By Lee Toy

Vol.7 No.6 – Jan. – Feb. 1985

I know it is Feb ’85!

Sorry about the delay in getting this issue out. If you have any question of your subscription being expired due to the lack of KITE FLYER in your mailbox, be rest assured that IT’S “in the mail”, like the check. This is the Nov.-Dec. issue for 1984. And you all thought you couldn’t turn back the hands of time.

Basically your friendly editor and chief has been busy at all sorts of activites, like making a living, washing my motorcycle and typing letters to various kite people who have written asking where the latest issue of K.F. is….Not to worry…ta..da, here it is.

Hope every one had a Merry Xmas and have re­covered from the BIG EVE and ready to face a NEW YEAR. I think KITING is really going to soar in the Bay Area as well as all of Calif­ornia (it’s about time). I have been horn­swaggled into teaching a 5,count them FIVE, week course in kitemaking at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland . Class starts June 17 and runs until July 18. Regis­tration is about $60-$70. Class is held 4 days a week from 9am-12 noon. Contact me for further information, 1044 Sanchez St., S.F., CA 94114 (415)647-7774. Course will cover soup to nuts of gourmet kite cuisine.

Everyone knows by now that the AKA convention will be held in San Diego on October 3-5, just a reminder. We’ve even guarnteed wind and sunny skys, keep your lines crossed.

Hawaii was a blast, we should have an AKA convention over there some day. While I was there the winds were about 25 mph gusting to 334, not your downstream wind, where are Julian’s (WA) kite anchors when you need them?

Doug Haqaman, Catch the Wind, Seaside, OR came thru on his way to Singapore, as an invited auest and, in his words, “blew a few minds away” when he flew his kites and several LARGE wind sculptures by John Waters of Lincoln City Oregon. You’ll be hearing more about these guys I am sure.

March 8th,9th and 10th are the dates for the WKA’s Fort Worden Kite Retreat Weekend. Space

is still available if you hurry. A $50 check to WKA will secure your reservation for what has been one of THE happenings on the WEST Coast. The Weekend promises to be a Kite-makers’ dream. Headliners read like a Who’s Who of the kite world. Greg and Margaret Greger, Grant Raddon, Hugh Harrison, Doug Hagaman, Kathy Goodwind (who’s Star Flake Kite appears on the cover of IN TO THE WIND’s 1985 catalog, a real beauty), Tom Mallard, Dan Kurihashi, Diana Aurigemma, Harold Writer, Bill Bigge (no kidding), Jack Van Gilder,

Nigel Spazman, and many more. From all reportE the last retreat was a great success, even if ONE of the attendes did get bruised falling down some stairs in the wee hours of the night.

Basically that covers the near distance scene. I’ll be heading up.that way on the SNAIL to show off a few slides taken while crossing the country. Hope to see you there.

FESTIVAL AT THE LAKE – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED__

Festival at the Lake is the East Bay urban fair, where city people celebrate the arts and culture of their lives. The festival features a fine craft market, traditional folk and con­temporary arts, ethnic cuisine and five stages spotlighting the best in Bay Area preformance.

Bay Area Kite Enthusiasts have been asked to assist in setting up a booth to make kites in a section of the festival geared to child­ren called KIDS KALEIDOSCOPE 1985. Attendance last year to the festival was about 100,000. The kite booth will be coordinated along with a painting booth, to color their creations. BAKE needs volunteers to help man the booth over the three day fair. Volunteers  will be admitted to the fair free. There will be time away from the booth to explore the other areas. If you are interested in helping in this worth while event please contact : Leland Toy, (415) 647-7774. We also need help in gathering and cutting materials for the kites.

FESTIVAL AT THE LAKE will be held My 31, June 1st and 2nd, 1985. Open daily from 11 am -7pm. On site volunteers will work in 2-1/2 hour shifts. Lake Merrit in Oakland, CA.

INTO THE WIND

Into the Wind’s 1985 Kite Catalog is well worth the $1 cover charge. It’s in full color and features some really classy kites for the flyer as well as collector. Kathy Goodwind’s Star Flake is featured on the cover. If you would like a copy write: Into the Wind, 2047 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302 You won’t be sorry.

