Kite Flyer

 

September 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

Editors Note

Quick Thoughts From The Editor

Lots Of Great Upcoming Events

AKA News Or Director’s Editorial

Letter From The Director And/Or AKA News

AKA Membership Poster

Region 12 Director Notes

Upcoming Flying Events

This Months Flying Schedule

09/21-23/2001 – San Diego Sister Club Fly

09/23/2001 Sunday – Fly At Riverview

Latest Fly Reports

What Happened On Last Months Flys

Future & Annual Events

Long Term Dates And Plans\

10/06/2001 – Pacific Beach Festival

10/07/01 – One Sky One World Fly

10/12-14/01 – Rockypoint Fly

10/19-21/01Hardyville Days/Art In The Sky Kite Fly

Other News

Other Items Of Interest

Jute’n Hoops Is Working The Kites Once Again

Regrets & A San Diego Fly From The Schermanator

Another Great Kite Store Worth Listing

Fighter Kite Web Sites

Another Slick Website With Kite Movies

Paul and Dawn’s Idea Of A Tough Fly

Making Kites With Randy Shannon

New Questions

Questions To The Club

The Leading Edge

Flying Tips From The Fly’n Hawaiian

Punch Turns

Kite Building And Repair Tips

Tips For Building Or Repairing Kites

No Article Available This Month

Flick Flacks

Fun Kite Stuff – Line Laundry

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

 

Editor’s Notes

 

"And once you have tasted flight

you will walk  the Earth with your eyes skyward,

for there you have been and there you long to return...."

-- Leonardo DiVinci

Hey Kiters,

 

Well the heat is starting to dwindle and we will be wanting to get together again real soon. Up front though is a couple of out of town trips that we would love for people to share. Otherwise the old standby at the Riverview park will have to do on Sundays. Take a good look at the upcoming events section, (Upcoming Flying Events) and/or (Future & Annual Events), to get an idea of what will be coming our way. We will be scheduling several local events very soon so keep an eye out for an e-mail update, and I will be looking forward to seeing you on the fields very soon.

 

Keep’em Fly’n

Gadget Man Manson

thomas.m.manson@boeing.com

 

 

 

 

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AKA News Or 

Directors Editorial

 

New AKA Membership Poster For you to use or hand out as needed. (See next page.)

 

 

 

Notes From The Region 12 Director

Hey Region 12 Flyers,

 

I hope the summer is treating you well. 

 

Instead of forcing one of my boring email lectures upon you, please take a moment to peruse the "Ventura County Kiteflyers" website at the bottom of this email.  I have just updated the schedule portion of the site and there is a "whole lot of kiting" going on between now and the end of the year.  Please drop in when you can, you will not regret it.

 

Best Wishes & Winds,

 

Glen E. Rothstein

Region 12 Director, American Kitefliers Association -

Come Fly With Us!  www.aka.kite.org

 

Vice President, Southern California Sport Kite League -

 www.scskl.com

 

Kite Flying hits new heights on the West Coast!...Check it out below:

 

http://community.webtv.net/OpusFader/VenturaCountyKite

 

 

 

 

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Upcoming Flying Events 

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

 

 

09/21-23/2001 – San Diego Sister Club Fly w/ the TMF Social Club Event

Loads of fun for all. The Theme this year is a Pajama party. See the May event below for lodging information.

 

09/23/2001 Sunday – 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.

 

For those of you that cannot make the San Diego Run.

 

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

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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Latest Fly Reports

 

08/19-25/2001 Full Week – Longbeach International Kite Festival Report:

As per We had one great day on Monday. The weather was perfect and the trains, arches and large single line kites were awesome. But then the next day the weather went downhill. Tuesday and Wednesday it rained hard continuously morning, noon and night.

 

We went into town today and met Dan Whitney (GWTW) and Ray Bectel (Int,l stunt kite flyer). Also met several San Diego Kitge Club members.

 

The only thing to do on a rainy day was to visit the International Kite Museum where we saw a terrific display of Japanese and Indian Fighter Kites. Then we went to the Long Beach Elementary School gym to watch Penny Ligentfelter fly indoor Revs BLINDFOLDED! What an incredible sight. Also saw some outrageous indoor Wren, 3-D and fighter kite flying.

 

We had to buy a new kite so we got a new Rev Supersonic. Hopefully the weather will be better on Thursday so we can see the Kitemaking competition and fly the new kite.

 

We,ll keep you posted on the next few days at the WSIKF.

 

Regards to all,

 

Rocky Point Howard

 

 

 (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.)

 

 

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Future & Annual Events

 

 

10/06/2001 – Pacific Beach Festival – Major Event For The San Diego Kite Club

Hi,

I thought you might be interested in the flyer below.  It describes a great event we've been a part of for the last 2 years.  Our flying area is directly in front of the Beach Cottages where you guys fly when you vacation in SD, we have from the Green Flash restaurant all the way to the end of the Hotel from the seawall to the water.  Frankly the 50,000 figure might actually be a little low in terms of visitors.  If any of you could make it that would be great.  Let me know if you are interested.

Greg Lawrence, San Diego Kite Club

Hi You all,

 

The San Diego Kite Club has been (for the third time) invited to be a Major participant at the Pacific BeachFest ‘2001 on Saturday October 6. The event will run from 10 AM to 7:30 PM followed by a Fireworks display. They are anticipating a crowd of 50,000 people, so this is really a fabulous opportunity for the club to show its stuff. The last 2 years were great, let’s make this one fabulous.

 

We will be flying in the SOUTHERN AREA of Pacific Beach in front of the Green Flash Restaurant

 

This area will be for Sport kites and the Single-liners. We will have a 300’ of coastline to fly our Sport kites and Single-liners. This year we will try to coordinate our flying areas a little better. At 2:00 PM our club will have a 15 minute front stage presence to perform for the crowd

 

As of today the sponsors of the event will be Beach and Bay Press, KyXy 96.5 FM, San Diego Parent Magazine, and Time Warner Cable all who have made sizable donations to the event. We are being given one huge flying area and 2 booths.

 

What they want from us is to have the single lines in the air as much as possible and a steady stream of sport kiters flying at the northern end. (The foot of Grand is really the absolute center of PB).

 

We might also want to think about a Mass fly or two, one of Dual-line and one of Quad-line kites. Those are always impressive. All things considered I think we could have just a wonderful time and spread the Wonderful World of Kiting throughout the city. TV and the media will also be there in force.

 

Now the nuts and Bolts. We have up until 10 AM to drop off our equipment, after that time cars will have to be out of the Festival area. There is street parking just outside the area and if we get there before 10 AM we shouldn’t really have a problem with parking. Getting out if you want to will be up to each individual, but I really don’t see a problem if we get there early.

 

The PB Town Council has suggested that we all bring our families as it is that type of event. There is supposed to be things going on all day, so when you’ve flown enough you can go party with the rest of the town.

 

The only thing I ask is could you contact me as soon as you are able so I can get started on the rest of the preparations.

 

Thanks,

 

Greg Lawrence

 

(619) 275-6027

 

e-mail : glawren2@san.rr.com

 

 

 

 

10/07/2001 – One Sky One World (OSOW) Annual kite event for world piece.  More to follow as information becomes available.

 

10/12-14/01Rocky Point Kite Festival – October 12th Through The 14th

Hi guys,

 

Just got back from Rocky Point and catching up on lots of e-mail. Had a wonderful time in R/P. Flew every day but one -- cause the wind was way too high. Flew just about everything including fighters, dual lines, my Rev and a few single line kites I made. Beaches were relatively empty except for the weekend. Lots of kids off from school for Easter recess. Did not meet a single flyer during the entire week stay. Usually I'll catch one or two serious flyers on the beach, but not this trip. R/P is a wonderful place for kite flying and I'd like to suggest the following in order for the entire club to enjoy.

 

Per our discussion, lets reserve the weekend of October 12, 13 and 14th for a club fly at R/P. Here are some details to consider relative to that weekend:

 

1. The trip to R/P is a  4 - 4 1/2 hour drive from Phoenix. Roads in Arizona are mostly freeway. In Mexico, it's a 60 mile drive from the border on a well maintained 2 lane paved road. To get to R/P from east valley, take Maricopa Road exit on I-10 about 35 miles to Rte. 8, west about 35 miles to Gila Bend . South on Rte. 85 for approximately 75 miles to Lukeville/Sonoyta border crossing. South on MEX. 8 for about 60 miles to R/P. From west valley, take I-10 to Rte 85 and south through Gila Bend.

