A power kite or traction kite is a large kite

Kite

A kite is a tethered aircraft. The necessary lift that makes the kite wing fly is generated when air flows over and under the kite's wing, producing low pressure above the wing and high pressure below it. This deflection also generates horizontal drag along the direction of the wind...

 designed to provide significant pull to the user.

They come in three main forms: foil

Foil kite

Foil kites are soft kites based on the design of the parafoil. They consist of a number of cells running fore to aft, some or all of which are open at the front to allow air to inflate the kite so it takes on an aerofoil section...

s, leading edge inflatables

Leading edge inflatable kite

A leading edge inflatable kite or LEI is a single skin kite with inflatable bladders providing structure. It is useful as a power or traction kite. These kites are flown using 2, 4 or 5 control lines and a bar. A LEI is a great kite for water use because the inflated bladders cause it to float on...

 and supported leading edge. There are also rigid-framed kites

Rigid-framed power kite

A Rigid-framed power kite consists of a single skin and a rigid frame. They are often used in the popular sport of kite surfing. Typically it has four lines and a pair of handles; or a particular style of bar, again with 4 lines. The best known commercial kite of this type is the Peter Lynn C-Quad....

 and soft single skin kite

Soft single skin kite

Soft single skin kites are the least complex of all the power kites.The best known design is the NASA Parawing or NPW. For more, see rogallo wing. This is a very simple kite with mixed performance...

s. There are several different control systems

Kite control systems

Kite types, kite mooring, and kite applications result in a wide variety of kite control systems. Contemporary manufacturers, kite athletes, kite pilots, scientists, and engineers are expanding the possibilities....

 used with these kites which have two to five lines and a bar or handles. Most foil kites are made for use on land as they are "opened celled" so air flows in and out easily, this can be used as a safety feature to depower the kite.