matisse Sea Tails Francis Rogallo Other Ballooning (spider) Kite books Kite (geometry) Kitelife List of kite festivals