Date: Fri, 28 May 1993 17:05:25 -1000 From: bausman@mcc.com (Marvin Bausman) Message-Id: <9304287386.AA738648325@outback.mcc.com> Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Subject: Control at Meets Fellow Kiters: I have been thinking about the apparent increase in crowd problems at kite meets. As the number of people involved at any one meet increases, as well as spectator numbers increasing, it seems as though we are destined to have more problems of enough air space to maintain both equipment and people safety margins. I am wondering if anyone has considered laying out specific flying areas, perhaps using line chalk that is used to mark football fields, to which each flyer would be assigned. If there where more flyers than spaces, specific flying times would also be assigned to each individual. Along with this, the flying area would be fenced off so spectators could not wander into it. It does bother me somewhat to have to think about "structuring" fly-ins & meets this way, but I see very little in the way of alternatives to keep our growing sport a safe and sane one. Any ideas/suggestions/discussion??????? Regards, Marv bausman@mcc.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 1 Jun 1993 05:48:58 -1000 From: sasaki@das.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki) Message-Id: <1993Jun1.154858.29511@das.harvard.edu> Organization: Harvard University Subject: Re: Control at Meets What I am about to say is how things are done in the USA and especially how things are done in the Eastern League, which is series of stunt kite competitions (I think that there are 11 of them) that are held up and down the East Coast. In article <9304287386.AA738648325@outback.mcc.com>, bausman@mcc.com (Marvin Bausman) writes: >I have been thinking about the apparent increase in crowd >problems at kite meets. As the number of people involved at >any one meet increases, as well as spectator numbers >increasing, it seems as though we are destined to have more >problems of enough air space to maintain both equipment and >people safety margins. Except in rare instances, like Wildwood, NJ, and the AKA Nationals in Lubbock, TX last year, this is always a problem at stunt kite competitions and often a problem in single line events, although the single line folks usually are much better about this. >I am wondering if anyone has considered laying out specific >flying areas, perhaps using line chalk that is used to mark >football fields, to which each flyer would be assigned. If >there where more flyers than spaces, specific flying times >would also be assigned to each individual. Flying fields are usually marked off with sticks driven into the ground with yellow plastic safety tape around them. Even with the tape, spectators wander onto the flying fields. This past weekend in Wildwood spectators had to be asked to leave the flying fields after they had layed out their blankets and beach chairs to sit in the sun. Most events don't have enough space to provide adequate areas for practice for everyone while the event is being held. This is very difficult at times since most events just don't have the space, stunt kites take up a lot of space. Usually, the flyers are very considerate, practicing for a short amount of time so that others can use the fields that are available. Setting aside flying times is very difficult and would be a scheduling nightmare. One flyer would complain that the wind was particularly bad when they were scheduled. The actual events rarely run exactly on schedule, so that would add to the complexity of scheduling practice time. I'm interested in hearing any ideas that folks would have on this as well... -- Marty Sasaki Harvard University Sasaki Kite Fabrications sasaki@noc.harvard.edu Network Services Division 26 Green Street 617-496-4320 10 Ware Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 Cambridge, MA 02138-4002 phone/fax: 617-522-8546 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =