THE NEWSLETTER OF THE AMERICAN KITEFLIERS ASSOCIATION

VOLUME III, No. 1 February 1981

Robert Ingraham - Founder Wood Ellis, Bevan and Margo Brown - Editors

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT:

The Goals and Objectives of the AKA were developed based on the charter, and in keeping with the original intent. AKA was started as a means of sharing ideas and the joys of kitinq. This remains the main purpose of the AKA.

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Kiting is fun! Some of us are frequent fliers, some fly only occasionally. Our interests are as diverse as the kites we fly. Because of this diversity, the AKA should offer many things to many people. /'

These goals are intended to provide general guidance for the development of the Association during the next three to five years.

GOAL #1: To improve and increase our services to members and the public.

GOAL #2: To increase our correspondence and interaction with clubs and individuals.

GOAL #3: To continue to publish the AKA newsletter to provide bi-monthly communication be­tween the AKA, members, and kite clubs.

GOAL #4: To increase our membership, in total numbers, interested individuals of all ages, all ethnic groups, members of the kite industry, nationally and inter­nationally.

GOAL #5: To establish a charter-club relation­ship between kite clubs and the AKA to our mutual advantage, and to foster new kite clubs as primary means of growth.

GOAL #6: To establish and publicize NATIONAL KITE WEEK, as the first week in May.

GOAL #7: To maintain revenues as required, and in step with the costs of providing services to the mem�ers and the public.

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New AKA President Bevan Brown with his Carousel Kite

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The objectives are shorter range initiatives that we intend to pursue durinq this year - with the support of the membership.

Objective #1: To establ ish NATIONAL KITE t-JEEK.

For this year, we are proclaiming NATIONAL KITE WEEK by our own endeavors. To this end, we are requesting that local clubs and members sponsor kite events during NATIONAL KITE WEEK. Suggested types of activities include:

• Contests and kite flys

• Library displays

• Writing articles for publication in local news media

• Kite workshops

• Work with youth groups, Scouts, Junior High Schools

• Local radio and TV public service announce­ments

Please notify AKA of all events, so that we can publish and share the results.

President's Letter (Cant.)

We are also developing NATIONAL KITE WEEK posters, suggested news releases, and other infor­mational materials to be provided to interested members and kite stores.

Kite Clubs - now's your chance! REGIONAL DIRECTORS - activate and coordinate! Members ­do what ever you do best, and ask your REGIONAL DIRECTORS for support. Share your good ideas.

Note that we have established a REGIONAL DIRECTOR'S CORNER in this issue - See Frank Hoke's letter from Region 3.

Objective #2: Develop Kite Information Packages and Guidelines.

We want to continue to develop materials on how to make kites, hold kite workshops, kite games, contests, suggestions on starting a kite club, etc. and make them available to clubs, members, and the public.

We need volunteers to help with this. Please send in ideas, descriptions of kite games, etc: �,Ie wi 11 pub 1 ish them and provi de sets to the REGIONAL DIRECTORS, and to members on request. We also need help in assembling the packages into suitable form - volunteers?? This supports GOAL S # 1 and 2.

Objective #3: ---

To Broaden our Contacts into the Retired ana L eisure Communitles.

This is a new initiative. We need volunteers to work with people in retirement communities, ar.d to encourage them to form their own kite groups. We also need articles suitable for publication in magazines aimed at those communities. We would like to see those with leisure time become invol­ved in helping others - such as youth groups in their areas. �e would like copies of articles and permission to reprint. He would consider takino ads in suitable magazines to promote AV� membership. �Ie need volunteers to work on this!,

Objective #4: To provide revenues to cover AKA operating expenses.

Effective March 1st, the AKA annual dues have been increased to $10. We are still finalizinq arranoements to provide administrative support services to ensure that we can be responsive to the members.

The AKA will remain informal and personal, regardless of the exact form taken for admini�tra­tive support. It is our intent to be responslve to your needs, - and we promose to try. We are open to constructive suggestions.

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Objective #5: Publish the AKA Newsletter.

The newsletter is our primary means of sharing information. We need help. This is your Newsletter - and we need information on your activities and interests, pictures, sched­ules of events, and articles. We have created a glorious CONTRIBUTOR'S PATCH - see the last page for details.

** HELP! COME TO OUR AID! **

�Je need an editor for the AKA News 1 etter. Margo and Sheila have done their turn. Get involved, meet and correspond with fascina­ting people! It's an effort, and takes a commitment. We need some one in the greater Washington D.C. area. HELP! SOON! PLEASE!

We also would like volunteers to act as REGIONAL EDITORS, to act as a local area rep - we would be glad to give you a column (each issue or occasionally). This supports GOALS # 2 and 3.

am lookina forward to \'JOrking with you during this coming year. \4ith your help, this can be another great year for the AKA.

See you on the flying field,

//

--�---Bevan Brown Pres i dent, AKA

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1982 AKA CONVENTION SITE CAL L *******************

Now is the time to dec i de l'ihere the AKA National Convention will be held in 1982! We are looking for groups willing to host this event in 1982. Please contact us if you are interested. We need to make the decision and get facilities confirmed.

******************* As a service, we will publish the names of

AKA members who want to establish correspondence with others of like interests.

Woody Cullum, 8 5 29 Main Ave, Pasadena, MD 21122, wants to hear from members. He also asks if anyone could qive him information on where to oet the new Dan Dunford Acrobatic kite called the daredevil. He is a "stunt kite e������� _______________________________________ _

WHAT IS IT? WHAT IS IT? WHAT I S IT? WHAT I S IT?

GARRY WOODCOCK, who is the main instigator of the Toronto Kitefliers, challenges your perceptual orientation with thi s one .

Garry says, "The 8x10" print is the one that the judges in the Cerf-Volant Club Aerial Photo Contest liked best . It was partly the reason my entry won 2nd prize, probably.

