Kite Flyer

 

June 2000 Issue

 

Route 66 Kite Club (R66KC)

 

Kite Club

Phoenix, AZ

 

NEW Format Due To Our New Web site

Click Here To Go To Our New Web Site

 

Table Of Contents

(Just Click On The Left Item Of Interest. It is recommended that all articles be read)

 

Hot Buttons

Descriptions

Editor’s Note

Quick Thoughts From The Editor

AKA News Or Director’s Editorial

Letter From The Director And/Or AKA News

Upcoming Flying Events

This Months Flying Schedule

Latest Fly Report

What Happened On Last Months Flys

Future Events

Long Term Dates And Plans

Other News

Other Items Of interest

New Questions

Questions To The Club

Old Questions That Still Need Answering

Unanswered Questions From Before

NEW!  The Leading Edge

Special Tips and Tricks From The Fly’n Hawaiian  NEW!

Al-Habib The Tent Maker

Notes From Our Very Own Kite And Banner Maker

As The Axle Turns

Fun Kite Stuff

Used Kites For Sale And Lost Stuff Listing

Lost Puppies And Things For Sale

Disclaimer

Cover My Ass Legal Ease

Copyright Non-Restrictions

Please Help Yourselves

 

Web Site Links

(Just Click On Them And Go!)

Charter

Membership Requirements

Past News Letters

Photos Of Events

Signature Lines To Remember

Kite Field Recommendations

Kite Stores

Al-Habib The Tent Maker NEW!

 

 

Reminder: I will be publishing anything and everything that comes my way that relates to kites. If you wish to communicate with me, and DO NOT want something used in the Kite Flyer, please indicate what part of your E-mail is private. Otherwise, everything is fair game. Send me something, come on, I dare you! In any event, I could really use the help so send your articles to: R66KC@TMSquared.com.


 

Editor’s Note

 

Sorry for the delay in this issue of the Kite Flyer but last minute requests from the Paradise Valley Parks and Recreations department, requesting our colorful aerial support of their event came in and was deemed necessary for this issue. So......

 

Special attention should be taken in noting the upcoming Forth Of July Events.

 

Well it has been a heck of a month with lots of fun in San Diego and elsewhere. This issue includes lots of contributions from the membership, which is a Godsend for the editor who is just about spent creating every article himself. Many thanks to the membership and I might point out that this newsletter is for the membership, and therefore should be by the membership. So please feel free to submit your own contributions at any time. No matter how small or trivial.

 

Club member biographies have been proposed for future issues, with the permission of the members that is. Our Club Expert the Fly’n Hawaiian (he doesn’t like to be called expert), has generously offered to provide a Tips And Tricks section to the newsletter which can be found under the NEW heading “The Leading Edge”. This is great because the Leading Edge will lead you into new areas of flying, and as we all know a leading edge always ends in a tip. And so will this one. 

 

The editor, the Gadget Man, would like to request a possible “Kids Corner” from one of our interested younger members. Perhaps you could query your younger kite enthusiasts to see if they might be interested in writing a few short articles for the club. (And possibly school credit.) Please let us know if any interest in this can be found. Our news letter has a National audience, and perhaps they would like the thrill of writting to an ever growing audience.

 

The editor has noted the concerns about e-mail size, and found that the scanned in pictures have been the problem. The digital photos are not the issue, so photos will continue. This month’s “As The Axle Turns” kite funnies, will be in a follow-up e-mail by itself. In future the scanning process will be scrutinized more closely and a means of producing a small scanned image will be found.

 

As we keep saying, the club just keeps getting bigger and better. I should remind everyone that May was the club renewal month so check your AKA Registration to ensure that it is current, and catch us on the field to renew your membership in the club. Our club membership is the lowest of any at $5.00/person/year. This is due to all of the time donated and the fact that we do all of our news letters etc. via E-mail. This saves on printing and postage. So don’t forget to renew. A database will be developed soon to have a common place to review memberships and renewals. Fear not if you have registered with the club in the last six months or so, your memberships will be good until next year.

 

I will look forward to seeing all of you on the fields soon, so pray for wind and – Keep’em Fly’n

 

Gadget

 

(Return To Table Of Contents)

 

 

 

AKA News Or

Directors Editorial

 

 

No news to report at this time.

 

(Return To Table Of Contents)

 

 

Upcoming Flying Events 

Note: All flying events will be from 12:00 noon through 4 or 5 p.m. unless otherwise posted.

 

Club Fly At The Original Hippie (Jim Jennings) Park – 06/04/00 – Sunday: (See web site Kite Field Recommendations for maps.)

