Date: Sun, 7 May 1995 23:02:41 -1000 From: jwviljoen@aerotek.csir.co.za (Johan Viljoen) Message-Id: Organization: Aerotek, CSIR Subject: A moment of tension Yesterday, I discovered two things: 1: Flying a stunt kite makes an excellent break if you have been driving for four hours continuously, with another four hours to go. I stopped for fuel and a leg-stretch, and, guess what, the wind was blowing! There was also this large paved area (for trucks, I think, but virtually deserted on this Sunday afternoon) which made a lovely flying field. 2: There really is electricity in the air. (OK, so Benjamin Franklin also knew this, but he used a key, and his finger, I imagine.) This was shortly after a hail-storm, so there were still some clouds about, but clearing quickly. Had fun for a while, until one misguided cloud dropped a few drops of rain before finally dispersing. Not enough to get even wet, so I ignored it, until the D-ring on the wrist strap in my right hand started singing, almost a squealing sound. This surprised me, because the lines were not under all that much tension (and why only on one side, then?), so I brought it up to my ear to listen more closely. The D-ring touched my cheek, and it tingled! The sound stopped, and almost immediately the other one started singing. This too stopped when I touched it (with a finger this time). Corona discharge, of course, with the slightly damp lines acting as conductors of whatever they found (or maybe generated?) up there. I brought that kite down in a rather unsophisticated but extremely direct and quick way. I know, don't fly in the rain. (But I was there first!) Does this kind of thing happen often? Was I really in danger? Johan Viljoen = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 9 May 1995 02:07:43 -1000 From: RODGER@ray.uct.ac.za (Rodger Duffett) Message-Id: Organization: Harvard University Office of Information Technology Subject: Re: A moment of tension Hello, Something similiar happened to me in Malaysia last year while flying a train of Peter Lynn Tri-D's at a festival that we attended. I was standing knee deep in the sea, it was warm, humid and overcast - a typical day in Malayasia - when the lines started to crackle and a spark jumped the gap formed by the winder between the line and hand a distance of about 2 cm! I "earthed" the line by jamming it into the sea. At the same time the wind decided to drop so I ended up charging (:->) down the beach shedding a trail of sparks until I could get the stack down without wrapping it around the rest of the kites! Cheerio = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =