That is why there is a height limit, and why airfields and power lines matter. The physics is the same as for an airliner, with the line doing the job of the engines, and a few simple habits keep dual-line and power kites safe.
AI-generated image, not a photograph of a real person or place.
60 M without permission
Respect the line
Mind what's behind
Stay low and clear
Fun in the wind, safely
THE SHORT ANSWER
Fly low, fly clear, fly with gloves.
The Kite Society notes that most rules really apply to kites over 2 kg, but many apply to all.
THE FORCES
An aircraft on a string
Three forces act on every kite: weight, line tension and the aerodynamic force, split into lift and drag. NASA notes they match an airliner's, with tension in place of thrust.
Under the Air Navigation Order 2016, a tethered kite needs CAA permission to go more than 60 metres above ground. Near notified aerodromes, tighter limits apply.
Dual and four-line kites can frighten animals, and power kites can be very dangerous if not flown properly. Wear gloves for strong-pulling kites, and consider lessons.
Where you fly matters as much as how. The bar shows how risky or restricted each place is, from the Air Navigation Order and the Kite Society's guidance.
From the Air Navigation Order 2016 article 92, the CAA's kite notification guidance and the Kite Society of Great Britain's rules and tips.
TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
One ceiling, one deadline.
Both come from the Civil Aviation Authority.
60 m
Height above ground a kite may reach without CAA permission
No part of a tethered kite or its line may extend more than 60 metres above ground level without CAA permission, and it must not be a hazard to other airspace users.
AIR NAVIGATION ORDER 2016 · ARTICLE 92
14 days
Minimum notice for a Kite Permission
Events needing a Kite Permission should give at least 14 days' notice. The CAA usually issues a NOTAM to warn other airspace users, and does not currently charge for this.
CAA AIRSPACE REGULATION
Kites flown above 60 metres should carry red-and-white streamers at set intervals or, at night, groups of white and red lights on the line.
BEFORE YOU LAUNCH
Four habits from kite flyers.
These come from the Kite Society of Great Britain's safety tips for kite flying.
Match the wind
Read the instructions and check the wind range for your kite. Above it, the kite can become uncontrollable. The Beaufort scale helps you judge the wind.
Skip storms and metal
Never fly in wet or stormy weather, as static can build up and travel down the line. Never use wire or anything metallic in the line.
Watch behind you
It is easy to step back while watching the kite. Check for people, roads and even cliffs behind you.
Tidy up
Take away any discarded line and the bag the kite came in. Throw them away responsibly or recycle them.
AI-generated image, not a photograph of a real person or place.
THE PHYSICS
A hinged door, not a free plane.
AI-generated image, not a photograph of a real person or place.
An aircraft rotates about its centre of gravity, but a kite is pinned by its bridle to the line, so it rotates about the bridle point, more like a door on its hinges. Where that point sits sets the angle the kite flies at.
Because kite forces mirror an aircraft's, the Wright brothers tested their theories by flying their aircraft as kites from 1900 to 1902. Lift acts at right angles to the wind, drag acts along it, and the line holds the kite against both.
Questions
Questions people ask
Is there a height limit for kites in the UK?
Yes. Under article 92 of the Air Navigation Order 2016, no part of a tethered kite or its line may extend more than 60 metres above ground without CAA permission.
Can I fly a kite near an airport?
Within the traffic zone of a notified aerodrome during its operating hours, only by day in good visibility and with permission. The Kite Society advises keeping well away from airports.
What if my kite gets stuck on a power line?
Do not try to rescue it yourself. The Kite Society says to ask for help from the right people, such as the electricity company.
Why not fly in a storm?
Static electricity can build up and be conducted down the line. That is also why you should never use wire or anything metallic in a kite line.
Are power kites dangerous?
They can be very dangerous if not flown properly. The Kite Society recommends lessons for dual-line sport and power kites, and gloves for strong-pulling kites.
