28 the aerial eye / fall 1996 the aerial eye a quarterly publication of the aerial photography committee of the American Kitefliers Association volume 2 / number 4 / fall 1996

US$4.00 USA & CANADA

US$5.50 overseas

Town Square, Villanova di Bagnacavallo, by Andrea Casalboni

sources If you can’t find what you’re Into the Wind 1408 Pearl Street looking for locally, try these: Boulder, CO 80302 Lines Bookstore Phone (800) 541-0314 Post Office Box 466 (303) 449-5356 Randallstown, MD 21133-0466 Fax (303) 449-7315 Phone (410) 922-1212 The granddaddy of kite mail Fax (410) 922-4262 order houses. Wide range of The world’s largest selection of , kitemaking materials, kite-related books. Catalog. and accessories. Catalog.

Kite Studio Air Affairs Playground, 5555 Hamilton Boulevard 107 Chelsea Road Golden Gate Wescosville, PA 18106 Hatboro, PA 19040 Park Phone (610) 395-3560 Phone (215) 672-1470 by Fax same Fax (215) 674-2826 Cris Benton Extensive selection of kitemak- Manufacturer of Sutton Flow ing materials. AKA publica- Form Kites, from 4 sq ft to tions and logo merchandise. 450 sq ft. Custom orders too. Catalog. KITES & KITEFLYING 2 the aerial eye fall 1996 3

2 years = 8 issues our feature this issue: the aerial eye kites & flight This newsletter is produced by the This issue completes our second year of Aerial Photography Committee of the publication. It’s late due to conflicting per- by STEVE EISENHAUER American Kitefliers Association. It is sonal priorities—sorry about that. Our sub- scriber list now stands at about 200. We’ll our goal to publish quarterly, in Au- A year ago, kites were the focus of the and 13' DCs have cen- lose some of those in the big year-end re- gust, November, February, and May. summer issue of the aerial eye. ter openings too newal frenzy, but our dropout rate has Single copies and subscriptions are small for use as a been very low, which is most gratifying. Since then, I've made changes in the available to AKA members and non- lower kite in a train; Makes the volunteer effort worthwhile kites I fly and how I fly them. Other KAP- members alike, under the following the 8' DCs have large and rewarding. Thanks. ers have likewise made changes and im- fee schedule: provements in their kites and flight meth- openings designed Each issue brings a new contributor or single 4 issues ods. So revisiting and updating these for flying in a train. two, but we can use more. Deadline is AKA $3.00 $10.00 topics seems like a good idea. There’s The hardest-pulling first of month of publication (see left). overseas $4.50 $16.00 truth in the adage “Only a fool learns from kite should always be Non-AKA $4.00 $15.00 Text via Email or on 3.5" (9cm) high- experience: a smart man watches and at the top of a train; overseas $5.50 $21.00 density disk (Mac or IBM in ASCII text for- learns from the fool.” In kite selection and during early ascent at mat) is preferred, but typed text or hand- flight method we've all made some fool- lower elevations the lower kites tend to Domestic subscriptions will be written letters are welcome too. Like- ish mistakes, but let's learn from mistakes flop around (and even occasionally circle). mailed by first class mail; overseas wise, diagrams in PICT, TIFF, or EPS formats collectively, not individually. Like a train locomotive, the top train kite subscriptions (i.e., outside North are best, but pen drawings, preferably on For me, delta-Conyne kites are still the must be big enough to pull the lower America) will be mailed by air. white paper, will work as well. ideal load lifters. Six DCs are in my bag: a kites into flying position and to prevent Advertising is available in modules Photos may be sent as negatives, prints 13' Sun Oak, a 10' Marshall and four 8' Ul- derailment (a plunge from the sky). of 2.25 inches wide by 1.25 inches or slides, or by electronic transfer only if tralights. Some experienced KAPers use DCs have a tendency to overfly [i.e., high, at $20.00 per module, payable in you’re on AOL. We can also read Kodak rokkakus, parafoils, deltas, and other de- glide over your head with slack line] in advance. Advertising in which aggres- PhotoCD, or 3.5" high-density disks in the signs. Each design has inherent advantag- light winds or whenever the wind dies sively competitive pricing is featured formats listed above. We'll keep the es and disadvantages; flying skill can over- down. If your camera is attached, this ten- will not be accepted; call if you have prints unless you direct otherwise, but re- come disadvantages and accentuate dency can be problematic: your camera questions or need more info. Camera- turn all negatives, disks, CDs, and slides— advantages. loses altitude quickly, and crashes if you ready copy is not necessary, but is ac- eventually. can't reel it in quickly enough. One solu- ceptable if it meets the above criteria. I’ll describe my own technique for flying tion is a substantial tail or drogue. I use Copy deadline is the first of the month Send everything to Brooks Leffler at the DCs, and leave the detailed discussion of both on my 13' DC: a drogue (29" circum- of publication. Contact Brooks Leffler. address below. other designs for KAPers with more non- DC experience. Last year I used one non- ference inlet, 4" circum. outlet, 16" length) DC kite—an Italian-made facet box kite for that trails 15' behind, and two 6' long 5- american kitefliers association aerial photography committee high wind conditions—but it crumbled in a strand streamer tails. On my 10' DC, two 6' gale one day and is no longer in my kite- long 5-strand streamer tails alone are suf- Steve Eisenhauer, Chair Brooks Leffler, Editor bag, So my experience is now exclusively ficient since this kite isn't used in light 229 Lake Ave, Pitman, NJ 08071 PO Box 34, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 with DCs. winds; the tails are more for stabilizing (609) 589-2049 Fax (609) 785-1766 (408) 647-8363 Fax (408) 647-8483 kite movement than to control overflight. [email protected] [email protected] Like most kitefliers, I watch tree limbs, leaves, and flags to estimate wind speed. On the 4 DC train system, the top kite Wolfgang Bieck Craig Wilson In a strong wind, the 10' DC goes up alone; has similar 6' long' 5-strand streamer tails. Am Britzenberg 23 7210 Harvest Hill Road in weak winds, the four 8' DCs go up in Never put a tail or drogue on kites below 29549 Bad Bevensen, Cermany Madison, WI 53717 train. For moderate winds, the 13' DC pro- the top kite: entanglement can occur as (+49) 5821 24 43 (608) 831-6770 the kites often wander during ascent. [email protected] [email protected] vides the lift or, if needed, one or two 8' DCs are added in train below it. The 10' • continued on page 24

4 the aerial eye fall 1996 5 measuring kite characteristics the eagle of sitka by CRAIG WILSON by ROBERT S. PRICE, Burtonsville, Maryland Sure, I could make it just like someone Looking up at kites flying overhead one nents: lift and drag. Lift is presumably use- The trip to Berck- else’s but that isn’t my style. Mine would sometimes wonders “Which is the better ful since it lifts the kite and any payload. sur-Mer, France, in need to come from my heart, my soul, my flying kite?” Drag is generally considered undesirable April was quite an ex- garage. So on Saturday I started. but is very important in that it provides perience for me. The One can make a pretty good judgment if The first thing I did was to go out into much of the stabilizing force the kite aspect of the experi- one kite is outstanding or the others won't the garage and look for different things needs to fly steadily. ence that had the fly. What if they are fairly evenly matched? that I could use to build the Picavet out of. greatest impact on How well is a chosen kite actually perform- One of the important quantities meas- According to Wolfgang Bieck, before start- me was meeting oth- ing? If you make a subtle change, did it im- ured on aircraft wings is the lift to drag ra- ing any project, you first need to build a er KAPers. With the prove or injure the kite performance? tio, L/D. Ratios for different wings (or kites) garage. I already had a garage so I saved a exception of very brief encounters with Some measurements can be made fairly can be compared as a measure of efficien- great deal of time and could get straight Brooks, Anne, and Steve, I had never been easily, such as the line pull, line angle, and cy. The lift to kite weight ratio (L/W) can on to the Picavet. kite weight. Others are more difficult, such also be used in comparison. But the wind in the presence of another aerial photog- speed must be considered too since the rapher. Sure, any two sticks forming a cross as sail area and wind speed. would work, but I was looking for some- lift is directly affected by the wind speed. Berck was for me a pilgrimage to the Everyone knows that the pull on a kite thing with a “spirit” to use. Much of my Since the drag also varies with wind speed, Mecca of KAP, and I was completely string increases as the wind strength in- present and past systems are constructed L/D may also be affected. Can of worms, floored by the creativity and beauty of the creases, within limits of either not flying or out of pieces that have spirit. Part of my isn't it? rigs that I saw there. From the creative rig crashing. Even that is not strictly true; at pendulum is a piece of broom handle. The I prefer to compare real kites on the ba- of 16-year-old Julien Guilbert of France to launch the kite may pull very hard and broom was used for as long as I can re- sis of lift per unit weight. This basis in- the highly technical video-assisted rig of then pull less strongly as it assumes its nor- member in my family’s garage where I cludes all the faults of the builder and awk- Andrea Casalboni of Italy I was amazed at mal flying attitude. grew up. It had spent it’s life sweeping up wardness of the design. the different approaches to solving the Every kite is affected by three forces sawdust and dirt from many creative en- same problems. My conclusion is that (Fig. 1). One is gravity, one is the line pull, How can one measure simultaneously deavors over a period of maybe a dozen they all work quite well and that any sys- and the third is the force caused by air enough of the factors involved to make a years. When the bristles were worn down tem in the hands of a skillful and knowl- flowing over the kite surfaces. The latter meaningful comparison? The procedure to mere nubs I cut the handle off and edgeable operator will make terrific pho- force is composed of two major compo- described below may be one way. saved it knowing that some day it would tographs. If, in a photograph, the ho- have another use. rizon, the kite, and the kite HARANGUING & THREATS Aerodynamic Force Some of the parts of my kites are from line are visible, the line angle After much ridicule, haranguing, persua- old parachutes that my family used to set and the angle of attack of sion, and threats from some at Berck, I up as sun shades when we went camp- Fig. 1 Lift the kite may be recorded si- have conceded to go on-line, pay more at- ing. A few nuts and bolts, some aluminum Forces on a kite multaneously. If the line ten- tention to the needs of my family, and and aircraft-grade plywood components Drag sion and wind speed could construct a Picavet suspension system. of my rig were once part of an be measured and recorded I am on-line at work and at home now. that my father built. in the same photograph all I am still negotiating the family thing. And the variable data could be A MATERIAL WITH SPIRIT I want to make it clear that I am not re- preserved in one picture! When I went into the garage to select a placing the pendulum with the Picavet, Line Pull material for the Picavet I searched for a Wind speed should be only adding the option of this beautiful material that had spirit, a material that measured at the kite since suspension system. Kite Weight the wind on the ground may would contribute that spirit to my photog- On the plane home from Berck I began • continued on page 20 • continued on page 18 to consider how I would make the Pica- vet 6 the aerial eye fall 1996 7

them. It's too heavy. Some ordinary paper training deltas spar stiffness equivalents glue will do the job just fine. by PETER BULTS, Holthees, The Netherlands SIZES (OD) IN MM Never use heavy Dacron for reinforce- ments unless it is really necessary. Multi- DOWEL GLASSFIBER CARBON ple layers of the sail fabric saves weight When I started KAP the only serious 7 ...... 4 with same result. Five layers of Icarex P31 single-line kite I owned was a 2.5m delta. 8 ...... 4 weigh as much as one layer of Dacron. Obviously this wasn't enough. I went 9...... 6 ...... 5 through a lot of kitedesigns; deltas, rok- 10 ...... 6 ...... 5 When you like to change the wooden kakus, delta-conynes, foils etc. It was diffi- 11 ...... 8 ...... 6 frame of your kite to save some weight it cult to make a decision. The fact that my 12 ...... 8 ...... 7 is important to maintain its stiffness. From kite had to be a large one made me more 13 ...... 9 ...... 7 so-called spar comparison charts and my uncomfortable because I had no experi- 14 ...... 10 ...... 8 experience I created a simple chart [left]. ence in flying those kites. 12 ...... 9 To attach the lines to the kites I use Eventually I came to the conclusion to 14 ...... 11 lark’s head knots to be fixed behind a fig- build a train of deltas. Trains of kites do 19 ...... 15 ure eight knot. Undoing these knots is have some advantages. You can control 22 ...... 15 problematical unless you have a little loop the amount of pull by the number of kites at the end of the main loop. If this loop is aloft. What's more trains are known to be about 20 mm long you even can less sensitive in “dirty” windconditions. leave your gloves on. [see below] There are always some kites in the train I launch the kites one by one. The that do their work properly. And a delta is first kite has 12m line and as soon known for its high flight angle and good as it flies stable the next kite is at- 2 performance in the light wind conditions 31 g/m (1oz/sq yd). Other features are tached. This process is continued un- that often occur in the place where I live. minimal stretch, high UV resistance and til I have the required lifting power. What size? Some literature suggested zero water absorption. that the pilot-kite should be larger than Of course the frame is made of graphite • æ the others to provide some pull on the spars. I use a Exel RCF 7 spreader, a RCF 6 whole system. Another argued that the pi- Ultra for the spine and the leading edges [left] Tethered Boat, by Peter Bults lot must be small to prevent overflying. are kept in shape by RCF 5. This kite Well, stay in the middle of the road and weights only 180g [6 oz], which is a reduc- Lark’s Head build them 2.5 m wide. tion of 43% compared to my original delta with loop To overcome the traditional problem of made of nylon cloth and ramin dowels. training deltas I used Tom Pratt's design If you consider to use Icarex for any of of a Twin Keel Delta as published in the your kites in the future the following tips book Kites: A Practical Handbook by Ron may be useful: Moulton and Pat Lloyd [Argus House, 1992; Since Icarex doesn't absorb water you ISBN 1 85486 050 X]. can use water to glue together temporari- The last kite I had built was a indoor- ly larger pieces of fabric prior to the sew- stunt kite. In that sport, weight reduction ing. Just spray a little bit of water on one is paramount. So why not use that experi- piece and put the other in the right posi- tion. Stuck like nailed! ence now? For weight in the kite reduces Figure-8 Knot the amount of “payload” in KAP. That's If you care about the weight of your why I made the delta-sails in Icarex™ P31. kite never use double-sided tape to keep That is a polyester ripstop weighing only smaller parts in position before sewing

