Kite Flyer

 

April 2001 Issue

 

Route 66 Kite Club (R66KC)

 

Kite Club

Phoenix, AZ

 

To Visit Our Web Site Click Here!

Or go to: www.tmsquared.com/R66KC.htm (Please note that R66KC is in capital letters.)

 

Table Of Contents

Please note that there are several Hot Links usually in blue and underlined for your convenience. To access these simply click on them and they will take you there. (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 Reports

What Happened On Last Months Flys

Future & Annual Events

Long Term Dates And Plans

Other News

Other Items Of interest Are:

Rocky Point Howard’s Rocky Point Update

Tempe Town Lakes Park

NKM Project

New ArFF Logo

Kite Festival Safety Tips

Flying On A "Busy" Flying Field Tips

Airline Travel Tube For Less

New Questions

Questions To The Club

The Leading Edge

Special Tips and Tricks From The Fly’n Hawaiian

Al-Habib The Tent Maker

Notes From Our Very Own Kite And Banner Maker

Flick Flacks

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

 

 

 

Click Here For The

 

Calendar Of Events

 


 

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

Kite Basics And Safety

 

Al-Habib The Tent Maker

 

 

Editor’s Notes

 

Hey Kiters,

 

National Kite Month (NKM)

Is Here!!!

 

We have had some great events this month thanks to Brian and JoAnne along with ArFF Dave, so lets all take a little time to thank them for the efforts. So read more about the events of March go to the Latest Fly Reports section.

 

As for the NKM events coming up please take the time to review the Upcoming Flying Events section with special attention to the 22nd of April, the Second Annual Plateau Park Fun Fly. This will include another wonderful Beer Permit and BBQ event so bring some beer, some burgers with extras, and some kites to have a great time on this wind loft of a park in the North Phoenix area.

 

Special note should be taken of the Second Annual Sister Club Fly in San Diego on May 12th. This is getting to be bigger and better than ever with big time support from our Region 12 Director Glen Rothstein. Glen is also pushing attendance by the Southern California Sport Kite League (SCSKL). So this should be a grand event that you will not want to miss. For more info see: Future & Annual Events

 

So lets make this a really great NKM for the Arizona flyers and all of the spectators that will come to see the COLOR IN THE SKY. See you all on the field and don’t forget to wear your R66KC shirts to show the spectators who we are.

 

 

Keep’em Fly’n

Gadget Man Manson

 

(Return To Table Of Contents)

 

 

 

AKA News Or

Directors Editorial

 

Notes From The President

 RAFFLE WINNER! Congratulations to Benjamin Ng of Pennsylvania who bought three tickets for the February raffle and won himself a 28 foot spinning Crown valued at $1000. Our next drawing is scheduled for the Smithsonian Kite Festival where the prize will be a $3000 traction package from Active People including a PL competition buggy and three power kites. Log onto the web page at www.aka.kite.org and click on the raffle link. Don't miss a chance at our biggest prize yet!

 

Our newest package was loaded into the web site last night. Register to win two 24 stacks of Dyna Kites!! You get 48 kites in your choice of colors, two phantom frames, lines, and carry bags -- all for a five dollar investment!! Other prizes currently online include a flock of ten Joel Sholz Flamingos and a set of eight great feather banners from Get in the Wind.

 

***

 

NATIONAL KITE MONTH TAKES OFF! National Kite Month starts in just two weeks (a couple of days now). We have over 200 events scheduled, from big festivals like the new Free To Breathe Kite Festival in Huntington Beach, CA, to smaller programs like a presentation on "Kites and the Far East" at Pickering Middle School in Lynn, MA.  Ogden Utah? Hampton Beach, New Hampshire? Who knew these werehotbeds of kiteflying? And if you're in Washington State, make sure to grab a meal at any of the Shari's Restaurants, all of which have kite displays through April.

 

There are club events like the WACKOS 3rd Annual NKM Fun Fly near Charlotte, NC, and competitions like the KBXR Columbia Festival of Kites in Missouri. We've even got events in New Zealand, China, and France.

 

Check out the entire calendar on the NKM web page link at www.aka.kite.org. And remember that there is still time to register just about anything kite related as an official Kite Month activity.

