TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2014

• From the Editors
• Correspondence
• Contributors
• Korean Kites SCOTT SKINNER
• Reshaping the World with Kite Power JOE HADZICKI
• World Altitude Record BOB MOORE
• Department of Tethered Aviation JOSE SAINZ
• Best Kites, Intriguing Fliers BEN RUHE
• Callaway with Friends SCOTT SKINNER

FROM THE EDITORS

This issue of Discourse: from the end of the line celebrates a milestone in kite flying history: a new world altitude record for a single kite! This one was flown in remote Australian skies by a resilient group that has been steadily creeping towards the record for the last ten years. The well-documented efforts of this diverse team illustrates the fascinating synergy between high-tech and low-tech approaches that led to high-flying success. Congratulations to Bob, Roger, Mike, and Mike!

Also included are remembrances from a core group of kite enthusiasts who have trekked to an almost-as-remote American desert to participate in Burning Man. While there might be an argument that this alternative arts festival is “not what it once was,” it is an amazing experience that should be witnessed and DOTA, the Department of Tethered Aviation, has been a visible and constant presence for almost 20 years. Thanks to Drachen Foundation Board member and DOTA member Jose Sainz for his efforts to collect these memories.

Drachen Board member Joe Hadzicki returns to our pages with commentary upon contemporary efforts in kite energy production. From tethered aircraft to rotor- kites, from lavishly funded to shoestring operations, from “looks promising” to “I can’t believe that could work,” Joe presents some of the players in this ever-increasing arena of clean energy creation. Drachen Kite Journal editor Ben Ruhe returns with some of his favorite moments, personalities, and kites from his many stories and travels in the kite world. I’d ask readers to add to Ben’s list by sending us an email with some of your favorites.

I ask for readers’ help on another front, that is, reliable or primary sources on Korean kite history. We all tell the story of Korean kites being “signal kites used by the navy,” and I’m convinced that we’re telling the truth. But details are not easy to track down and primary sources, especially, are elusive. The Drachen Foundation works to remain a reliable source of world kite information, and feedback on this front would be much appreciated.

As a light-hearted break, I write about taking two long-time friends, Jose Sainz and Ron Gibian, to the small-town, Callaway, Nebraska, Kite Flight. Their impressions, as well as other first-timers Bob and Charmayne Umbowers’, help to make this a festival that I hope you’ll all try to experience. Next year is the 25th anniversary and perhaps you’ll consider a trek to the Nebraska outback.

Best winds,

Scott Skinner
Board President
Drachen Foundation

CORRESPONDENCE

Commenting on Discourse issue 17:

Beautiful! Great articles!

CATHERINE GABREL
USA

Commenting on “The Magic of 4,000 Kite-Like Objects” by Ali Fujino in Discourse issue 17:

This is amazing work.

DAVID GEER
Australia

Commenting on “Babu Khan, Kitemaster” by Ajay Prakash in Discourse issue 17:

I read your article in the Drachen Foundation’s magazine about the death of Babu Khan. Nest and I want to put the “in memoriam” you wrote for him in our kite journal. So we wonder if we can make a translation to Dutch and French for the Nouveau Cervoliste Belge.

FRANK COENRAETS
Belgium

Commenting on “Babu Khan, Kitemaster” by Ajay Prakash in Discourse issue 17:

His best ones are dark indigo … for fighting!

PAUL CHAPMAN
England

Please send your comments to: discourse@drachen.org