8 the aerial eye fall 1996 9 nakajima-san’s double-box delta craig wilson’s trusty 18-footer by MASAMI NAKAJIMA, Narashino-shi, Chiba, Japan

The Cape of Futtsu Craig’s delta is one of the hardest-working is a major headland kites in KAP, having carried his camera for C running into Tokyo thousands of pictures. He adapted the plan Bay. This headland from one published long ago in KAPWA News, serves as a park, and and like all kite plans, it is scalable to larger its tip has a public and smaller sizes. He usually flies this kite observatory, good with a 100-foot (30m) tube sock tail to spot with wide pros- keep it from overflying (i.e., flying at pect. too high an angle). I flew my 2.2m We mailed this plan as a bo- double-box delta nus insert to our third issue, from the top of the before many of our cur- E observatory and rent readers had joined took the photo with us. But it’s such a suc- the Nikon Mini com- cessful lifter that pact camera. we thought it de- G This kite, es- served an encore pecially in ul- appearance. tra-light materi- —bgl als, should be a J L great lifter in A B light air, due to the biplane “slot” effect. It’s more com- pact and H should be easi- er to fly than a K train of delta- Lengths in cm. Conynes. –bgl Wingspan C-D = 472.4 F Spars A-B = 274.3 C-G & D-H = 233.7 All spars are E-F = 213.4 Keel .616 filament- A-J = 60.9 wound epoxy Wings J-L = 142.2 tubing; sail is A-C or D = 304.8 L-B = 71.1 1.5 oz ripstop B-C or D = 254.0 J-K = 91.4 nylon. C-E & D-F = 162.6 L-K = 132.1 • æ D • æ 10 the aerial eye fall 1996 11

On the rescue kite’s line (with the kite and was concerned about the possibility of kites in trees—an on-line serial about 100 ft above the ground), I used a being lifted off the ground if the other long loop of line attached with a larks neighbor abandoned him. I sat on the by HENRY JEBE, Douglas, Alaska head knot and then added a couple of ex- ground with my feet braced among some tra hitches to make sure the line wouldn't rocks to anchor myself, while the two [Between trips for his job with the Alas- The wind was going through lulls and slip at all. Through this loop I attached a neighbors walked the line down. ka State Ferry system, Henry keeps me gusts but I was trying anyway. I had two small carabiner, and snapped it around I wish I had a video of the whole en- posted by email on his adventures KAPing 8' Delta-Conynes [see æ, 1.3] in tandem to the line of the kites to be rescued from counter as it was very interesting to see in the Great North Woods. Here’s a recent provide lift and had let out the line to the the trees. the power of the wind at work. I was im- saga which fits our theme for this issue. — altitude I wanted, intending to walk the I let out enough line to start lifting the pressed at how well this rescue worked, bgl] line down to attach the rig since I had an rescuee’s line from branches. Holding even though I wasn't able to make a good available beach. both rescuee and rescuer lines and con- attempt until the second day after the Yesterday I was trying to shoot some After a couple of tries, with the rig not trolling them both was difficult at best. treeing. This was primarily due to the very better photos of the neighbor’s house, attaining enough altitude for good shots, I Soon a couple of neighbors came out and gusty and changeable wind directions of while they were gardening in their yard. It should have quit. One last try, with the helped, taking some line up on the spools the day after. It was amazing that the seems almost every time I try, the wind is camera in the air and the energetic dog while I controlled the lines with my han- kites didn't get any more tangled than just not cooperative. This time was no dif- clamoring for attention, I looked up in hor- dles [see Henry’s Handles, æ 1.4]. they did after a couple of days of being ror to see everything sort of tumbling out ferent and I should have quit while I was First one kite let loose of the branches, tossed about by the wind. of the sky. ahead. and after about 15 minutes of walking I kept the line of the treed kites at- Another neighbor's Chesapeake Bay Re- I grabbed the camera, covered the lens around getting different angles of tension tached to the spool and clear of the triever was being very playful and wanted and dropped it on the ground. A gust of the other kite came free. Nearly the entire ground away from animals until I was able to “fetch the stick” or anything else for wind hit and the kites were upside down power of the 14-ft D-C was pulling on the to make each attempt, until success was that matter. headed for earth, then sort of started two rescue kites in a near-20-knot wind achieved. their turn skyward. The line hooked a before they came free. • æ branch in a fir tree and the kites got into Upon freeing, I was somewhat sur- Our intrepid correspondent , the turbulent air behind the trees. They prised that the kites pretty well flew inde- A tree’s eye view of KAPing in a less-frenzied setting. fell into the downwind side of the tree- pendently. The tandem D-C's flew to one Henry’s backyard flying field. tops and are still there. side a ways and the After too long a time puzzling my pre- 14-ft D-C flew off to dicament, I decided to try to use my 14 ft the other side. D-C as a rescue kite. I didn't think of it be- I have a couple of fore the wind became entirely too light small snatch blocks (though I did try). I made one attempt this that I made, which morning, but the wind was unreliable, were very useful for changeable and from the wrong general pulling the three kites direction. I became a bit afraid of losing down all together. another kite to the trees. What do I do They were essentially when I run out of kites? flying on the same TWO DAYS LATER… line up to about 200 Yayyy! I got em back! ft where the carabin- Just thought I would drop you a short er held them togeth- line to let you know that I managed to er. fish my kites out of the tree. I used a bit of The one neighbor experience gleaned from KAP to help me. is only about 140 lbs.

