Kite
Flyer
November 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 Loss Of A Great Web
Kite Store New Kiting Events |
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Letter From The Director And/Or AKA News Notes From The Prez AKA Membership Form |
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This Months Flying Schedule 11/11/2001 – Sunday Fly At Riverview 11/24/2001 - Sunday – Fly At Jim Jennings Park |
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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 |
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Flying Tips From The Fly’n Hawaiian |
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Fun Kite Stuff
– Line Laundry |
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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
(Just Click On Them And Go!)
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 kiting community is up for some bad
news. One of the greatest web based kites stores, Gone With The Wind Kites, has
posted a going out of business sale. We are always sad when ANY kite store goes
down, but especially with Dan Whitney. Please go to this site and pick up on
some of his really great deals.
Well kiters we are back in the saddle again with
the good weather and hopefully some good winds. The HOPE Charity Kite Building
event, supported by the Mesa Child Crisis Center, was a great success as far as
the kids go. We hope that all had a great time and perhaps we can put this
event on the calendar for next year.
We hope to gather the troops together over the
Thanksgiving weekend for a fun fly at the Jim Jennings Park. (see Upcoming
Flying Events). So we hope to see
you all out on the fields sometime soon where we can swap lies and share the
sky.
I will be
looking forward to seeing you on the fields very soon.
Keep’em Fly’n
Gadget Man Manson
AKA News Or
Directors Editorial
START PLANNING FOR NATIONALS:
We didn’t have a big crowd in Billings, but those members that
came had an exceptionally good time. Full competition results and reports will
be in your new Kiting which goes in the mail December 1. Mark your calendars
now for AKA 2002 - Ocean City Maryland,
September 30 – October 5.
***
BEST RAFFLE PRIZES YET: Check the raffle page -- we've got
some of the best prizes you’ve seen yet!
But don't delay. In just a few days, we draw the winner of the
incredible Martin Lester Top Half.
The Top Half is an $1800 kite designed in England and
assembled by members of the Keystone Kiters. It is an imposing 8.5 by 28 feet and is one of only five in the USA. We
also have tickets for a custom made set of Prism’s “Top
Four” sport kites (December draw). And we have your choice
of any mid-sized Peter Lynn inflatable (January draw). You could win the
Octopus, Gecko, Trilobite, Kitty, or Teddy Bear.
Our newest prize is a hand-painted Edo by Japanese master
Mikio Toki. This exquisite artwork was the centerpiece of the AKA Art Kite
Gallery in Billings. Think how it would look on your wall.
There isn’t a prize in the bunch worth less than $1,600.
And tickets are only $5 each. All we ask is that you buy at least one a month.
Go to the AKA Site at <www.AKA.Kite.Org> and follow the links to the
Great Kite Raffle.
***
WATCH FOR SPECIALTY E-NEWSLETTERS: We are now implementing
a plan to publish specialty E-newsletters for members focused on special
interest kiting. That means regular mailings filled with information about
Kitemaking, Sport Kites, Fighters and Roks, or Traction (both buggies and
boards). Register for one or more! The idea is to provide you with the
information you want on the topics that interest you most -- and in more detail
that we could include in the magazine.
Go to “Virtual Clubhouse” at <http://www.aka.kite.org/data/members>. You can
also reach it from the Table of Contents. (Your “name” is your AKA membership
number and your password is your email address). In the Clubhouse, just click
on “Newsletters” and then subscribe to the topic(s) of your choice. You can
choose “all” or come back to the page again to select more than one.
Sorry if this sounds complicated, but it is the only way
to insure that just members subscribe.
***
WE’VE GOT GENERAL NEWSLETTERS TOO: Expect to see more of
the E-Affiliate news this year. It is a
special kite newsletter that is available FREE to anyone -- whether they are a
member or not. Non-members can register on the
web page under “Mailing Lists” in the Table of Contents.
Paid members get it automatically.
Tell your kite friends and publish the opportunity in your
local newsletters!
***
MAGAZINE DELIVERY DELAYS: Sending things by post has been
problematic lately. Issues of the September Kiting are still arriving with members
around the USA. International mail is even worse. Some magazines have been
returned with a sticker that says ”we regret that your mail is being returned
to you because of heightened security measures.” We’ve also had overseas mail
returned, stamped “Customs Form Required".
