Thanks again to those who have offered comments and contributions to this effort:

Bill Baker - Caribbean Kite Company Cris Batdorff - Stunt Kite Quarterly Magazine Eric Forsberg - AKA Stunt Kite Committeee Susan Gomberg - Gomberg Kite Productions Rod Guyette - Ramjet Kites Bob Hanson - Stunt Kite Quarterly Magazine Al Hargus III - Dragons & Butterflies Productions Corey Jensen - Windborne Kites Robert Loera - Kite Fantasy Ray & Jeanne Merry - Cobra Kites/Flexifoil International Abel Ortega - Stinger Kites Ron Reich - San Diego Marty Sasaki - Sasaki Kite Fabrications Lee Sedgwick - Team High Fly Robbi Sugarman - Air Circus Sue Taft - Team High Fly Eric & Dorothy Wolff - Chicago Fire

and the hundreds of other flyers that I have talked to, flown with, and learned from.

Sixth edition Copyright, David Gomberg 1996 Earlier Editions Copyright 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994 IBSN 1-884496-02-4
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the author. The laws of physics apply to all kites; only the relative strength of forces, masses, and design -- both aerodynamic and structural -- vary from kite to kite. Because it is rare for any two kites or kiteflyers to behave alike, exceptions exist to all general observations, instructions and guidelines in this or any other book on kite flying. Cascade Kites makes no warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the information contained herein and assumes no liability for actions which may result from proper or improper use of maneuverable kites.

Address inquires to: Gomberg Kite Productions, Intl. Box 113, Neotsu, Oregon 97364 USA fax 541-994-9692

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION I. ALL ABOUT WIND and TERRAIN Wind Characteristics Smoothness & Strength Turbulence Measuring Wind Strength How Wind Behaves Affects a Stunt Kite Picking a Flying Site Terrain Safety and Courtesy 8 II. FIRST FLIGHT Before You Leave the House Kite Assembly Layout Launching Assisted Launching Self Launch ing Deltas and Diamonds Foil Kites 11 1 1 2 4 5 5 5 6 6 11 12 14 14 16 16 19 VI. ADVANCED FLYING Flight Control Horizontal Passes Straight Flight Throttle Control Maneuver Practice Vertical Eights Ls and Squares The Eagle" Has Landed Spins Wing Launch Mid-Air Stalls Light Wind Flying Heavy Wind Flying 53 53

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53 54 54 55 55 56 57 58 58 59 61 63 63 63 64 65 66 66 68 71 73 73 75 76 76 77 77 77 80 81 81 82 83 83 85 86 87 88

III. PILOTING BASICS 21 Steering 21 Body Positions 24 First Maneuver - horizontal eight 25 Second Maneuver - loop 28 Landings 30 Accidental Landings 30 Normal Landings 31 Better Normal Landings 32 Packing Up 33 Repairs 34 IV. EXPLORING THE ENVELOPE 35 Whats the Flight Envelope? 35 Control Response at the Edge 38 V. TUNING Why Tune? What to Look For What to Do Clip Adjustments How, Why & When About Noise Wiskers or Stand-Outs Special Tuning for Stacks 45 45 45 46 46 48 50 51

VII. ALL ABOUT FLYLINES & RODS Selecting the Right Line Characteristics Types Available How Much Line? What Weight? Knots and Sleeving Rods for Your Frame 67 Flyline Troubleshooting Hands and Handles Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 72 VIII. HIGH PERFORMANCE FLYING Large Stacks Power Flying Formation or "Team" Flying Line Adjustments Tuning Team Assignments Maneuvers Solo Flying 79 Dual Flight Quad Line Delta Wing Quad Flying "Made for Quad Line" Kites IX. CONTEST FLYING Levels of Competition How a Competition Works Types of Events 86 Precision Choreography or Ballet Other Events General Competition Suggestions88 CONCLUSION

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Introduction
This is a book about flying stunt kites. We don't talk about kite history or how to make kites. What we've done is try to produce the"Complete Flying Manual". There are now hundreds of different and distinct stunt kites being manufactured and distributed. Regional and national events attracting thousands of spectators are held around the country and around the world. Whether you're a new pilot or an experienced competitor, we've tried to compile the basic or technical information you're looking for along with specialized tips to improve performance. We've also worked to update the text each year with new techniques or developments. Within these pages, you'll find comments and contributions by some of the best flyers in the world.
-- In Chapter One, we explain how the wind affects kite flying and how to pick a flying site. -- In Chapers Two thru Four, we provide basic instructions for the new flyer. -- Chapter Five is an overview of tuning - one of the most confusing and least understood aspects of kite performance. -- Chapter Seven explains all about the different types of flylines and how to take care of them. -- Chapter Eight covers exotic , new, or different techniques - everything from "power flying" to flying backwards through a dog stake. -- Finally, in Chapter Nine, we present information on stunt kite contests with specific tips on how to improve your scores.

The most important thing is that we want to promote safe and responsible flying. Stunt kites and stunt kiting are evolving on a daily basis. That's one reason we have not addressed specific brands or models in our text. Instead we discuss three broad categories of stunters -- the Delta or Swept-Wing (known as California Style Stunters by almost everyone except Californians), Diamond Wings, and the inflatible stunters which we call Foils. Before the ink is dry on this page, new kite designs, materials and applications will become available and then commonplace as our infant sport grows and hurries forward into maturity. I hope and trust that the information contained here will be useful to you who represent Stunt Kitings future. But enough of the mushy stuff ... Put this manual in your kite bag and get out to the flying field! Good Winds!

David Gomberg March, 1991