12 the aerial eye fall 1996 13 rokkaku tips & techniques by KEVIN SHANNON, 809 Factory Street, Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 5°

[The traditional japanese design called necessary to fly the kite must be stronger 4 Rokkaku—meaning six-sided—is widely than for ripstop versions. Also due to their Length of bridle used as a KAP lifter, in sizes of 4 to 8 feet softer coatings, parachute nylon or even not drawn to scale. high. It’s very stable, powerful, and easy general nylons will make excellent Rok- 3 It will be longer. to build. Rokkakus are among the de- kakus if you are willing to hot-cut every- 5 signs marketed by Kevin’s Carlisle Kite thing and stabilize the finished kite by us- Works. He originally wrote these notes ing non-stretch edge binding. for the 1991 AKA Convention and has gra- Pockets for the frame should be made ciously allowed us to reprint them here. — lines to a sturdy tow ring with a lark’s of nylon webbing material or heavy cross- head loop at the marked point. bgl] grain ribbon. Size the pockets so that their Rokkakus are built to proportions. The width is four times the stick diameter. This is your reference mark, which two most common are the ratios of 3-4-5 should be very close to the actual tow FRAMING point. Fine tuning is done on the field in and 4-5-6. The first number is the distance very easy to bridle Bamboo is the traditional framing mate- preparation for flying. between the two horizontal spreaders, using this simple method: the second is the span of the horizontals rial. If that is the direction you wish to go, BOWING and the third is the overall height of the you're on your own! 1) Bridle positions on the sail are usually one unit in from each end of the horizon- The depth of the bowstrings on the kite. See illustration. My preference is for hollow fiberglass tal spreaders, or for a stronger support on spreaders should be 10% of the width of (also known as epoxy tubing). My recom- For example, if your base unit is 10 in. big kites, 1/4 of the width of the horizon- the kite on larger kites (6' tall or more) mendations for sizes are as follows: and you use the first ratio above, your tal in from each end. and up to 15% of the horizontals on small- kite will be 30 in. between the horizon- VERTICALS er kites. The deeper bowing is needed on tals, 40 in. wide, and 50 in. tall. By using 2) Cut two lengths of line, each three up to 45 in. .208 (E-40) smaller kites because they react more these ratios, you can easily design your times the height of the kite. Attach one 46 in. to 60 in. .370 (FL370) quickly to gusts and eddies in the wind. kite to any size. end of one line to the top bridle point on 61 in. to 78 in. .414 (FL414) one side and the other end to the lower Be sure to use a bowing tie-off method Of the two ratios, the most popular is 70 in. to 110 in. .505 (FL505) bridle point on the same side. Attach the that will not come loose if the kite is the 3-4-5 due to its more square shape. IIO in. to 130 in. .610 (FL610) other length of line to the other side. Use struck. I have seen many kites become This is more pleasing to the eye when de- HORIZONTAL SPREADERS whatever method you choose to attach unflyable after contact with another kite signing artwork for the kite materials. simply because the bowstring has loos- up to 40 in. 3/16 in. FG rod the bridles to the kite so long as the two [Theoretically, the taller variant should be ened, making the kite uncontrollable due 41 in. to 54 in. .248 (FL248) lines end up being of equal length. I prefer a bit more stable for KAP but would gen- to loss of stability. 55 in. to 70 in. .350 (K75) loops on the line ends that pass through a erate slightly less lift due to its lower as- grommet on the sail. This allows the bri- 71 in. to 85 in. .414 (FL414) FLIGHT ADJUSTMENTS pect ratio. —bgl] dle to be affixed directly to the spar. 86 in. to lOOin. .505 (FL505) Kite won't rise: Move the tow point to- MATERIALS 3) Pull the left bridle out taut to the These are general recommendations ward the top of the kite in small incre- right of the kite so that the upper leg of The preferred fabric is ripstop nylon in based on a 4-point bridle. By using a six- ments until the kite wants to fly. the 3/4 oz. to 1 oz. weight. Heavier weight the line is aligned with the top spreader. point bridle, you can lighten up on the Kite is unstable (fishtails): Move the ripstop is usually too stiff to billow correct- Then slide your finger up so that it is rods by one size. tow point toward the bottom of the kite ly for stability. Amazingly, cotton fabric about 5 degrees above the top spreader. in small increments until the kite is stable. can make a very well-behaved Rokkaku BRIDLING Mark this point. See illustration. If necessary, increase the depth of the due to its porosity, which induces stabiliz- Probably the least understood part of 4) Transfer this mark to the same spot bow. ing drag. Just be aware that the winds all kites is the bridle. Rokkakus are really on the other bridle line and attach both • æ 14 the aerial eye fall 1996 15 aerial gallery

Above: Pavilion, Red Reef Park, Boca Raton, by Bob Pebly R: Prom Night Bow-Tie Adjustment, by Cris Benton

Above: Capitol Hill, Washington DC, by Steve Eisenhauer R Center: Castle in Bodenteich, near Uelzen, Germany, by Michael Haugrund Below : Croquet Tournament by Brooks Leffler LR: Old Chattanooga Bridge by Chuck Jones 16 the aerial eye fall 1996 17

