Bruce,

Knowing as little as I know, I thought that [link]http://12.45.56.6/%7Ebirdworks/bwaven.htm[/link] might make a good basis from which to develop a heavier-than-air small scale prototype. Making inflatable wings, lighter-than-air or otherwise, is probably an excercise all in itself. In order to get the dollars flowing in I need to be able to demonstrate the generation of electricity in sufficient quantities to be interesting. After that, we can focus on the inflatabale wings that should bring improvements.

Tall Paul,

Starting out of the gate, the ARTAGs would be demonstrated on ground, but their real place is probably off shore where there are vast reaches of ocean just ready to suck in some unsuspecting kite. But that is why we self-launch only in a good breeze and reel the kite back in when the wind is insufficient (self-landing). It hasn't been said in so many words, but very large scale commercial versions of these kites would probably have something similar to the Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS) that will allow aircraft to launch and land using GPS in just a couple of years. Until then, we will probably have to rely on small inexpensive GPS modules that are equipped with Wide Area Augmentation Systems (WAAS). This allows accuracy to within 3 meters. This should be just fine when we are flying. But when we are automatically landing it is going to be a real question whether we will be able to extrapolate the GPS readings to accurately guide the kite back to a safe landing, in the proper configuration for another automatic launch when the wind picks back up.

No point in pooh poohing these free flying kites because they have to land in low wind. Granted they would be downed and inactive, but during such periods wind turbines would just be standing idly by also. The fact of the matter is that each of these points will require development and refinement. We can only develop and refine a few features at a time.

-- Wayne