Make the bridle
This third step is how to make the bridle and how to knot the bridle to the frame. You will learn all the special (easy!) knots we use to hold the bridle in place.
Methods and terminology
Méthodes
There are two methods to make a bridle:
- We can use the measures of an existing bridle.
- Make a new design where we start with a base bridle. This is completely adjustable in all directions and can be fine tuned at the flying spot.
For this website-project we'll use a bridle that is well tested by experienced pilots. This bridle is absolutely best fit for the pilots who like to do tricks and fly freestyle with their Le Quartz.
Terminology
The bridle for this kite is composed out of 2 lengths of bridle line that are knotted at each side of the kite. Looking at the position on the kite, we call the parts like this:

Upper leg: is the top part of the bridle that connects to the frame above the upper APA-connector to the leading edge.
Lower leg: is the lower, outside part of the bridle that connects to the frame under the bottom APA-connector to the leading edge.
Inner leg: is the lower, inside part of the bridle that connects to the frame under the Central-T to the spine.
Pig tail: is the little piece that connects the bridle with the flying lines. It's in the shape of a loop and has a fat knot on the end (where we connect the flying lines with a Prussic knot). The connection with the bridle is at the inner leg<.
Turbo: is a part of the Inner leg between the connection point of the Pig Tail and the place where the Inner Leg is knotted to the upper/lower leg.
Activator leg: is a piece of bridle line that connects between the inner leg and the upper leg, mainly to prevent the bridle to get stuck behind the tail of the kite. An added benefit is that it activates the other line when flying tight bends or sharp corners.
For those of you who want to learn more about bridles and all the effects tuning can have, there are two very good websites on this subject:
Step 1: The upper leg and lower leg of the bridle
1. Preparing the bridle line for upper and lower leg
1. Make a knot at 5 mm from the end of the bridle line. Melt the excessive part with the flame of a lighter (or a candle). Tap the molten end onto a hard object to flatten the end against the knot.
2. Make a second knot at 1045 mm from the first and cut the bridle line 5 mm past that knot. Again, melt the excessive part with the flame of a lighter (or a candle). Tap the molten end onto a hard object to flatten the end against the knot.
3. Repeat step 1 and 2 so you have two equally long pieces of bridle line with knots at all ends.

4. Put a ruler on the table and put both bridle lines next to it. Put a mark with a felt tip at 535 mm on both bridle lines to show the length of the Upper leg.
2. Knotting the upper and lower leg to the frame.

1. Take the end of one of the bridle lines at the side of the Lower leg.
2. Put the end of the bridle line between the spar and the Dacron, below the lower APA-connector.

3. Put the end of the bridle line over the line at the inside of the kite. Do this from top to bottom (the pictures have the top of the kite at the right side).

4. Now slide the end of the bridle line between the Dacron and the spar from the inside to the outside.


5. Put the end of the bridle line inside the loop and pull the other end of the bridle line. This will close the knot against the end knot of the bridle line.
6. Repeat this step for the other side of the kite. Then do the same for the connection above the Upper APA-connection with the other end of the bridle line. The knot sits above the APA.
You should now have two lengths of bridle line hanging on the kite, each one connecting the leading edge from above the top APA to below the bottom APA on one side of the kite.
Step 2: The inner leg and the turbo of the bridle.

1. This line construction is ideal to be able to tune the inner leg on the flying grounds.
This bridle line is a short piece of 250mm long when knotted. We start with a knot at 5 mm from the end. Melt the excessive part with the flame of a lighter (or a candle). Tap the molten end onto a hard object to flatten the end against the knot.
At an interval of 10mm we make 3 more knots where we can connect the inner leg.
At 190mm from the fourth knot we make another 4 knots with an interval of 10mm. The distance of 190mm will serve as connecting piece to the spine under the central-T.

2. Put the piece twice through the hole for the central-T under the spine and up on the other side, then pull at both ends to make them an equal length. Knot twice to connect well to the spine.
If all went well then the distance between the knot at the spine and the first knot to tune the Inner Leg will be 60mm.

3. Take a piece of bridle line from 870 mm long.
At 80 mm from the end, put a mark with a felt tip. Fold the line here to form a loop of 60 mm. Melt the excessive part with the flame of a lighter (or a candle). Tap the molten end onto a hard object to flatten the end against the knot.
Attach the piece of bridle line by means of a Prussic knot to the Upper and the Lower leg. Put the loop under the line from the Upper and the Lower leg with the knot at the spine side. The other end of the line from the Inner Leg is put above the other line through the loop. This step is repeated twice to have a Prussic knot. Pull the Upper and the Lower leg so that the mark is in the middle of the knot.
Pull the line of the Inner Leg tight. The mark you made should be visible.
Also make sure that the turns of the knot don't run over themselves, they should be neatly positioned next to each other.

At 80 mm from the Prussic knot we make a knot to attach the Pig Tail to. The distance between the Prussic knot and this knot is the Turbo.


At 575 mm from the Pig Tail knot we put down a mark with a felt tip. Fold the line over that point and make a loop of 60 mm.
Knot the loop with a Lark's head to the second knot on the line that hangs on the spine.

Check the length of the Inner Leg. The distance between the spine and the knot for the Pig Tail should be 620 mm.
Repeat this for the other side of the kite.
Step 3: The Pig Tail

1. Cut two lengths of bridle line, 250 mm long. Make a knot at 5 mm from each of the two ends of each line. Melt the excessive parts with the flame of a lighter (or a candle). Tap the molten end onto a hard object to flatten the end against the knot.
2. Fold the lines in the centre and make a flat knot with both ends at the same time. Make sure both Pig tails are exact the same length!
3. Connect the Pig Tails you just made with the turbo points on both sides of the kite by using a Prussic knot. This is a knot that can be 'locked' once you've pulled it tight.
Step 4: The activator legs

1. Put a mark on the Upper Leg at 285 mm from the top.
2. Put a mark on the Inner Leg at 300 mm from the spine.
3. Cut two lengths of bridle line, each 270 mm long.

4. Make a loop in the Upper Leg with the mark in the middle, put one end of a activator line through the loop from the bottom up,
turn the end to the left and turn it twice around the loop.

5. Put the end of the activator line through the loop from the Upper Leg and pull the activator line tight. Melt the excessive part with the flame of a lighter (or a candle). Tap the molten end onto a hard object to flatten the end against the knot.
Watch Out: make sure that the Activator is tensioned at the mark on the Upper Leg. The mark should be visible.

6. At 205 mm from the knot you just made, put a mark on the Inner Leg
7. Knot the Activator to the Inner Leg using the same method as above.
8. Repeat these steps at the other side of the kite.
Watch Out: When you hold the kite at the two Pig Tails and let it hang loose, there should be no tension in the Activator!
The bridle is ready! You can prepare the weights for the kite.