Copyright © 1981 by Guy D. Aydlett THREE ALLlFLEX KlTES FROM THREE FAMOUS KlTEFLlERS Spendlove, Greger, Ond Weathers JO HN SPENDLO VE , International Secretary for Englnnd’s Northern K ite Group , derived his euipt not flyer from “FLUTE 163,” n f1exiT›1e Site de aigne d by HELEN BUSHELL , of Australia (see “Bushell, ” page 6) . John used strnws—long soda strnw s?—and tiasue paper to create a 6 4- gramme Site (inclu ding bridle and swivel) with an area of I . 078 m 2 . John’s kite will give you a cnance to exercise the etlip se …

Copyright © 1981 by Guy D. Aydlett Dear Kiteflier: PMAF DATA-LETTER operates each month in two-digit deficit; we lack great numbers of subscribers, but those whom we do have are of prime quality. Our small case of file-cards reads like The Kitefliers Hall of Fame. It is a winey experience to receive letters and comments from persons whose accomplishments in kitery are legion and nearly legendary. About the worst com¬ment we have received is one from New Zea¬land that deplores our sponsorship of the Hornbeam Sled-Kite, Mark I. The writer damned Hornbeam with faint praise; then, he proceeded to petard—torpedo—his …

Copyright © 1981 by Guy D. Aydlett Dear Kiteflier: HORNBEAM, our sled-kite that we des-cribed in the January (Volume 1, No. 2) DATA-LETTER, continues to attract good comments from talented kite-designers. For instance, this is from Oscar Bailey, whose famous “Three Mile Island” dOta -captured 1ST PLACE in the first International Ex-position of Asymmetrical Kites (see Valerie Govig’s Kite Lines, Fall Issue, page 37): ft. . I have //lade and flown many sleds: Scott, Allison, and several of my own. The Hornbeam out-performs them congrat- ulate you for a fine design. ” Alex Dunton has been causing craned and crickety …

Copyright © 1981 by Guy D. Aydlett Dear Kiteflier: We hope our January DATA-LETTER con-vinced you to make and fly our version of Hornbeam, the versatile sled-kite. A kind of tradition dictates that a “standard” sled should have a height “H” of three feet ; but February 1981 Hornbeams are consistent good performers in all of the practical sizes. Here are the specifications of three excellent fliers that happen to be available for measurement as this letter is being written:   The kite sizes listed above are not limits. Smaller sizes make lively, low-altitude kites for children; however, they appear …

Copyright © 1981 by Guy D. Aydlett Dear Kiteflier: Our first DATA-LETTER (Vol. 1, No. 1, December 1980) included a list of rotor-kite patents that has raised some questions from all three of our readers. The most popular query is: Where can a creative kitist find or buy patents for study? Answer: First , try out your public library; especially if you live in—or near—a large city. Ask for the Reference Librarian. Other sources are special libraries within corporations that maintain patent files for the convenience of engineering and scientific employees. If you work in such a place, its library …

Copyright © 1980 by Guy D. Aydlett                              December 1980 Dear Kiteflier: Our Piney Mountain Air Force is pleased to send you this patent list that is of vital interest to ROTOR KITE experimenters. We do not pretend that the list is complete, but as we become better informed—wiser—we do intend to add to these data in future PMAF DATA-LETTER publications. We ask you to help us. You would oblige us and extend the knowledge of our readers and members if you were to send us other informations and references concerning ROTOR KITES, ROTOR SHIPS, or related applications of the ever-fascinating …

By Leland Toy Vol. 7  No.5 – Sept. – Oct. 1984 If all goes as planned this issue of KITE FLYER is being brought to you on the gentle tropical breezes over the warm sandy beaches of Maui in Hawaii. Thanks to my winning KLOK kite and KLOK-103.7 FM and Kitemakers of Pier 39 who co-sponsored the June Father’s Day kite Festival. This kite was chosen to be the best flying KLOK kite by the audience attending the festival. It was a run off between Neil Thorburn’s stunting “STUBBY ‘W” kite which he flew on 4 lines and my flying …

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 …

By Lee Toy Vol. 8 No 1   –   May 1985 This month’s kite design is based on a Rokkaku design by the late Lincoln Chen oi Honolulu, Hawaii. Basically it is jusi iike a Rokkaku with a modified sail, and a simple hridle. The four foot version flys well on light and medium winds, without a tail. Materials: 3 – 1/4″ diameter dowels x 4′ long 3/4 ounce spinnaker cloth, or Tyvek to cover, 5 – 1/2″ diameter split rings 80# test braided nylon line By way of standard reference-KITE FLYER is available six ties a year (weather permitting) at …

By Lee Toy Vol. 7 No. 4- Jul. -Aug. 1984 AND THE WINNER IS The 12th Annual Father’s Day Kite Festival was a great success in spite of the high winds and smaller turn out than usual for this year¬ly event. A big THANK YOU goes to Mike Mcfad¬den of Kitemakers of San Francisco Pier 39 and Lance Lew of KLOK Radio (103.7 FM)for putting together this festival to benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters of San Francisco. The esti¬mated attendance was 3-4 thousand and almost 1000 dollars were donated to the cause. First Place Trophies were awarded to the …