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By Leslie Hunt
When you are ready to start a flight, make sure the bridle is in adjustment as called for in the directions. If the kite has been made recently, be sure it is dry. Knot the flying string to the tow string and stand with the back to the wind. When the wind pulls the kite strongly, toss the kite into the air and let out a little string. If the kite sinks, stop letting out the string until the kite gains some height, or run a few steps. If the kite darts suddenly, let out the string so it will come down easily. Do not drag the kite on the ground; go to the kite and try again. If the kite does not rise or if it continues to dart, it may need adjusting, or there may not be enough wind or there may be too much wind.
If there is not enough wind, all that can be done is to wait for a better time. Sometimes running with the kite will get it up far enough to take advantage of a breeze that will carry it higher, but prolonged running has little to commend it; in addition to being tiresome, it has the further disadvantage that more than one person is required to start the flight.
Too much wind may be offset by using more tail in the case of the tailed kites, more bow in the bow kites and turning less of the surface of the box to the wind, or shifting the bridle of the box kites.
Sometimes a kite goes well for a time, but refuses to climb past a certain height. It may be that a strata or layer of calm is reached. If so, there is usually another breeze a little higher up moving in a different direction from that of the surface wind. Often the kite may be made to climb out of the calm by letting out a quantity of string and then giving a number of short pulls. In this case, the kite may continue to ascend after the upper wind is reached; the various layers of air and their movements are shown then by the directions taken by the different parts of the string.
Bear in mind that some kites are better fliers than others, even if made from the same directions. Small differences in size, rigidity, paper tension, weight, bow, and what not, all contribute to a kite's performance. Kites are described in this book as excellent, good, fair, and moderate fliers. Some moderate fliers like the Fisherman Kite, require considerable patience to adjust and fly successfully, but those having other ratings fly without difficulty. Patience, prudence, and practice will enable anyone to learn to fly a kite.
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