could easily have gone through their front ard.” I didn’t add that the most likely per- watt happened! window. son to get electrocuted was me. Eventu- by TOM BURGENER, Freeport, Illinois Actually, it took awhile to determine ally she agreed to relay my call. where the kite was snagged. I could Over an hour passed with no word from It was a normal tension-filled day at line into the sky. clearly see the kite, but with 2000 feet of the utility. I was getting desperate/ line it was difficult to figure out where the frustrated and finally grabbed a rope and work, so when I got home the prospect of Although the surface winds continued some relaxation was a high priority. end was. Although the reel was bright headed back to the power pole. As I to die, the winds aloft seemed as strong orange, the top of a 7200-volt power pole drove down the road I saw a large dark sil- That’s why kite-flying was invented, as ever. Finally I started reeling in, but af- wasn’t it? The fact that the wind was per- down a long country lane didn’t seem a houette ahead of me with a spotlight—the ter only 50 yards or so I realized walking normal place to look. company truck, finally. fect, both in strength and direction, may down was going to be a necessity. I be- have influenced the situation too. So af- gan to make the necessary arrangements It was very tempting. The reel was not I led him down the farmer’s lane to the ter checking with my wife about supper to anchor the line and reel, and that’s quite 20 feet above the ground with the pole and he shined his light up at the reel, plans and finding that it was “a bowl of when IT happened. line going over the top wire and the reel looked back down at me and said soup anytime”, at 6 PM out the door I fetched up solid against the lower wire. “Where’s the kite?” “Up there,” says I. One second the reel was in my hands— went. I live in a rural area, so it was a From ground level it was impossible to tell “Where?” says he. By now there was ab- and the next second it was gone! short trip to the front yard with a 12-foot how it was snagged, but it gave the ap- solutely no surface wind, so I could under- delta, line, and flight box. The first lesson learned was immediate: pearance that a slight movement of the stand his confusion. “Uh, about 2000 feet next time I fly this kite the reel at mini- In short order all was assembled, and reel could release it to fly again. It could that way,” I said pointing skyward. mum will be tied to me. The second les- the delta was up sporting tails from the be easily reached by ladder, but…there He shined the light back up, spotted the son learned was that I couldn’t climb a center and both tips. This was the second was that 7200 volt thing. string, and followed it until it disappeared barbed wire fence and run through a corn- flight for this kite, and I paused with Now I’ve been known to attempt a few into the sky. Then he looked back down, field nearly fast enough to catch the rapid- about 50 feet of line paid out to gauge the dangerous things, but I respect 7200 volts, shook his head, and with a comedian’s ly disappearing reel. The third lesson was, strength of the wind. The pull, while and I’ve heard too many stories about sense of timing said “Didn’t your mother always put my name on the kite. strong, seemed manageable and consider- plastics conducting high voltage elec- ever tell you not to fly kites next to ing the time of day one could expect the At this point, I slowed to a walk and tricity because of the moisture con- power lines?” winds to diminish, so away we went. hoped I’d be able to keep the kite in sight tent of the material. Humiliated, positively humiliat- until hopefully it snagged on something. As the kite rose I noticed it flew at an Swallowing what little pride I ed. But at least he was smiling, Then I heard a car engine racing and extreme angle, much higher than 45 de- had left, I called the power com- and he admitted that calling looked over to see my wife headed up the grees. I attributed this to not having pany. The customer service op- the power company was the lane to the road, hoping to catch the reel much line exposed to the wind, and was erator wasn’t exactly sympa- correct and socially respon- as it crossed the road. curious how the line angle would change thetic, and explained to me sible thing to do. So he as more line went out. Every few hun- Unfortunately, the reel beat her to the that they “don’t do kites.” I geared up and climbed dred feet I paused and secured the line to crossing point and went over another explained the situation. into the cherry picker. a screw-in dog stake to rest, observe line barbed wire fence as it headed across the “So, this is an adult kite?” Initially our plan was angle, and to enjoy the view. Once again neighbor’s field. The last I saw, it had she asked. Not wanting to hesitate too to tie the rope to the reel for security, but I congratulated my good luck on wind di- been hitting ground about every 30 feet long over an honest answer to that one, I once up he determined the reel had rection: No trees or power lines down- or so. As I stumbled up to the road, how- said yes, it was an expensive kite. “And made a couple loops and twists around wind. Nothing but unplanted cornfields. ever, it seemed the kite wasn’t drifting you’re saying that it poses an electrocu- the lower wire and there was no way to further away. Eventually, all 1000 feet of line was out. tion hazard?” she queried. Well, no, I untangle it with the rope attached. I Hmmm.....decision time. In the flight box Hooray, it must be snagged! The ques- hadn’t said that exactly, but I was begin- made sure to tell him to hang on to the was another 1000 foot spool of line that tion was, on what? As I looked towards ning to get a feel for this game. “Well, the reel for dear life, and he started untan- had never been flown, and it was whisper- the neighbor’s house 1/4 mile away, the reel is right against the wire and it’s easily gling it. (Very frightening to watch him ing “fly me.” Well, why not. After some fourth lesson of the day was learned. Just reached from a ladder, so yes, I suppose it bracing his body against bare wire, even fiddling with swivels and knots, the new when I figured I had a relatively harmless could be considered an electrocution haz- with the proper equipment!) spool was attached and happily spinning hobby, the realization hit me that the reel • continued on page 24 18 the aerial eye fall 1996 19 sitka • continued from page 5 raphy. I went to the storage bin the autostable kite of s. berthomé in my garage, passed over the text & drawings by GEORGES GREPIN, Aressy, Bizanos, France plastic tubing, the aluminum strapping, the small pieces of I am extremely interested in stickless and there is a lack of wind at low altitude clear maple, oak, and pine, and se- kites for low speed wind, as I usually work . lected a ten-foot-long piece of Sit- in remote areas, swanps and wetlands, ka spruce—a piece that was left I have tested two models of stickless where it is sometimes difficult over from the construction of my kites (parafoil type) but I was not confi- to use a large Rokka- father’s airplane, a piece of wood dent with these models as I experi- ku or delta, that I have been saving for almost enced unexpected folding without fifteen years. A piece of wood recovery in unstable winds. that, from the day it sprouted I suppose the technology has from the earth, was meant to fly. evolved now. One of the best soft kites I I needed less than 16 inches of have tried was designed by a French engi- this wood, but the long piece of neer, Sylvain Berthomé, many years Sitka was the proper choice. Sitka ago.