Kite
Flyer
April 2001 Issue Route
66 Kite Club (R66KC)
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Kite Club Phoenix, AZ
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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.)
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Hot Buttons |
Descriptions
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Quick Thoughts From
The Editor |
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Letter From The
Director And/Or AKA News |
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This Months Flying
Schedule |
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What Happened On Last
Months Flys |
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Long Term Dates And
Plans |
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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 |
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Questions To The
Club |
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Special Tips and
Tricks From The Fly’n Hawaiian |
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Notes From Our Very
Own Kite And Banner Maker |
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Fun Kite Stuff |
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Lost Puppies And
Things For Sale |
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Cover My Ass Legal
Ease |
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Please Help
Yourselves |
Click
Here For The
Web Site Links
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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
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
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.
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Rating: |
Good |
Restrooms: |
South Side |
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Kiters That Can Fly: |
30 |
Drinking Fountains: |
South Side |
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Non-Kiter Visibility: |
Medium |
Park Benches: |
No |
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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.
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Rating: |
Great |
Restrooms: |
None |
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Kiters That Can Fly: |
30 |
Drinking Fountains: |
None |
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Non-Kiter Visibility: |
Poor |
Park Benches: |
Yes |
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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.
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Rating: |
Fantastic |
Restrooms: |
Yes |
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Kiters That Can Fly: |
30 |
Drinking Fountains: |
Yes |
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Non-Kiter Visibility: |
Great |
Park Benches: |
No |
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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.
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
03/24/2001 Saturday – Club Supported Anthem Fun Fly Report
Yet another great kite weekend drifts by on Arizona winds, and all I can think
of now, are the memories of the kites, the flyers flying them and the
appreciative crowd that enjoyed this March event. Kite flyers from all over the
state arrived from as far away as Tucson, Flagstaff, and everywhere in-between
to enjoy this two day event, some even renting cars just to get there, as well
as braving traffic snafus caused by an AIRPLANE actually making an emergency
landing on the Freeway frontage road.
Saturday was indeed quite a "kite show"....
The wind allowed for a full schedule of events through the day on
Saturday, with Stunt kite demos, routines, pairs flying, buggy demo, Trick kite
shootout, free flying, Candy drops, and the crowd pleasing ROK BATTLES. Some of
the highlights of the day for me were, nailing a "pairs routine" with
Bryan, enjoying the "Trick kite shootout", single line fun, and the
ROK battles (of which I seemed to have line made of butter, as I would get cut
out rather quickly). "Randy Shannon" seemed to rule the Saturday ROK
battles.....until.....I switched from my "His" ROK and borrowed Kay's
"Hers" for the final battle. The wind was in a lull, for this last
battle of the day, so we started the ROK battle from the ground with a mass
launch. I positioned myself strategically, with the goal of "taking Randy
out" before his ROK gained any altitude. The PA announcer called
"Engage" and in a split second, I closed my eyes and ran, hoping my
plan would work....when I opened my eyes again, Randy's ROK was diving straight
to the ground. Kay's "Hers" ROK had tipped Randy's and sent in to the
ground! Victory!!!!! (though I was soon dispatched outt'a the sky by the other
ROK battlers, taking Randy out with Kay's ROK sure felt good!)
More highlights of the day were Hugh's huge Sutton launching into the
skies (thanks Hugh for the TnT Comp Birthday present!), Spectra Mike flying in
the trick kite shootout along with Roam. Rusty and Cathy's assortment of
single-liners, Bryan's boomerang demo, and enjoying the single-line fun with
all the Arizona flyers.
Sunday was a "flyer's show".
