Up where the air is clear

– 5-25 mile per hour winds are ideal. The leaves are blowing but there are no gusts.

– Never in rain or lightning. Today’s kites are made with materials that will act as a natural lightning rod.

– ‘You don’t have to wait until good weather,’ said Rich Belcastro of the Kites of Central New York Club and owner of 80 kites. ‘Use your kite as your sail and use a snowboard or skis. The kite will pull you along.’

With your feet on the ground, you’re a bird in flight

Avoid: Power lines, houses (buildings make the air turbulent) and kite-eating trees

Find: Open fields or for snow and water kiting, a large lake

Best in Central New York: Fort Ontario in Oswego, according to Belcastro

Send it soaring

– The days of running to keep yourself flying a la first grade are gone, Belcastro said.

With your back to the wind, let the line out. Holding your kite at it’s mid-point, toss it up. Gently tugging the line will force the kite higher.

– Not enough wind? Grab a buddy to stand downwind and toss the kite for you.

Hint: Get some tail – lightweight, long tails help stabilize kites in strong winds.

Up through the atmosphere

How kites fly: Wind along the bottom pushes up on the kite, lifting it. A low-pressure area forms above, which acts like a vacuum and pulls it upward from above.

Oh, let’s go fly a kite

– April is National Kite Month: See nationalkitemonth.org for events and ideas.

– Kites in Central New York skies: angelfire.com/ny5/kitesincnyskies or email Belcastro at kiteraidr@twcny.rr.com

– American Kitefliers Association – more than 4,000 members in 35 countries: aka.kite.org

– Ontario Winds – custom kites in Oswego – (315) 343-8191

– Check out the kite exhibit, open now at The Museum of Science and Technology in Armory Square: most.org

With a tuppance for paper and string

Today’s kites are not the old sticks and paper of childhood.

Made of: Nylon with Plexiglas supports

Cost: $40 to $120 for a starter kite, but it will last for years with proper care, Belcastro said.

Extreme kiting: Snow kiting, water kiting (pull yourself along the waves on a wake board or water skis, one of the fastest growing sports, according to Belcastro), fighter kites, sport kiting (trick kiting)

Quote: ‘What kind of price tag do you put on fun? … You can go out there any time it’s windy, go all day long, as long as you can handle it, and it won’t cost you a dime. The wind is free.’ – Rich Belcastro of the Kites of Central New York Club

Published on March 22, 2006 at 12:00 pm