…It is based on an autostable NACA is light, straight, rare and beautiful wing shape. The incidence of this wing and it is the only wood to use if adapts to the wind speed and the lift and drag is reduced in comparison you are building a flying machine. very special friend, this suspension sys- The real beauty of this choice was that it with a Rokkaku when the wind in- tem has “the spirit.” It has been ma- creases. The kite flies well over meant that I could add extra spirit using chined, shaped, touched, and blessed. my old table saw and dado head, drill, tri- your head and you need a tail to square, compass, block plane, sandpaper, Once the Great Eagle perched upon this lower the angle. Due to the small jig saw, glue and clamps, and a ruler from Sitka’s majestic branches; now the great number of lines, it is extremely my grandfather to assemble the cross and Sitka has been given the gift and it too easy to handle and take off. to give it an airfoil profile. will fly. I had no chance to use it for With the addition of a beautiful set of The rewards will be great. • æ KAP, but it’s designer had used miniature blocks that were a gift from a it for video. …I think that an inflatable tube inside the wing will avoid accidental tion to Wolfgang himself. The series con- collapse. I have no time to KAP in the press tinues. build and try this system, has gotten an The Cerf-Volant Club de France devoted but I think it will work unusual amount of attention in the print nearly all of the January issue of their jour- well. Anybody media since the first of the year. nal Le Lucane to KAP, with many photos. interested? Most lavish coverage has been given by Air & Space, a monthly published by • æ Sport & Design Drachen, published in Ger- the Smithsonian Institution, gave two pag- many and distributed all over Europe. es to Craig Wilson in their March issue, in- Last fall Wolfgang Bieck negotiated a reg- cluding Craig’s very unusual image of the ular space for KAP in each issue of the bi- Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington DC. monthly magazine, and he is coordinating Steve Eisenhauer garnered seven (!) the series of articles. Two-page spreads pages in the March/April issue of Bird have been authored by many of our regu- Watcher’s Digest, from which we’ve lars: Craig Wilson, Steve Eisenhauer, Katsu- gained a couple of new adherents. taka Murooka, and Brooks Leffler in addi- • æ 20 the aerial eye fall 1996 21 measuring kites • from page 4 forces exerted by the ball anemometer on the weight and can be included in sweat the details be much less than it is 50 or 100 feet up. the tension calculations. Therefore the anemometer should be very by STEVE EISENHAUER light and remote-reading. An anemometer To obtain meaningful data several con- ditions must be satisfied. The air flow using a ping pong ball was developed As the wind pulled my canoe across the side pine tree, and my expensive camera must be relatively stable. The horizon some years ago*. lake I muttered: “This isn't what I submerged. must be visible. The kite should be a The ball, supported on a fine monofila- planned!” stable flyer. The kite should fly well at an Inexplicably, the canoe slowed down, ment line, is blown by the wind until the altitude such that the required elements The wind was strong. Ten minutes earli- and stopped. My eyes, previously fixated line is at a certain angle from the horizon. can be readily distinguished in photo- er I paddled the green 16-foot Old Towne on a falling camera, glanced downward to The angle depends on the aerodynamic graphs, and all should appear in the same canoe into lowgrowing reeds and onto a see a wonderfully-thick mass of black drag and the weight of the ball. If the an- photograph. submerged log. The canoe seemed secure rush: a plant that grows only in very shal- gle can be measured the wind speed can so I didn't bother to tie it to a nearby low water. In my early experiments my require- be calculated. A ping pong ball is not very bush. large, and the short string length on the ments were basic: a kite, kite line, the I cranked the camera all the way down ping pong ball might make reading the an- lightweight anemometer, the weight- My two kids were in the canoe’s front. without mishap, unhooked it from the gle from the horizon very difficult. string tensiometer, and a good camera in They knew their role: dangle hands and kiteline, pushed my canoe paddle deep the field; a pair of drafting triangles, a good feet in the shallow water, pull out a lily into the lakebed mud, and tied the imbed- Styrofoam spheres hollowed out may be scale and/or balance, a protractor, a calcu- pad or two, just stay occupied until Dad's ded paddle to the canoe. With the kite used as a substitute for the ping pong ball. lator, paper, and pencil. finished flying his kite and getting his aeri- still flying (safely now) at 200 feet, I The equations for the larger sphere can be al photos. It should take about 20 min- paused with my kids and we paid hom- derived from those of the ping pong ball Before going to the field one weighed utes. age to the good luck angels. anemometer. The length of the line sup- the kite, the weight, and the ball. In the porting the ball can be increased greatly so field, one person flew the kite and another The 4l-square-foot Marshall delta- After a few minutes, the camera went long as its weight and drag are negligible. photographed it. The only skill required Conyne went up quickly: I only had to back up and I got my photographs. The was to be at the proper position so that stand briefly to launch it. At 200 feet ele- only witnesses to my folly were my kids, Many years ago I reinvented a method angles were not unduly distorted by paral- vation I hooked on the 2-channel camera and they're so accustomed to my mis- of measuring the tension in a kite line. lax and to click the shutter while condi- cradle and sent it up 100 feet. haps they often don't tell anyone about When a known weight hangs from a line tions were stable. As a check on the latter them. Now I only have to deal with my im- under tension the line is bent. If the angles Everything looked fine. Just send the condition several pictures were taken a age with the 200 subscribers to æ. But of the ascending line and of the descend- camera up 200 more feet and get some few seconds apart so that it could be es- then you're scattered over 18 countries ing line relative to the horizon are meas- aerial lake photographs. But suddenly a tablished that conditions were not chang- throughout the globe. I probably won't ured, the tension in each line may be cal- lengthy squeak came from the bottom of ing too fast; that is, the kite was not climb- culated. the canoe: the unmistakable sound of a run into any of you downtown next week ing, falling, yawing, etc. when I pick up groceries, and a boat an- The essential elements are thus availa- Royalex-plastic canoe rubbing across a When photographs were printed they chor. ble. To apply them is rather easy. A rubber- log. A gust of wind had caught the kite • æ were ready for measurement. Paper and jawed clamp may be attached to the kite and lifted me and the canoe off the log photograph were firmly attached together, line about 10 feet below the kite. The and into deeper water. or to a table, while the measurements in the winter issue: known weight may be attached to the I looked back at my kids, hoping to were being made. Using triangles and par- clamp and the ball line attached to the blame someone else for this situation. But allel rules, lines parallel to the horizon, kite KAP Electronics bottom of the weight. If there is no swivel they stared at me with innocence and keel, ball line, and the two segments of Now is the time to report on at the kite and care is taken in launching, amusement: “Dad, we're moving.” kite line on either side of the weight were there should be no twisting or fouling. The your electronic solution made on a piece of paper. Angles were The kite was pulling hard. The canoe to a KAP problem. measured with a large protractor to was sailing along. The camera was drop- * see “The Amateur Scientist, Experi- achieve as much accuracy as practicable. ping. I was reeling in line like a madman. AD & COPY DEADLINE ments with Wind: a Pendulum Anemome- But the other side of the lake was draw- ter and Miniature Tornadoes” by C. L. ing near. I imagined my trusty delta- NOVEMBER 1, 1996 Strong, Scientific American, October 1971. • continued on page 22 Conyne entangled in a 60-foot-high lake-

