Expert Tips
Guide for New Kite Pilots
There is some debate about where kites originated.
Some say China, and some say in the South Pacific with
the islanders there. The Japanese and Balinese have
their own stories which explain the origin of kites.
Wherever they were invented kites have a long history
of recreational and scientific use.
Kites are used as a fishing aid in the Solomon Islands.
Kites are used by the Koreans to announce the birth
of a child. Kites were used by the Chinese during battles.
They were made of bamboo and had the tendency to hum
and shriek in the wind which frightened the enemy. Kites
in the Chinese and Japanese cultures were capable of
holding or "flying" a person in the air where
the person could spy or act as a sniper using bows and
arrows. Many kite designs that were developed for the
military or for scientific purposes can be seen at kite
festivals and competitions today.
Whether you are a serious stunt kiter or just want to
lay in the grass and see how high and long your kite
will fly, F.G. Bradley’s has assembled a useful
guide to help you touch the sky.
Things you might need to know:
What is a good beginner kite?
The smaller Deltas and Nylon Dragon kites are both easy
to fly and beautiful to view.
What ages do you
recommend to start flying kites?
While even a toddler enjoys kite flying with an adult,
the general rule is 6 years old to pilot solo. For dual
line stunters and large kites: Depending on skill level
and size of the kite, we recommend a minimum of 10 to
16 years. Stunt kites require a certain level of maturity,
so adult supervision is always recommended for children
under the age of 14 years.
Does my kite come with string?
Many of our kites are ready to fly and come with kite
line included. For those that do not include line the
packaging will indicate the type off line required.
Does my kite need a tail?
All of our kites that require a tail come with one included.
Many people will add a tail for decorative purposes,
however, in strong winds any kite will benefit from
the stability that adding a tail provides.
Should the sticks
in my delta kite be pushed all the way to the nose or
the back of the kite?
You need to gently work the two sticks (or spars) in
the seams on the sides (leading edges) to the bottom
of the kite.
Do I need to run to launch my
kite?
Never. (see Kite Tips for advice on launching your kite)
My kite keeps stalling and won’t
gain altitude. What’s wrong?
There is either not enough wind or you need to raise
the tow point on the kite. We recommend that you change
the tow point in increments of 1/8th of an inch. The
tow point is the point at which the line is attached
to the bridle to maintain a balance between pull and
lift to give the kite altitude.
What is a good beginner stunt kite?
Diamond shaped stunt kites are slower and easier to learn.
A good feature in a beginner stunt kite is a flexible
fiberglass frame, as you will note in most of our beginner
to intermediate kites.
My stunt kite won’t fly...what’s
wrong?
The number one reason a stunt kite won’t get of the ground is that you have not let out all of your line prior to launching.
My stunt kite is diving to the left
or right and crashing. What’s wrong?
The line is not even from each handle to the bridle.
Click image below to view great kite flying info:
- Wind Scale
- Kite Tips
- Anatomy of a Kite