Kites and kite flying

fast14riot

fast14riot

Joined
Oct 27, 2010
Messages
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Kites are something I've always had an interest in, but never enough to actually put money down on. Well, now my son is 6 and at the age where time spent together now is really going to impact later in his life, so what better time to get into kites.

Anyone here an experienced flier? I've been looking mainly at the Prism Jazz or Prism Micron beginner stunt kites as something to keep me interested as well as my son, and something he can step up to.

I've got ~$60 in my PayPal to burn, so if those two models aren't the best choice, what can I get for about that much money?


I'm looking for a controllable kite, preferably a novice/beginner stunt kite, but am open to options.


-Xander
 
Make your own.

Afghanistan is known for kite fighting. A couple of years ago I bought a couple of fighting kites in Kabul from a famous Afghan kite maker, Noor Agha. They hang in my den as artwork.

Kite%2520-%2520Wall.JPG
 
I sent a pm,but here's one I enjoy the most with my now eight year old. He's been at it since he's been three! This is a stock photo but we own this 11 ft. Delta and it is magnificent and literally a show stopper anywhere we launch. Wear protective gloves for handling the Dacron line! It's also a bit more than your budget but you can get a smaller version at your targeted price for certain.BTW,that's 11 ft. WIDE! This thing is BIG.

image.jpeg
 
I'll eventually build my own, but want to get a known good flier first. Those Afghan kites are cool though!

I'll do some more looking around too.


-X
 
When the kids were little we went through more kites than I could ever count. Some of the better ones were two line Delta kites that I think we picked up on some beach in Cali.

But then a number of years ago I was in the shop where I purchased my Paraglider, and noticed they had all kinds of open and closed cell wings from tiny stunt kites, traction kites, and stunt wings. I brought home an Ozone 1.5 meter four line. And it has been a blast. Because it is just cloth and string, it rolls up into a tiny stuff sack making it easy to take anywhere. When the wind is on the lighter side of flyable, it's very easy to fly around doing dips, rolls, spins, etc. And if the wind is on the stiffer side, it's like a major non-stop aerobic workout. Will easily pick up or drag around a person under 150 lbs. in the right wind conditions. I've been meaning to try flying it with rollerblades on, maybe some day.

The pic below is the only one I can find right now of it. Flying it in Oahu about ten years ago.

2i8ipfs.jpg
 
Just wanted to share some kite photos. I was in Lahore, Pakistan for Basant on top of a restaurant called Coco's den by invite of a client at the time and Raytheon.


b543167f8bb6cdb1456e0eb9e006b106.jpg


1532a99ec6fe5d3835e6b62682fcb2c9.jpg


Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
 
bflying said:
When the kids were little we went through more kites than I could ever count. Some of the better ones were two line Delta kites that I think we picked up on some beach in Cali.

But then a number of years ago I was in the shop where I purchased my Paraglider, and noticed they had all kinds of open and closed cell wings from tiny stunt kites, traction kites, and stunt wings. I brought home an Ozone 1.5 meter four line. And it has been a blast. Because it is just cloth and string, it rolls up into a tiny stuff sack making it easy to take anywhere. When the wind is on the lighter side of flyable, it's very easy to fly around doing dips, rolls, spins, etc. And if the wind is on the stiffer side, it's like a major non-stop aerobic workout. Will easily pick up or drag around a person under 150 lbs. in the right wind conditions. I've been meaning to try flying it with rollerblades on, maybe some day.

The pic below is the only one I can find right now of it. Flying it in Oahu about ten years ago.

2i8ipfs.jpg
Click to expand...

I'd definitely consider a soft wing dual or quad line if it's an easier one to fly, I just want something more than a single line delta. I'll probably pick one up for the boy anyways, but for myself I'd need something to be more actively involved in.

I'll look into those as well.


-X
 
Well I decided to buy the Prism Synapse 140 stunt foil. It's a beginner model that handles well and with a tail attached is easy to learn on. I'm excited and hoping for some good flights with it soon! Decided on a foil for ease of transport and lack of things to break when crash landing, lol!

Will get some pics soon!


-Xander
 
I let my kids pick out their kites.

Otherwise it just turns into "watch daddy but don't touch".
 
Yeah, that's what I'm doing too, have been going through sites with my son to see what he likes. But I wanted something for myself to enjoy.


-Xander
 
Have been doing a lot of Kite flying in India.
The designs they have are extremely light and made out of paper with a very thin wooden frame. Easier to get up and keep their than our western made in China plastic kites. Still strong enough to fight other kites.

The upper portion of the string is often covered in
C r u s h e d G l a s s
Thus making it easier to cut opposing kites' threads.

Next time I'll bring some monofilament fishing line to India. I've a feeling they'll be even stronger.
:-))
 
Last week I had a grocery store kite out to 1500 feet with my fishing rod&reel, but it ended up going down and I never found it.
I've also been flying a mini 7x8 kite that I made from a ziploc bag ( it maxes out at about 30feet high, but it works great and is perfect for flying in the front yard
 
I had made some tiny 4"×5" diamond kites years back out of tissue paper and bamboo skewers. Flew pretty good to about 15" or so with clean air.

I like seeing all these cultural and fun kites!


-Xander
 
More of a general question:

Does a forum exist that is more general interest kite flying? I'm NOT looking to landboard, buggy surf, fight, compete, etc. A more general recreational kite forum suggestion would be appreciated. Something like the Prism Pica or Mantis is more appealing to me but, some general research and education is probably a good idea. ;)
 
Not positive if I can post a link here, but I put it in a visitor message in your profile.

There is also a Prism kite flyers group on FB too.


-Xander
 
Tried flying the stunt foil today, but the really good fields were all packed with soccer games, the ball diamonds proved to be too shifty and the school fields here are all locked up and posted no tresspass.

Did manage to get it up in the air for a couple of minutes at the ball diamonds, was easy enough to control but 90° wind shifts and sudden lulls would just collapse the foil and it would fall out of the sky.

Now scoping out other fields, possibly the football field at the college where my wife works too.


-X
 
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