"The site is J . C . Jaddington park in Port Credit, about a mile from my home . It's my favorite flying spot, and most of the testing for the aerial photo apparatus was done there . . A s you see, the resolution o f the 4 5 IDffi . Tessor lens i s quite good . The balsa wood camera uses 120 film so the entire image formed by the lens is recorded. This print cuts off about 1/4" around the periphery where it gets unsharp. This was taken at f8, 1/500 sec on Verichrome Pan film. Using Tri-X allows f16 where the c overage and resolution are really amazing . "

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festivals ... March. 1981. A large. month-long display of hand-crafted kites in the lovely old building of the Brampton Public Library and Art Gallery. Toronto. Canada. A chance to display your best. Contact: GARRY WOODCOCK, 1055 Shawnmarr Rd., *68, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. L5H 3V2.

March I. 1981. The annual MOOMBA KITE FLY, in Royal Park, Melbourne, Australia. Prizes for good kites, and giveaways for the kids. Contact: HELEN BUSHELL, 10.Elm Grove, East Kew 3102, Australia.

March 14, 1981. 14th Annual Oahu Kite Flying Contest, at Queen Kapiolani Park in Honolulu. This beautiful kite-flying area is large; attendance is large; the wind is often large. Contact: BEN ESCOBIDO, Sport Section of Recreation Dept., 650 S. King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 9b813. (908)524-1257.

March 14. 1981. Open to the public. The annual Paul Garber Lecture at the Smith,sonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

March 14, 1981. Unconfirmed. 'The Great Outta Sight Kite Contest.' Charlotte, North Carolina.

March 15, 1981. Unconfirmed. 53rd Annual Zilker Park Kite Contest, Austin, Texas.

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March 15 (Sunday). 1981. Waxter Center Kite Workshop and Display, at the Waner Center for Senior Citizens, Baltimore, Maryland. Contact: MEL GOVIG, (301) 484-b287.

March 22. 1981. 5th Annual Capitola Kite Festival. 10 AM on Capitola Beach, Santa Cruz County, California. Full range categories.

March 22, 1981. The Cheltenham Art Center, Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, (near Philadelphia) will show kites as art. The Greater Delaware Valley Kite Assoqation will fly kites, as the kinetic part of the show, at Tookany Park, in Cheltenham. All members are invited. Contact: OLAN TURNER, Ib28 Crescent Blvd., Yardley, PA 19067.

March 22. 1981. Confirmed. Usually a big crowd. Fifth Annual 'Come Soar With Us' kite contest and airshow. Bull Run Regional Park, Virginia, USA.

March 28. 1981. 15th Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival at the Washington Monument grounds in the District of Columbia.

March 29 (Sunday). 1981. Takoma Park '13en Franklin Kite Contest', 12 noon to SPM at the Takomil Recreation Center, Takoma Park, Md. Contact: BELLE ZIEGLER, (301) 270-4048.

--April-4rl-98-h-Kite=-Festival at Vineland', New Jersey. Another function of the Delaware Valley Kite Society. Contact: LEONARD M. CONOVER, 202 Pearl St., Newfield, NJ 09344.

April 5 - May 10. 1981. 'Sky Sculpture' exhibit of kites, sponsored by the Art Gallery, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana.

April 11. 1981. Long Beach Recreation Department Kite Contest. On the beach, in the City of Long Beach, off Granada Street. A large flying place and contest. Contact: TERRI S. LANGHANS, Long Beach Rae. Dept .. 325 Golden Shore, Long Beach, CA 90802. (213)432-5931, ext 245.

April 11. 1981. 4th Annual Kites Aweigh Kite Fly co-sponsored with the Maryland Park Service at Sandy Point State Park. <West side of Chesapeake Bay bridge) Workshop 10AM-I2AM. Registration for fly is from noon to IPM. Rain date is Sunday, April 12. For info call Kites Aweigh, (301)269-6005.

April 11, 1981. At the High Banks Metropolitan Park in the big meadow, Columbus, Ohio. Kite flying contest sponsored by the Central OhiO Kltefllers

Association and Kappa Alpha Theta. IPM to 4PM. Awards for originality and

craftsmanship. Contact: BETTY AND MILLER S. MAKEY Sr., 2557 Clark Dr., Grove City, OH 43123.

April 12. 1981. Pacific Rim Kite Festival. Vanier Park, by the Maritime Museum, Vancouver. The mail sack says it's great. Contact: MARCIA MADILL, High as a Kite, 201-131 Water St .. Vancouver, B.C., Canada V63 4M3.

April 12 (Sunday). 1981. KITING 81 at Harborplace in Baltimore's Inner

Harbor. Promoting the Maryland Kite Festival. Exciting. Contact: RICK KINNAIRD, (301) 490-4240.

April 16. 1981. The ANGEL'S FLIGHT FESTIVAL, Los Angeles, California.

AKA is invited to fly as many kites as possible.

April 17. 1981 .. Unconfirmed, but probably reliable. Phone first. Greater

Delaware 12th Annual Kite Festival, Cape Henlopen State Park. llAM to

3PM. Contact: the Chamber of Commerce, Lewes, Delaware, or Dave Truitt,

(302) b45-6459.

April 18. 1981. Tentative date. Kite workshop and fly-in. New Harmony

Gallery of Contemporary Art, New Harmony, Indiana 47631.

April 18. 1981. Unconfirmed. Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival kite

contest. Sponsored by the Japanese Consulate, at the Seattle Center, Seattle,

Washington. Lots of prizes. Contact: BOB MCCORT, b70b Ib2nd Place S.W ..

Lynnwood, WA 9803b.

April 25, 1981. 15th Annual Maryland Kite Festival. Fort McHenry National

Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore. Contact: CAROLYN STAPLES, 73bl

Kerry Hill ct .. Columbia, MD 21045. One of the major events, at a great site.

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April 25. 1981. Kite workshop and Fly-out. Ball State University. Contact is Ann Moore, Art Gallery, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana 47306.

April 25 and 26, 1981. 8th Annual Kitefair. Ribbons. For school children. Sponsor.ed by the WKA and the Science Center. Contact: LISA TRANQUADA, Science Center, 200 2nd No., Seattle 98109. The WKA works hard on this. Many volunteers make hundreds of kites. They will probably leave the show up for two or three weeks.

April 26, 1981. 2nd Annual Cooper River Kite Fly, Pennsauken, New Jersey. Backed by the Delaware Valley Kite Society. Contact: J.FRANCIS GRAMKOWSKI, 33 Evergreen Lane, Haddonfield, NJ 08033. Phone (b09) 429-5735.