 

Original Hippie Park (North) Was the “Jim Jennings Park”, and can be located by going north on I-17 to Bell Rd., west on Bell to 29th Ave., then south on 29th to Grandview, and finally west again on Grandview for two blocks.

Rating:

Great

Restrooms:

None

Kiters That Can Fly:

30

Drinking Fountains:

None

Non-Kiter Visibility:

Poor

Park Benches:

Yes

Distance To Amenities:

1 Mile

Shade Available:

Lots

 

 

Club Fly At The Schermanator Park – 06/17/00 – Saturday Father’s Day Weekend: (See web site Kite Field Recommendations for maps.) Let’s try to do drinks and dinner after.

 

Scherminator Park (East) This was the “Chris Schermann Park” and can be located on the southeast corner Miller Rd. and Roosevelt St. in Scottsdale. Miller runs north and south, midway between Scottsdale and Hayden Roads, and Roosevelt is located one-half mile south of McDowell Road. The park is just west of, the Indian Bend Wash/Park which has been deemed unsuitable due to the wash that it was built in.  Parking can be found at the Yavapai Elementary School just to the south of the field.

Rating:

Good

Restrooms:

None

Kiters That Can Fly:

18

Drinking Fountains:

None

Non-Kiter Visibility:

Good

Park Benches:

None

Distance To Amenities:

1 Mile

Shade Available:

Limited

 

 

The Forth Of July Weekend

Special Club Event

Club Fly At The Paradise Valley Park – 07/03/00 – Monday Forth Of July Weekend:

We have been invited by the Paradise Valley Parks and Recreations Department to display and demonstrate, to a crowd of about 20,000 people, our kites, talents, and skills. We have also been asked, wind permitting, if we would launch as many eye catching single liners for the crowd to see, as we could muster.

 

This Park is located on the Southwest corner of Union Hills and 40th Street. We have been allocated a large area of the field at the North end of the park, next to Union Hill Road. The Parks and Recreation people were so enthused that we could come that they moved several vendors around so we could have a prime viewing location for the public. So lets all attend this event and put on a great show. The actual times for this event is from 6pm to 10pm, but we have been authorized to arrive at 2pm to setup and fly before the event. Some assistance will be needed the previous Sunday 07/02/00 for the tapping off of the flying area for safety purposes. If interested in assisting please contact the Gadget Man at: thomas.m.manson@boeing.com, or W-480-891-8042, or H-623-939-6441 as soon as is possible.

 

Our Club Expert “The Fly’n Hawaiian” will be present to demonstrate his skills and assist the rest of us on how to make that breakthrough to the next plateau. Some new super secret kites made by Hawaiian hands may magically appear at this event as well.

 

 

Optional Fly At The Peoria Sports Complex – 07/04/00 – Tuesday Forth Of July Weekend:

This event was coordinated last year by Dave Evans of the Tucson sponsored ArFF group. No info on this event is currently available, but as soon as it is available, we will pass it along via E-mail.

 

Anyone with advance information on this event, please pass it along!

 

 

Note: By popular demand and the desire to socialize after a fly with a meal and possibly drinks, the club flying events will be moving, periodically, to SATURDAYS!!!  Stay tuned as to when this will start.  Park selection will be alternated so that no single group of individuals will have to drive a long way all of the time.

 

Special Note: Jane and I have purposely bought three indestructible Beetles for guests!  Please do not hesitate to ask for them when you have a guest attending our events.

 

 

(Return To Table Of Contents)

 

 

Latest Fly Reports

 

 

Club Fly Report For – 05/07/00 – Saturday: At the Riverview Park. No one attended this event and so no fly report is available.

 

Recommended Fly With Willis Jr. High’s Aviation Fair – 05/13/00 – Saturday: Due to sickness by the Gadget Man, the conflict with the San Diego run, and miscommunications, this event fell through the cracks. The school however, has praised our efforts on this first annual event and has already asked that we attend their efforts next year. Way to go team!

 

 


 

Club Fly With Our Sister Club In San Diego Report For – 05/13/00 – Saturday:

On the morning of May 12, Christina and I loaded the kites and clothes into the Amigo and shot out to Meet Tom and Jane at the Cracker Barrel east of town.  Wayyy east of town.  After a few wrong turns and a quick tour of Tolleson, We met Tom and Jane and had a killer breakfast.  Good food and company.  We then convoyed out of the Valley and headed off for San Diego. With a quick stop in Yuma we crossed the border into California.  About 5 hours after the start of our journey, we hit San Diego.  As I scrambled to keep Tom's Mercedes in view in the San Diego traffic we wound our way towards the beach.  We stopped at Tom and Jane's beach cottage and took our first look at the ocean.  After a quick trip to check into our hotel, we went back over to the cottage and unloaded the kites. 

