Fighter kite contests
Formal kite contests can take many forms, but are in essence either either precision or combat...
At the Festival of Winds in Sydney (Bondi Beach) each year they run a “Fighter Kite Skill Competition”.
These are the rules from the Novice Precision section:
1. Fliers will fly in five skill categories. A panel of 1 to 3 judges will score the categories.
2. Categories and points are as follows:
0 - 10 pts. Launch by pilot.
0 - 10 pts. Horizontal pass.
0 - 10 pts. Spin.
0 - 10 pts. Vertical dive and recovery.
0 - 10 pts. “V” with spins.
Launch by Pilot: This is an unassisted launch and you have 1 minute to become airborne. If you fail to launch satisfactorily within the minute a crew will be provided and you will lose all points for the launch. Points will be deducted for non recoverable crashes provided you still become airborne within the minute. You will be advised by a judge when the minute starts and ends.
Horizontal Pass: The kite is to fly a horizontal pass from one side of the wind window to the other. Pass height is to be below 5 metres from the ground. The wind window is 60 degrees , i.e. 30 degrees either side of wind centre. The flier must nominate from which side the manoeuvre is starting. From left to right or from right to left
Spin: The kite must fly 3 or more spins in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Spin direction is viewed from the flier's direction. Spins will be counted after the flier has called in. The flier must nominate the direction of his spins.
Vertical Dive: The flier is required to fly a vertical dive at window centre. The vertical dive is to be at least 2/3 of the wind window height at wind window centre. The manoeuvre can be entered from the left or right but you must call “in” before starting the vertical component. Pullout is to be at 4 metres and can be in any direction.
“V” with spins: This is a continuous manoeuvre, and can be flown from left to right or right to left. The manoeuvre is to be entered from one side of the wind window with a horizontal pass at 1/2 window height, fly in towards the centre of the wind window. Now fly an upwards spin turn and exit the turn at 45 degrees down and towards the wind window centre. At wind window centre another spin turn exiting at 45 degrees up and towards the window edge. The final phase is another upward spin turn and a horizontal pass at entry level height to exit.
3. The categories will be flown in the order printed in the rules.
4. For all categories other than the launch fliers will call “in” and out at the beginning and end of each manoeuvre. After you have finished a manoeuvre you will be advised what the next manoeuvre is.
5. For all manoeuvres a 1 minute time will apply. The time limit will be started from the judge's call for the manoeuvre.
6. A spin turn will consist of 1 or more spins in the direction asked for.
- courtesy of John McKellor and the A.K.S.
1. Any single line kite is acceptable. Maximum height is 1 meter (3.28 feet).
2. Kites may be launched by the contestant or by a field crew. When a field crew is used, the contestant may be required to launch on a designated length of line specified by the Head Judge.
3. Contestants launch on a signal given by the Head Judge or Field Director. Kites will be flown to a "ready" position of similar altitude and reasonable separation. After both flyers indicate they are prepared, the Head Judge or Field Director will announce the start of the match and the kites may engage.
4. The first kite line to contact an opponent's kite line in the manner designated by the Head Judge (either from above or below) will score one point. The kite bridle is considered part of the kite.
5. Contestants may decide between themselves which square to stand in. (“Contestants compete from two squares located at the up-wind end of the competition flying field. Squares are fifteen feet per side and shall be spaced ten feet apart”)
In disputes, a coin toss will be used in which the correct caller may have choice of square. Contestants will either exchange squares between each point, or remain in the same square for the entire match, as determined by the Head Judge and announced at the Pilot's Meeting.
6. If either kite touches the ground before a point has been scored, the kite remaining in the air, or last to touch the ground, scores one point. If both kites touch the ground simultaneously the point will be replayed.
7. Touching of the kite or the kite bridle by the contestant will be scored the same way as a ground touch and will result in loss of the point.
8. Contestants must stay inside their respective squares during their match. If a contestant puts both feet outside their square, the point is awarded to their opponent.
9. Matches in round one and round two will consist of the best two out of three points (the first contestant to score two points is the winner of that match). Round Robin matches are described under Odd Number of Contestants. All other matches will consist of the best three out of five points (the first contestant to score three points will be the winner of that match).
Copyright 1996, Thom Shanken, Peter Lee, and Kai Griebenow
(and used here without their permission, although I hope they'd not mind!)