If you live outside the USA and are certain you didn’t get
your magazine, please email Regional Director Sharon Musto at
Region13@aka.kite.org. And thanks for your patience.
On a similar note, our AKA toll-free number is supposed to
work from all over Canada. But we’ve had reports that it does not. We’ve
informed our long distance service provider and are promised that it will be
working properly soon.
***
That’s
all for this month. The next Kiting goes in the mail December 1.
Sign
up for those electronic newsletters and remember to buy a raffle ticket!
Have
fun out there!
dg
*** David Gomberg, President ***
American Kitefliers Association
<http://www.aka.kite.org>
New AKA Membership Poster For you to use or hand out as
needed. (See next page.)
Notes From The Region 12 Director
If the "Art in
the Sky Kite Fly" in Bullhead City and "Kites Over Pismo" on the
Central Coast of Cal are anything like last weekend's event in Seal
Beach...HOLD ON TO YOUR KITE BAGS!!!!!!!
I am completely blown away by the support all of you are giving to YOUR
Region!
I'm just the Messenger, You people make it happen.
Kathy and the Folks from Dream Merchant are working VERY hard on the
finishing touches in Arizona. Kathy,
thank you for bringing it back!!!
I'm heading up to Pismo today to make sure that James from Sky's the
Limit does not get over run by the CLAMS!
If you cannot make it to one these events, take your friends and family
out flying...You deserve it.
Region 12 is back in the Festival Biz!!!!!!!
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
Upcoming Flying Events
Note: All flying events will be from
12:00 noon through 4 or 5 p.m. unless otherwise posted.
11/11/01 – 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.
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 |
11/24/01 – Saturday – Fly At Jim
Jennings Park: (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.
Please note that this park is hard to find so please
bring the instructions with you!
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. OR North on
I-17 to the Bell Rd. exit. Then left on Bell Rd. to 29th Ave. which
is a light. Then left on 29th Ave. down to Grandview. (Be careful
this street can pass you by.) And the right on Grandview to the park.
(Note: This park may have
other activities so keep an eye out for us flying on either side of this
field.)
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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 |
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
10/19-21/2001 Bullhead City Art In The Sky Kite Festival:
Bullhead City did not
seem very active when we arrived, and as we came to the park we noted that
several kite did in fact litter the sky. The wind reports from the local
weather stations had reported no winds to speak of at all, but there they were,
Art In The Sky!
We quickly setup and
made the rounds with Kathy, Rusty, and family, who have spent so much time
making this event happen. I was a pleasure once again to spend time with these
wonderful people along with several of the San Diego Kite Club, and others from
California.
Our
Hosts
The wind was great for
the most part of Friday as seen in the next picture, with many a participant
showing up and adding to the color in the sky.
That evening after much wind and fun, we retired to the Ramada Express and
checked in, and/or freshened up. Billy Mad Dog Dine, was only able to stay for
the one day, (Friday), so Doc, Fly’n Ryan, Lady Jane, and the Gadget Man
proposed a dinner with Kathy and Rusty our fine hosts. A few of the San Diego
Kite Club (SDKC) joined in and was had a wonderful dinner with great brew from
the Colorado Bell Brewery. The Gadget Man bought dinner for all who attended
and we ended the evening with some fine cigars and some more brew. Another
kiting group then join the party and Gadget bought drinks for the rest of the
crew. Gadget must have hit a slot machine when he walked in the nut case. But a
great time was had by all with the last part of the evening ending with a
little black jack and/or slot machine fantasies that we may all go home rich.
Unfortunately the next
two days were not blessed with much in the way of wind and socializing was the
name of the game. Occasionally a light breeze would arrive and many a kite was
launched with an unfortunate demise shortly after. The craft fair was fun and a
band kept the spirits light even though the heat was a little much.
Again was want to thank Dusty and Kathy
for resurrecting this great event and providing such a pleasant
envoronment for this fun event. We will all be looking for this event again
next year and this time, with the wind gods willing, many an Artful Kite In The
Sky one every day.