May 2 to May 9, 1-981. Second .Annual National Kite Week. Sanctioned by the AKA. The number who like the idea is large. The number of events during this week is growing slowly.

May 2. 1981. Tentative date. ''The Edmonds Community College Kite Team, Harry Osborne, Leader, has changed its name to 'The Northwest Aerologicill Institute', and is going to sponsor a great big kite event out at the college grounds; tentatively on this date. Harry is making noises like he's going to get his team to add a skirt to the 52' by 70' world record holder and try it again." (Reprinted appreciatively from the WlCA newsletter, edited by J.F.Van Gilder.)

May 3. 1981. Annual Bucks County Kite Fly, at Core Creek Park, near Ne'!ltown, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by the Park and Recreation Dept. An important festival during National Kite Week. Contact: OLAN AND BERNICE TURNER, lb28"S. Crescent Blvd., Yardley, PA 19067. (215)493-2153.

May 3. 4. 5. 1981. Hamamatsu Kite Festival. Hamamatsu, Japan.

May 3. 1991. Kite Flight and Clown Down II. At Charlotte Beach, Rochester, New York. Contact: Helene Miller, Bureau of Recreation, Rochester City Hall, 30 Church Street, Rochester, NY 14614. (716)428-6756. A significant event during National Kite Week.

May 5.1981. Sagara Kite Festival. Sagara, Japan.

May 9. 1981. Unconfirmed. 13th Annual Greater Boston Kite Festival. Franklin Park Golf Course, Boston, MaSSi A huge, multi-ethnic, peace and fun affair. Usually attended by thousands. Need confirmation.

May lb. 1981. The Cornerstone Festival of the Arts, Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Kite workshop and fly-out. Another activity backed by the Greater Delaware Valley Kite Society. Contact: OLAN TURNER, 1628 S. Crescent Blvd., Yardley, PA 19067.

May 24. 1981. On-the-beach kite fly at Brigantine, New Jersey. The Delaware Valley Kite Society will fly kites for fun and to publicize the coming even�at Atlantic City, which is nearby.

May 30 and 31. 1981. Pier 39 Kite Olympics. $1000 travel expenses to the CHAMPION KITEFIGHTER of each of the six continents. Cash prizes in kite fighting and in stunt kite flying. Trophies for the most colorful, the most humorous, and for aerodynamic design. Contact: Pier 39, P.O. Box 3730, San Francisco. CA 94119, USA. Phone (415)981-8030.

May 31, 1991. Unconfirmed. Annual Medora Kite Festival. Medora, South Dakota, USA.

June b. 1991. Unconfirmed. Kittt competition at the University of Toronto, Canada.

June 6 and 7. 1981. Conjectur�. Contest of the Kite Club of France. Paris, France.

June 14. 1981. Second Annual Perennial Prelude to the Flag Ceremonies at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland. The director. of the Star Spangled Banner Flag House invites the Maryland Kite Society to honor the Flag with kites. The most beautiful kite event.

June 14. 1981. Unconfirmed. 5th Annual Back to the Hills kite fly. Cleveland, Ohio.

June 21. 1981. Atlantic City Kite Festival, Atlantic City, N.J. Ribbons, plaques. Contact: J. FRANCIS GRAMlCOWSKI, 33 Evergreen Lane, Haddonfield, N.J. 08033. Phone (609) 429-5735. A big new thing, backed by the city DePt. of Public Relations, and the DVKS.

June 21-22. 1981. 4th International Kite Festival at Scheveningen Beach, Holland.

June 21. 1981. Second Weston Park Kite and Boomerang Festival, at Weston Park Salop, England. Organised by Rena Scuten for the Midlands Kite Fliers.

June 21. 1981. Usually there is a Fathers Day Contest sponsored by Come Fly a Kite Store, San Francisco.

July 4. 1981. Ocean City, New Jersey. Backed by the Greater �aware Valley Kite Society. We're waiting for details. Perhaps this is THE ideal date.

July 18. 1981. Unconfirmed. Third Annual Kite Kingdom Contest. Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.

July 19. 1981. Unconfirmed. 5th Annual Lake Erie Islands Kite Fly. Ohio Society for the Elevation of Kites.

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July (2nd or 4th weekend likely), 1981. Two-day live-in kite workshop at the Hilltop House in Harper's Fery. West Virginia. Sponsored by the Maryland Kitefliers Sotiety. Details later in the Windy Notice.

July (last weekend), 1981. Seafair Kite Contest, at Seattle Waterfront Park. Sponsored by the Port of Seattle and the WKA. Contact: BOB MCCORT, b70b Ib2nd Place S.W., Lynnwood. WA 9OO3b.

Auoust 23, 1981. Conjectural date. Canadian National Exposition Kite Festival. Toronto.

October <1st weekEnd), 1981. 'Orient Expressed' competitive kite fly sponsored by the Bon Marche Department Store of Seattle. Cash prizes. At Magnuson (Sand Point) Park. Contact: BOB MCCORT. b70b Ib2nd Place S.W., Lynnwood. WA 9OO3b.

January 1, 1981. 9th Annual 'Protest the Bowls' kitefly. Possibly at Golden Gardens Park, Seattle. Committed by the Washington Kitefliers ASSociation. Contact: BOB MCCORT, b70b 1b2nd Place S.W •• Lynnwood. WA 98030.

Another Regular No-Notice Fly On ' ... even calendar numbered Saturdays. all year round.' The Central Ohio Kitefliers Association flies at the High Banks Metropolitan Park in the big meadow. Columbus. Ohio.

June 31, 2004. First kite flying event recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Five Competitions: altitude rating. kite fighting. stunting. kite lift. and kite lying. The IOC still is unable to announce the rules. The news wire services and TV coverage of this story have been unreliable. so be sure to let the AKA know of any new rumors.

Thanks to Art Reissberger, for remnt help.

The lazy volunteer listkeeper is truly grateful to all the good members who have been providing input. and hopes that the printed listings will be accepted in lieu of 'thank you' letters.

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MORE FESTIVALS -- LATE FLASH NEWS

March 28, 1981 . The Venice Pier Kite Festival, on

.....

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the beach by the Venice Pier, at the end of wash­ington street, Venice, California . (in Los Angeles ) � The event that seems to herald spring for more and �

r-;J more people, sponsored by Let's Fly a Kite . Every-

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body welcome . No rules, no fees, and no jUdging . Contact : Gloria V . Lugo, Let's Fly A Kite, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90291 . (213) 822-2561 .

April 18, 1981. 3rd Annual "Islands' Regional K.i te FestJ. val" sponsored by Toys Ahoy! at Sanibel Island Lighthouse Beach, Sanibel Island, (Ft .Myers area ), Florida . 12 noon to 4PM . Over 1000 parti­cipants . Covered by 4 TV stations and 3 newspapers . Contact : TOys Ahoy! 28 Periwinkle Place, Sanibel Island, FL 33957, (813) 472-4800 .

August 8, 1981 . 3rd Annual "Lake Michigan Region­al K�te Feshval" sponsored by Toys Ahoy! at Saugatuck, Michigan' s "Oval Beach" . 1 2 noon to 4PM . Over 1000 participants. Media coverage . Contact : Toys Ahoy I 249 Culver Street, Saugatuck, lIT 49453, (616) 857-26 2 1 .

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BRITISH EVENTS: March 15th 1981. Franklin Meet, Thorndon Park. A127 to E. Horndon'(Halfway House) then A128 to Thorndon Park. March 21st, 1981. Pelham Meet, Hainaul t Playing Fields. April 5th, 1981. Wright Meet, Great Bentley Green. A12

. Colchester Road, then A133 through Frating Green, then r1ght to Great Bentley. April 19th, 1981. Kite Day, Woburn Abbey, Beds.

April 26th , 1981. Homan Walsh Meet, Chingford Plain, London, E.4. BUry Road. May 10 , 1981 . Brighton Kite Festival. North Sheepcote Valley.

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..s:: 0.. New Indoor Kite Endurance Record Set

Carl Brewer' s kite was flown continuou sly, indoors, for 39 hours, 53 minute s, by a succession of kite fliers in the Seattle Kingdome, on the weekend of February 8, 1981 .

The initial attempt began Friday night, February 6 , at 9 : 15 PM, during the half-time break of a Sonic s basketball game . Tom Sisson flew the kite throughout the second half of the game, and logged 4 hours, 30 minutes before the wing tips collapsed .

starting anew at 3fu� Saturday, a team which included Carl Brewer, Tom Sisson, and Bob Mccort kept the kite aloft until 6 :53PM, Sunday, February 8, 198 1 .

Carl's record-holding kite i s similar to the one which he and Tom used to establish the previous record, of 9 hours, 13 minutes . (See photo in the AKA newsletter Vol . 1, No . 4, July 1979, "Letter from the President" .) They used the teChnique of "glide-out-backwards­then-pull-up" which was formalized and demon­strated by William Bi gge, some years ago .

Jim Greeno, 18 years old, launched his kite concurrently with the Brewer kite, and kept it aloft as a solo effort for over six hours, He was relieved for only 5 minutes of each hour, to conform to solo discipline . This may be the record for solo indoor flight .

The record setting flight was observed by Jack Van Gilder, Dave Checkley, Patricia Lega, Pat Mullarky, Millie Mu1larky, and others .

A number o f other craf1: also ",ere flown in· the Kingdome during that weekend, including an electric powered biplane • •

letters 10 December 1980

Dear Wood:

At the Seattle �eeting of the AKA, I told the group that I was displeased with the way AKA was being moved and felt that we should get back to the basic aims dictated in our bylaws. Since then, great numbers of members have told me that they heartily agree.

Specifically, the members are against the AKA going into business. Kite business is fine and we want the kite businessmen in the AKA but keep business itself out of AKA.

Although there is obvious need for high grade office help, turning the operation over to a management corporation creates a snowballing situation: the management strives to create a larger income for themselves with the result that AKA must expand its income to meet this expense etc. etc.

Al though, certainly, the executi,ve committee has the authority to make such committments, I contend that their real responsibility is to the membership of AKA and not to any small, internal, self­serving, pressure group. Thus, I firmly urge the executive commit­tee to hire professional office help to the exclusion of a costly management corporation.

The concept of AKA going into business to finance the advance of kiteflying is a distortion of the aims of AKA and is being forced upon the members. I beleive the membership of AKA should be polled to determine their desire: should AKA become a business or should it adhere to the basic aims of the kiteflier/consumer set forth in the by-laws? The commercially interested members of AKA should identify themselves in such a poll. Then, Nhen the results are published in the AKA News, not only the executive committee but the entire membership ,.ill be able to evaluate Nhether or not there is any difference of opinion betNeen the, ki teflier/consumer and the business faction. '

Dear Curt,

Best regards, Curtis Marshall Avid Kiteflier

13_ Dec 1980

First of all, I agree with some parts of your letter.

The idea of polling the members is great. All the members should write letters Or cryptic notes on the problem, Nhatever it is, for publication in the AKA newsletter. �Iany members don't '�ite such letters or respond to polls, but we can use everything we receive. Any kite merchants who fear that they will be denied publicity, in another publication, if they "say the wrong things," can be sure that we would not publish the name of a ,�i ter who requests anonymity • •

The idea " • • • to hire professional office help to the exclusion of costly management corporation," seems related to a good princ­iple, but it is not clear. We don't have an office.

Your idea, that the hired management might get ambitious and take over control for itself, is valid. The executive committee is alert to this problem, and has discussed ways to maintain con­trol, including such items as, (1) li�ting the contractor's duties to pUblication of the newsletter, or (2) maintaining sep­arate control of the mailing lists, or (3) exercising constant veto power of ads and correspondence of (4) etc. You make the "snowballing situation" sound inevitable. Thousands of associations are managed by professional contractors, but are indeed controlled by members.

Those were the good things about your letter.

