Kite FAQs

What does sail loading mean and how does it affect a kite's performance?
Sail loading is a ratio that refers to the weight of the kite, in ounces, divided by the area of its sail in square feet. Lower numbers mean that the kite will usually fly in less wind and higher numbers mean that the kite requires more wind to fill the sail and lift the kite into the air. Lighter, smaller kites will have lower sail loading numbers than larger or heavier kites. However, sail loading is only applicable as a general rule, kite design is still a significant factor when determining specific wind ranges.

I've tried to fly my kite several times and it just won't stay in the air. What should I do?
If you have difficulty getting your kite to fly at the same location on multiple attempts, you should always try another location first. Sometimes structures and buildings can block the wind resulting in unstable and turbulent conditions. These variable winds can make an otherwise excellent flying kite perform poorly. If the kite fails to fly at several different locations, double check that you have assembled it correctly and make sure you're flying within the recommended wind range.

Which stunt kite would be appropriate for a child to fly?
First, review the Best Stunt Kites for Beginners section. There you can find the best options for someone who has not flown a stunt kite before. When shopping for a stunt kite for a child, it is important to look at the test weight of the line (i.e. 50-lb., 100-lb., etc.). This indicates the "breaking strength" of the line (the amount of force that must be exerted on the line to cause the line to break) but it also correlates to the relative pull the kite will exert on the flier; the higher the line test, the more pull. Stunt kites that use 50-lb. or 80-lb. line would be the best choice for a pre-teen. Coordinated 8 year-olds may be able to fly a beginner stunt kite while a 12 year-old without strong hand-eye coordination may not. Keep in mind the child's size and weight when making a choice, and always supervise your child while they fly. It can take only a brief, strong gust of wind to pull the kite out his/her hand.

Which kite is small enough to take on a backpacking or camping trip?
Airfoils are a good choice because they pack down to a small size (as small as 4" x 5") are completely soft and are stable in a moderate wind. Stunt and power foils give you the transportability of a soft kite along with the pull and action of a stunt kite. Stunt foils and power foils are frameless and also portable (the Symphony 1.4 fits in a 6" x 8" fanny pack).

Can I use longer lines than those that come with my Ready to Fly kite?
You bet! If your kite weighs less than 5-lbs. (and almost all kites do) the FAA lets you fly as high as you want. 300-ft. is a great line length for kids, it's enough for most small kites. 500-ft. is the most popular length for adults and for large kites. 1,000-ft. is a good length for inland areas, it lets you fly your kite in the steadier winds aloft. 3000-ft. is for altitude addicts. Your kite will be a dot in the sky. Make sure you get a good reel! If you're getting a kite that comes with less line than you need to touch the clouds, use it for household twine and consider purchasing line separately. We carry an incredible selection of kite line, reels and spools so you can fly as high as you want.

What's the difference between stunt kites and trick kites?
"Stunt Kite" is a generic, umbrella term used to describe all two line controllable kites. "Trick Kites" are one variation of "Stunt Kites." Specifically, they are dual line high performance stunt kites capable of advanced maneuvers or tricks like fades, The Turtle, Mobius or the Full Monty, just to name a few.

Do I need a tail with my kite?
Most kites do not require a tail to fly in their normal wind range. In gusty winds adding a tail can help to stabilize the kite. Plus, tails always look great! They add drama and color to your flight and long tube tails trace the path of your stunt kite in the sky.

How do I know if the kite I'm purchasing includes a case?
The description that accompanies each kite on our website specifies whether or not that particular kite includes a reusable case. Frequently the inclusion of the case will be proceeded by the disassembled length of the kite, for example, 39" case. If the text says that the kite "folds" to 31" this usually means that the kite does not include a case but this dimension will assist you in choosing the correct nylon kite case available for purchase separately (Items #604, #605, #606 and #607). Sometimes the text will list multiple dimensions for a stunt kite and its case, i.e. 66/35" case. This means that the kite can be stored with the wing spars assembled (66") or the ferruled wing spars can be folded and the case cinched to the shorter length (35"). Please note that even though the length of our kite cases is adequate for the stunt kites we feature, the width of the case is too narrow for most stunt kites.

