The definition of `rotor' kite is in itself controversial. It has come to mean any kite which uses or depends on rotation in some manner to fly. The kites are sub-classed into some general categories, basically determined by the direction the axis of rotation is relative to the wind and ground...
Because of the unusal nature of this kite, a huge number of patents have been taken out on this kite. These patents use to be freely available on the net, but now the main web site is more restricted making it harder for people to just take a quick look. I will point to them in any case
The modern version of this kite known as a ''UFO Sam'' was first published
by Kenneth Sams in a children's book called ''Flying Toys'' (See Modern UFO).
There are a lot of variations, some practical, some not.
I have been in email contact with the original patent holder, Alex Kattas, who has been facing legel problems with the manfacturer and distributor for this kite. As such the kite should not be commercially for sale at this time.
Basically to get them to work you have to get the rotor up to high speed before the kite will takeoff and remain stable. Also due to the high speed of the rotor, (100 Km/hr is not unheard of) the large heavier models (usally made of wood) can be very dangerious. Extreme caution and patience is advised.
If you are interested in Auto-Gyro Kites, I suggest you wander over to the
Rotorcraft Kite
Project, for more information and photos about this kite. You can
also send an email request for a copy of a plan, for a mini-rotor to play
around with. Warning some metal working is required, do it isn't for a
casual builder.
Alturnativally look at the Chupp Autogyro (Type-H) Kite Plan (PDF) (see photo right). This plan is simpler and looks to be safer and more stable, due to the extra fins and wings. Again some advanced precision construction is needed.
A simular kite is AKA member, Don Mathews, who was famous ''Windmill Kite''
(see photo right) which uses four rotating turbines to act as the kites
sails. This is not exactly the same principle as an autogyro, but in is in
the same class of vertical axil rotor kites.
One minor point about these kites is that due to the rotation the kite
tends to fly off to one side. As such you could fly two of them rotating
in different directions, side by side on a forked kite line. When flying
properly they will not interfere with each other. Pictured right is my own
set, which my nephew calls 'jet engines', due to the look of them spinning
together in the sky.
WARNING: As the axis of rotation is with the wind, the kite lines twist up something increadible. A good set of swivals and other devices attached to the kite line is required to prevent the whole flying line twisting up.
A typical example of a rotating box is a ''Spinning Jenny'', and as with most rotors has lots of different patents. The latest known patent is US 5833174, which will reference all other simular patents.
The kite is simular to but definatally NOT the same, as a circoflex kite (which is a thin ring instead of a long tube, and does not rotate at all) or a spinning turbo tail, spin sock, or ''turbine'' (which produces drag but no lift). It is really just a box kite which spins.There are occasional plans online for rotating box kites, such s the '' Revolver'' shown), but the links I had are no longer on line.