KITES
You seldom see kids out in a field flying kites any more.
When you do, it is a disappointing thing to witness because people seem to think it is necessary to run their legs off to make a kite fly - Mom's and Dad's, in particular. They are demonstrating how it should be done. Far too many peoples seem to think you have to run with a kite to make it fly.
Not so.
They buy a gaudy, plastic covered toy kite at the discount store, ten feet of string to fly it with and think all they have to do is to attach one to the other and run around the field to make the kite fly.
No way.
To begin with, the average manufactured kite seldom has the proper feel to fly. If you happen to live near a real kite store you can sense the difference just by examining the materials and know a sense of lift when you raise or lower one. Kites are eager to fly, in fact, but they need a human presence and assist to controlling their doing so. If you have ever been a flier of kites, you already know that the hobby takes lot less work and more fun than many other and you experience a sense of success ever time yui see our dreams airbourne and flying freely. The almost lyrical sweep of kite against the sky is something you can control, too. Kate flying can be demanding of us, as well. It can be brutal and cruel, it can be ender and loving and compassionate.
We used to make our own kits, of course. All that was required was some old newspapers - preferably the comic section which made for a colorful display in flight; some strong string - more string, several balls of it, at least – an old, discarded bed sheet, perhaps, and it was necessary to “borrow” a few tablespoons of flour from the kitchen cabinet sifter bin without Mom becoming aware of our having done so. A little water added and it would became paste to hold the newspapers together as the kite's fabric covering..
The other requirement – stick weeds dry and sturdy or strips of wood, if you had them If you planned a speedy, tricky two-sticker kite, you cut two such sticks and fashioned a cross with the shorter strip about three fourth of the way up the longer one. You tied the together securely form both sides to keep they from slipping back and forth. We used to wind a bit of string around that joint too make sure it stayed firm. If you planned a slower, easier handled three-sticker model you laid out a cross like a “X: with the crossover bar at about two-thirds of the way up way up, and the third shorter horizontal stick was added at the crossover point, tied securely. With a pen knife, we cut a tiny slit it the tip of each stick -.all ends. Start anywhere and and take string through the slit and around he sticks to form a string frame. When this was tied off was a good idea to double tie the end of the horizontal stick over the frame strings to draw all the string tighter .Do so, then pluck the string and sense a dull “zinn-n-n-g” sound.
Next, lay newspaper on a flat surface and place your harped-frame on it. Using scissors, clip all around the pattern to allow about an inch or two of newspaper to be lapped over the string when folded inward. Mix up your flour paste.. Don't make it too thin so that the kite paper gets too wet. Apply it evenly all along he string and fold the paper inwardly to the back of the kite. Make it a good, tight fit..
All kites need some sort of “harness” as a rule. The store-bought toy kites do not have it.. So many people simply tie the string to the topmost point of the upright stick and run themselves ragged trying to get it into the air. Do this: tie a string across the horizontal stick; allow perhaps two inches of slack above the front surface surface of the kite; the the same on the uprights and tie the together at the crossover point. This is not a hard and fast knot to start with. It will slide each way and up and down, allow the kite to fit itself to the wind it receives. Do not make it too loose so that it changes with every twist. That can be regulated by observing how it acts and it may be adjusted and firmed up later on..
Most kites also require a tail assembly, too. There are exceptions in box kites and other fancy self-fliers. The stronger breeze; the longer the tail. Fit the tail to a string suspended from both lower tips on two-stick models and let it slide to adjust to the wind.; Each kite seems to develop a character or personality all it own which dictates the amount of support needed for stabilization in flight.
There is no need to run to get a decently constructed kite off the ground.. Simply hold it facing the breeze and you will have trouble keeping it on the ground.
Warning. .Check out hazards of flying kites in any area. Trees, power lines,, antennae, or nearby buildings which modify the flow of the wind.- anything on which a kite might snag. There can can be dangers in kite flying as may people have, unfortunately, learned through cruel experience.
Go fly a kite! It'll do you good. Take youngsters with you to let other adults see you helping the to fly kites for fun. Better build two kites each time. One for the kids and one of you very own.
A.L.M. February 22, 2003 [c984wds]