 

2. Mexican auto insurance is required when driving in Mexico. This can be purchased in Ajo and will cost between $50.00 - $100.00 for a weekend depending upon value of your vehicle. This covers everything, including towing in Mexico should you get stuck. I suggest car pooling and sharing insurance costs (providing there is room for lots of kite bags in the vehicle).  

 

 

3. Crossing the border at Lukeville is a 2 - 3 minute affair. Sometimes you might be asked to open your trunk and this adds about a minute to the process. Remember, no guns, no drugs, no exceptions!

 

4. We can rent a beautiful 6 - 8 bedroom fully furnished house directly on the beach for between $100.00 - 150.00 per night, per couple. The difference in costs would depend upon how luxurious the accomodations are. Most rooms have double beds and private baths. Generally there is a community kitchen with full cooking facilities. We must bring our own food. Cooking utensils are provided.  To get an idea of what houses are available, go to RockyPoint Reservations on the internet. Lots of pictures, etc.  

 

5. For the budget minded, hotel rooms are available generally a few blocks from the beach and run between $50.00 - $80.00 per night, double occupancy. Drive time to beaches usually are about 2 minutes, unless we are way out of  town, then about 15 - 20 minutes.

 

6. Resturaunts abound in R/P. Breakfast runs about $3.00 per person, lunch about $ 6.00 per person and great dinners for about $12.00 - $15.00 per person. If we cook our own, lots of groceries are available for beer and chips. R/P is a small town, no Wal-Marts, Costco, Safeway or Blockbuster. If there are things you can't live without, bring them from home.

 

7. While we are there, we can meet with representatives of Sonora tourism, the mayor and other dignitaries to discuss a kite festival. They are eager to meet with us  to discuss a mutually beneficial relationship.  

 

8. The winds generally blow pretty constant from morning till evening, varying from light in the AM to about 5 - 8 mph in the PM. Sometimes, winds do get to 15 - 20 on rare occassions. Weather in October is beautiful. This is prime season therefore, I will need a committment from the club now in order to reserve a beach house or hotel rooms.

 

We have been going to R/P 6 - 8 times per year for the past 5 years and each time we go, we enjoy it more than ever. I'm sure those who have never been there will be impressed with the country, the people and their culture.

 

If you have questions, please e-mail (howmad@aol.com).   

 

Rocky (Howard)

 

10/19-21/01Hardyville Days/Art In The Sky Kite Fly – BullHead City

hi tom!!

    good news i finally got a kite festival in bullhead city. it will be in conjunction with "hardyville days" which is a whole bunch of activities. the dates are october 19 thru 21. the name of the festival is "art in the sky kite fly". i am so very excited!!! please pass the word along for me. i hope that you will be able to attend.

                                                           happy breezes

                                                                kathy

                                                                   at

                                                       dream merchant kites

 

 

 

 

- - - 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.

 

 

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!

 

05/11/2002 –Third Annual Sister Club Fly In San Diego (This may be moved)

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! 

 

09/20-22/2002 – September San Diego Sister Club Fly in San Diego w/ the TMF Social Club Event

More information to follow when available. See the May event below for lodging information.

 

 

 

Note: Any ideas for events, please contact the Gadget Man at: R66KC@TMSquared.com.

 

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Other News 

 

Jute’n Hoops Is Working The Kites Once Again

I went to Jutenhoops last week.  They had all kinds of kites on display (which seemed to be GOOD, HIGH QUALITY stuff) and the woman that assisted me knew her stuff when it came to kites.  She also said they were getting in a new shipment of kite stuff this week and would really like to be associated with the Kite Club --- I ended up spending over $100.00 on various and sundry things, including a big "BIRD" kite and an old fashioned box kite which I've yet to get up in the air.  They had all kinds of accessories -- swivel snaps, line, winders, spools, tail material, etc.  She said if they got a little more support in the kite area, they would be more than happy to stock even more product.  I don't know if you've had bad luck with them in the past or what, but I know this young woman really helped me, and I will be going back for a couple of the more expensive kites they had that I want.

