Launching Your Kite If you're launching your kite by yourself, here are the basic steps to follow: - Stand with your back to the wind while holding your kite one-handed by the top of the frame (figure A). Use your other hand to hold the string.
- When you feel some wind start to pick up, release your hold on the kite's frame, but hold onto the string.
- As the kite begins to catch the wind, start slowly letting out string.
- If the wind dies slightly and the kite begins to drop, stop releasing string and pull in a little to help keep the kite aloft until the wind picks back up.
Tips and Troubleshooting - If the wind is light and you're having trouble getting your kite aloft, try sliding the bridle loop toward the bottom of the kite to give it more lift.
- Another effective strategy is the high-start launch, achieved by having a second person holding the kite some distance from the kite flyer (figure B), then releasing the kite as soon as there is a wind gust. This technique allows the kite to rise rapidly to a considerable height without having to reel out string gradually. If the wind drops, the flyer can begin pulling in string to create some "artificial wind" until mother nature can take over with the real thing.
- If the kite persistently goes into uncontrolled loops (figure C), you're probably dealing with too much wind. To offset high winds, slide the bridle loop toward the top of the kite, and try increasing the length of the kite's tail to form more drag.
- Avoid running backward to try to get a kite aloft -- you'll run the risk of tripping and falling.
One of the most enjoyable sights in kite flying is a sky full of kites (figure D). Check to see whether there are kite clubs in your area, and consider participating in the sport along with other kite enthusiasts. Once you and your family have some experience with launching and flying kites, you may want to consider devising contests and judging various facets of kites and kite-flying ability. You may want to recognize such things as the ability to launch a kite most quickly and effectively, the most unusual kite, the most original construction or material (figure E), largest kite (figure F), smallest flyable kite, etc.
Tips to Help Judge Wind Conditions - If you can see smoke or steam rising (such as from a smokestack) and it is rising straight up or at a slight angle, the wind is less than 3 miles per hour -- probably too slow for kite flying.
- If leaves in the trees are rustling slightly, the wind speed is probably around 5 mph -- just about right for kite flying.
- If flags are flapping in the breeze, and leaves are blowing across the ground, the wind is probably at around 10 mph -- good for kite flying.
- If the limbs of trees are moving in the wind and dust is blowing across the ground, the wind is probably around 15 mph. You may need to adjust the bridle of your kite down and lengthen the kite's tail to attempt flying in this kind of wind.
- If the limbs of trees are bending in the wind, the wind is probably around 20 mph. Flying in this kind of wind is challenging, and strings tend to break. Use caution if you attempt to fly a kite on a day like this. Winds higher than 20 mph are fairly prohibitive for kite flying.
RESOURCES :
American Kite Flying Association
1559 Rockville Pk.
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: (800) 252-2550
Web site: www.aka.kite.org
The Magnificent Book of Kites: Explorations in Design, Construction, Enjoyment and Flight
Model: 1579120253
Author: Maxwell Eden
Into the Wind
Into the Wind, a kite specialty-store in Boulder, Colorado was featured on DIY Family Outdoors, episode 105. Into The Wind was founded in 1980 by architects, George Emmons and Jim Glass. Today it is staffed by more than 25 dedicated kite enthusiasts.
Into the Wind
Boulder, CO 80302-5307
Phone: 303-449-5356
Fax: 303-449-7315
Email: kites@intothewind.com
Website: www.intothewind.com
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