BERKELEY MARINA KITE DAY

May 5 is the date for the Berkeley Parks and Recreation Depts Ecology Fair to be held at the Berkeley Marina. BAKE members have been asked to help make this a memorable affair to celebrate the ocean of air that surrounds us. Things are still up in the air planning

wise. If interested in doing a demonstration or helping set up contests for a festival please contact: who else? Lee Toy,my number is scrawled all over somewhere else in this rag. Hey, you East Bay people, please get in contact with me, Thanks in advance.

THIRD AND FINAL CHAPTER OF GEORGE’S PARAFOIL_L

I imagine most of you had given up hope on ever seeing the end of this saga, and finished making your kites by now, but if you haven’t, there are a few more tricks that George has up his sleeve that he would like to share with you. (Sorry this issue took so long George)

When we last left you, you had just finished sewing the Ribs and Flares to the front side of the Front Cover. In this final installment we will sew the Back Cover to the top edge of the Ribs, sew the Trailing Edge closed (except for vents) and attach the bridle.

SEWING THE BACK COVER TO THE RIBS

Sewing the the Back Cover is just a little bit tricky because of the crown on the airfoil. Again, mark the inside of the Back Cover with construction lines as per plan, Pg.5 Vol. VII No.4. If you wish to be really precise mark a second set of lines 1/8″ away from the first set, use a different color pencil or pen. The second line will be the line you will use to guide your placement of the edge of the Rib, note which side of the line you mark by the sketch below. George does this so that you have something definite to line up on, rather than guess where the seam should go.

After the cover is marked, get out your pins, George uses about 55 of them in each seam. Starting at seam #1 pin the length of the crown of the rib to the cover at 1″ spacing. Using the George Ham Torture Rack for Para-foils ease the remaing length of the Rib, on to the Back Cover, then sew. Follow the steps by numbers indicated in sketch. No. 1-6 you will sew from leading edge to trailing edge. Nos. 7-11 you will sew from trailing edge to leading edge. Again this is to reduce the amount of “kite” that must be pushed through the machine while sewing.

As you sew these seams check to make sure you haven’t “caught” any loose fabric from some other part of the kite into what you are sew­ing. If you have you’ll have to rip it out and re-sew it. It’s easier to do this at this stage than after you have completed the kite, so check each seam after you have sewn it to make sure its “clean”, also remove all pins.

CLOSING THE TRAILING EDGE

If all goes well, you should have something that closely resembles a Parafoil. George seals the trailing edge but adds TAHOES which were named after Tom Henry of San Francisco. TAHOES are small 1″ vents in each of the cells that help reduce the internal pressure of the cells and possibly give the kite a better shape. Dom Jalbert has gone as far as to leave the two center cells of his J-15’s completely open. Other parafoil makers have no venting of the trailing edge. The easiest way of sewing these is to mark the vent loca­tion on the kite, sew up to the mark, back­stitch, sew to the second mark, back stitch, and continue until finished. Then come back and using a seam ripper (you should be well practiced with one by now) and open the vents between the marks.

NOTE: You need to add a loop of Bridle tab material at the centerline of the trailing edge. The loop should be about 3″ in length. It is used to attatch a drogue tail or,  more importantly, to secure the bridle to when the kite is folded up for storage. Don’t forget it!

BRIDLING

Ahh the Piece de Resistance…a BRIDLING FORMULA that works, at least for George. For those of you who are not interested in the Rosetta Stone of Parafoil bridling, the bridle lengths are as follows:

You will need 177ft of #100 line

Inside      Middle           Outside

1st Row   105.4″   107″     110.6″

2nd Row   106.4″   108″     111.6″

3rd Row   110″      111.4″   115.4″

George bridles his kites with 100# test braid­ed nylon. Each bridle is looped in the center •and is matched with it’s opposite. That is to say the “inside, 1st row” right of center is looped to the “inside, 1st row” left of center. .There are three “bridle” loops for each Row of flares, together they make up the “SET” of bridles for the 1st row of flares. There are three sets of bridles, each connected to a separate line which is the “YOKE” of the bri­dle. The flying line is connected to the end of the “YOKE”. George recommends 150# test line to fly on. After this much work you don’t want to loose it due to “under”lining.

