Della Porta is an old but still very popular kite configuration widely used mostly for the attractive of a simple rectangular shape that offers good chances for decorations - panel graphics.

Della Porta kite has some basic negative points mainly linked to the upper triangle of sail.

A simple modification of original project solves most problems with a simple solution easy to make - SMAC

Functions of triangular sail parts in standard Della Porta :

• mid lower triangle : LIFT
• two side triangles : LIFT and STABILITY
• mid upper triangle : negative DRAG, poor contribution to LIFT, negative contribution to STABILITY

The standard bridles of Della Porta are worsening the situation because the two upper - corner lines pulling are loosening the upper sail with a negative effect; the normally known modifications applied to this kite (horizontal spar,..) are reducing a bit the negative effect.

Modification proposed adds just a slim mid - upper spar and a very simple two points bridle

For a kite in the size 1.5 - 2 meters just a 3 or 4 mm dia carbon or fiberglass -epoxy tube is enough

The result is a kite that needs a lower wind speed to fly well and that accepts a wider wind speed range , the upper mid triangle has a diedral shape and becomes effective for STABILITY and for LIFT

Probably someone else has tried a similar modification but no trace found in the public plans or pictures

For me this is a very old modification that I tried when I was near 13 - 14 years after many negative trials with Della Porta original shape; kite was little size, paper

First place was Monte Sette Termini (Bedroni) area Luino Lago Maggiore not far from Switzerland border (from top of Monte Sette Termini a couple of times I have reached the sky over Switzerland,... little sewing thread as line, more bobbins 1000 m each,...)

My first kite sewn with ripstop nylon fabric taken from a sail repair shop was a Della Porta SMAC, so almost 20 years later and with no kite activity (RED and YELLOW, still flying well)


SMAC Italy july 2017