Sunday arrived with a different set of cloths altogether! The wind was
great, and at times strong! This resulted in some great moments out on the
field.... Burt has his 12 stack out and was flying it while
"tethered" to the soccer goal posts, Randy Shannon's TENT actually got some great "air
time" as the wind picked it up into the sky where it sat there spinning
and tumbling, Bill Painter and friends kept us company all weekend with his
nicely made NASA wings and Tri-D Boxes, Chris from Flagstaff got some quality
time on his new REV 2, windy power kite demos and some buggy action, Rusty's
huge "Barn door" single liner with spin sock, and
the....gulp*..awesome ROK battles!!!! Wow....these were even more fun than the
day before, with the action hot and heavy in the stronger winds. I was flying
the "His" ROK and got cut out of the sky in one battle when the wind
was very strong. The ROK drifted up in the sky, until the line snagged way up
in the lights of the baseball diamond! Luckily, with help from Burt, we were
able to get it down safely......Phew! Seemed to be a lot of "new"
flyers on Sunday as the baseball diamonds were filled with flyers trying out
their kites, and having fun, also. All too soon the day was coming to a close
around us, till the Sunday final finale the Candy Drop arrived. Kids clamored,
parents cheered, smiled, and took many a picture. A great sight to behold,
indeed.... Such fun.....
-Dave From ArFF
A Report Addendum
There were loads of
fliers and banners galore. We had a special guest appearance from one of the
only remaining kite stores in Arizona, Dream Merchants, Rusty and Kathy.
With lots of shade and fun for the up and down Arizona Winds...
And some wesome new kites
were to be found like this Pink Floyd Flamingo purchased from Dream Merchants.
And this one of a kind home grown kite...
Fun was had by all and this successful event will be ready to fly again
next year. Special thanks to the Tucson Group as well as the ArFF group for
making this a very successful event.
(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.)
Future & Annual Events
05/12/2001 –Second Annual Sister Club Fly In San Diego
Come and tryout some really great winds with loads of fun for the whole
family. Sea World, Old Down, Seaport Village, Mission Bay, Mission beach, the
ocean, shopping, and a myriad of other things for the family to do. We will be
joining the SDKC, (http://www.sdkc.net) at their Mission Bay Park for a Sister
club fly on Saturday, with a night fly on the beach Saturday evening hosted by
R66KC. A Saturday evening barbecue will be promoted as well. We would like to
have everyone stay at the same hotel if possible for easier logistics. The
“Beach Cottages” hotel is on Mission Boulevard (858) 483-7440 and right on the
beach for everyone’s enjoyment with lots of shops and restaurants within easy
walking distance. The rooms run from $75-$85/night for hotel rooms through
$250/night for a two-bedroom cottage.
Jane and I have a one-bedroom cottage that we all can congregate at, so
my recommendation is the cheaper rooms.
Everyone should get their reservations in early because this is a
popular place. Hope to see you all there!
09/21-23/2001 – September
San Diego Sister Club Fly in San Diego w/ the San Diego Kite Club Event
More information to follow when available. See the May event below for
lodging information.
10/07/2001 – One Sky One World (OSOW) Annual kite event for world
piece. More to follow as information becomes
available.
- - - Ideas For New Events - - -
We need help with these so if you have any ideas that
will support this event, please let us know by dropping us a line at: r66kc@tmsquared.com
Sunshine
Acres Children’s Home/Orphanage Charity Event – We need help in
coming up with ideas for this charity.
I have raised $10,000/year for this Children’s home through the Harley
Owners Group (HOG), but do not have a clue as to how the R66KC can raise money
for these needy kids. Please send your ideas to r66kc@tmsquared.com Thanks.
Well you guessed it, I finally came up with an idea. With
all of the events that enjoy having us signal their events with a kite, would
could request donations to our charity on our behalf for our efforts! (yea like
right, what effort... ha ha). So keep this in mind and perhaps we can get more
big event planned, and some real monies for the Sunshine Acres Children’s Home.
Rocky Point
Kite Festival – This is still being looked into by
Rocky Point Howard. We should be getting some additional information on this in
the near future.
We still need
ideas for this Charity Event!
Any thoughts
anyone?
- - - Next Year - - -
01/01/2001
Tuesday - New Years Day Fun Fly (For those of us that can function that is.)
04/14/2002 - 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's 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
all 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!