 

***

 

I GOT THREE!! Do you have your three yet?? Three new AKA members that is. Recruit three people into the Association and earn special recognition and a limited edition pin at the end of the year. Three is easy! And remember,

as members you get insurance, store discounts, and the only kite magazine still being mailed in North America. Get your three now! They will thank you!!

 

***

 

BILLINGS NEWS! Plan some extra time in Montana to visit the Sioux/Custer Battlefield or Yellowstone Park in Wyoming -- all within a hour or so of our October convention. AKA is promising an exciting, well organized, fun event that you won't want to miss. Hotel details are in the next issue of Kiting (being mailed this week).

 

Don't forget to bring along a donation to the Great Kite Auction. We are looking for anything kite related, from large show kites to pins, puzzles, and posters. Dust off your kite kitche and help out the AKA! If you can't make it to Billings, ship your donations to AKA Auction, c/o Charm Lindner, 5633 Carlton, High Ridge MO  63049 or email charon@nightowl.net. All donations are tax deductible.

 

***

 

That's all for now, except to add a very special thank you to everyone who has already responded to AKA's pressing financial crunch. Your support is both gratifying and humbling. More details are in the upcoming Kiting, but the message is clear that this Association will survive and prosper because of people like you. What an amazing and wonderful group the AKA is!

 

Now go out there and enjoy Kite Month! Buy a raffle ticket! And remember to have fun!!!!

 

David Gomberg

President

 

 

Club Liaison’s Notes

Hi again, Kite Clubs!

 

Are any of you out there planning or thinking about doing kite workshops for National Kite Month?  I have, and am, a good source for kite string.

 

The nice folks at Gayla Industries, in Houston, have been making me a "special deal" on kite string for some years, with no increase in price. (yet)   They give me 75-100 feet of cotton string, wound on a 4" plastic tube, for 17 cents each.  (I buy 40 cases at a time--220 per case.)

 

I have been reselling these for 20 cents each; the 3 cent markup covers shipping costs.  I would be happy to supply you with some if you have been looking for a source.  I would "prefer" to ship whole cases, 220 per case for $44.00, but would be willing to send lesser amounts if you only need 50 or 100.

 

The string is not super-strong, but quite adequate for most children's workshop kites.  If you are making plastic or Tyvek sleds, the tube comes in handy as a holder for the rolled-up kite.

 

If you've been thinking about doing a kite workshop for kids, now is the time!  Let me know if you would like any string.  I can also give you some advice on sails, sticks, etc. if you are interested.

 

Get your workshop(s) registered with National Kite Month!

 

Good winds,

 

Richard Dermer, AKA Club Liaison

 

 

Region 12 Director’s Note

I spoke to a woman today who handles events at the San Diego Intl. Airport.  They are in the midst of planning a isplay of all types kites, including local San Diego handmades.  Stay Tuned, this will turn into something that will definitely peak your interest.

 

Best Wishes & Winds,

 

Glen E. Rothstein

Region 12 Director - American Kitefliers Association -

Come Fly With Us!  www.aka.kite.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

(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.

 

This Is

National Kite Month (NKM)

 

04/01/01 Sunday – April Fools Day Fly At Riverview: (See web site Kite Field Recommendations for maps.) As per usual the fly times are from 12 noon to about 5pm in the afternoon. Let’s try to do dinner and drinks after.

 

Time to rest up from the "Anthem event" with a laid back "April Fools-Fools Fly" at Riverview Park on Sunday April 1st. Wear a goofy hat, just for the fun of it!

 

Riverview Park (Southeast) This Park is located approximately one quarter of a mile south of Highway 202 on Dobson Road. Take the 202 to the Dobson Road turnoff and head south. The park is on the west side of the road.

Rating:

Good

Restrooms:

South Side

Kiters That Can Fly:

30

Drinking Fountains:

South Side

Non-Kiter Visibility:

Medium

Park Benches:

No

Distance To Amenities:

3 Miles

Shade Available:

Lots

 

 

04/07/2001 Saturday – First Annual Jim Jennings Park Fun Fly (Club Event): (See web site Kite Field Recommendations for maps.) As per usual the fly times are from 12 noon to about 5pm in the afternoon. Let’s try to do dinner and drinks after.

