Oh Go Fly A Kite!
The next time you find yourself with nothing to do on a windy day, go outside and practice how to launch and fly a kite! Here’s how to do it.
Check The WeatherThe first thing you need to do is make sure the weather is just right for kite flying. You can turn on the radio or TV, go online or open up a newspaper to find the current weather report. What you’re looking for is light to moderate winds if you’re a beginner kite flyer, or gustier winds if you are an old pro. A wind speed of 5-15 miles per hour is perfect for kite flying. Never fly a kite during a thunderstorm.
Pick A SpotYou’ll have to look around for the perfect location to fly you kite. It should be a large and windy open area that’s totally free of trees and power lines – these two things are very dangerous for kites and their owners, so DO NOT FLY YOUR KITE AROUND EITHER OF THEM!
Launch Your Kite
Hold the kite in both hands and toss it lightly into the wind until the wind catches it. If that doesn’t work, let out a small length of kite string and, holding on to the string in your hand, run with the kite flying out behind you until the wind lifts it.
Let Her Fly!
Start letting more and more string out until the kite reaches a good height – about 50-100 feet high. It’s crucial that you keep your eyes on your kite when it’s up in the air and watch for sudden changes in wind. If your kite dips, run or pull the string in a bit to give it a lift.
When you’re done flying and ready to bring in your kite, lower it slowly to the ground by winding in the string around the spool in your hand. When it’s close enough, reach out and grab your kite in your hand before it hits the ground. Crash landings may look cool, but they can damage your kite.