If one were to pump up a 17m light wind kite with hydrogen or helium would it make a noticeable difference in light wind?

Rob S said...
no

Bawhahaha! That's it then..... Sorted

It would be an absolute kitemare to self land at woodies

supposedly earths helium resources are running low and not sustainable so don't use that... or in your party balloons.

It would be really funny if you pumped up your kite ,turned around to do your lines and your kite floated away .

could be funny tho deflating the kite with all yer mates mouths around the valve....
Chipmunk harmonies anyone!

isn't this on the list of banned recurring topics? (along with the eric video, kiting in the rain questions, bow kites are gaay, and boardies over wetsuit)

Oh the humanity

Seriously though, we used helium which is a little safer than Hydrogne back in 2001. It made very little difference in terms of weight or performance.

The bigger problem is that the helium/hydrogen molecules are much smaller than oxygen/nitrogen, and the Helium leached out rather rapidly through the porous (microscopically speaking) bladder material. The leading edge was OK, but the struts deflated fast enough to make them soft over a unreasonably short period, making it a bit pointless (and expensive).

Nice thinking though.

DM

If you did use hydrogen and it floated upwards - how did you intend to sign it :)

I have been using 78% nitrogen to fill my kites for years, works so well I have not tried any other gasses.

mattyjee said...

suniboy21 said...
Im certain that helium when compressed becomes heavier the oxygen.
Correct me if im wrong.

Yes you are wrong. (assuming that the helium is less than 16 times the pressure of the oxygen you are comparing it to).

I have a feeling someone is a chemical engineer...
Correct me if I'm wrong.

Here is a really good blend to fill your kite with (all the pro's use this and swear by it):

those bloody pie charts again.