11/03/2001 – Saturday – HOPE Childrens Kite Building Charity
Event:
HOPE
(Healthy Options for Parents Through Education), an affiliate of the Child
Crisis Center-East Valley, Inc.
Angela
Takagi wrote:
As far as your involvement is concerned, we would love for you to fly kites, give pointers to any of the kids that are trying to fly their kites, bring any information you want on safety, tips for buying or flying kites, etc. (whatever you have available that you feel would be appropriate). If you have enough copies of anything that you would want us to distribute we can put it at our information table or if you just want to bring a flyer, we can have the D.J. read it or one of you guys can step up to the microphone and give us some pointers (whatever you feel comfortable with). We have a pretty flexible schedule other than we have our little awards at noon. We thought it would be really neat for you guys to be out on the field as the event started to motivate the kids to get started with putting their kites together.
Thanks again for your help! Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything! I am looking forward to meeting you on
November 3rd!
Well it was a great day for the
kids although the part had a lot of trees to block the wind. The wind gods were
not smiling down on us once again as it turned out. (Darn the Arizona wind.)
The event was very colorful with lots of Route 66 Kite Club participants to
help out. The banners were up, and a large static display of kites lined the
baseball fields fence. About 100 kids and 60 adults (ball park numbers…. Ha ha)
went to town building and decordating kites for the sky.
The kids did a wonderful job of decorating their kites as
displayed below, with one kid making his kite in the form of an American Flag.
A competition was held for the most artistic kite, the highest, and the
youngest fliers.
And boy did they ever fly! It was then that the rest of the
Route 66 Kite Club was reminded of the exuberance of the young at heart and how
a kite does not really need wind to fly. The kids were running all over the
park and the baseball diamond and had their kites up for the most part. There
were many a kites with building flaws of which many of the R66KC was out making
bridle and bowing adjustments for the kids to aid them in their flying
endeavors. Many thanks to all, and especially Rocky Point Howard and the Gadget
Man.
The club
was praised by the HOPE group for giving them such a show and promised to have
us all back in the spring time for another event. So way to go troops, another
charity event benefits from our love of kites and the fun we can share with the
kids. Another generation will be looking to the skies for something colorful
and exciting.
From: Glen Rothstein
Subject: R66KC Participation in
the Family Kite Festival – HOPE Charity Event
Tom
and my fellow R66KC Members,
Thank
you very much for helping Angela put this together...We can't do
these
things without each other.
Best
Wishes & Winds,
Glen
E. Rothstein
Region
12 Director, American Kitefliers Association -
Come Fly With Us! www.aka.kite.org
(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
Nothing left for the rest of this
year.
- - - 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 - - -
01/01/2002
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.
10/05/2002
– Pacific Beach Festival – Major Event For The San Diego Kite Club
10/06/2002 – One Sky One World (OSOW) Annual kite event for world
piece. More to follow as information becomes
available.
10/18-20/02 – Hardyville Days/Art In The Sky Kite
Fly – BullHead City
Note: Any ideas for events, please
contact the Gadget Man at: R66KC@TMSquared.com.
Other News
Gone With The Wind Kite, Reportedly
Going Out Of Business
Dan
Whitney has announced on his website that Gone With the Wind Kites is going out
of business. Boy, it's a shame to see him go. He's a nice guy and he has what
is probably the best kite shop out there.
It
looks Dan will be offering some discounts on his existing inventory. It might
be a chance to pick up some good deals. Check it out!
Chris
Schermann
Kite Competition In Barbados
This Spring
Welcome to Kite flying in Barbados where kites are part of our culture.
For over 30 years a local kite flying competition was held here on Easter
Sunday with great excitement. Next year
our festival takes on a new look and has been transformed into an international
Kite Festival. We are hoping to have participants from across the globe to
compete against each other.
I have attached some information for you and your club members about our
competition and we welcome anyone to join us as a competitor or as a visitor
and we guarantee you that your stay in Barbados would be a memorable one.
Email me if you are interested in finding out about our package tours for
this event in Spring 2002.
We look forward to seeing you here and to having some of your members
participate in the competitions.
