Kite Safety rules

Rules that every kite flier should know

     The following rules have been compiled using AKA rules, and input from various members of the Fly Pittsburgh Kite Club, OSEK, AKA and International fliers. Feel free to print & distribute them for your next kiting party or festival.

1. Never fly near power lines or try to free a kite caught in a power line. Call your local power company instead. Carbon spars used in most Sport kites are good conductors, and are very dangerous if caught in power lines.

2. Never fly in stormy weather (remember Ben Franklin was very lucky not to have been killed by his famous experiment).

3. Never fly near trees; Your kite might get cut loose and out of control and it could damage both people and their property. Several people this year have had damage done to the finish on their cars and several kites have landed on people. When you consider the size of our fields, there is no reason for this.

4. Never use metallic flying line.

5. Never fly your kite near or over people. Politely instruct all spectators to stand behind you when your kite is being flown. Remember, the safety of others is the responsibility of the flyer!

6. Always be aware of your surroundings and mindful of others.

7. Avoid all other obstacles; besides the risk of entanglement in trees, you should not fly near roads & vehicles, and make sure that your flying area does not have obstructions such as posts and holes.

8. Special rules apply when flying near any Airport. If flying a kite within two miles of an airport, FAA regulations prohibit the use of any kite weighing over five pounds, and it is not permitted to fly any kite on line longer than 500 feet in length.

9. Always use extreme caution when flying large kites. It is considered by many to be advisable to Wear gloves when handling large kites. Never leave them unattended. Winds can change direction and intensity very quickly.

10. Sport & power kites need to be flown with particular care. Make sure that your kite can not self launch when setting up your kite, and follow all safety rules and instructions for the type of Sport or power kite you are flying. If a kite you plan to fly did not come with safety instructions, make sure you acquire the proper knowledge to safely control the kite. Periodically inspect your kite for broken or split spars and verify that the bridle and flying lines are not excessively frayed or worn. Also, do not leave your kite lines unattended while staked or lying on the ground. You do not want people to trip over your sport kite lines.

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