The Revolution Kite Explained 

Don’t you get goosebumps every time you see a revolution kite? The view that these kites provide, especially when they’re up in the sky, is indeed glorious. Flying a revolution kite is one of the greatest pleasures in life, especially if you’re a regular kite-flyer. 

A revolution kite is a type of kite shaped like a bow that you can fly in more directions than one. It may not be the easiest to fly for inexperienced or beginners, but it allows you to control each win of your kite independently, giving you flexible navigation. 

Spoiler alert! Flying a revolution kite has both pros and cons. Let’s start with the basics and define what a revolution kite is.

What Is A Revolution Kite?

A revolution kite is perfect for those who fly kites regularly or have enough knowledge and experience to fly slightly technical kites. You can flexibly navigate a revolution kite in the air. This kite gives you access to control each of its wings separately. Apart from this, you can quickly slow down the speed or completely stop a revolution kite.

This type of kite is best for those seeking the high-responsive and stimulating kite-flying experience. A revolution kite’s wings compare to the shape of an airplane’s. You can also fly the revolution kite faster compared to regular kites.

Revolution kites allow you to fly your kite conveniently when flying regular kites would be too difficult, such as on days with low wind speed or when the wind is inconsistent and hard to tame and control.

Regular Kites Vs. Revolution Kites

For reference, regular kites usually only allow you to take control of two lines. Most kites respond against harsh wind, and operators maneuver them by the changing flight altitude in changing atmospheric conditions.

Revolution kites were an invention of a designer and engineer named Joe Hadzicki. His passion for kite flying started when he saw a man flying a kite near San Diego Bay in 1987. He and his brothers created the revolutionary four-line kite design. He’s known to be always hands-on in the kite community. 

Additionally, Joe Hadzicki and his brothers were formally recognized and included in the World Kite Museum Hall of Fame in 2010. (source)

They were also recognized with the David Checkley Lifetime Contribution award in 2013 by the Kite Trade Association. (source)

The revolution kite was developed in 1987 and was released in 1989 by the Kite Trading Association. 

What Are The Pros Of Flying A Revolution Kite?

Flying a revolution kite comes with many pros, including but not limited to the fact that you can easily control it. It also enables the following:

Flexible Navigation

A revolution kite allows you to get the best control of your kite. It lets you customize the speed, force, and pressure it takes since you can control four kite lines instead of just two. It is one of the main pros of flying a revolution kite, as most kites don’t grant you the privilege of flexible navigation. 

Multi-Directional And Adjustable

Unlike regular kites that can mostly fly in only an upward direction, you can fly and adjust the revolution kite in multiple directions, specifically upwards, backward, and sideways. You can also change the speed of your revolution kite, unlike regular kites that depend on the wind’s intensity and speed. 

Reduced Accidents

Flying a revolution kite can also reduce accidents and injuries related to kite-flying. You can stop revolution kites in a second. In contrast, regular kites may take their time slowing down or stopping; thus, a disadvantage, especially when someone or something gets caught up in the thread of your kite, causing an accident.

Several cases had involved an accident caused by a kite being unable to stop or someone getting hurt by a kite’s thread, including a kite-flying event in 2006 when at least 450 people reportedly died because of kite-thread-related accidents and injuries. 

A case reported on a death caused by an electric post wrapped up by a kite’s thread that eventually led to the person’s death caused by electrocution. 

However, flying a revolution kite may also have its cons. Let’s check them out right now.

What Are The Cons Of Flying A Revolution Kite?

Flying or opting for a revolution kite can come with several cons: revolution kites cost more than regular kites and are harder to fly, especially if you have no experience or are a beginner in kite-flying.

Requires Technical Navigation

Generally, you navigate most regular kites by controlling the movement of your kite with the flying line or thread, whereas navigating a revolution kite can be more complicated and exhausting than that since you’ll need to navigate an additional three.

Harder To Fly

Apart from this, you can quickly fly most regular kites if you’re inexperienced or a beginner in kite-flying since the wind mostly takes charge of keeping your kite in the air. On the other hand, flying a revolution kite will require you to take control of customizing the amount of speed, force, and wind pressure that your revolution kite takes.

Quite Expensive

Another thing to consider is that revolution kites generally cost more than regular kites. The average price of a standard double-line kite in most physical and online stores is only less than $50. In contrast, a revolution kite has an average cost if you purchase it on Amazon.

More Fragile

Revolution kites are also more fragile than regular kites-mainly indoor or ultra-light revolution kites-as you can fly them in low wind conditions. In contrast, most delta or diamond kites can fly at a wind speed of more than ten miles per hour. 

Now, let’s find out where revolution kites originate.

Where Are Revolution Kites Made?

Revolution kites originate in Poway, California, in the Revolution Enterprises factory. The revolution kite was in development in the year 1987. 

How Do You Set Up A Revolution Kite?

You can easily set up a revolution kite by clicking on the youtube link provided below. However, if you prefer to make your life easier, you can follow this written guide on setting up a revolution kite. 

Step 1: Put the state on the ground and attach the kite’s line. Take the short cord off and slowly take the handles off to avoid tangles. Lay your lines and handle on the ground and put the hold over the other handle’s top. Straighten your lines by putting the lines in between your first and firmly running them over from up to down. 

Step 2: Once your lines straighten, take the pair of larks head and connect them. Spread the larks head apart, separating the lines back to the handles. Lay your lines down on the ground and ensure you have all the materials needed to move on to the next step, setting up the kite’s pipe.

Step 3: Unroll your revolution kite and keep it leaning into the wind. Lay the kite’s shaft down and open up each of the kite’s wings. Slide the leading edge together and feel their fit with the ferrule toward the middle of the kite. Ensure that both leading come together, or the shaft might break.