Michael Greenlee

 

So Kiters, looks like we have a store that cares once again in the Phoenix Metro Area. So let’s get a move on to Jute’n Hoops and let them know that the R66KC will be by more often.

Gadget Man Manson

 

Regrets And A San Diego Fly Report From The Schermanator

Hi Tom,

 

No, I won't be able to make it on the 22nd.  Too much other stuff going on at that time.

 

I took a quick trip to San Diego a few weeks ago with my sister.  She was sailing in a 24-hour regatta in Mission Bay, so I went along for the ride. I flew at Mission Bay Park on the same Saturday that the San Diego Kite Club was holding their July meeting.  I had a good time meeting the San Diego flyers.  They are a nice bunch of folks.  The temperature was perfect (as usual), and the breeze was steady all day long.  It sure is a nice place to fly over there.  The only drawback is that there are lots of non-fliers continually walking through the kite field.  You have to be very careful not to hit them.

 

I recently picked up a Joel Scholz "Triangulation" kite.  I've only had one chance to fly it so far.  It's a beautiful kite in the sky, and a helluva puller.

 

Hope to catch you on the field when the weather gets cooler and the wind gets stronger.  It shouldn't be too much longer now.  I'd still like to see that 20-ft. Raptor kite of yours.

 

See ya later!

 

Chris

 

 

Another Great Kite Store Worth Listing

Thomas:

Any chance of getting our store listed in your directory. We have been in business since 1990 and belong to the Kite Trade Association International since 1991. We are an AKA Merchant.

 

www.colors-wind.com

 

 

Thanks,

Ken Cage

Colors on the Wind

118 E Wellesley

Spokane, WA 99207

1-888-484-5483

 

 

 

Fighter Kite Web Sites

New Fighter Kite Web Site: http://www.csun.edu/~hfoao033/fighters.html

 

Flying Basics For Fighter Kites: http://www.gombergkites.com/howfight.html

 

Fighter Kite References and Building Ideas: http://fighter.kitez.com/

 

And some More Fighter Kite Building Plans: http://www.eskimo.com/~johnsen/nfka/plans/pindex.html

 

 

 

Another Slick Website With Kite Movies

Check This Out: http://www.doomwheels.com/start.html

Thanks to ArFF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul and Dawn’s Idea Of A Tough Fly

 

Thanks for the clip Paul. I think we can all learn something from Paul’s efforts. (he he)

 

 

Making Kites With Randy Shannon (The Founder Of The Route 66 Kite Club)

written by: Dave Evans for the Arizona Free Flyers

 

Have you ever wanted to learn kite building from one of the best builders of "Single-Line-Maneuverables" in the country? Randy Shannon offered to lead us all into a "kite world" all his own by heading up a Flagstaff classroom filled with local Arizona kite flyers escaping the mid-July Arizona desert heat.

 

Utilizing his own designs culled from years of insightful kite making and design, the gathered "students" eagerly entered the kite world of Shannon,  who began teaching us the tips, techniques, design, and flying of the (Single-line-maneuverable) Fighter Kite. Class is now in session!

 

First up was the miniature "Leaf" kite, and a great "warm-up" to what lay ahead. We quickly learned, cutting material from patterns, choosing the right sail material, proper use of tapes during assembly, and the importance of bridle positions. When completed, this 2" miniature kite was flown off a wooden rod, to the delight of all. The design of this "leaf" kite is classic "Shannon" design, simple, extremely flyable, and fully scalable in size. (My next kite project HAS to be a 10 foot one of these......Please?)

 

Next up was the "Taco Bell" fighter. This was a classic "Fighter" design with paper sail and bamboo frame, featuring a sail made outt'a Taco Bell Burrito Wrappers! We learned the use of "patterns" for the layout and cutting of the sails (see a pattern here?), the introduction of Glues during assembly, sail reinforcements and folding techniques, basic bridle locations and bridle tying, and last but not least..... Shaving your own spars/frames out of bamboo! Shaving Bamboo/splitting bamboo is an art in itself. Sharp knives shaped, scraped and shaved the bamboo into proper proportions and bending characteristics. Not an easy thing to do, as the shreds of bamboo shavings that piled up on the floor would attest to. Finally, with the Taco Bell fighters finished and not a cut or bleeding hand in sight, we cleaned up the floor and ordered "pizza" for the lunch break. (bet you thought I was gonna' say "Taco Bell" right?)