 

Should be loads of fun with lots of new NKM kites being shown off. Possibly the new 20ft Delta Raptor's daybeau.

 

 

Jim Jennings Park (North) Was the “Original Hippie 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

 

 

04/15/2001 Sunday – Easter Assention Tradition: One of our members, Juan, states that he has a tradition in the country that he is from, Guyana, which is to fly kites during Easter, especially Easter Sunday. Actually, this is the only time kites are flown in Guyana he states. The reason being that sending a kite up into the skies is significant of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to the Father. He keeps this tradition with his family and plans on flying Easter Sunday. We may or may not plan a fly on Easter each year, mainly because lots of us plan on being together with family on this special day, but we will be with Juan in spirit. If you remember this tradition from Guyana on Easter, try to get a kite up and think of this tradition.

 

 If anyone has or knows about traditions such as this, please send them in so that we can share them all with the rest of the club. And let's all join Juan and Guyana in this wonderful Easter Ascension tradition!

 

This Is The Route 66 Kite Club’s Big (NKM) Event

 

04/22/2001 Saturday Club Sponsored Second Annual Plateau Park Fun Fly: (See web site Kite Field Recommendations for maps.) As per usual the fly times are from 12 noon to about 5pm in the afternoon. Let’s try to do dinner and drinks after.

 

This should be a great time with a BBQ and Beer Permit. So please bring your own beer and burgers, buns, and relishes, or hot dogs as the case may be and lets all have a great day flying and Feasting!

 

Plateau Park (Northeast) This park is located approximately 100 Yards north of Union Hills on 16th Street. Take I-17 north to Union Hills, and go east to 16th Street (not Avenue). Then go north on 16th Street to Wescott and turn east. Parking can be found about 100 yards east of 16th Street on Wescott. We fly at the northern most ball field.

Rating:

Fantastic

Restrooms:

Yes

Kiters That Can Fly:

30

Drinking Fountains:

Yes

Non-Kiter Visibility:

Great

Park Benches:

No

Distance To Amenities:

2 Miles

Shade Available:

Limited

 

 

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: Lady Hummingbird and the Gadget Man 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

 

03/11/01 Sunday – Club Fly At Riverview Report

No Report Avaliable.

 

03/17/2001 Saturday – Club Supported St. Patricks Day Fun Fly Report

The "Fountain Hills Fly" really ROK'ed......

 

This Arizona Free Flyer event turned out to be a SINGLE LINE SHOWCASE and any worry about the Fountain's on going construction, was soon put to rest....... The Fountain is still, a very spectacular place for kite flying and can only get better as the construction is finalized in the next few months. We will be enjoying this flying location through out the summer with more fly's.

 

The wind was good, though a little up and down, but the flyers still filled the skies with color and the gathered crowd of spectators, at times sounded like a hive of bees, with all their camera's shutters clicking amid a sea of smiling up-turned faces.

 

The turn-out was simply fantastic.

 

Single-liners ruled the day and what a great collection there was to see. Randy Shannon from Flagstaff flew some of his latest kite creations (his kites are amazing, look for them at Anthem). The Tucson gang really had some show stoppers, Giant ROK's, Genki's, ships, fighter kites, delta's, and Ken's "Teddy Bear Dropper" line climber which was a big hit with the kids. Route 66 Kite Club had their big delta's up too, filling up the sky with huge spinners, banners, and some neat new "line poppers" sailing up the kites line.

 

Seems like the local flyers have caught the ROK bug.....(a good thing)....as there were many impromptu ROK battles, and shoulder to shoulder flying going on, much to the amusement of the gathered crowd... Only one kite went into the water! Burt's Genki took a swim during a mock battle and was recovered quickly and re-launched dripping wet to much applause from the crowd.

 

Stunt kites came out on short lines at times, but it was the Single-liners that seemed to rule the day. No doubt a "practice" session for the up coming Anthem Fly.......

 

All in all a great Arizona Free Flyer event, many thanks must go out to one and all who made it, THANK YOU!

