What's the appeal

of fighter kites?

Skill:

There's always a challenge with fighters ...the first is just to keep them up!

Cheap:

Paper fighters will cost $3-$10, home-built Mylar similar, and even the best commercially built hi-tech kites cost under $100.

International:

Fighters are flown in big numbers in many countries (India, Pakistan, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Nepal, Brazil, Peru, Malaysia, Singapore, Cuba, Curacao, Papua New Guinea). Each of these countries has it's own traditions and styles of kite, and kite play. In countries like India, the only type of kite is the fighter.

Historical:

At least a thousand years of history

Of course, it's only fair to add that on the down-side, fighter-flyers are sometimes - unfairly of course! - seen as the lunatic-fringe of kiting....