Go Fly a (Tetra) Kite

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Continuing the “Kite” discussion from Unpleasantness on Talk:

Anyone remember the Tetra Kite: http://drachen.org/collections/bell-tetra-kite-kit ?

My brother and I had one as a kid…these things were pretty big, especially for a small urchin, and could really generate a lot of pull. We used a fishing pole (made it easier to reel back in) and about 300 yards – 3 football fields – of high test line to fly it.

Was all the way out on a windy day once, could barely see it, and it snapped the line. Never saw it again, but I imagine it it still in orbit somewhere…

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Kite flying study group

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Is there any interest in a kite making activity?

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I’ve had an interest in Tethered flight for a long long time.

S.F. Cody’s manlifting warkites. The Hargrave kite and its long history as an aid to meteorology and the beginnings of powered flight. Most early airplane attempts were described as “motor kites”

There were even some kites used as emergency radio antennas, I am sure HAMs would love to play with a 300 ft. Antenna.

Don’t get me started on kite ferries…