You really should make yourself realize that the AKA crisis is different in kind from the imagined crisis you ,�i te about. A better summary of the crisis is that: The management is quitting. Nobody wants to do the work. (You have not done any, for example.) Most of the members won't participate in decision making, and just want to be entertained. The executive committee gets criticism from Bartimore. The AKA is in danger of dyinK, in spite of its sound finances. We have arrived at a fork in the road. Red and a few others have worked their

'buns off, to prove, during tNo

years, that the by-laws could work, and that a kite publication could be reliable, responsive, and responsible, as well as fun and informative. Red refused to run again for president. It isn't fair for him to have to continue. The nominating committee was unable to find anyone who would run. Bevan finally agreed to run only if the management work was contracted out. That's where we

are. The only other alternative, to hiring a manager or dying, is for you and many others to start working, running for office, answering correspondence, writing articles, paying bills, meetinr. deadlines, selling memberships, conducting new events, attending frequent meetings, and realizing that serving the members is quite different from flying kites, and quite d1fferent from Just griping. It is a forced choice. Even refusing to choose is a choice. The onlY-way to avoid forced choosing is to be dead.

The first "specific" issue in your letter is not specific. You elect yourself to speak for the members, and you "are against the AKA going into business." \'That is business? I suspect that your hidden meaning is that you don't want kite advertisers to spend their money on the AKA newsletter. Probably you do want the AKA to operate in a business-like manner, to publish regularly, to respond promptly to letters, etc. Vlliy don't you volunteer to be an elected, work-doing, official of AKA�

Your comment that the responsibility of the Executive Committee is to the membership and "not to any small, internal, self-serving, pressure group," is correct. Can we identify such a group? The executive committee is "self-serving" when it wants some help with the work, but it is not likely to benefit from its own rulings. The small, internal, self-serving pressure group I know of is right there in Baltimore, and the MCA deserves its help, not its jibes, and you are being used as its spokesman, for the moment. There is a large, external, self-serving pressure group, that wants kite advert1sing in the newsletter, and wants to succeed by serving the majority of consumer-members, exactly the way Adam smIth explained.

You have tNisted ordinary phrases into innuendoes and sarcastic digs that are totally in contrast to your wonderful kites. Your letter to Bevan was blatantly unjust and misleading about Red Braswell. Red deserves better, because he has worked harder for the members, than any one else. He has tried to serve the members and to fac1litate member communications, in contrast to a few who might want to be served by the members and to control kite communi­cations.

In the past tNo years, a number of AKA's real achievements were marked by criticisms from Baltimore. This phenomenon is so relia­ble, in fact, that I som�times feel that such a letter is proof that the AKA is doing something right. Only time will tell. The tNisted irony is that your letter may be the light at the end of the tunnel.

The editor of the newsletter tries to print constructive, pleasant material, to please the readers, but also publishes the critical letters, to afford everyone fair access. If we continually publish a great deal of the kind of material you have been writing, with replies, etc., Ne might lose some members. On the other hand, if you, ,nth all your talent and resources, could provide some upbeat, technical articles for publication, to the AKA, I'm sure that all the members would be grateful. Provided, of course, that ',<e are able to continue operating.

Wood -

Good Winds, !qood Ellis 3rd Vice President, AKA

-sorry to see you caught in the middle of a controversy. My problem is that, from the distance of 2448 miles, I can see both sides, on the question of AKA "going commercial". I tend to be a middle-of-theroader - "wishy-washy" on one hand, "Nell-balanced" on the other.

Writing the WKA newsletter can be a drag after seven years, even though it's only a three-hour job every 60 days. So I can see the point of the people who have been doing all the work for D<O years. But I don't like being taken advantage of, either, if a management group got out of hand.

r� vote would be to hire the management group, accepting adver­tising on a limited basis as suggested by Marshall, and to keep a tight control on them by the board.

I love Valerie's writing/editing but cry a little when she doesn't get another issue out each 90th day.

Best regards -Jack Van Gilder

�."1"t;. ..... �111'1Ir � II ' /?meri�An

NlrefUerS RSsoc//Irion

Page 6

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17 Dec 80 Dear Curtis:

I appreciate your concern about where AKA is headed. Your state­ment about the snowballing effect of a management firm has the ring of truth.

without asking any one else's opinion, my basic assumption is that the Board feels as though (a) professional help is now mandatory and (b) if we are going to pay for this help "e need someone knowledgable in how to get the income up high enogh to pay for it. A professional office staff will take care of (a) but can they help solve (b)?

I guess, in AKA, as happens with so many volunteer organizations, the demands of the various jobs outstrip the capabilities and/or \rillingness of the volunteers. At this point, if no one steps forward to do it free, it must become a pay-as-you-go organization. I ',;onder if the members haven't already voted that that is what they want. The conventions were well attended. Patch, shirt, etc. sales seem to be doing OK from what I hear. Continuing with these activities, which take a lot of time and planning, are where the management firm will shine.

One other thought. The AICA is the e�ployer -- the management firm the employee. They can only make AKA as large, commercial or aggresive as we let them. If y ou, and others, feel that small and intimate is good (and here I tend to agree ",ith you) then I should think that it ",ould be proper for you to keep reminding the Board of that fact from time-to-time. A small, but vocal, group of members can go a long way tm,ard having their concerns fulfilled by AKA . Even though neither side gets exactly what it wants moderation should prevail.

Thanks for your letter. I have sent a copy, and my response, to Red.

Sincerely, �ichael G. Freeman Vice President

of Aircraft Operations

--------000-----,---------------------

Excerpted from a long letter

"Obviously, I endorse the hiring of a. manage­ment company to take the load off Bevan and his crew so their creative talents can be used to make AKA grow bigger and better .

"Meanwhil e, have a happy 198 1 . " Tight Lines,

Garry (from Garry Woodcock, Toronto) -----------------------000

r-----�--�-----------------------------------�

P /4 CAPITOL -;;r

�M ��,��,�".��'"OUr.. "-l1.I.ij Call Toll-Frae-(800) 424-9130

AMERICAN KITE FLYERS ASSOCIATION Friday, March 27th - Sunday, March 29th, 1981 SPECIAL RATES SINGLES $50_00 DOUBLES $56_00·

• No charge children same room w /parents (existing beds)

NAME PHON"E ______________ _

ADDRESS S1, .. , ell)' Zip

Accomodations Desired, _________ ARRIVAL DAT"E __________ DAT"E ____ __

DEPARTU RE DA Y __________________ DAT c:..E ______________ _

Oeposlt may be required upon confirmation-if rate r.eouested not available next available

rate will be assigned. All rates plus taxes.