Step 4: Make sure that your leading edge comes together by taking out your whole leading edge, assembling the three pieces, and sliding them into one piece. Put your cap on the end and ensure that the bridle is not wrapped or tangled on both sides. Lay your kite on the ground with the back facing you and get your top cap in. 

Step 5: Put your velcro and put your bottom cap on. Get your line and attach the string to your bridle by using your fingers to make a loop over and pinch it. Make sure there are no tangles and repeat the process on the other side. Put the spring inside the kite. Pick up your kite and spin it over, leaning to the wind. 

Step 6: Put it down again, get your two-line sets, and wrap them to the lark head by forming a loop and attaching it to the top bridle. Slide the line into the bridle to the end of the knot and secure it. Do the same process for the other side. 

Now that you know how to set up a revolution kite let’s figure out how to fly this type of kite.

How Do You Fly A Revolution Kite?

A revolution kite flies by controlling the four attached lines with two handles. Flying a revolution kite is far more complex than flying a regular kite, as this type of kite requires technical and precise navigation to get up and maintain in the air. Follow the steps and tips below to fly a revolution kite, especially if you have no experience flying it.

Step 1: Tilt the kite and make sure its tips are touching the ground so the kite can keep the pressure before you launch it. Take off the stake and check for twists or tangles in your revolution kite’s thread to prevent errors or accidents. If your lines are tangled, twist the handle until your line is free from tangles.

Step 2: Make sure that your line is tight, especially if it is your first time launching a revolution kite. Bring your thumbs back to launch your kite and move forward to stop it. Don’t mind how high you can get your revolution kite to fly first. Wrist control should be your priority when launching your revolution kite.

Step 3: Practice launching your kite once you get a feel of the controls. If the wind goes off, move your thumbs forward, get your kite down, and wait for the wind to come back.

Step 4: Once you’ve successfully launched your revolution kite, hover it up. Practice moving your handles as if you were driving to maintain the momentum of the kite.

For reference, regular kites are flown by an upward force, making them fly in the air. You can launch your kite by having your friend toss your kite in the air while you run and catch the wind. Besides that, you won’t have to go through the hassle of getting your kite to stay in the sky. You can manually control your kite strings, unlike the revolution kite.

Now, let’s find out which type of kite flies best in most general conditions.

Which Type Of Kite Flies The Best?

The type of kite that best flies in most weather and season conditions is delta kites, especially those with no experience flying kites or just beginning their kite-flying journey. However, if you are a pro in kite-flying, you may claim revolution kites best, 

Delta kites are known to have a slightly flexible build, allowing them to fly at most wind speeds, making them a great option to fly in unpredictable or unstable wind conditions. On the other hand, they are more patronized by advanced kite-flyers and experts, making the delta kite come off as plain and simplistic. 

What Is It With Delta Kites?

The first delta kite was by an architect named Wilbur Green in the 1940s. He was inspired to make the delta kite when he saw a picture of a Chinese bird kite with a keel fin.

Delta kites also have tremendous power for starter kites, given their slight wing flexibility. Unlike most starter kites, you can lightly customize the delta kite to fit your flying needs and preferences. Most delta kites can stay in the sky for long periods compared to other starter kites, making them difficult to fly with low wind speed. 

Delta kites can also fly high flights and are easier to launch. Delta kites have two wings that you can control separately, making them similar to revolution kites with little flexibility in navigation. Apart from this, delta kites can be easily assembled and stored.

However, compared to kites made for advanced kite-flyers and experts, such as the revolution kite, the design of the delta kite may come off as plain. 

What Kind Of Kite Is Easiest To Fly?

Assess Your Experience

The best type of kite to fly entirely depends on your kite-flying skills and experience. The level of difficulty in kite-flying is subject to your knowledge and execution, regardless of the type of kite. More experience requires a more challenging kite to fly. 

What About Parafoil Kites?

In general, the easiest kite to fly is a parafoil kite. Since this type of kite is soft and barely needs effort to assemble, it is one of the best options for kids and those without any kite-flying experience. 

Domina Jalbert created parafoil kites in 1963. He was born in the year 1904 in Quebec, Canada. Apart from investing in parafoil kites, he’s also known as an advanced skydiver who patented the multi-celled canopy in 1963. 

The air pressure through the leading edge enables parafoil kites to fly. Parafoil kites are available in different varieties, such as single, double, or quad line kites. You won’t need to worry about breaking or losing your kite’s frame, as the parafoil kite doesn’t have any to lose. 

Pros And Cons Of Parafoil Kites

This type of kite is also quite durable, considering that you’re flying in light wind.

Parafoil kites look amazing when you fly them in the sky because they resemble parachutes. Parafoil kites also have incredible and convenient steerability, especially for kids or those who are inexperienced and a beginner in kite-flying. They’re also surprisingly light and handy, perfect for travelers who don’t want bulky or heavy baggage.

However, high wind speed can quickly destabilize parafoil kites, causing them to deflate or fall to the ground. Given the lack of firmness that parafoil kites have, it’s prone to instability when being flown. Generally, parafoil kites consist of ripston and nylon, and because of this, they lack a robust skeletal system.

Parafoil kites require more wind than other kites, including revolution, delta, and diamond kites. You can fly most parafoil kites better at a wind speed of no less than eight miles per hour but no more than twenty 25 miles per hour. 

Summary

The revolution kite is a type of kite that has the shape of a bow and has four lines attached to it. You can flexibly maneuver this kite, giving it an edge over regular kites. Revolution kites are controlled as if you’re driving a car. However, there are some downsides to flying a revolution kite over a standard kite, including the fact that it’s more expensive and requires technical navigation, making it hard for beginners to fly.