Note: Any ideas for events, please
contact the Gadget Man at: R66KC@TMSquared.com.
Other News
Rocky Point Howard’s Rocky Point Update
Wish I could join you
guys but we will be in Mexico from Feb. 19 thru Feb. 26. A representative with
Groupo Fonatour (Mexican Tourist Agency) would love to meet with us to discuss
kite activity in Rocky Point. We can meet a few people to discuss kiting, check
out some condos for a club meet and do some flying on the beach as well. If we
don't do this soon, we'll never make kiting in R/P happen. Let me know via
e-mail before we leave on Monday so I can arrange meetings accordingly.
We'll have to talk
when I get back. The folks here are
really excited about a kite shindig and I'd really like to follow up.
Regards,
Rocky
Tempe Town Lakes Park
Tempe Town Lakes has a
nice little area to fly at. If you like to "people watch" while
flying, be sure and check this Tempe location out during the day
NKM Project
The "Arizona Free Flyers" are proud to announce their
participation in the following project!
-National Kite Month Project –
-Fly 50-
The Goal: To have the kite travel and fly to all 50 states
in the USA and return home.
The method: 3 kites of different designs will be transferred
from state to state via the mail.
The activity: The participating flyers in each state will fly
the kites in their state, teach a new flyer, sign the kite, write an article
for the web about the flight, and enter the event into the log book before
sending the kite off to the next state!
The participants: A list of the participating flyers and the
states they will be flying from, as well as updates and info on this events
progress are available on the "Fly 50" website!
Click here to follow this -Fly 50- NKM event!
Watch this forum for up-dates on the -Fly 50- kites arrival in Arizona,
and the flying event planned for it's stay while here, as soon as the dates are
secured. This is gonna' be some kind'a fun!
-Dave from ArFF
New ArFF Logo
The Arizona Free Flyers (ArFF) group has a new logo from the flying artist
and our Leading Edge Expert Roman (The Fly’n Hawaiian) Trugillo.
Kite
Festival Safety:
Arizona kite flyers have shown their all around commitment to "kite
safety" while out on the fields, and all should be commended for their
efforts in the promotion of safe kite flying practices! Way to go!
With all the up-coming kite events lets take a minute to refresh our
minds on some basic "kite festival" safety rules and guidelines.
Attend the pilots meeting: If you are going to fly at an event, make sure
that you attend the "pilots meeting". These usually happen before the
field is opened to the flyers, and will speak specifically to the safety
procedures that my be unique to the venue's environment.
No Kevlar line-sets: Flying with Kevlar is dangerous in a festival
environment because it will cut most anything it comes across. Leave it in the
kite bag. If that's the only line you have to fly with, just ask another flyer
if you can borrow a line-set for the day.
Excessive ground stakes: Keep your unused ground stakes in your bag. No
one likes to trip over a ground stake that someone stuck in the ground and left
unattended.
Excessive line sets: Same as above, if you are not using them wind
them up.
Keep a tidy camp: Try and keep your "camp" tidy and
compact. When you have limited room this becomes pretty important. Nothing
worse than having someone step on one of your prized kites because they were
strewn all about.
Stake down the EZ-UP canopies or
sun shelters: If you are going
to be using a tent or canopy, make sure they are securely staked down.
Observe the field boundaries: Most event venues will feature a field with
marked boundaries...observe them! They are there for a reason.
Observe the "height"
boundaries: Save the thousand
foot high kite for your weekend flying. After all, you want people to see your
high-zoot kite creation don't you? 300ft. is much better for viewing.
Don't fly over sidewalks and
pathways: These are what the
public will be using, so keep them clear.
Crossed lines and tangles: If you tangle with another flyer try not to
panic, walk the kites down together, or unwrap your lines if you can and
continue flying.
Be aware of your surroundings: It's easy to get caught up in the moment when
flying, so try and stay aware of your surroundings and what's behind you.