 

Single Line Man

 

Tom was busy putting up single line kites in the crisp on-shore wind.  After a round of "hello", I shot out onto the beach with my Prism Alien and some 40ft lines.  (I know, I know, wayyyyyy too short for such a wicked little kite but the beach was a bit too crowded for anything longer)  While I was struggling to keep the Alien inside the wind window I failed to pay attention to the Ocean.  Next thing I knew, I fair sized wave hits the beach and whoosh.  Instant sea water underwear.  The ocean was still a tad bit nippy (read that as COLD). With my frozen masculinity as a goad, I decided to switch kites to something a bit more forgiving and a little less radical.  I walked back up to the cottage, complained to Christina that the Ocean had "goosed" me and that as my girlfriend she should go down and teach the Ocean a lesson.  Female wisdom won out the day, and she told me to deal with it.  I switched over to a Ventura HP from Premier Kites. (A Jutenhoops purchase) It's a cheap kite that takes a bit of wind.  It doesn't see much fly time anymore as I have much better tools in the kite bag.  By this time, Rocky Point Howard and his wife had show up to join the crowd.  I shot down to the beach and put in some fly time with the HP.  It would stay in the sky and if I cranked on it just right, it would provide the illusion of a decent fade.

After a bit, I broke everything down and scooted back up to the cottage. Everybody sat down and told lies and ate munchies as the sun went down.  We all headed over to Tony Roma's for some real food.  After dinner and more talk, everybody headed back to the cottage.  The beach was now deserted and even though the wind was gone, an attempt was made to put up some Pro-Wrens with lights.  The skies were not cooperating with us on Friday night.  After the equipment was broken down, we all made arrangements to meet in the morning and then went our separate ways.

 

 

The R66KC and The SDKC

 

 

The morning of Saturday the 13th was bright and seemingly windless.  We met Tom and Jane at the Beach Cottages, futzed around for a bit and headed over to Mission Park for the Sister Club Fly with the San Diego Kite Club.  After driving around a block party, we made it to the park with a minimal amount of trauma.  Banners and kites and wind abounded.  The fears of a windless day evaporated as we stood in the brisk 8 to 12mph winds.  After setting up and pressing the flesh, I decided that a trip with the NASA wing was in order.  I learned that tangled quad lines are a pain and I will not try that method of stowing lines again.  After getting my lines into shape (thanks Tom for the help), I launched that NASA wing and had a ball.  I'm still having a problem with the sail collapsing, so another bridle is in order, but that's a project for another day.  Tom was busy putting up his big delta with all, and I mean ALL, of his line laundry and R.P Howard was working his WindDance 2 like it was going out of style.  After a bit, we sat down for some good grub provided by the SDKC members (Thanks y'all for the food) After lunch, there was a memorial for Kite Flyers who had passed away, and afterwards Tom presented Ron Despojado, (our Region 12 Director for AKA), with a honorary R66KC membership along with T-shirt and invited the SDKC members to a BBQ at the cottage that evening. 

 

The Presentation

 

Then we went back to flying.  I whipped out a Premiere Pulse and slapped it on some 125-foot lines.  I flew the hell out of it until I tangled my lines into the wingtip of R.P. Howard's Beetle.  My kite lines then slipped into the deadly grasp of the Twin Helix on Tom's Delta.  Within seconds, my lines were a tangled mess. After removing the lines from the Helix, an attempt was made to unknot them. (Thanks again Tom)  I decided to deal with them later (The line set is still sitting on my sewing table, begging for my attention.)  Out came some 75ft lines and the Pulse was back in the air.  The wind was so clean that I could lay on the grass and dive and swoop around without a care. (And that’s what he did!)

 

The ONLY way to fly............