BRIDLE KNOTS

The lengths of bridle given are from knot to knot, you should add at least 18″ to the total for knot allowance. ie: 1st Row, Inside length = 105.4, x 2 = 210.8 add 18″= 228.8″ for the 1st Row, Inside bridles. First tie a 1″ loop at the centerline of the line, measure off 105.4″ on each leg and mark with a pen. When you tie these legs to the bridle loop of the Flare you will “set” the mark at the point in which the line meets the loop.

George will pre-stretch his lines before mark­ing, nylon does stretch.

To keep the bridle knots neat, George makes them all the same but symmetrical, if that makes sense. In other words a “right” hand and a “left” hand knot. See sketch.

The bridle sets are connected to a YOKE which allows for major adjustment of the sets. The Yoke is made from stronger line, say 200 # test, since it will take all of the tension of the individaul bridles. George uses simple overhand knots when making the Yoke, and attaches the Yoke lines to the bridle set using the same knots as connecting the bridle to the bridle loop at the flares.

BRIDLE ADJUSTMENTS

On a day that has steady 8-10 mph wind, take your kite out to test and adjust it’s bridle. If you are lucky and the gods are kind you may HIT the bridle just right. In case you don’t, here is what you can do to correct things:

Straighten out the leading edge, make sure all of the 1st row flares are evenly tension­ed. Adjust individual bridles at the Flare location.

Check for non-symmetrical Flare shapes due to bridle adjustments, in Flare rows 2 and 3 and adjust accordingly.

Have a friend hold the kite while you view it from the side and adjust the “YOKE” to straighten out any “KINKS” along the length of the Ribs. See sketch.

If the kite leans to one side, try manipulat­ing the lines right above the Yoke position. If it leans right pull in on the lower left bridles, just slightly. Usually adjustments can be “tested” first by “hand” to see where further work needs to be done.

If all else fails send your kite to us with return postage and we’ll see what we can do.

One of George’s more recent cre­ations, a “Bull’s Eye” Parafoil. A big THANKS goes to George for sharing this kite with us.

HAPPY FLYING !

Al Chan, Honolulu■Hawaii showing off a kite made by Wayne Baldwin. 1984

A Two Act Play

MR. AND MRS. KITE LIVE THE-BOs IN-STYLE
Time:      The right time

Place:     An address with a “good” zipcode — the one with a BMW in the driveway

Scene:      Mrs. Kite is busy preparing dinner for three victims.     The lighting is subtle to bring out the best in her tan.   The hot tub is purring to the sounds of Winedim Hall. There is a sporatic roar from the Cuisinart and then suddenly a gasp is heard from Mrs. Kite.

Mrs. K: Oh no! I forgot to put the lid on the Cui­sinart and dinner is splattered all over the kitchen ceiling. What’ll I do now?

(There is the thud of a wallet and Mr. Kite enters from stage left.)

Mr. K: What’s wrong, dear?

Mrs. K: Oh honey, I’m so glad you’re home. What a day I’ve had! I rushed to the gourmet store to get some Spam for my puree of gag–you know how much our friend Bill likes it–and there was only one can left on the ‘shelf. At the exact moment that I reached for it this other woman runs up and trys to block my reach with her briefcase. She has a fairly good grip on it but I merely smooth down my hair and let out a whine. Total shock registers on her face and the can of Spam falls to the floor. Well, thank goodness for my months of Jazzersize which enabled me to quickly bend down and snatch the can up.

Mr. K:   That was a close call.    You know Bill can be rather difficult if he doesn’t get his Spam fix.    Good work dear.   I love it when you’re aggressive.    By the way, what’s all over the ceiling?

Mrs. K: Oh honey! Perhaps you had better pour your­self a glass of properly chilled white wine and get into the hot tub before I tell you.