Page 7

TAKESHI NISHIBAYASHI displays his self-portrait kite. Nishi is the founder of the CREATE KITE CLUB in Japan, and he refers to himself as "tako-kichi" which means "kite nut."

SPECIAL HOTEL RATE FOR KITE TOURISTS

The Holiday Inn in downtown Washington, D .C . is offering special rates for AKA members who come_ for the famous kite fly on the Washington Monument grounds, sponsored by the smithsonian Institution and the National Park Service, March 28 or 29th .

This i s an unusual offer by a n unusual hotel . It contains the Smithson Restaurant, which is compl etely decorated vii th kite s . The manager emphasizes that guests may come for the Bull Run kite fly, the prece ding week, and stay for the Smithsonian fly, and get the same rate .

Don Gilmour, a prominent safety engineer, pro­vided his impressions • • •

"Cotton fabric solids and thin stripes . All colors. Joined with pins to each other . Many deltas . Overlaid to cover the complete ceiling . Cobras . French military kite . Box kite . Cobra at entrance aisl e, festooned along the path of travel . Random backlighting from floodlights gives a soft diffused illumination, highlights, bright colors.

"Keels flutter a little when people Clove past, giving a little of the feeling of movement of the bright colored kite s . They compliment the decor of leather-backed captains chairs, warm orange napkins .

"Wall decorations of old inventions and tools, farm implements in keeping with Smithsonian theme (once described as the "Nation"s attic'."

.1

* Congratulations to the GREATER DELAWARE VALLEY KITE SOCIETY on the publication of the first issue of its excellent newsl etter, called TIGHT LINES, from which the fOllowing drawing is reprinted . *

I

3

HOD TAYLOR TRIANG;]LAR BOX DELTA

ALSO XNO",l/N AS THE DELTA-CONYNE

An inexpensive. easy-to-build.

lightweight. lOW-Wind flyer that

can be made in a rainbow of colors.

A miniature version of a modern

claSSic, by Leonard M. Conover.

Cut on solid lines; fold on dotted lines. Note, 6 � 2/3" equals 170 mm.

5

Foli on centerline.

sections, top. and

7

Bend piece of straw in half. Tape along side wing spar, leaVing one half of straw free to move.

and

Page 8

6

iolATERIALS

1 sheet tissue paper (20" x JO"). 1 plastic drinking straw, cut in half.

3 wooden dowels (1/8" dia. x 16" long).

3 wooden dowels. (1/8" dia. x 20" long).

light string for bridle (J6" long).

tape - glue - pen - pencil - knife -

scissors - yardstick - meterstick - etc.

D 8

Remove sections "C" and "D".

Flip sections "A" and "F" upside down and· tape to sections "B" and "E".

� DDWELS BReI(

OF Krre

Glue 16" sticks to leading edge of wings. Glue 2 20" sticks to tack of triangular boX. Glue·'l 20" stick inside leading edge of boX.

8

Insert 16" s�ick (spreader) into straws. Attach bridle and f1 in entle Winds

FRO'v1 KITE INFORr�ATION PACKAGE *****************************

Field Event

DOWNWIND KITE RACE

KITE GAME DEPARTMENT ========

This event is conducted in heats. If a large nurober of

participants are involved, several heats can be run and then

run-off heats conducted.

The object is to start wi�h kite in hand on the upwind

side of the starting line, launch the kite upon the start

command, let out a specified length of flying line without

the kite or kite tail touching the ground, then cross the

finish line with the kite still in the air. The contestant

must have the specified line out before crossing the finish line.

The first contestant across the finish line with the kite in the

air continuously and the minimum line out wins. The length of

flying line is measured (using preset stakes) to verify the

results. Standard hand reels with premeasured line can be used.

The contestants can run in any direction in the process,

but can only step over the finish line when the line is

fully out. A sample field layout is shown below.

MATERIALS:

1. Stakes and two lengths of cord (or other means of

marking the field)

2. Clipboard, sign up sheet, pencil

3. Measuring device to set the stakes for the desired

distance, or use standard reels with equal line lenqth.

Page 9

---------------------000 ------------______ ___

WHAT A DELIGHTFUL IDEAl

Judge for yourself. following letter .

We recently received the

"Enclosed please find a check for $70 .00 and a list of 14 new members to add to your mailing list . As I told you by phone, we gave our employees a bonus on top of their bonus---we gave them AKA Ne,.;s for Christmas I !! At first

A STRONG NEW FORCE I I I

The first formal meeting of the DELAWARE VALLEY KITE SOCIETY was on February 1st, and it already has 30 dues payi no. members, a veritable �Jho I s �Jho of kite fliers in that area. The DVKS was invol­ved in the planning of a number of events even before it had its formal meeting, as is amply evident in the events list of this AKA NEWS LETTER.

we thought they might feel they were being "force fed" kiting, but we soon found out that they all thought it was a great idea. You' d be surprised how many people want to know more about kites and kiting events in their area .

"As I told you by phone, please let me know if there is any way that I can help keep AKA going and make it stronger . My time and Go Fly A Kites's office equipment is at your disposal..

This energetic group is planning to publish a 5 page newsletter by mid-February, to fly its own unique flag at the SMITHSONIAN KITE FLY, and eventually to host an AKA annual meeting, in addition to sponsoring many other events.

'------000-------------

Sincerely,

Lucille Stokes Operations Manager Go Fly A Kite, Inc .

THE PINEY MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE DATA-LETTER, a very interesting and nicely printed �.;o pages, is available now . Contact: Guy D . Aydlett, p.O. Box 7304 , Charlottesvill e, VA 22906 . �i1"1ti' 000------------------

• I 'R.meni?an HlrerLlers

assoclarion

P .O. Box AA -- (203) 873-8676 East Haddam, Connecticut

06423

THE FOLLOWING MERCHANTS AGREED TO ALLOW 10% DISCOUNT TO AKA MEMBERS. THIS IS A COSTLY AND SERIOUS STEP BY THESE MERCHANTS. THEY DESERVE' THE SUPPORT AND PATRONAGE OF AKA MEMBERS. THE AKA MEMBERSHIP CARD IS VALUABLE.

