Kite Flying Tips

Tangled

If your line gets entangled with another line, walk quickly to the other flyer and hold your lines together. The snarl will slide down the lines to where you can reach it and separate the lines.

Landing

Walk toward the kite while reeling it in. Some people make a last effort to "save" the kite when it's near the ground by tugging very hard on the line. That kind of violent tugging can send the kite spiraling into the ground. Although made from flexible bamboo, care must be taken to maximize the flight life of the kites. To avoid a crash, release a lot of slack as the kite nears the ground so it may gently float to the surface.

Where to Fly

Although any location with a strong steady wind can drive your kite high into the air, safety should be a priority. Fly kites in an open area free from obstacles, such as walls, electrical lines and tall trees. Allow yourself a large maneuvering area so you won't trip on anything while you're looking up. A popular location that provides consistent wind for kite flyers is the beach.

How to Launch

Stand with your back toward the wind, holding the spool in one hand and the string attached to the kite in the other hand. Cast the kite into the wind, either with the assistance of a partner or by strategically swinging the kite in the air until the wind pulls the kite away from you.

Flying

With steady wind, pumping the line (a series of sharp tugs) is more effective in driving the kite upward than running. If the line becomes slack, bring in some line so you can feel tension on the line again. With very good wind, you can stick the spool in the ground and let the kite fly itself. Fly your kite below 500 feet for the safety of air-traffic.

Kite tilting in flight

There are a lot of factors effecting a kite's performance in the air that may cause veering to one side or another. In 3D kites, minor imbalance can be caused by not inserting the kites in the kite body evenly. Try pulling the wings out and reinserting them. Sometimes even attaching a paperclip to one wing can make a difference.