Designed by Robert Moore

Kite Altitude World Record

Theodolites

Theodolites are specialised optical instruments used for measuring terrestrial distances, angles and areas. The optics and precision of the instruments are highly accurate. Under clear skies and with competent operators, theodolites are the most accurate method of measuring kite altitude. The traditional instruments are optical. The most recent instruments are about 20% mechanical and 80% electronic. A major feature of the latest instruments is the ability to measure many km using a laser beam with a sub 1cm accuracy. They can also measure angles with minute precision. Over a distance of 10 km even an older opto/mechanical instrument has a potential precision of under 2 meters. Irrespective of whether we use the theodolites on the field to measure altitude, we always use a theodolite to track and view the kite. They are better than most telescopes due to their stability and excellent optics.

Pentax laser theodolite. Using a bank of small reflective prisms, this instrument can measure the distance to a target over 4 km away with sub cm accuracy.
There is a specialised survey calculator that the 2 position kite data is imput to then it gives the kite altitude above the primary survey point (tether point).
This instrument was used in April 2005 to establish the reference survey points. The final survey was performed by an engineering surveyer specialising in terrestrial mining. Thank you Hugh Patterson.

This T16 Wilde is the "Rolls Royce" of optical Theodolites and although superceded by electronic instruments is still more than good enough to surpass all standards of accuracy for our record altitude measurement.
The only Archilles heel of the theodolite is cloudy conditions, however, technically we are not supposed to fly near or into cloud so it is a moot point. Universal Instruments loan us two instruments each year for the duration of the record attempts.

Left:This is a small routine I developed in MS excel to aid in theodolite observation. It enables the reading of the primary theodolite in conjunction with the GPS telemetry to be used to predict where to aim the second theodolite to view the kite. At altitudes above 8,000 ft the kite may not be naked eye visaible and the second observer will not know where to aim the theodolite scope. It requires GPS telemetry data to close the observation loop.

Above:This schematic lays out the labelling to insert into the position prediction routine.

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Kite Altitude record

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2004 October

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Two theodolite trigonometric altitude and position measurement