....... .1 II t-. ..... �I'I'�I'

Your Stores • I" • ••••

MARCIA MADILL THE KITE STORE && PETER POWELL STEERABLE BLOCK ISLAND KITE CO. THE BEN FRANKLIN KITE

WIND CHIMES BOOK EXCNG GO FLY A KITE, INC THE KITE SITE KITES AWEIGH THE 1(1 T E LOFT

KRAZY KITES KITE KINGDOM

HIGH AS A KITE & BCKA TOUCH THE SKY,INC. KITES(IMPROVED VERSION JOHN B. GASNER SHOPPE (203) 536-0220

DAVID EWAN 1434 THIRD AVE 3101 M ST., N.W. 6 FLEET STREET SN 2ND ST.

PEGGY LACHMAN RT.15B,SEA HOLLY SQ. P.O. BOX 386

#201-131 WATER ST 848-A YONGE ST. BILL BAKER (401) 466-2B94 FRANK INTELISANO

327-3714 NEW YORK (GEORGETOWN) ANNAPOLIS, OCEAN CITY

WASH

1353 MILL DAM RD. M. P. 10 NAGS HEAD

VANCOUVER, B.C. TORONTO,CANADA 3800 IRVINGTON AVE P.O. BOX 391 ONE HALF pEARL STREET

228 N. HIGH Sf.

KILL DEVIL HILLS

CANADA V6B 4M3 M4W 2H1 COCONUT GROVE, RHODE ISLAND MYSTIC

MILLVILLE

VA. BEACH

KITTY HAWK KI TES DEUTSCH CRAFT HEAVENLy·aODY KITES

1593-A LORING DRIVE GREG LAVELLE

NW ATLANTA.

GONE WITH THE WIND THE KITE KOMPANY INC. THE UNIQUE PLACE TOYS AHOY C/O OFFICE THE CLOUD CONNECTION

THE EMPORIUM FISH CREEK KITE CO. STANTON HOBBY SHOP INC THE SKY' 5 THE LIMIT FLEXIFOIL SKYSAIL INC.

THE CLIMBING BEAR INTO THE WINO THE GEORGETOWN KITE ·P." LUBOFF LET'S FLY A KITE

COLOR OF THE WIND FLY-A-KITE CAREY'S KITE WINDER INTERNAT'L KITE CO. BEAUTY IN THE WINO

THE KITE STORE FLY A KITE KITE & GIFT INC. KITES,KITES,KITES HIGH AS A KITE

.313 CLEARWATER MALL 33 W. ORANGE WORLD OF KITES 10833 FARMINGTON RD. 1961 HUNT CLUB DRIVE

TOBY SCHLICK 4734· N. MILWAUKEE AVE. COLETTE HOLLERAN DON HERING

NITA LANGNER JIM GLASS SHOP • • • RON LUCAS PETER POWELL KITES GLORIA V. LUGO

ANDERS HOLMQUIST K. KUMAR GENE CAREY VIC HEREDIA 1945 QUIVIRA RD.

t 973 GRAND AVE. 3850 S. PLAZA DR. BEN KIM 55 ALICE ST. 691 BRIDGEWAY

KITES & OTHER DELIGHTS SUITE 111 GREAT WINDS KITE SHOP KEN CONRAD POSTCARD PALACE 1220 N.STATE STREET LEE'S KITES JOSEPH & ALICE LEE

409 GREENE ST.

CLEARWATER,FL CHAGRIN FALLS OHIO PAT YORK GILGALLON LIVONIA GROSSE POINTE WOODS

(616)9B3-0404 RR1,BOX 205,HWY.42 CHICAGO 2909B SALE ST (713) 988-9400

(512) 227-6869 (305) 446-7782 (303) 569-2809 11633 GORHAM AVE. (213) 822-2561

2900 MAIN STREET (213) 371-4442 ( ) 462-9136 3260 F ST. SAN DIEGO,

PACIFIC BEACH, CA SANTA ANA CA 333 JEFFERSON ST.,#7 OAKLAND SAUSALITO

99 W. 10TH

KEY WEST

525 S.WASH.,AT SIXTH

606-08 SHIP STREET FISH CREEK,WIS-

5757 RANCHESTER

312 N. PRESA

ROYAL OAK

ST. JOSEPH,

DALLAS, HOUSTON

SAN ANTONIO BOULDER, 173B PEARL STREET

PO BOX 932 501 ROSE lOS ANGELES

ST GEORGETOWN

13763 FIJI WAY

19800 HAWTHORNE BLVD. 7671 NORTH AVI<, SAN DIEGO,

166 S. JACKSON ST.

MARINA DEL REY

SANTA MONICA TORRANCE LEMON GROVE

SAN FRANCISCO

EUGENE, SEATTLE (206) 624-6886

BELLINGHAM,WAsH. (509) 837-4941 Page 10 SUNNYSIDE

FL-33133 RI �2B07 CT 06355

••••• NJ 08332 NY 10028 DC 2'0007 MO 21401. MD 21B42

VA NC NC GA

.FL

..... .

23454 2794B 27959 30309 33040 •••••

FL 33515 OH 44022 MI 48067 MI 48150 MI 48236

••••• MI 49085 WI 54212 I L 60630 TX 75219-TX 77036

••••• TX: 78205 CO 80302 CO 80444 CA 90049 CA 90291

••••• CA 90405 C/>. 90503 CA 92045 CA 92103 CA 92109

••••• CA 92109 CA 92704 CA 94133' CA 94607 CA 94965

••••• OR 97401 WA 98104 WA 98225 WA 98944

* * REGIONAL DIRECTOR ' S CORNER * * ·--------------------000---------------------

"Franklin' s famous experiment was not the first time a kite was used for scienc e . In 1749 , in a meteorol ogical experiment , Al exander 1Yil son and Thomas lIIelville attach­ed ' thermometers to kite s and fleN them to high altitude s above Scotland . The ther­mometers Nere released by a burning fuse . Bushy ta�ls attached to the instruments sl oNed their de sc ent . The thermometers sho,.;ed temperatures at higher al ti tudes to be colder than tho se at ground l evel . "

Dear Sheila :

Would you please include in the next issue of AKA News a request for all members in Region 3 to send me a postcard giving name , address , and any major concerns they may have pertaining to AKA .