Alert other flyers of impending
doom: Is a "dust
devil" coming? Flyer backing into some kites on the ground? Tangled kites
spinning to a crash? A verbal "heads up" warning will be much
appreciated.
Do listen to the PA announcer: The PA announcer is your friend, listen to them
for announcements, news and up-dates as to field activities, schedules, and
goings-ons.
And finally, take a minute or two to sit back and enjoy the event for
what it is.
Kites and kite flying.......and the joy that's reflected, in all the
smiling faces around you.
From ArFF
Flying
On A "Busy" Flying Field
Sometimes it can be a little intimidating when flying around lots of kites and flyers, in a limited space. To the
casual observer a "busy" kite field might appear to be in total
"chaos", but in actuality it is (hopefully) a controlled
"space" of sorts. I (Dave) remember the first time Kay and I flew on
a busy "kite-field", and how nervous we were flying in that type of
environment for the first time. So, with that in mind, here are some tips and
tricks that we learned along the way that might help you to enjoy flying in a
"busy" festival type environment.....
Set your kite up AND attach the lines before going out: This way you are
not sitting out in the middle of the flying field putting together your kite
and stretching out your line-set while kites are flying overhead. Set your
Stunt Kite up, fasten the line-set to it, then walk out and set your kite down,
walking back unwinding line as you go. (it helps if you get into the habit of
winding your "Stunt Kite" line-set starting from the handles first.)
Watch the field, then pick your spot: Take a second and watch what's
going on before you enter. Experienced flyers are easy to spot. Pick the
spot/flyer you feel most comfortable being near. It's your choice, your kite,
and your comfort level. Flying near the edges of a "busy" field is a
good choice.
Be noticed: Try and make eye contact with the other flyers near you, so
they are aware of your intent. Once other flyers notice you, they will usually
make room for you.
Share the space: Everybody must share the same flying space, so leave the
"full window" ground passes for the empty park. Don't be surprised if
another flyer enters your "space" and they won't be surprised if you
enter theirs.
Use a shorter line-set: 100 ft. lines are nice, but take up an awful lot
of room, so, go short when flying a Stunt Kite on a "busy" field.
Expect the un-expected: Mid-air collisions happen to even the best
flyers. Expect a few close calls or crashes. If your kite is broken in a
collision it can be repaired, but friendship repairs are a little harder. I
know it's tough when your new 300 dollar kite gets broken in a collision with
another flyers kite, but these things do happen, most by accident.
Judge YOUR comfort level: Wind too strong? To many kites flying together
at one time? Let your comfort level be your guide. Strong winds will really
complicate things on a "busy" kite field because the kites are now
flying ~faster~ and with more power, so be aware. Let YOUR comfort level dictate whether you fly on a "busy"
field or wait a little while.
and finally....
Go with the flow: Is the field "busy" with single-liners, but
you want to fly your Stunt Kite? Go with the flow, get out your single-line and
join in!
Likewise, if the field is "Busy" with Stunt Kites, but you want
to try out your single-line? Go with the flow, grab your Stunt Kite and join
in.
Stunt kites and single-liners are like oil and water (plus, single-line
kite line, will cut your expensive stunt kite line every time, believe me!)
-Dave From ArFF
Airline
Travel Tube
If you have been looking for a
hard shell kite box for airline travel, you will probably have found that they
are hard to find, and rather expensive. Well the infamous Shermanator has found
one that was a little expensive but made for two ski boards, boots and clothes
called the Sportube. They are large and square and about 6 feet tall. The tuff
plastic will stand up to some major abuse and run for about $135. Well after
some research on the Gadget Man’s part, these Sportube’s have been found for
$60. The Gadget Man has purchase two of these beauties so if you want to see
one first hand give him a jingle and he will bring one out to the next fly.
The following URL will take you
to the discounted $60 site:
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=6077225&prmenbr=8000
New Questions
Reminder: Renewal Registration For
R66KC
It has been determined
that it would be too difficult to track and contact each one of you
individually, as to when your Club dues become due. Due to this, the May
timeframe has been selected as the date for club membership renewal. Also, dues
collected at any other time of year from new members will not be pro-rated. Our
intent is to keep the process simple, and keep the dues down to
$5.00/person/year, which is cheep compared to some clubs that charge as much as
$25.00/person/year or more. If anyone has any problems with this please contact
me at your earliest convenience.