Mr. K (right eye begins to twitch): Tell me what, dear?

.Mrs. K: Well, I got so mellowed out listening to Winedim Hall on the stereo that ,I forgot to pet -the lid on the Cuisinart and the puree of gag is now all over the ceiling.

Mr. K (now in hot tub munching on cheese and crackers):

Oh no. Looks like it’s going to be dinner out. (With mouthful of food) This is superb brie. Is it from that same batch of Velveeta you sun bleached last month?

Mrs. K: Sure is — you know it just seems to get better with age.

Mr. K: Just like me. (Doorbell) Do you think that’s Bill?

Mrs. K (looking out the window): It sure is and he brought that goat with him.

Mr. K: That’s not a goat, it’s a burro.

Mrs. K: Whatever. I’d like to make a doormat out of it. I really don’t understand why Bill has to bring it along with him all the time.

Mr. K: He’s got some kind of attachment to it, hon. Now let him in and don’t whine about the burro.

(Bill and burro enter from stage right.)

Bill: Sorry I’m late but a lady caught the eye of me and my burro as I was driving down Highway 101. We exchanged heated glances across the lanes but I was unable to make solid eye contact because of all of the bumps in the road.

Mr. K: Gee, Bill, that’s too bad. How about a glass of properly chilled white wine?

Bill: No, a beer is really what I need after an ’80s experience like that.

Mrs. K: I’m afraid that your favorite purse of gag will not be served tonight.

Bill (jumping up quickly and startling his burro): What? Tell me it’s not true!

Mrs. K: I’m sorry but it is. How about dinner out?

Mr. K: I heard that there’s a new place on Onion St. that serves sushi shish kebab.    Let’s try that.   If we hit it at the right time we can get in some networking.    I just had a new batch of business cards printed up.

Mrs. K: No. I want to try Doggie Diner. I think I read an excellent review of it in Kite Flyer News.

Mr. K: How ’bout it, Bill?

Bill: Fine with me, just as long as I can bring my burro along.

Mr. and Mrs. Kite exchange anguished glances which say–Is this guy light in the loafers or has he just temporarily stripped a gear?

Mr. K: I’m ready to go. (Looking to Mrs. K) Do you think I need to change?

Mrs. K: Oh no. You look just fine in your new Jerry Lewis designer suit.

Mr. K: This extra wide belt is certainly nifty for clipping business cards on to.   That Jerry is an innovator in his field.    Who would have ever thought that plaids and stripes could go so well together.

Bill: Where did you pick it up at?

Mrs. K: Oh, I bought it for him. I saw it in the window of Neimdn Markup and knew it was for him.

Mr. K walks spastically across the room. Mrs K to Bill: He’s just so Jerry.

Act II

Mr. K: The cheeseburgers slid right down. The ambiance was perfect. I especially enjoyed talking through the bullet proof plexiglass. And the hole was just the right size for passing through my business cards.

Mrs. K: But what will we do about poor Bill. Will he ever recover from the loss of his pet burro?

Mr. K: I just can’t understand it, dear. The burro was securely tied to the back bumper of our BMW when we went inside of Doggie Diner. And on our return the car was exactly where we  left it, but no burro.

Mrs. K: Hum. Well it was almost a real downer when they told us no more cheeseburgers for the night when we first walked in. It was peculiar how their faces lit up when they looked past us towards the parking lot and suddenly said they might have some more meat in the back.

Mr. K: Yeah. I was so relieved when the dude came back a few minutes later and said they had found some meat out back that I ordered a doutle.

Mrs. K: It was a lovely evening — but poor Bill. I wonder what happened to his burro?

Mr. K: He’ll feel better tomorrow. I understand his ad is due to appear in the personals of the next issue of Kite Flyer. I only hope that the burro was not an, uh, important part of the ad

Mrs. K: Is Bill selling something?

Mr. K: You might say that.

Mrs. K: Well, we had best call it a night.

Curtain falls with Bill muttering over and over again, my burro, my burro, oh where is my burro.