This information wil l enable me to better serve them as their regional director .

Thank You, FRANK HOKE 616 Countess Dr . Yardley, PA 19067

(by Paul Garber , in Air & Space . )

·------·----------0001---------------------------------------------000----·-----------------------

BOARD OF DIRECTORS :

Region 1 : Kitty Corti Rt. 1, box 64 Oakland, Maine 04963

Region 2 : Dr . Fred stevenson 301 E . 73rd, 6D New York , NY 10021

Region 3: Frank R . Hoke 616 Countess Dr . Yardley PA 19067

Region 4: Theodore Manekin 8 Charles Plaza, #180 Baltimore. �ID 21201

Region 5 : John M. Parker 6109 R9secrest Dr . Charlotte ,NC 28210

Region 6 : Judith Neuger 4500 Chagrin River Rd. Chagrin Fal l s ,OH 44022

Region 7 : Toby Schlick R.R . l , Box 205 Fish Creek WI 54212

Region 8 : \�illiam Kloefkorn 2502 No. 63 Lincoln, NE 68507

Region 9 : Michael G . Freeman 3804 West 2nd st. Wichita, KS 67203

Region 10 : David Checkley 678 \�. Prospect Seattle , WA 98119

Region 11 : Leland Toy 1883 Grand View Dr. Oakl��ci, CA 94618

Region 1 2 : Gloria Lugo

OFFICERS FOR 1981 AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE :

President : Bevan Brown 6636 Kirkley Ave . McLean, VA 22101

First Vice President : Theodore L . Manekin 8 Charles Plaza,#1807 Baltimore, MD 21201

Second Vice President Philip C line 7900 E .Riverside Dr . Pasadena, bID 21122

Third Vice President: wood Ellis 6212 North 18th Road Arlington, VA 22205

Corresponding Sec 'y: Margo Bro,,"-n 6636 Kirkley Ave . McLean, VA 22101

Recording Secretary: Helene Sachs 6 Fleet Street Annapolis , Me 21401

Treasurer : Reggie Morris 5016 S. 12th st . Arlington , VA 22204

DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE

Robert L. Brickley P . O . Box 1126 Dayton, OH 45401

Margo Brown 6 636 Kirkley Ave . McLean, VA 22101

Philip Cline 7900 E .Riverside Dr . Pasadena, MD 21122

Wood Ellis 6212 North 18th Road Arlington, VA 22205

Robert Ingraham 315 N. Bayard st .

13763 Fiji Way Marina Del Rey,CA 90291

Silver City, NM 88061

Region 13: Garry Woodcock 1055 Shawnmarr Rd.#68 Mississauga, Ontario Canada, L5H 3V2

Reggie Morris 5016 S. 12th st . Arlington, VA 22204

Helene Sach s 6 Fleet street Annapolis,MD 21401

The purpose of the AKA is to educate the public about kites, and thereby to promote the joys and values of kiting among all peoples. Safety is emphasized.

FURTHER ADVENTURE S OF THE SAFETY TROLL

Big Joe ' s huge kite was sweeping low from one side of the field to the other, wiping out other kites and occasionally a bystander . The Safety Troll happened by and suggested that Joe should fly a smaller , steadier kite under those oircumstanc e s .

Joe took the advice , and was neither strangled nor stoned that day . He got a promotion and married a movie star . Ever since that time , he has used a smaller , steadier kite , to wipe out other kites and critical bystanders .

LEGAL NOTICE

The Executive Committee of the AKA observes that Kite Lines magazine has published in its masthead that it is endorsed by the AKA . The Executive Committee , by unanimous vote on 10 February, 1981 , reaffirmed that the AKA and its officers are not responsible for financial or legal obligations of Kite Line s , of the Aeolus Press, or of their representatives .

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -AMERICAN KITEFLIERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

�ame : ____________________________________

__ � _________ Date : __________ ___

:.tailing address: _____________________________________________________

_

__________________________________________________________________________ Zip : __________ _

We occasionally share our mailing list for uses we consider beneficial to the

�eml.'ership. If you do not wish to have your name !:lade available to others, please 1ndicate below.

' ________ ?lease don' t include my name.

Indicate category of membership desired :

SINGLE MEMBERSHIP, $10.00 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • � • S __________ ___

(OR)

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP, $10.00 for first member, $1.00 each for each additional member in the same household. List first names or other family member s :

For USA 1st class mail add $1.00 • . • • • . • • • • • • • • • •

For Canada or Mexic o , add $1.00; other foreign add $2.00 • • • •

)fail this aoplication with check or money order, payable to AKA , to: Bevan Brown, President J AKA

663 6 Kirkley Ave .

$ ""='===­(f1rst meililler)

$ ---..-::--::-::-"'7:l1:T':":. (Sl x no . added members)

� ---------

: : : �L:�,:y� �2�0� : : : : : : : : : : : : : rgT�: �M�T���:: : : � _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Page 1 1

· --

WRITERS ! ! ! SHARPEN YOUR QUILLS AND STRING U S A LINE FOR THE NEWSLETTER. FANTASTIC AKA CONTRIBUTORS ' PATCH NOW AVAILABLE TO ADVENTURE­SOME M mSERS !

Articl es shoul d be approximately 500-1500 words. Photos to g o with said articl e g ratefull y accepted. Patches al so awarded for other orig inal materia l s at the editor ' s discretion.

" Quil l Stripes" are avail abl e for original contributions beyond the first , which is awarded the CONTRIBUTORS ' PATCH .

Articl es not used will be returned if requested.

ORIGINAL ARTICLES OR MATERIALS shoul d be submitted to:

EDITOR AKA Newsl etter 6636 Kirkl ey Ave. McLean, VA 2 2 10 1

AMERICAN KITEFLIERS ASSOCIATION BEVAN BROWN, PRESIDENT 6 63 6 Kirkley Ave . McLean, VA 2 2101

Return Postage Guaranteed

K I TE R S AR E SEL F � RE L I ANT t l l KE .J

Pag e 1 2

NON-PROFIT

BULK RATE

U . S . POST P II I D

ALEX . , VI\. PERMIT

NO . 2 S 7