Bad Timing
Very nice KAPER web site- it's great that you have time to devote to this. I don't even have much time to FLY my kites, never mind put up a web site! :-) I did get out last week for some KAP- I tried to shoot the annual opening of the bay here- they swing the "winter" bridge out of the way for the whole summer. After flying/waiting around for an hour, with the kite, camera, sun, and wind just perfect above the bridge, the state operator said it'd be another 3 hours at least before they swung it. I pulled everything down, went to work, and came back at lunchtime, and missed the whole thing by 20 minutes. Rats! I think I got a nice straight-down shot of a dog retrieving a stick in the water, though.
-Rick Inzero
Rochester, New York, USA

4X5 View Camera
My name is Kevin Flynn, first I would like to compliment you on your site it is very informative for all of us in this field (hobby?) I have been KAPing for about two years now but seem to spend more time building rigs than flying them. I am the friend of Simon Harbord, who lives in California (me) that he mentions in his article's. I have been experimenting with different types of rigs small and large point and shoot, single lens reflex, large panorama, T/V down links. My latest effort is going to be a 4x5 camera built from balsa wood, so I can use sheet film it's not finished yet, I am still trying to find a way to attach the film holders to the camera and still keep it light. The main reason I am writing you is I would like to send you some articles photos and plans from my work to share with others, trouble is I am a computer dunce I have no idea how to send this information to you in the email system or any other way, so I wondered if you would like to give me your address? I am having a down spell right now, I can't seem to get any new Ideas at the moment and it really drives me nuts. Seems I have these periods from time to time and I think it is such a waste, still by the time you read this I may be in operation again. Before I go I must tell you I built the simple servo block system some time ago working with Simon [Harbord] and have about 50 flights on it as we speak I have had no problems so far I'll include a photo of it when I send you my information, keep up the good work Best Regards
-Kevin Flynn
Pebble Beach, California, USA

[Ed.-we'll be looking forward to some interesting articles from Kevin in the near future.]

Bridge
Great shots of the train bridge. Your article is great, you never know what is going to happen in KAP that is what makes it so much fun. May the wind be in your favor. Best Wishes
- Philip L. Goldsborough,
Crisfield, Maryland

Just Beginning
Having just discovered your site through your post on rec.kites, I wanted to drop you a line to say thanks for such a comprehensive site!!

I am new to KAP and have only built a couple of lifting kites, 8ft rok and a 2m x 2.5m Harald Prinzler flowform. I have not yet got to the stage of constructing a cradle or lifting anything other than teddy bears and 'line laundry'. As I get on with this construction, I plan to keep a photographic record, and would be interested in any guidance/advice you may have on the process. I have never even seen a 'live' KAP rig, only pictures on the net, mainly at the 'Benson' [Benton?] site.

I have attached a couple of pictures of the roks in case they are of use to you. The plans used are freely available on the net and I can send you the web addresses if that would help. We use bamboo for our spars for cost reasons. Fiberglass £23.50, bamboo £1.50!! We got the bamboo from the local farming/gardening supplier in a pack of 10 x 8 ft lengths for a total cost of £1.50, and have flown in some quite strong wind without damaging the spars...could be a cost saving tip??

My partner Christine and I live on the beautiful island of Jersey, in the English Channel, 12 miles from the coast of France, near Saint Malo, where the beaches are great.

I have built a number of other kites, from diamonds for kids workshops to 4 line traction kites up to 6m2 in area. I also buggy and kite surf (badly!).

Sorry if this has rambled on a bit, hope some of it may be of interest. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Kind regards
-Andy Beveridge & Christine
U.K.

Titanium Terror
Finally I have devoted enough time to perusing your online mag, and I must say I am very impressed. I know how much time it takes, and here's hoping you don't burn out too soon.

Your LASS article is splendid! Animation, even! Now that truly transcends the limitations of print -- and it works GREAT!

I could probably paste together something about 360 servo conversion that is simpler than the article in AE. I'm using it in my kit rig. The essence is that the spindle hole for the main drive gear is drilled out to take a through-bolt (actually a #4 machine screw) so as to maximize the security of hanging a rig from it. Let me know what you think.

Alas, I have allowed myself to be distracted from KAP by such things as selling my fruit jar collection on eBay, but I have been building a few rigs for others, including one that was made entirely of .025 and .040 titanium (pic attached). No weight saving over 1/16 aluminum.

[The picture is] a rear view with the Epic in portrait position. The ultralight receiver is the Tetra from FMA Direct.

BTW, the Titanium Terror weighs in at exactly 15 oz, but I think it would be easy to do as well with aluminum. Sexy though.
best wishes
-Brooks Leffler
Pacific Grove, California, USA

(Brooks Leffler's Titanium Terror rig)

A New Web Site
Hey, thanks for your effort, it looks very good. I kept on thinking of doing something similar, esp. a mailing list. My own KAP pages can be found at http://quakeguy.tripod.com/aerial.htm.
-Glenn Nelson
Santa Cruz, California, USA

[Ed.-A link to Glenn's page has been added to the Links page]

A Tear For The Eye
This is great stuff! I'm a KAPer here on the edge of the Great Plains and was saddened by the demise of The Aerial Eye, so I was especially tickled to learn of this e-zine. I hope to send some submissions in the near future.

-Prof. Ed Johnson
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska, USA