 

The final kite we built was the "Double Bowed Fighter". This kite is a good controllable low-wind fighter with some of the characteristics of a round fighter. This kite was also the biggest kite we would build. The sail material was now a Mylar like clear plastic used in oven roasting bags, you know, the kind you put the turkey in on Thanksgiving! What a great material, for light wind kite sails. We learned how to cut and manage material from templated patterns (the only way to go, patterns rule!), use of "contact cement", stretching your material to form a tight sail during assembly, proper use of tape, the introduction of carbon spars, introduction of sail reinforcements (battens), 3 point bridles, and using Design Master paints and various techniques to paint your kites sail. This kite was really fun to build! Once we had all finished the assembly, we got to apply our own "Graphics" to the kites with The Design Master Paints. It was a great sight to see everybody busily painting their graphics with DM paints and all the different graphic designs and colors being added to their kites! Now it was time to clean up the "classroom" and go flying!

 

When we got to the kite field a nice cool breeze was blowing through the pine trees of Flagstaff. Cool green grass tickled the toes while the sounds of Bagpipes and Bodhran drums from the nearby Celtic Festival drifted by our breezy smiles. This was a fitting end to a great day of kite making, lets fly.

 

With Randy giving pointers on the finer points of flying controllable single-line kites, we all tried out our creations. The "Taco Bell" fighter was a quick flyer, requiring reflexes from this pilot, that haven't been used for years. But my all time favorite was the big "Double Bowed" fighter! Though still a little "quick" for my aging reflexes, with a little practice I was up and flying like a pro, basking in a "kite makers glow" of sorts right along with everyone else. A fantastic afternoon, with some fantastic people, flying some fantastic hand built kites................. (insert smile here)

 

A big THANK YOU goes out to Randy Shannon for sharing his designs, patience and humor with us this day. We simply ~must~ do this again.......soon.

 

New to my kite wish list is a 10 foot "Leaf Kite".... I want one, real baaaaaaaaaaaad!

 

Till the wind blows next,

Dave From ArFF

 

 

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New Questions 

 

 

No New Questions.

 

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.

 

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The Leading Edge

 

Tips and Tricks from our own club expert, Roman (The Fly’n Hawaiian) Trugillo.

 

 

The Smile Factor

 

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

 

(Anyone Want To Provide Some Tips Help?)

 

Punch Turns

Aloha, Kite Flyers!  This month I would like to talk about “punch turns”.  If you ever wonder how your local kite expert can carve out square and precise turns without skipping a beat, this is the move you would use.  It’s impressive because it not only exacts the kite to do perfect corners but it also speeds through the turns faster then a pull turn.

 

Punch turns start out with a good wind at your back.  This is the perfect time to practice precision maneuvers.  The hands are at neutral position.  For those unsure of where the neutral position is, it’s usually elbows down and bent at a 90-degree angle and forearms forward.  The position allows you to give or take in slack.  Place the kite in launch position on the ground.  Launch the kite for a vertical path (straight up).  The punch turn is then initiated when you “punch” with the opposite hand you want the kite to turn.  Confused?   To turn right, you must punch with your left hand.  To turn left, you must punch with your right hand.  It is the exact opposite of the pull turn.

 

Now the kite makes the turn and the recovery portion of the turn needs to be initiated.  This is achieved by bringing your hands back to neutral position.  But not so fast!  Snap the “turning” hand back about 80 percent of the way back to neutral and then ease it in the rest of the way.  This allows the kite not to overcompensate in the turn.  All of this must happen within a fraction of a second!

 

With the punch turn you can practice squares, hexagons, stair steps, and other advanced precision kite figures.  Try mixing square turns with big loops and advanced stunts like axles or half-axles.  As you perfect the move it will look like you’re the local kite expert!

 

Until next time, I’ll see you on “The Leading Edge”!

 

 

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).

 

 

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Kite Bulding And Repair Tips

 

 

No Tips Available For This Month’s Issue.

(Anyone Want To Provide Some Help?)

 

 

 

 

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Flick Flacks

And Other Fun Stuff!

 

 

 

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Used Kites For Sale And Lost Kite Listing

 

Nothing lost or for sale at this time.

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

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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!

 

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