Warning: We need responses to the following questions in a
timely manor, from all of the
membership. If we cannot get the needed responses, we may have to call an
actual meeting, eeeeeeuuuuuuuuwwwwwwwww. :-(
No new questions at this time.
Tips
and Tricks from our own club expert, Roman (The Fly’n Hawaiian) Trugillo.
The Smile Factor
(By
Our Fly’n Hawaiian)
I fly
for the smiles :)
The smiles I get when I pull off a double axle
with practically no wind....
The smiles I see on a kid when he sees a colorful
kite in the air....
The smiles that go around when meeting new kiters
for the first time....
The smiles that go around when you meet up with
long, lost kiters....
The smiles that are anticipating the next kite
you pull out of your bag....
The smiles that are brought to a special kiting
event....
Start racking up some frequent flyer smiles!!! Go
and fly a kite!!
Aloha
Roman
The Leading Edge
Old Roman the Fly Hawaiian
has been swamped with work and will not be able to provide us with one of his
insightful Leading Edge articles full of tips and tricks of the trade. Look for
one of his perceptive articles to appear in the next issue of the “Kite
Flyer”.
Straighten up and fly right!
The Flyin’ Hawaiian
Note:
Please feel free to give Roman holly hell the next time you see him. He has
reported that he will be spending the New Year celebration in Hawaii!!! And he
has indicated that he does not need a manservant to carry his bags for him,
(boo hoo).
Al-Habib
The Tent Maker
Al-Habib’s Charter: I will be more than happy to help
anybody who wants to design or make a kite, banner, or kite bag, (to the best of
my ability), on a one-on-one basis.
Al-Habib,
The Tent Maker
AKA
Jonathan Delmar
Something From A Kite Builder
In Holland
Hi,
I've added 4 building plans of some of my kite
designs to my website at:
http://www.geocities.com/duyvis2001/home.html
These are original designs, never before
published on the net, and only published on paper in the Netherlands. The plans
differ in level of experience. Some can be build by anyone with a little sewing
skill, others are a challenge for the top few kite uilders. Enjoy your visit!
Geert Donker Duyvis, The Netherlands
Flick Flacks
And Other Fun Stuff!
Used Kites For Sale And Lost Kite Listing
Al-Habib is planning on selling a few Kites
I will be thinning out
some kites and sundries from my flight kit. As club members, y'all will
get first crack at the stuff before I try to sell it to the general kiting
public.
Stuff that's slated for
sale:
2 Buena Vista Pi
10 Triad Clones
Lotsa wrist straps
A kite bag or two
Deca A1
Revolution Exp
Possibly more as I
dredge through the bags.
Jonathan (Al-Habib, The Tent Maker)
Delmar
(To contact Jonathan
regarding a purchase, e-mail him at: al--habib@home.com )
Disclaimer
The Route 66 Kite Club (R66KC), the editors of the “Route 66 Kite Club - Kite Flyer” (currently Thomas Gadget Man Manson), the American Kitefliers Association (AKA), and any contributors to this editorial, make no claims concerning the accuracy of materials appearing in this publication. Any and all information relating to kiting, rumors or otherwise, will be published without efforts in authentication or verification of the source. Efforts will be made to screen out items of malicious intent, without any guarantee of the success of these efforts. Updates or clarifications of previously posted information or rumors, are requested, and will gladly be posted in the following edition.
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.
Copyright
NON-Restrictions
Reprints or redistribution of
this publication ARE permitted.
Notification of the editor is required, and the “by line” or “photo by”
required for all reprints. Default to: “Reprinted from Route 66 Kite Club-Kite
Flyer By Tom Gadget Man Manson” unless otherwise specified. So help yourself!