Shelly Ross
Indian School Park Is Now
Open
It appears that the grand opening
of the Indian School Park was done over the Veterans Day Holiday. A fitting start
for a great park in the down town Phoenix area. This park is right on the North
East corner of Indian School Road and Central Avenue. The Gadget Man went to
Central High School, right next door and says that this place is huge. The
veterans home is just to the southeast of the park and will have access. When
Lady Jane and the Gadget Man visit Jane’s Father, they have noted the
improvement in the park on an on-going basis. This will be a good place to fly
kites in the future and we will be scheduling Kite Fly’s there on a regular
basis. If anyone has had the chance to scope out a good flying field in this
new park, please report it to the Gadget Man and we will plan an outing.
See you all there soon, and
Keep’em Flying,
Gadget Man Manson
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?)
Kite Tips
This
tip was borrowed from the Boy Scouts of America’s motto…Be Prepared.
Have
you ever been to a kite field and forgot your line sets? Or your kite handles? Or even your kites? I’ve heard horror stories of people driving
across cities, states, and even across country to festivals and forgetting one
of these things. Provided is a
checklist of what you might want to bring to the kite field to save those
embarrassing moments including ideas for a quick repair kit.
Checklist
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Kites. The most
important thing in kiting! Bring them
all. You never know when the wind is
going to die down or kick up.
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Line Sets. Make
sure those kites don’t get away. Have a
variety of lengths and strengths on hand to suit the mood or conditions of the
moment.
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Handles or Finger Straps. Color-coded handles are a good way of distinguishing the left
line from the right. I usually go by
the rule “red is right” when using red and black handles. Use any method you like, but when flying
someone else’s kite be sure to ask which is which.
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Banners or lawn ornaments. It’s nice to splash the flying field with a little color.
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Shade.
Especially here in the Valley of the Sun! Bring a wide brim hat to keep your head cool. An umbrella shade or EZ-Up tent is the ideal
portable shelter from the hot Arizona Sun.
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Tent Stakes.
Keep your EZ-Up from doing Lazy Susan’s over your head.
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Hammer. For
pounding in your tent stakes.
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Sunscreen. Even
in the cooler days of winter the Sun will burn your skin with prolonged
exposure.
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Sunglasses.
Protect your eyes from the UV rays.
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Spray bottle.
These make great portable misters.
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Liquids. Bring
a jug or cooler of ice water, Gatorade or soda pop. Flying kites is good exercise and you can get dehydrated before
you know it.
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Snacks. Most
kite fields are a long way from a convenience store. On the way to the kite field, stop by and pick up your favorite
snack. If not for you, pick me up a
Twinkie.
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Camera. The
disposable ones are cheap and take great pictures.
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Trash bags. Help
keep our flying fields beautiful and useable.
Clean up after flying.
Repair Kit
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Fishing tackle or lightweight toolbox. A good starting point for a repair kit.
-
Lighter. Most
kite materials and line sets are synthetic and can be easily melted with a
lighter to seal the edges.
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Knife, razor blade, or scissors. There’s always a need to cut something.
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A mini-saw. To
downsize a rod or spar. A portable
Dremel tool is the ultimate cutting tool!
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Pliers and diagonal cutters. Helpful crimping tools.
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Flathead or Philips screwdrivers. If anything they make a standby kite stake.
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An indelible ink pen (fancy way of saying permanent
marker). This can be used to mark line
sets when repairing or sleeving the ends.
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Clear packing tape.
Excellent for sail repairs. Also, Popular Outdoor Outfitters has ripstop adhesive tape for
repairing tents. That can be used to
fix the leading edges of your kites.
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Plastic tubing.
Clear or black, they provide a quick replacement for old brittle edge
connectors. They can be found at your
local home improvement stores.
-
Zap a Gap.
Better than Super Glue. You can
find them at a Hobby Town or Play It By Air.
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Rubber bands.
Use it to keep your bottom spreaders from slipping off the center tee.
If
anyone has suggestions on what they would like to see in “The Leading Edge”
please send me an email at mailto:romantru@hotmail.com. My next
installment will be on different ways of launching your sport kites.
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).
Flick Flacks
And Other Fun Stuff!
New Trick Or
Losing Control?
Used Kites For Sale And Lost Kite Listing
Nothing
lost or for sale at this time.
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!