It’s great to have open fields where you can fly your kite in the breeze! Flying kites is a fun activity loved by many. It’s also a good activity to enjoy with your family, especially with children. However, getting your kite to soar high in the sky can be quite a challenging task. So, here are a few simple kite-flying hacks which can make anyone a master in the art of flying kites.
1. Selecting a Kite
The most important step is selecting your kite. Kites are available in many designs, such as 3D kites, Box kites, Critter kites, Diamond kites, Dragon kites, Power kites, Specialty kites, Stunt kites and Sport kites. Box kites are usually difficult to assemble and Stunt kites can draw a crowd of on-lookers. To add beauty to Diamond kites simply attach a long tail.
2. Choosing a Space to Fly
After choosing your kite, the next most important decision is choosing a good location to fly your kite. Kites perform best when they have a lot of space to fly in, so the bigger the flying area, the better. Open fields are best along with a good wind speed. The field should be free of power cables, buildings, trees, etc. so that your kite doesn’t get entangled anywhere. Hills are one of the best places to fly a kite. Just make sure you stand in the right direction so that your kite soars high. Never fly near airports, or across roads to avoid causing accidents.
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3. Wind Speed
Since the wind is not under your control you need to look out for the right conditions to fly a kite. The wind should not be too strong, nor too light. A windsock or a flag can help you with determining wind speed. When the wind makes bushes and trees move gently, that’s the time to take your kite out for a fly. Light and medium winds of 6-15 mph favor Dragon, Delta and Diamond kites. In strong winds use Stunt, Turbine and Sport kites.
4. Avoid Thunderstorms
It’s best not to fly your kites when it’s raining or there is lightning. If you fly a kite in these conditions you can suffer harm because a kite flying during bad weather can attract charges present in the atmosphere which can lead to a major electric shock. So, be careful to choose good weather conditions.
5. Preparing Your Kite
Use a snap knot to attach the line from your kite to your ball or reel of string. Make four holes in your kite by putting two holes adjacent to each other in the top section of the kite, and two more holes in the bottom, or tail section. Tie the thread tightly. The kite is ready to fly, but now you may need a buddy to help launch the kite. Ask your buddy to hold the kite, while you hold the ball or reel of string. Have your buddy stand at least 20 meters from you. The kite should be facing you with your back to the wind. If the wind is behind the kite, it will fall.
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6. Lift-Off! Flying Your Kite
Now you are ready to launch your kite into the sky. Wait until you feel a gust of wind and signal your buddy to release the kite. Pull on the string a little bit to create some tension as you launch your kite. You can let your kite hover in the clear blue sky. You can make it dance and even swirl round and round. The most difficult way to launch a kite is by running, so this is not recommended. Running makes it hard to launch your kite and often results in your kite either getting tangled somewhere, or getting torn.
7. Flying the Kite
To keep the kite flying, you should maintain a steady tension on the string. Hold the string in the direction it is pointing. When you want the kite to go up let out the string a little at a time until it reaches a suitable height and then let it fly smoothly in the sky. Attaching a tail to your kite adds more stability.
8. Wind Direction
Now that your kite is soaring in the sky, pull on the string every now and then, and release some string to make your kite go higher. Keep in mind the wind direction because you will need to change your position when the wind changes direction or else your kite may fall down.
9. When the Kite Gets Tangled
Don’t worry if your kite gets tangled in a tree. Don’t try to pull the string, it will either break the string or tear the kite. Sit and relax while you let the wind move your kite away from the tree. Now you can go and pick it up and fly it high again.
10. Landing Your Kite
Landing your kite is much easier than launching it. All you have to do is roll in the string slowly to avoid the kite looping.
