 With a name like 'fighter kites' you'd naturally think you would use these kites to fight, but the odd thing is ... there is no fighting. However, many fighter kite enthusiasts refer to some of the popular fighter kite games as aerial 'fights' or 'battles'. And even though 'fight' is a commonly used term, all fighter kiting games I've ever witnessed or participated in are fun filled, providing lots of laughing, many grins and some giggles too ... and all fighter kite competitions offer a ton of learning and sharing; and no fighting! The attraction to these wonderful kites called 'fighter kites' is not fighting, the real attraction is the unusual connection created between the flyer, the kite and the wind. This is instantly recognized when watching an experienced flyer maneuvering this relatively small kite in the most amazing ways. Both tradtional and American style fighter kites, are unique kites; they're unlike any other type of kite you've seen or flown. They are unique because they are highly maneuverable, can be very fast, are controllable and yet are flown on only ONE flying line. And, the flying line you can vary in length during flight from a few feet to several hundred or more feet and back to a few feet during the course of flying. In other words, these kites are highly interactive. Because they are so interactive, it allows tons of creativity to be expressed through flying fighter kites. Relatively speaking, the American style fighter kite is a newly recognized form or style of kite. They are kites designed for different flying games than any other fighter kite in the world. They are uniquely American. AMERICAN STYLE FIGHTER KITES
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TRADITIONAL FIGHTER KITES There are basically two styles of fighter kiting; the American style and the Traditional style. They are equally valued approaches that are radically different from each other. If you are not familiar with fighter kites from other parts of the world, generally they are made, from split bamboo and paper, generally inexpensive materials, because the kites have one short lived purpose; to cut the opponent's flying line or to be cut. The kite flying game that is most common throughout the world includes the use of a flying line that has been coated with powdered glass so the line can cut the line of the opponent, freeing their kite. The name of this glass coated cutting line is 'manjha'. And the 'manjha' game is a game of lose your kite or cause the loss of your opponent's kite. Not so with any American style fighter kite game. INSTEAD, American style fighter kites are designed and made to be durable; they last for years. And NONE of the American fighter kite games allow the use of glass coated flying line or any cutting devices at all and do not allow intentional damage to the opponent's kite. It is the popularity of competitive kite games among flyers of American style fighter kites that has led to the unique design and flying capabilities of American style fighter kites. Flying an American style fighter kite is like many hobbies or sports; it takes some learning to truly appreciate what it offers. Learning to fly an American style fighter kite is physically easy; there's nothing difficult, tricky or strenuous about flying it, however it does take a little time to learn how to maneuver them. One of purposes of this web site is providing information to speed your learning and assuring quicker success! And like most sports and hobbies, becoming a truly skilled fighter kite flyer takes practice and lots of it.
With a name like 'fighter kites' you'd naturally think you would use these kites to fight, but the odd thing is ... there is no fighting. BigGrins, bruce |