22 the aerial eye fall 1996 23

measuring kites • from page 20 coordinates of nine points on a neat little book Fig. 2 7 The resulting numbers were used as in- each usable photograph were recorded by hand and en- Coordinate 5 Kite Keel If you find Bob Price’s article intriguing, put to a home-brew computer program to Measurements 8 you may wish to read a new book by obtain aerodynamic lift (the total of the tered as data to a revision of Lead Weight the computer program, Figure AKd Dutch kitemaker Harm van Veen called kite weight and vertical string pull at the 3 The Tao of Kiteflying, published by Aeolus kite) and wind speed. The results were 2. The program computed the Press, who produce Kite Lines Magazine. plotted. Within the scatter of the data it angle of the string segments AFd 9 ABd Only 56 small pages long, it is packed with was possible to detect the wind speed at and the kite keel to the hori- zon. It then calculated the kite theory and Harm’s wise and whimsi- which the kite would fall and the lift at 4 forces and ratios as before. String Ball Marker cal illustrations, and serves as an excellent some standard speed. The latter value, af- Anemometer Ball plain-english discussion of kite stability ter combination with the kite weight to A typical photograph is 1 6 and how to achieve it. It’s $12.95 plus obtain an L/W figure, could be used to shown below. It has been Photo Axis compare two kites. marked to show the points H or A, + or - postage. See Sources, page 28, for order- True Horizon 2 ing info. measured on the digital im- ENTER KAP age. The defined lines could After early experiments, I concluded also be transferred and meas- peditions have been made to obtain data. vertical verse that data should be obtained at higher alti- ured to obtain the desired angles. The ac- Record reading and data processing have tudes than were possible using a ground- tual coordinates are measurable to about Kind of a new perspective been accomplished. The instrumentation based camera. The kite height was limited 1 pixel. has performed well considering the envi- Intensive by the requirement to see the horizon and Two difficulties were encountered. A ronment and abuse it has endured. Type of new photo resolve the ball, weight, and string in the point (“4” in Fig. 2) on the kite line about 20 How good is the system? Probably as Evolutionary same photograph. A telephoto lens would feet below the kite was marked by a ball permit observation of the kite and instru- good as the wind conditions under which about one inch in diameter. This indicated the tests were made. There seems to be a And cool too mentation but the horizon would be be- the direction of the weight to flier line. The direct correlation of the consistency of Extrodinarily exciting low the field of view. ball was extremely hard to find in the data with the wind conditions for a series Right in every way The ability to use a camera supported prints and even more difficult in the digital of pictures. Kite height is the second im- Interesting by a kite has made it possible to obtain image. The red ball was easier to see but portant condition. More data will help in Awesome good records of kite performance at high- was still too small. The solution to this evaluating this technique that does meas- Lights up the sky er altitude, and still satisfy all the condi- problem is use of a larger marker painted ure the performance of real kites in open tions. Camera and subject kite can be well black. Since it is to be located at the lower air. above the ground, the horizon can be visi- end of the string segment leading ground- • æ Peaceful ble, and the camera and subject kite can ward from the weight, Heck of a new style be close enough together to obtain ade- it will have no effect on Outrageous quate resolution. It is easier said than the kite measurements. T akes us everywhere done but it has been done. The major remaining Out of this world Three expeditions were fielded to Re- problem is positioning Great and cool hoboth Beach, Delaware, and on the third the camera so that the Really real attempt nine usable pictures were ob- proper view is obtained. At the click of the shutter... tained out of twelve attempted. About This is obviously a prob- Photos are taken above ground nine usable photographs were obtained lem that may be solved Heights are unbeliveable with the camera on the ground. by using more observ- ers and/or more sophis- You should try it soon A new approach to record reading was used on these photographs. Though the ticated rigging. Casey Wilson films were processed as usual to obtain In summary, at the Madison, Wisconsin prints, they were also digitized and the im- present time several ex- ages stored as files on floppy disc. The X-Y 24 the aerial eye fall 1996 25 watt happened! • from page 17 ceived 2 inches of rain. At 11:00 I stag- summer sledding Sure enough, the winds aloft were fear- gered back into the house, culminating some and he nearly lost it when the last my 5-hour “fun fly". by PAUL FIEBER, Madison Wisconsin wrap came off. From the look on his face Three weeks after the event I received I’d say he gained a new respect for the a call from a company conducting a cus- It was hard to tell who was having and the energizing sounds of great classi- pulling power of a 12-foot delta. As we tomer satisfaction survey for the power more fun — parents and kids building cal compositions rolling from huge speak- parted I thanked him for coming out at company. My name had been fed to the kites, teacher/organizer Jeff Kataoka of ers. What a blast!! night, and my wife thanked him for not pollster “as a person who had some inter- the Kite Society of Wisconsin or Craig Wil- In between all those tiny sleds I had my having to listen to me grumble for a action with the utility in the last several son, coaxing his pendulum-hung Pentax first experience of flying my new D.C. in a week. weeks.” above dozens of little sled kites fluttering crowd, even though my KAP stuff isn’t I spent the next 1-1/2 hours walking up The power company is generally held in in a gentle breeze over Milwaukee’s Lake quite ready for the line. It was a bit scary and down lanes, the road, and the corn- low regard due to their outrageous prices, Michigan shoreline. with all that traffic, but it turns out there fields in the dark dragging that thing out but it’s hard to be critical when one’s 12- The Friday evening before, Craig had really is a lot of room up there. And Jeff of the sky. At 500 feet the pull was great- foot delta and tails with 2000 feet of line given an inspiring talk and slide presenta- was good enough to point out the few ly less, and at about 100 feet my kite final- and reel attached were rescued at no tion to a small but enthusiastic group at plastic kites to avoid because of their nas- ly gave up and fluttered down. charge at 9:00 at night by a lineman who an exhibition entitled “Play Per View” ty lines. The fifth thing I learned is that 2000 was more amused than irritated. sponsored by the Milwaukee Art Museum, The Art Museum Kite Fly lifted spirits as feet isn’t much across open and smooth I hope my answers don’t skew the re- the Kite Society of Wisconsin and Gift of well as kites. Several adults I spoke with ground, but it’s a different thing altogeth- sults too much. Wings, a local kite shop. seemed as delighted as the kids, amazed er in the dark over cornfields that just re- • æ Seeing Craig’s slides and prints first at how much fun they were having and hand was a treat. As a fellow Madisonian, how relaxing it was to build and fly a kite. kites & flight • from page 3 air. The box section makes a DC relatively I was familiar with many of his subjects, And it is quite likely that Craig inspired sluggish and stable, and provides a lot of Kitefliers are concerned with having but the views from above were amazing at least one inner city kid to someday lift; the delta section facilitates launching clear land below their kite in flight. With and almost unimaginable. In his response hang a camera in the sky. in light winds. Launching can be the most to questions about technique and equip- an expensive camera aloft, I'm more con- It might also be a good idea to keep an enjoyable aspect of kiteflying; I love to ment, Craig’s simple philosophy was evi- cerned with having clear land behind me. eye on Craig. I thought I overheard him show off for onlookers: rapidly letting out dent — that passion and commitment are Although I don't run when sending kite saying something about picking up a pair 200' of line with the kite less than 20' up, usually more important than the stuff and camera aloft, I often walk quickly of rollerblades for some reason or an- the drogue or streamer tails occasionally that gets hung in the sky, or how it hap- backward to increase the relative wind other. I couldn’t help wondering if he will speed. Walking backward with the wind touching the ground, and then braking pens to get up there. the line and watching as the kite rockets lace them on before or after his big delta behind you is a great way to launch your But back to Saturday! By mid-morning a in a smooth arc upward to near vertical. is up. kite when the wind is weak near the diverse group of parents, kids • æ ground, or to keep your camera aloft I’m a big hulk of a guy, 6'2" tall and 210 and older folks were in full when the wind is intermittent. I like to Ibs., but I always strive to appear as a swing at the lakefront Art Mu- think I’m too sophisticated to run, but graceful kite aerial photographer. It may seum, designing and building when my $1,500 video camera is aloft in- be an unreachable goal: no one has ever dozens of small sled kites stead of my $300 35mm camera, running used that word to describe me. But per- about 28 inches high. haps, as I grow older, less-frequently fre- is immediately added to my repertoire of After a hour of cutting, netic and more experienced, the ascen- flying methods. drawing, gluing and affixing sion and flight of my wonderful DCs may Solo launching of DCs is easy: the box line, kids and adults lifted help transform my KAP style. CRAIG WILSON section helps hold the delta section up- their kites amid the laughter right on the ground; with a little line ten- The end result may never be graceful. of children, the quiet clicks of sion and a light breeze I can walk 100 to More graceful may be all there is for me, rollerbladers easing their way 500' away and long-line the kite into the and I’ll just have to live with that. • æ along a nearby lakefront path 26 the aerial eye fall 1996 27