 

I quick glance around the field revealed that most of the single line kites were down and that the Revs were up.  There were Supersonics, Shockwaves and even a vented 1.5 in the air.  Too cool.  At about 2:30, the decision was made to break camp and head over to Kite Country.  After a short drive, we were drooling over kites.  Victor was a cool guy and had all the parts that I needed for a project that I'm working on as time allows.  Tom scored a bunch of stuff.  I know of a Beetle, Illusion and a ROK plus some parts that left with Tom.  We then scrambled back to the cottage to fire up the BBQ.  As the coals were lit, Tom started throwing single liners up.  The new ROK worked like a champ right out of the bag.  It was stapled in the sky and hung in there as the winds faltered in the twilight hours of the night.  As the evening passed by, Ron Despojado, Jane and Jim, and a few of the other SDKC folks joined us.  After dinner and more lies, the kites were broken out for a night fly.  A fair on shore breeze of 4 to 5mph allowed both ProWrens (myself) and Prophecies (Tom and Jane) to lake to the sky.  Ron D. put in some time on Tom's Prophecy and showed off some of his skills.  (Man, can that guy work a wing...)  At about 10pm the day's activities caught up with Christina and myself and we decided that bed was in order.  We said our good byes and made arrangements to meet in the morning for breakfast before leaving town.

 

The morning of Sunday the 14th almost came and went without our conscious presence as both Christina and myself slept through the alarm clock.  After a quick scramble to get ready and check out of the room, we met Tom and Jane for a farewell breakfast and a cool little restaurant on the boardwalk. Once again the food and company were both excellent.  We then parted ways as Tom was going back to Kite Country and we were returning to Phoenix. Christina and myself arrived back in town at about 7pm Sunday night and were greeted by the pets that admonished us for not taking them with us.

 

All and all, it was a blast.  My only regret is that we didn't have more time to hang in S.D. with Tom and Jane, who were excellent hosts.  Kudos to both of them of making S.D. a great place to hang and providing a familiar face in a city of strangers.

 

Oh, by the way.  Driving across the desert is very conducive to thought.  I got a slew of cool ideas that are working their way into reality as we speak.  Check the web page in the upcoming weeks for a glimpse of what the desert sun did to my mind.  (Evil Grin)

 

Since the return to Phoenix, everything has been fairly busy, so nothing has happened with the web site.  I'm sorry and will strive to put a bit more effort into it.

 

See ya all on the fly field.

 

Jonathan Dellmar AKA Al-Habib, The Tent Maker

 

 

 

Club Fly Report For – 05/21/00 – Sunday: At the Original Hippie Park. No one attended this event and so no fly report is available.

 

Tempe Town Lake Reports

From: Al-Habib

Hola Tom.

 

I went to see MI-2 last night.  Fairly good movie.  They had a 2 or 3-second close-up of a patchwork delta single liner with spinners off of the tips.  Fairly cool.  Christina and I then went over to the Rio Saldo (SP?) park in Tempe.  Good wind for the time and temperature.  Not too much room.  Depending on wind conditions and directions you could get anywhere from 3 to 8 flyers on 60ft lines.  The good side is that with the compact space (the park is skinny as far as the north-south direction, but long on the east-west axis) there were not a bunch of people.  It might just make a decent summer night fly location.  Something to think about.  They have porta johns out and the park is open until midnight.  We went out there on a Saturday night and Park population was zip-nada.  Kind of ironic since Mill Ave is a stone throw away and was bumping, even with the collage kids gone.

 

See ya on the 4th.

 

Jonathan Dellmar AKA Al-Habib, The Tent Maker

 

From: The Schermanator

Hi Tom,

 

Here is my fly report:

 

While I haven't attended any of the scheduled flying events lately, I have managed to make it down to Tempe Town Lake several times for some short flies on my own.  I have found a grassy area that is pretty good (not perfect mind you, but pretty good) for kite flying.  This area is located on the south shore of the lake, just west of Scottsdale Road.

 

I like this area because the winds tend to be pretty smooth and steady through there.  Because of the large, flat expanse of the lake, there are not many obstructions out there to cause turbulence.  Another nice thing is that you can watch the sailboats out on the lake while you are flying.  I also like this area because it's not too far from my house (a major selling point for me).

 

Now for the bad points.  First, there is absolutely no shade or drinking water out there.  And although I haven't tested it, I don't believe the Tempe police would be too keen on the idea of seeing a bunch of umbrellas erected out there either.  Also, the flying field is narrow, and is bordered on both sides by light posts (kite catchers).  Lastly, the field slopes about 20 degrees down towards the lake.

 

In summary, this area has a lot of major drawbacks.  The strongest point in its favor is the good wind to be found there.  I wouldn't recommend that anyone drive very far to fly there.  However, if you live near the lake, or just happen to be in the area, I think it's worth your while to give it a try.  If they ever develop some large, flat grassy areas near the lake, I believe this would become an exceptional flying area.

 

Chris Schermann AKA The Schermanator

 

Other Fly Reports:

From: Doc

Hi Tom,

 

You have asked for recent fly reports and at first I thought I didn't have anything to report, but on reflection I think I do. 

