Air Traffic Controllers Needed!!

It has been some months since the latest of the events that brought this subject to mind, but with the 12th Annual Audrey’s Day just weeks away it reminds me that not all events are so well oiled. The scenario is somewhat like this: a city, or other fine, well-meaning civic organization sees media coverage or attends a kite festival and decides “Gee, that was a great show, lets do one in our town!!” They go about organizing all the sponsors, vendors, media outlets, and get dates all set; but it seems lastly they contact some local kite clubs or a rep from AKA who finds them a local contact and ask for some “professional ” kite folks to show up. That is where the trouble starts. Not that local kite fliers are troublesome, but that these well meaning wonderful folks just have no understanding of the logistics of flying large show kites or teams of sport kites. Neither do they have a clue as to the safety measures needed to keep all the elements at play safe throughout the day. So let’s look at these factors and discuss the possible remedies for the shortcomings.

Firstly, I feel that some of the responsibility for successful events should fall on the shoulders of the AKA, [American Kitefliers Association]. The organization provides insurance coverages for such events and yes they publish a pamphlet that lays out some “rules of the road”, but as the single largest promoters of kiting in the country and with a “network” of individuals and members throughout the various regions, one would think that they would desire to be in the front lines at every kite event thay can, not just the competition events that involve AKA members on “the circuit”. I think  more  participation and perhaps a little research into where these “mini” festivals are taking place would then allow a more active outreach into the “civic organizations” and a select team of volunteer members in each region could take a positive role in assisting and most importantly,  educating organizers and sponsors as to the requirements to run a successful and safe kite event.

Secondly, I feel that these non-kiting organizers need to be firmly educated as to the needs and spaces required to run a kiting event and have a person on their “staff” that is kiting savvy to do just that. This person assumes the role of AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER and establishes the safe flying zones for the large show kites, the stunt flying teams, the “family fly” areas, and gets the necessary means to rope off and enforce these safe zones throughout the event. Of course that is very easy to do if AKA is supplying insurance coverage, in fact it is a requirement as I recall from producing competition events personally in the past. But if the local community, city, organization is providing their own coverage, the AKA has no control. So what is the input of an “air boss”? Well, I feel that with some education and admonishment the board can be persuaded that the overall success of the event will depend on the continued safety and enjoyment of all parties involved. If the big kite folks are in fear of their expensive kites being cut out of the sky by the “family” dime store kites, or the stunt team has to perform in a tiny little box half the size required to properly execute their routines, the end result is folks going home early, and not wanting to participate the following years. This is currently the situation at several events in our area. In years past, I have experienced the extreme disappointment of traveling several hours, booking rooms, eating out, and showing up to a venue that is either covered in knee high grass, or devoid of open space bigger than a child’s sand box, surrounded by trees, light poles,  and water. The “event organizer” gaped with open mouth when we said flying kites was impossible!!!

Thirdly, not many kiters are faint at heart, but sometimes the deck is just stacked too high against you. The needs of the performers are a first tier prerequisite in any “show”, but sadly in these mini-events the folks providing the entertainment and making up the show are the last ones to be considered. I totally sympathize with the kiters who come away saying “Not going to go back there, that was a madhouse!!”  No one wants to see an innocent spectator get hurt by their kite gear either!!!

So lets get together and work to change the “grid” on the playing field!!