"Mighty Kite Flight" April 18, 2009

Fickle though it can be weather-wise, April brings wonderful breezes to fly kites by.
Kids who grew up before the Space Age built their own out of newspaper, sticks and string. Those who came up later begged their parents to buy paper (then plastic) models at the hardware and supermarket.

Now you can find them at toy and children’s stores. And on the Internet, there are sites for kite superheroes who fight them and send them screaming through the sky.

For everybody else (and that includes us), here are a few pointers for keeping a kite in the air and for building a simple kite.

Go fly a kite
What: 12th annual Mighty Kite Flight, a kite festival.

When: 12:30pm - 4:30 p.m. April 18.

Where: Bonclarken 500 Pine Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731

Cost: Free.

More: 697-6393, www.narniastudios.com/mighty_kite_flight.htm

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Mighty Kite Flight
The Mighty Kite Flight is sponsored by Narnia Studios in Hendersonville in conjunction with the national celebration of National Kite Month. Hundreds of kite festivals are held throughout the country in the month of April, according to the Web site, www.nationalkitemonth.org.

“The yearly spring event is a favorite of the young and the young at heart,” organizer Barbara Hughes said. “More and more kite enthusiasts of all ages come out each year. Last year, our youngest was in diapers and our oldest flyer was 87. Many are first time flyers as well.”

During the event, there will be demonstrations by experienced kite flyers as well as help for the novice. Many of the more seasoned flyers bring unusual and complex kites. Spectators and participants are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch.

“Just a warning — plan to spend the entire day,” Hughes said, “because kite-flying is very addictive.”

General rules for flying a kite:
For light to medium winds (about 6-15 mph), Deltas, Diamonds and Dragon do best. Stronger winds are better for Box kites and stickless Parafoil kites.

Kite string and fishing line are better and stronger than most fiber strings.

The best winds for kites are when leaves and bushes start to move, but before it really starts to blow.

If you have to run to get your kite in the air, there’s probably not enough wind.

Let line out and pull it in to make your kite dance around the sky.

Source: www.nationalkitemonth.org and www.narniastudios.com

How to fly the single-line kite
With your back to the wind, hold the kite by the bridle point (where the line is tied to the kite) and let the line out. As the kite flies away, pull on the line to make it climb. Keep doing until it finds a strong, steady wind.

If wind is light, have a friend hold the kite up downwind. When she releases it, pull the line in hand-over-hand until it climbs into the air.

If the bridle on your kite is adjustable, move it toward the top of the kite in higher winds and towards the tail in lower winds. Experiment in half-inch increments.

Tails tied to the bottom of the kite stabilize it in strong winds. If you use light-weight ones, you can use lots and make colorful rooster tails.

Source: www.nationalkitemonth.org and www.gombergkites.com

Fly safe in the sky
Stay away from roads and power lines. Always fly away from other people.

If you tangle lines with another kite, don't yank the line or it might break. Walk toward the other flier; the tangle will slide right down the line to where you can unwrap it.

Never fly in rain or lightning. Electricity in clouds is attracted to damp kite lines and foolish kite fliers.

If it starts to cloud up, it’s time to reel it in.

Fly with friends — it’s safer, and it’s more fun too.

Source: www.nationalkitemonth.org

Official Website: http://www.narniastudios.com