Flying A Kite Safely

Flying Kites Can Be Very Dangerous.

It Is The Fliers Responsibility To Fly Safely Without Rising Danger Or Causing Any Nuisance To Other People, Animals, Property Or The Environment.

Make sure you have the permission of the landowner to fly kites. Are there local by-law restrictions?

When a kite is being flown, steps must be made to ensure that it poses no source of danger or nuisance to either people, animals, the environment or buildings. Animals can be easily frightened by a kite and spectators do not see the danger of a fast moving or heavy kite. They may wander into the area where you are flying.

Do not fly over people (including other fliers), animals, buildings or cars. A sudden gust of wind may mean you lose control and cannot bring your kite down safely. You many injure someone and become part of costly legal proceedings. Unsafe flying will invalidate the cover provided by the club's Public Liability Insurance.

Only fly your kite at wind strengths at which you are able to keep it fully under control. Check before the flight whether the kite has been correctly assembled and whether any parts are damaged and could possibly cause the kite to crash. Exercise special care in the case of untried kites.

Very taut kite lines can cut and wound. This is especially true of lines which do not stretch, made of Spectra, Dyneema, Kevlar or similar fibres. Gloves should definitely be worn when flying single line kites and you should keep your distance from spectators and others flying kites.

Are you close to an airport, airfield or a hang/para-gliding centre? Permission must be granted from the Civil Aviation Authority if you wish to fly a kite above 30 metres in the 'Aerodrome Traffic Zone' of an Aerodrome. Do you know what the 'Traffic Zone' is? Have you read the 'Rules of the Air'?

Do not fly a kite more than 60 metres above ground level, unless you are aware that permission has been obtained by the Civil Aviation Authority to do so, and you fully understand the rules regarding the attachment of tubular streamers (as markers) to your line.

Do not fly kites near electricity cables. Maintain 500 metres distance. Otherwise you could be killed. However, if your line or kite does come into contact with an electricity cable never try to retrieve it. In addition prevent others from doing so and call the Emergency services so they can deal with the dangerous situation.

Never fly kites in stormy weather or a thunderstorm - you could be killed.

Do not fly near roads or railways. Falling kites can easily cause an accident and kites represent a considerable distraction for passing car drivers.

Do not disturb the peace of areas set aside for public recreation. Noisy kites can be a nuisance.

Avoid nature reserves as animals can panic and bolt, breeding birds can be disturbed and abandon their eggs.

Leave the area as you found it. Do not leave things behind used for flying. If animals eat lines or plastic parts they can die. Do not use trees to tie your kite to. Use a ground anchor which you can buy or make yourself.

This seems like a long list of rules. But if not followed then more may be activated.

We all want to enjoy flying a kite, so remember:-

SAFE KITE FLYING IS HAPPY KITE FLYING