 

-Dave From ArFF

 

 

03/18/2001 Sunday – 9th Annual Spring Kite Fiesta In Tucson Report

From The Shermanator

Last Sunday, I drove down to Tucson with my wife, daughter, and one of her friends for the Ninth Annual Spring Kite Fiesta at Arthur Pack Park.  The drive down to Tucson was beautiful, with so many of the desert flowers still in full bloom.  We arrived In Tucson at around 10:30 in the morning, just as things were getting under way.

 

There were just a few fliers there from Phoenix: Dave & Kay, Reggie, Hugh, the Van Haperns (spelling?), and myself.  From Tucson there were Bryan & Jo Anne, Ken, Bert, and several otrs whose names I don't yet know.  (I apologize to those folks whose names I might have missed here). Unfortunately, Ron Reich couldn't make it due to other commitments.  A lot of non-fliers also gathered around the field throughout the day to take in all the action.  A craft fair was going on at the park that day, which helped to attract many onlookers to the kiting events.

 

The Kite Fiesta included all the activities and events that help to make it so much fun.  There was plenty of time and room for both dual and single line kite flying, and for numerous kiting demonstrations throughout the day. Some of the highlights included the 3-round Rok battle, the two-line trick demonstrations, a boomerang demonstration, and Bryan's ballet routine.  Bert had many of his beautiful single-line kites flying, and Hugh's big Sutton graced the sky for a short time.  I think two of the best parts, though, were the candy drop (which is always a crowd pleaser), and the kid's kite workshop.  It was cool to see the kite field filled with the smiling faces of so many kids as they flew their new creations.  Maybe some new kite flyers were "born" that day!

 

We left late in the afternoon, just as the winds were finally starting to cook.  Bryan, Jo Anne, and the Coyote Kite Club did a great job in putting together a very enjoyable kiting event.  If you haven't been down to Tucson yet for one of their kite fests, I highly recommend that you make the trip.

 

Chris Schermann

 

 

From The ArFF Group

The 9th Annual Spring Kite Fiesta in Tucson was another great event, sponsored by the Coyote Kite Club of Tucson, the Arizona Free Flyers, and the Tucson Parks and Rec.

 

What a weekend this was for Arizona kite flyers!

 

The kite following down in Tucson continues to amaze me in the support the spectators give to the kite flyers there! It's amazing to see the same spectators, families, groups, picnickers and such, each and every time they hold a kite event in Tucson. Year after year they camp, picnic, applaud and enjoy the kite show! Loyal? You bet. Also plenty of kite flyers made the trip from Phoenix, many thanks to you all!

 

The wind was up and down, but allowed for a full schedule of events, with a final afternoon blast of 10-15 mph punctuating the events ending....

 

With TWO kite fields to choose from, single line and stunt, there was a lot going on for people to experience as well as a great kite building workshop for the kids, boomerang demonstrations, candy drops, stunt kite demos, raffles, and a nice sound system providing all the music.

 

One of the highlights of the day was seeing all the kids out on the field flying their "Workshop" kites that they had made and another was the "Candy Drop"... When they announced the candy drop over the PA, kids seemed to come out of the woodwork from all directions flooding the field. A great scene.

 

Another highlight were the "ROK" battles!!!!!!  Oh what fun these were. This time "Cutting" was allowed in the battles, and many a ROK was cut loose to the joy of the spectators applause! Kay and I have never been in a ROK battle where cutting was allowed, so this was our first time, flying the "His" and "Hers" ROK's in battle together. In the first battle I somehow cut Kay's "Hers" ROK outt'a the sky by mistake (sorry honey) and almost had to spend the night on the couch! Chris Sherman in his first ROK battle managed to WIN! Way to go. Ken Iomel was flying his "ILLEGAL  ROK" and soon became the target of the day! (Should we let him fly this smaller, to a great advantage in battle, kite at the Anthem ROK battles?) and Steve Van Erpin found out that "Black Death" line can really cut. Anthem is gonna' be a ROK battle royal.....

 

Special thanks go out to Jo Anne and Bryan for your investment in making this, and other events happen year after year! Also, hats off the Tucson spectators for being so loyal, and to all the flyers from Phoenix who made the trip down!

 

-Dave From ArFF