From: jewgreen@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Jeffrey Green) Subject: Best place for BASIC info\/ ?? Date: Fri, 10 May 1996 18:27:15 -1000 Organization: Indiana University, Bloomington Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-User: jewgreen Hello . . . I know NOTHING about kites, but have seen one or two here and there and they have raised my curiosity a bit. I am a diehard, hobby fanatic and always try new stuff and get myself in deep quick. My questions: Where is a good place to get the most basic info possible? (ie. where to buy kites, what kinds are there, what can you do with them, etc.) What are modern kites made of? I would think a kind of ripstop nylon or something . . .? How big of a kite can you get but still be reasonable? How small? Does this even matter? Thanks for all info in advance... jeff = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: andrewh@holly (Andrew Hawken) Subject: Re: Best place for BASIC info\/ ?? Date: Fri, 31 May 1996 01:45:06 -1000 Organization: Queen Mary & Westfield College, London, UK Message-ID: <4omm42$3fs@epsilon.qmw.ac.uk> Jeffrey Green (jewgreen@silver.ucs.indiana.edu) wrote: : Hello . . . Hi : I know NOTHING about kites, but have seen one or two here and there and : they have raised my curiosity a bit. I am a diehard, hobby fanatic and : always try new stuff and get myself in deep quick. Do you manage to get out again ? I never do... *Sigh* : My questions: : Where is a good place to get the most basic info possible? : (ie. where to buy kites, what kinds are there, what can you do with : them, etc.) I would say, either here, a kite shop, or better still from a kite festival or meeting of other fliers. Do you know what a FAQ is? It is a list of frequently asked questions (and answers). Among the rec.kites FAQ's is a list of kite shops. Sorry, my geography is not up to helping you out with your nearest. The faq is at http://www.kfs.org/kites/farm/links.html also there is a list of festivals. : What are modern kites made of? : I would think a kind of ripstop nylon or something . . .? Rip stop nylon or polyester. Frames for framed kites is commonly carbon fibre or fibreglass, with traditional bamboo for traditional kites. : How big of a kite can you get but still be reasonable? : How small? Does this even matter? My biggest kite is soft (no frame, more like a paraglider) it has a wingspan of 6.5m and a surface area of about 10sqm. This is still considered reasonable (Honest!) My smallest is a single line of bamboo and paper. It has a wingspan of about 5cm and an area of 40 sqcm. (Very rough guesses) It is also reasonable, but not much cop for buggying. (Kite is an engine for a foot steered tricycle) Framed kites tend to have a wingspan of 6-8 feet. (I love consistency in units, dont you) : Thanks for all info in advance... : jeff Welcome -- __ Andrew Hawken ________________________________________________________ a.hawken@qmw.ac.uk __ As far as I can make out, *I* am responsible?! __ andiih@micromuse.com ____________________________________________________ = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =