Airy family hobby
Let kites fly: This is how your flying object takes off quickly and safely
The beach is the best place to fly a kite
© Vasyl Dolmatov / Getty Images
To fly a kite, you need one thing above all: wind. Nevertheless, this is still no guarantee that your flying object will take off on the first try. This guide will help you get started.
Large areas are particularly suitable for kite flying. So it is hardly surprising why wide sandy beaches in particular are popular places to launch all kinds of flying objects. However, what looks child’s play at first glance involves a lot of work: In addition to the right location, the wind direction, the position and the line of the kite also play an important role when taking off. Only through the perfect interaction of all components can a flying object glide through the air without crashing. You can find out exactly how this works and what else you need to know about dragons here.
Help with choosing a kite: tips for beginners
Tip 1: Children as young as three can fly a kite with the help of their parents. Best suited for the little dragon tamers are light models that can be stabilized in the wind with small fringes or an additional extension and glide through the air more easily or fall less quickly. Even beginners should start with such a kite, such as this here:
tip 2: Most kites are single or double line. The name comes from the number of cords that hold the flying object in place. Single lines are more suitable for beginners or children, while two lines are more exciting for adults because they require more skill. Professionals even take on four-liners. If you are interested in a dual line stunt kite, you will here find it.
Tip 3: Even if it’s great fun to make a paper kite with your children, it has little chance of surviving outdoors: the paper planes are quickly destroyed by the wind and possible falls. Cloth kites, on the other hand, can withstand much more. When buying, pay attention to the bridle cord – it distributes the pulling force over several points on the fabric or the poles. here an example.
Tip 4: Light kites fly better when there is a light wind blowing – other models only really take off in strong gusts of wind. The perfect wind force to fly a kite is between three and six. With a wind force of seven, you have to use an enormous amount of force to tame your flying object, with a wind force of eight, only true professionals can keep up, and with a wind force of nine, nobody should try again.
Step by step: This is how your dragon glides through the air
First things first: Never fly your kite near an electricity pylon or high-voltage power line – you are putting your life in danger here! Instead, choose a large, open space, such as a lawn or sandy beach. Once you have found a suitable location, the first step is initiated.
Step 1: Determine the wind direction. For this you can either rely on your own senses or you can use a special anemometer (such as this one here), which can determine the exact direction even in strong winds. Then position yourself so that you can feel the wind on your back and lay your kite down in front of you.
Step 2: Make sure the kite’s line or two lines are pointing up before taking a few steps backwards (without the flying object). While walking, carefully unwind the line from the spool without your kite already lifting off the ground. Once you have determined your position, you should stand with your feet apart for a firm hold.
Step 3: At first, pull the leash very lightly and then pull it hard again, but not suddenly. If your kite starts to lean, it can be caught by the wind and thrown into the air. During this process it is important that you keep the line under constant tension (if you have two lines, always switch left to right) so that your flying object does not sink.
Step 4: Conversely, this means you have to release the tension on the line to let the kite land. Just leave the line slack or approach your flying object if you want to make it sink. At a stunt kite you can also steer it towards the ground with the help of the lines.
Safety first: How to minimize the risks A kite’s line can conduct electricity during a thunderstorm © Romolo Tavani / Getty Images
- If you want to fly a kite with your children, the person who is not piloting the flying object should always stay behind the pilot and not run under the flying area or under the kite.
- As a pilot, you are responsible for ensuring that you do not endanger other people or animals with your kite – by never letting your flying object glide low over a living being.
- The tension on the line can seriously cut spectators. For this reason, you should always keep enough distance from other people and the maximum line length of 100 meters.
- Stunt kites require strength and skill, so children under the age of twelve should only practice with single lines. And only on the days when the wind is strong enough to get the kite airborne, but weak enough not to lose control.
- Never fly your kite during a thunderstorm – the line can conduct electricity and seriously injure you. For the same reason, there should be no power poles in your area.
- Large areas have the advantage that you do not injure other people when you launch a flying object into the air. On top of that, you protect your dragon from getting caught in a tree or being destroyed.
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