 

At the NKM Fly on April 30th, a friend of mine named Mike came to watch us fly. Mike had previously expressed an interest in learning the sport so as soon as he arrived I broke out the trusty Beetle and with in just a few minutes Mike had that Beetle zipping through the sky. What everyone else might not have noticed is the look of pure joy on his face as his smile split the sky. As that Beetle did its thing in the sky Mike kept repeating over and over "I love it!!! " 

 

Soon Mike's oldest daughter, Michele, arrived and she immediately said, "I want to fly too!" Like a chip off the old block, Michele picked up the lines and immediately self launched the Beetle and off she went.  Her expression was the same as her fathers, "I love it!!"

 

Since that day Mike and Michele have each become the proud owners of a Beetle and fly every chance they get. I tell you this because I think it is a good example of how our sport gives back to people and brings people to together in friendship.

 

What a great hobby!!

 

Dennis (The Doc) Hardy

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Al-Habib

Hola Tom.

 

I haven't hit any of the fly days that you're asking for a report on.  San Diego, company picnics and all...

 

However, I did manage to score some time in the middle of last week when we had good wind.  The winds were out of the west at 15-20 mph.   I finally managed to fly my Rev. You could see the sail getting bent way-y-y-y out of shape.  There were quite a few trees in the park so winds were choppy up to about 25 feet.  No big problem, except that I was on a set of 40 to 50 foot lines.  I did some very impressive "leading edge slams" against the ground. That Rev EXP is one tough kite.  I really expected it to blow a spar or something.  It took all my abuse and came out like a champ.  Wahoo...  Too cool.  Gimme more.

 

I also made repairs to My Flying Wings Utopia.  After my maiden flight, I broke a spreader.  I picked up a replacement spar at Kite Country in San Diego.  (BTW, a cool shop.  A little tight on floor space, but he had every part that I wanted.)  I also repaired all the super glued joints that had broken.  I bought the kite for way under $100.00 from Yikes Kites during their "going out of business sale" so I don't have any idea how long it had been sitting around.  All the joints were coming loose and the spreader broke while I was taking the kite apart after flying.  It took about 2 hours of work to get it back up to snuff and to make modifications that make setting it up much easier.  I took it out on for a test flight right before sundown.  I had winds that were 1-3 mph.  Twitchy little beast.  I really think that another mile or two of wind would have made all the difference. Fling Wings rates the kite at 1-12 mph.  I think that it really needs 3 mph to work right.  Oh well, maybe another day.

 

I also got some fly time in on my ProWren at my company picnic on Saturday the 20th.  The company picnic was at Chaparral park by the soccer fields. Winds were out of the south at 2-5 mph.  The ProWren made me look good. That sucker is one awesome kite.  Definitely my favorite "non-Prism" kite in the bag if not the favorite kite overall.  As we head into summer, I think that my ProWren will see the most fly time.

 

I've ordered a Rev Shockwave, A Rev Indoor and a Prism Micron from GWTW. The prices were too awesome to pass up.  I also picked up Prism's Advanced Way to Fly, a Prism banner, Prism Pin and a center "T" for a kite that I'm working on.  All this was under $325.00 including 3 day UPS.  They arrive on Friday.  I can not wait. (Evil Grin)

 

I've also completed a carry bag for my kites.  It's a tapered design with a healthy sized pocket for all the stuff.   It works well and hauls a bunch of kites, including the Prism Legacy that's too long to fit in a typical 6-foot bag.

 

On to the proposed fly on Monday...  How about a Sunday fly with a dinner afterwards?  I've got to work on Monday, as does Christina.  I can skate in a little late on Monday, but definitely need to put in a big chunk of time. Sunday with a dinner would let us all conglomerate and shoot the breeze and catch up with everybody.

 

BTW.  The new toys arrived today.  I'm drooling right now.  The Indoor Rev looks tasty in it's bright red and white colors.  The Supersonic isn't too far behind in the Blue / White / Wine color combo.  Ahhhh.....  Gotta love new toys.

 

Jonathan AKA Al-Habib, the Tent Maker

 

 

 (Special Note: We need to find more parks with an audience to introduce more non-fliers to the sport. Some discussion at the last fly was made of parks that might fit the bill. Please send in your recommendations ASAP so that we can start trying them out. R66KC@TMSquared.com.)

 

 

(Return To Table Of Contents)

 

 

Future & Annual Events

 

Sunshine Acres Children’s Home/Orphanage Ch