wouldn’t use a FF30 in the conditions Pe- KAP photos for [National Geographic Mag- [Harald sent us tech specs, but we’ll aerialetters ter cites, I’d use my FF16, but if you don't azine] and, of course, the æ in the future.… wait until we have pix to accompany have that option, you have to make do It has been hard to experiment while them. We look forward to a complete re- with the kites in your bag. If you’re using on assignment. I prefer to have my techni- port. —bgl] hangups with heavier rigs or line or in CAVEAT BUILDOR cal house in order before I leave home, MORE KAP ON THE WEB strong winds, be prepared! —bgl] but I guess I just sound like I'm making Today I found the weakest link in my I am a new subscriber to the aerial eye KIND WORDS excuses. Perhaps KAP can be both fulfill- and have just received the first issue re- system. It was a BROOXES HANGUP™ [æ 1.4]. I ing and humbling at the same time. A I've received the first six issues of the view. It's very nice! You can find some- was flying a FlowForm 30 because the metaphor for life. wind was blowing much more than the aerial eye and am delighted with the thing about my KAP works at delta-train likes. As usual I fixed the cradle treasure trove of information on KAP. Con- Peter Essick http://users.iol.it/annagalletti/ Brooklyn, NY with two hangups to the kiteline. Sudden- gratulations on a stunning mag! Alberto Bonati ly one of them failed. The “side-plate” of I have a simple Pentax PC-500 point-&- WINDMILLS AUF DEUTSCH Imola, Bologna, Italy the part where the line is looped around shoot camera, and have set up a cradle In the last issue of the aerial eye I read came off in such a way that the hangup similar to [brooxes better brownie box, æ about the windmill-style camera station These days I am absorbed in making a jumped off the line. Since I use a Picavet 1.1] with panning servo and shutter re- of Katsutaka Murooka and got a smile on home page for the Internet. The page suspension there was a second hangup lease servo. I am currently flying it with a my face. contains JKPA members’ KAP photos and that kept the camera in the sky, so no real double delta-Conyne from Into The Wind Four weeks ago I have finished the their information. You will see strange harm done. in a ten foot span; it seems quite stable work on my newest camera-rig, which letters on the screen (as the text is writ- The reasons for this problem are in my and lifts the load easily. Hope to get some takes 8 photos in 360 degrees horizontal ten in Japanese), but you will surely enjoy opinion: a) the material I used isn't strong film in the camera on the next outing, and like the system from Katsutaka. The hori- the photos. The home page is expected enough; I used plastic from a cutting will let you know if good results begin to zontal angle is changed by a modified ser- to develop in future, with more and more board, but I'm not sure it is UHMW. b) occur. vo which works without limits. photos. You can access the page at: The pinching forces of the loop in the kite- Bob Eskridge To start the working of the rig, I have to http://www.cc.rim.or.jp/~nakajima line are huge. c) The pushing forces of Miami, Florida two pieces of line trying to pass in the push a switch. Then I have about 45 sec- Masami Nakajima same gap are important. PETER’S PROGRESS onds to get the camera station stable on Narashino-chi the altitude. The servomotor gets started Anyhow, I think it is good to think I own both a Sutton FlowForm 30 and a Chiba, Japan from an electronic circuit to leave the stop about the hangups if you use a strong FlowForm 60. I've had the most luck with switch. After that, it will work on until it pulling kite. Either you use a stronger ma- the 30 using a donut [Halo hoop winder] arrives at the stop switch again. Then it [Eye-flier John Maxworthy of North Mer- terial (aluminium) or heavy duty hangups. and 250lb. line. It has taken some time to has completed a horizontal movement of rick, New York, also had a page several My suggestion for the latter is to use two move up the learning curve but this com- 360 degrees. To start the work again, I months ago, but I can’t find it now. extra metal side-plates (big washers) and bination is what I'm feeling the most com- have to push the start switch once more. fix them to the standard hangup by fortable with right now. I've flown the Cris Benton’s venerable KAPage, if you means of a bolt and nut. The added FF60 a couple of times with 500 lb. line Last Friday, I had the system the first haven’t seen it, is at: weight won't be a problem in those condi- but could only fit about 300 feet of it on a time in the air. Unfortunately, it was a http://www.ced.berkeley.edu/~cris/ tions. 9 inch donut. Also, it can be very hard to clouded late afternoon and the wind was kap/ very slow. I have no results yet, because Peter Bults handle the line in any kind of a wind. We’re indebted to Cris’s Web site for the film is not full (Waiting for the next Holthees, Netherlands I've had the idea of eventually purchas- about half of our subscriber list, and you’ll event).… [This is the first failure of a hangup that ing a Strato-Spool winder with a brake. see why. If there are other KAP sites out If I have time, I will work out more in- I’ve heard about. I created the device for This wouldn't be very portable but could there that we’ve missed, let us know! — formation about the system (pictures, use with my gear, namely rigs weighing be a way to maintain some control…. bgl] electronic plans, results...) less than 2 pounds (900g) and kites which I hope to keep working out the bugs are comfortable on 220# (100kg) line. I with the goal of getting some publishable Harald Prinzler Schlangen, Germany • æ