WE FLEW THE KITE INCREDIBLY HIGH

Summary

In this adventurous kite flying project, the creators embark on a journey to test how high a kite can fly using a variety of kites and techniques. Starting with a small kite, they struggle with camera stability, then upgrade to a massive kite capable of carrying two cameras. After a series of modifications to the kite’s platform and rope system, including making their own spool and overcoming technical challenges, they achieve the impossible—flying the kite to an altitude of over one kilometer. Despite turbulence, camera issues, and a close encounter with an eagle, they push the boundaries of kite flying, culminating in a stunning achievement.

Takeaways

• 🪁 The initial small kite was insufficient to carry an action camera, prompting upgrades to larger kites.
• 📏 A larger kite with a long tail improved flight stability but still could not lift the camera.
• 💪 A specially ordered huge carbon fiber kite was strong and flexible enough to carry multiple cameras.
• 🎥 A custom plywood platform was created to hold two cameras securely during flight.
• 🌀 A specialized kite reel with glass ball bearings made winding the rope easier but required careful management of rope length.
• 🛠️ A robust platform and winding station were built to handle over a kilometer of rope safely.
• 🧤 Safety precautions, including gloves and securing the kite to a table, were necessary due to high tension in the rope.
• 🌬️ High winds caused turbulence that challenged both kite stability and camera platform integrity, requiring iterative improvements.
• 🦅 Unexpected obstacles, like an eagle, required active intervention with a drone to protect the kite and equipment.
• 🏆 After several trials and adjustments, they successfully flew the kite to a height of one kilometer, setting a record for their setup.
• 📌 Lessons learned include improving camera attachment, platform stability, and careful rope management for high-altitude kite flights.
• ⚠️ Flying such a large kite carries risks and requires careful planning to avoid accidents in residential areas or with electrical wires.

Q & A

What was the initial goal of the video creators?

The creators aimed to test how high an ordinary kite could fly and wanted it to carry an action camera to capture aerial footage.

Why did the first inexpensive kite fail?

The first inexpensive kite did not fly well and lacked the strength to lift or stabilize the camera in the air.

How did increasing the kite size affect its performance?

A larger kite with almost ten times the area and a long tail flew well on its own, but it still could not lift the camera due to insufficient strength.

What were the features of the huge kite they eventually ordered?

The huge kite was made with thick carbon fiber tubes, capable of lifting two cameras, strong yet flexible to withstand high-altitude wind pressure, and was as tall as a person.

What modifications did the team make to carry the cameras?

They built a platform from plywood and string to hold two cameras and adjusted the main string angle to keep the camera lenses aligned with the kite.

What challenges did they face with the kite rope?

The kite rope spool could not initially hold all the rope, requiring them to wind ten 100-meter skeins onto a reinforced spool platform, some of which had to be marked to track remaining length.

What safety measures did the team implement during flight?

They tied the kite to a table, weighed it down with a toolbox and backpack, wore gloves to protect their hands, and ensured they were in an open space away from residential areas.

Why did the first flight attempt with the full camera rig fail?

The platform holding the cameras fell apart due to wind turbulence, and the rig did not maintain stability, causing one camera to fall off the magnetic mount.

How did they improve the kite setup for the second flight?

They rebuilt the platform to be lighter with holes, added a stabilizing tail, secured the camera with special tape, and rebounded the rope on the spool to prevent it from slipping.

What was the maximum altitude achieved and the main challenges encountered?

They reached a height of one kilometer. Challenges included strong winds, turbulence, a near-attack by an eagle, heavy rope tension, and the risk of damaging the kite or losing cameras.

What did the team learn about flying a kite at extreme altitudes?

Flying a kite at such heights requires strong materials, careful weight distribution, wind management, safety precautions, and secure mounting of cameras. It is far more complex than typical kite flying near tree height.