To fly a kite properly and safely, you need a windy day and an open space. It is extremely important to avoid such hazards as trees, power lines, and busy roadways. Beaches, fields, playgrounds, meadows and flat roofs of buildings, are fine spots for flying. Never fly a kite during extremely high winds or in wet or stormy weather. Remember to always use a dry string --not wire or metal string that would conduct electricity. It takes a bit of practice before one is really able to get "the feel for flying a kite." The following pointers will help you fly your kite successfully.

UP ... UP AND AWAY

In order to make the kite airborne, you must stand with the wind at your back. A kite is launched by holding it up and letting the wind take it. It is important that the kite be held by the bridle or keel facing the wind. It is not necessary to run with the kite to raise it into the air.

 If you need some assistance to launch the kite, a partner holds the kite overhead and backs away about 20-25 steps into the wind. When the wind pulls the kite, your partner tosses the kite into the air, and you let out a little string. If the kite sinks, you stop letting out the string until the kite gains some height. If the kite does not rise, it may need adjusting, or there may be too much or too little wind. If you are alone, you place the kite on the ground, let out some string, and walk a few paces into the wind. As you walk faster, the kite should become airborne. When you feel the wind tugging at the kite, more line should be let out gradually.

HIGH FLYING

Once the kite is up in the air, it is important to continue to keep the line fairly taut. If the kite drifts downward, quickly reel in some of the line until it is taut again. Then hold the reel steady without unwinding, and watch the kite soar upward.

If the kite goes into a dive, let out extra line rapidly. The sagging line will help to balance the kite until it rights itself again. Sometimes it helps to move toward the falling kite, letting out line as you go. Tug firmly to make the kite climb. When it tugs back, release the line slowly.

 Sometimes a kite flies well for a time, but refuses to climb past a certain height. It may be that a strat or layer of calm is reached. If so, there is usually another breeze a little higher up moving in a different direction from that of the surface wind. Often the kite may be made to climb out of. the calm by letting out a quantity of string and then giving a number of short pulls. In this case, the kite may continue to ascend after the upper wind is reached; the various layers of air and their movements are shown then by the directions taken by the different parts of the string.

WINDING IN

To land a kite successfully requires some skill. There is no fun in finishing a successful flight with a disastrous landing.

It is a good idea to allow more time for winding in the kite than it takes to send the kite up. Do not wind the string in too fast, or the kite may dart. One or two plunges at a great height are nothing to worry about, but as the kite approaches the ground, difficulties begin to increase. If the kite does dart and loop as it is being reeled in, you may have to walk the kite down. A partner must wind the string on the reel as you hold the string and walk slowly toward the kite. You then continue walking toward the kite until you are able to grab the kite.

FIX-IT KIT

It is a good idea to take a small repair kit with you when you go flying. It should include a pair of scissors, some string, tape, and extra tail material. The kit will come in handy, if you have to repair a torn cover, extend or shorten a tail or make any other on-the-spot repairs.

 
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