A kite leading edge has a tubular structure having a first curve in a span-wise direction and a second curve a chord-wise direction. The tubular structure is formed by a plurality of panels joined together at seams including at least a first longitudinal seam running in the span-wise direction of the tubular structure. At least a portion of the first longitudinal seam defines a first partial helical path about the circumference of the tubular structure.

Embodiments of the invention comprise woven multilayer textiles having shaped, enclosed, inflatable pockets, where the inflated textile carries tension, compression, torsion and/or bending loads. Composite structures incorporating such inflatable members or spars are also described and claimed.

The system may include a ground station, a tether attached to a ground station on a first end and to two or more bridles on a second, and a kite. The kite may include a main wing. Each bridle of the two or more bridles may be attached to the main wing, and the two or more bridles may be adapted to provide a torque on the kite to control a roll of the kite.

This invention concerns a line reeling device for reeling front and back lines of a kite. The device includes a reeling mechanism comprising a first reel and a second reel which are located in an enclosure and on which the front and back lines are, in use, wound respectively. The reels are arranged so that their rotation in one direction retracts the lines and their rotation in the other direction deploys the lines. The reeling mechanism further includes reel connecting means which is operable to cause the reels to rotate in harmony in one configuration and rotate independently in another configuration. The reeling mechanism also has a braking mechanism for controlling rotation of the reels and a control mechanism which is in connection with the braking mechanism. The control mechanism is operable between a first, locked position wherein rotation of the reels is obstructed and a second, released position wherein rotation of the reels is allowed.

The disclosed technology comprises a kite with spindles extending radially from a central juncture disc, which can be of rigid (non-flexible construction). The spindles are removably insertable therein, and can be equi-spaced from each other and/or around a central point of the disc, creating structural support for the kite. Fabric sheathing connects to or is frictionally held at an outer terminus of each spindle. The fabric can further form a flap extending transverse to a plane of the disc and spindles with a string extending from an end of the flap, opposite the side of the flap which connects at the plane comprising the spindles.