How long will my new wind art product last?
Our windsocks, flags, and lawn ornaments are made from the most resilient of materials. Although durable, constant and direct exposure to the sun can degrade these materials over time. In addition, any abrasion the item may sustain as it comes into contact with another object, (ie., a tree, the side of a house or an awning) can cause it to wear or fray. In a shaded or protected space your wind art product may last several years. But in areas with constant and direct ultraviolet light exposure, you may need to replace it annually.

Why don't the wing spars on my delta extend all the way to the nose?
The stable flight of delta kites is partially due to a certain amount of wing flexibility which is accomplished by allowing the two wings to flex independently of each other. If the two wing spars extended all the way to the nose the delta frame would be too rigid, preventing the self-steering and self-correcting actions that allow deltas to ride out gusts and drift on thermals so effectively.

Is my hoop spool really unbreakable?
Well, most of the time! Breakage usually occurs when reeling in a hard pulling kite, putting tension in the line which in turn puts a considerable degree of stress on the reel. Due to the inherent stretch of Dacron line, this will crack any reel regardless of its "unbreakable" design and/or materials, although the damage will not always be immediately apparent. The best way to care for your reel is to "walk the kite down" first and land it before reeling in your line. Or alternatively, walk toward the kite as you manually pull in the line before reeling the slack line onto the hoop.

How do I measure the diameter of the spar that I need to replace?
Dial or digital calipers or a micrometer make it easy to get a precise measurement of the outside diameter (O.D.) of round objects like kite spars. If you do not own a pair you may be able to access calipers at a hardware store, machine shop, sporting goods or outdoor gear store. They are also commonly used in automotive and science applications. Obtaining a measurement in thousandths of an inch will allow you to match your kite spar with the replacement material we carry. If you can't measure the spar, we can usually determine what size you need by checking our specification chart. As a last alternative, you may need to send us a piece of the broken spar, along with the name of the kite, so we can determine what you need. Sometimes spar sizes will be noted in the manufacturer's instructions or on the spar itself. A spar chart for products we currently stock or have sold in the past is also accessible on our website.

Why are some beginner stunt kites packaged with Dacron or polyester lines, while the more advanced stunt kites include Spectra or Dyneema lines?
Dacron and polyester are "stretchier" kite lines than Spectra and Dyneema. (Dacron and polyester line are rated at about 15% stretch, whereas Spectra line is listed at 3-5% stretch, and Dyneema 4-7% stretch.) A line with more stretch means it takes longer for hand motions to be "transmitted" via the line to the kite. That's a good thing when you're a beginner because it slows the kite's response. Longer flying lines, also typical with beginner kites, have the same effect. As you become more experienced, you will want the improved response that an upgrade to either Spectra or Dyneema lines will provide.

What kite would be best for my child's birthday party?
The Frustrationless Fliers are easy to assemble, child-friendly sleds. They are made of Tyvek and are great for a pre-flight art project for kids. We suggest using acrylic paints or permanent markers to make one-of-a-kind masterpieces using this affordable kite kit. For younger children, a better choice might be the Color A Sled. The kite is preassembled and includes crayons, flying line and a tail. Kids color their design, attach the line and take to the sky with this easy to fly Tyvek sled kite.

Why does my foil sometimes collapse at the edge of the wind window?
Foil kites are completely soft and have no rigid structure. Initially, inflating the sail with wind creates the shape of the kite. But flying conditions can alter the shape. At the edges of the wind window, it is harder for the wind to inflate the sail because of the angle of the vents versus the direction of the wind. This can cause foils to collapse. Multiple bridles and cross-venting can reduce this tendency. Generally speaking, foils collapse when there is not enough wind to inflate the sail.

How big of a kite do I need to lift line laundry or a large tail?
A 7-ft. Delta, DC or a Parafoil 5 will be able to lift most line laundry. A 9-ft. Delta or Parafoil 7.5 will lift practically any line laundry we sell, so feel free to dress up your line and paint the sky.

Why can't you send products longer than 42 inches?
Our standard shipper for international orders is the U.S. Postal Service. They have a 42" length restriction to most countries. We can ship packages longer than 42" to international destinations via United Parcel Service. UPS typically costs 2-3 times more than our standard international rates. But packages can be tracked and usually arrive within 7-10 days. Please contact us to obtain the pricing information for your particular order.

