Air Density Boost on LocalKiteSpots.com

sno-kite · Since 24 Jul 2008 11 Posts Toronto New Member

Guys,

Many of you know that there is a distinct difference between the power generated by the same kite in the same wind in hot weather compared to heavy cold weather.

I've added an innovative Boost % feature to the LocalKiteSpots.com forecasts that quantifies this, using current temperature, pressure, and humidity.

Hope you find it useful in determining how your summer kites will fly this winter.

Here's a link to the full Density Boost article
http://localkitespots.com/boost.htm

Bill

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Dec 01, 09 4:46 pm

Dude, you should totally put a percent chance of rotor indicator forecast on your website as well!

Totally PIMP!!

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

sweet. I've had many long discussions about this with friends and other people like myself who know absolutely nothing about how to quantify this but agree that there is a noticeable effect.

would you mind sharing your method?

wait nevermind. you explain it very nicely in the link.

that's damn cool. I might have to try this on my weather station at home

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

ice cold dry wind vs warm tropical wind

one is like a visit to this house...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSPvQ2Kb484

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

Nice dude! Thumb's Up

Definitely a noticeable difference, surprisingly so with dry versus humid! I guess wind speed alone will not tell you kite size.

However, wind still plays the largest factor (quite expectedly). In general, the lift generated by a wing (or kite) is linearly proportional to the air density, and quadratically proportional to the air speed:

Lift = Lift_Coefficient*(1/2)*(Surface Area)*(Density)*(Velocity)^2

Forgive the sciency bit Embarassed

, I need to hint at it every now and again to make all my schooling seem worthwhile Very Happy