Kite Safety
Regrettably, one of the biggest threats to the future of the sport that we so enjoy is lack of discipline and failure to observe the safety instructions included in the packaging of your kite as well as those posted from time to time in the various publications that you already read.

In an attempt to refresh everybody’s memory here are a few points which will guarantee ongoing use of sites and general enjoyment by pilots and spectators alike. We have just heard from Ludwig Everson that kiting in the Blue Lagoon area in Durban has now been banned.

• Always keep your kite well clear of roads, cars, pavements, paths, other flyers and other kites.

• Always assist new flyers and explain the safety precautions.

• Always ensure an adequate flying window:

• Stunt kites 80 metres wide and 40 metres deep

• Power kites 80 metres wide and > 80 metres deep

• Single liners stay on the downwind edge of the flying area.

• Always be aware, alert, considerate and courteous - as kites are normally flown in public areas.

• Always lock equipment away - take temptation away from inexperienced flyers and thieves.

• Never "buzz' dogs, children or any spectators - IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!

• When power kiting, do not attempt winds, speeds or tricks that are beyond your ability

Never power kite alone.

Stay clear of overhead wires.

Keep fit as fit people have fewer injuries.

Do not attempt to power kite until you have mastered controlling your kite.

Learn to power kite in light, steady winds and avoid power kiting in gusty or variable winds. (I will personally bear testimony to power kiting in gusty winds which resulted in three clean breaks in my right leg)

When buggying or power kiting make sure that you wear safety gear, helmet, boots, long trousers, life jackets

Check your equipment regularly for any defects or broken parts

When power kiting never use equipment that can lull one into a false sense of security e.g. padded flying straps

KITES CAN CAUSE DAMAGE AND INJURY - THEY ARE NOT HARMLESS TOYS !

KITES ARE HAZARDOUS IN UNTHINKING, UNTRAINED HANDS !

DON'T FLY CLOSE TO POWER LINES !

Here is a message which was posted on rec.kites by Tom Arbster from an unknown location, please take note of his message that accidents do happen.

Author: Tom Arbster
Email: kiteman@telepath.com
Date: 1998/09/15
Forums: rec.kites

Hi all you want to be kite flyers.

A friend of mine was out flying his Griffin Kite last Friday evening.

and got too close to the OG&E power line, it only had about 7000
volts, on each leg of a 3 phase system. The Kite got the flying line
wrapped around one line...( no sparks yet). then he tried to unfly it
and the center spine came in contact with one of the other wires, and
that put about 12000 volts from one end of the center spline to the
other and then sparks, noise, and flames became visible, for a short
length of time, and then the kite fell to the ground.

the good news is no one was hurt, (except for his pride) no power line
was cut/burnt into. But the kite is beyond repair, but can be used as
a good example of what not to do.

DON"T FLY NEAR POWER LINES (period)

a picture of the remains of the griffin kite, is posted at:

http://www.telepath.com/kiteman/griffin.JPG   (this picture can be viewed at the bottom of the page as well)

one of the unusual things is all of the carbon fibers that burnt up
left a hair like residue, kinda looked like a Black wig..

OK you guys, be careful out there.

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