I live overseas and have been waiting a long time for my order. Where is it?
The timetable for delivery to international destinations varies greatly. Sometimes orders shipped Air Parcel Post reach customers in as little as 1-2 weeks. The U.S. Postal Service does not provide a tracking number for these international shipments, so we will not be able to tell you exactly where the package is. However, our years of experience indicate that, chances are, your package will arrive eventually. But if you're impatient, get in touch with us and we'll do what we can to help you.

Is it possible to purchase an item I saw in your retail store in Boulder on the Pearl Street Mall even if it’s not on your website?
Yes! Just get in touch with us and let us know what you want. We can ship the item to you with our standard shipping rates which are based on the amount of the merchandise.

How do you wind the line onto the reel evenly when you have a lot of line out and want to pull your kite in?
Keep some tension on the line when winding it in, as loosely wound line tends to tangle. When winding onto a spool with your hand, turn the spool over from time to time and wind in the other direction. This keeps the line from being twisted so many times that it tangles. This same rule can apply to winding line in on a reel to keep it evenly distributed. Alternatively, it is possible to feed line off of one flange (side) of the hoop and wrap back onto that same side without the need to turn the hoop. When using this technique it is important that the same side of the hoop is used for letting out line and reeling it back in. In any case, never struggle to reel in your kite. Reeling in line under strong tension could damage the reel. In strong winds, walk your kite down or pull the line in with your gloved hands, while moving around to avoid piling up line in one place. Then wind the line onto your reel.

What items are available in your Bargain Bin?
The Bargain Bin inventory is constantly changing as we evaluate, repair, test and discontinue items from current stock, as well as previous catalogs. Select discounted products are featured in the Sales and Bargains section of intothewind.com. But for the most up-to-date information, let us know what style of kite or item you're looking for (use the same categories we use on our website to narrow down the search). If we don't have exactly the product you're looking for, we'll try to find something similar so that you can walk away with a deal!

Will you gift wrap an order?
Unfortunately, we do not offer a gift wrap service but will gladly include a complimentary gift card with a short message. All gift orders include a packing slip in the box (without pricing). A receipt with the billing information is mailed separately to the purchaser.

How do I launch my quad line foil?
If you're flying by yourself, weigh down your kite along its trailing edge with water bottles or old socks filled with sand. Position your weights so they can slide off easily when you pull gently on the flying lines until the kite inflates. When launching, make sure you're holding the handles near the top, and tilting the top of the handles toward your chest. Most of the force of the kite should be felt on the kite's top bridle lines. As you become familiar with the kite, experiment with pulling on the brake lines. The brake, or reverse hand position, is when the top of your handles are pointed away from you. If you launch the kite with too much tension on the brake lines, it may not launch well. If your kite is flying erratically, spinning in one direction or another, or will not climb to the top of the window, too much brake is being applied.

Why does my Ready to Fly stunt kite come with only one plastic handle with all the line wrapped around it?
Ready to Fly stunt kite line sets often include line wrapped around a plastic winder which can resemble a plastic handle, although it is not. Use the pair of straps included with the kite for flying. When you're finished flying, wrap your lines back onto the winder for storage.

Why do you fold Tyvek to ship it?
When Tyvek is folded it can ship in a smaller box making it less expensive. Since Tyvek is measured by hand, folding it makes it much easier to handle, and also explains why we have a 20-yard continuous length limit; measuring longer lengths is just too cumbersome. If you would prefer to have your Tyvek rolled onto a tube and shipped to you that way, let us know. We charge an additional $25 per shipment for this service to cover the expense of a larger box and associated shipping costs.

How can I eliminate creases in Tyvek?
You may use a dry iron on a low setting to remove heavy creases. However, since Tyvek is a waterproof plastic paper, ironing it on too high of a setting may cause it to burn, curl or bubble. Lighter creases or marks where the material was folded often disappear or become less noticeable when Tyvek is handled and decorated.

What's the best way to tie down my kite at the beach?
For the beach, the Sand Anchor is the best option for a secure tie-down. To use the Sand Anchor fill the piece of fabric with sand and bury the filled anchor in the hole. Our Sand Anchors include a heavy duty carabiner designed for kite line laundry. At the end of the day, dump the sand back on the beach and fold up the Sand Anchor. Use our kite anchor for any kind of soil, except soft sand.