American Kitefliers Association

jimnicholls wrote:

Why is this forum so quiet?

Quite frankly things are quiet because something smells fishy here in the AKA again. I'm not sure why the leadership is tight lipped they must have something to hide. Best of luck with your new website.

Jim you have a nice website there.  I would note, however, that the chinese kites website that you endorse appears to be copying other companies designs and selling them as their own.

Woody
Thanks for your good wishes.  I would not like to see this post turned into a political debate, however!  I joined AKA because of an interest in kite-flying, not to get caught up in political in-fighting.  Maybe that should be a different thread entirely.

Ben,
Thank you also.  That Chinese web-site is, I think, one of the least offensive sites in that country, which is why I mentioned it.  The young lady who runs it is making a big effort to get away from the copying which most Chinese do, and none of her latest delta designs, for instance, are copies of American designs, whereas the earlier ones were and are being phased out.  It is an unfortunate fact that copying others' work is regarded as normal in China, and I think we should all do our best to discourage that by buying only those items which are original.  This is not always easy.  I have a piece of line laundry, a 15ft seahorse, bought from Singapore because I could not find it available anywhere else.  I later found out (from David Gomberg) that the design was originally by Rolf Zimmerman of Germany.  Apparently he took one to Weifang to fly in the festival there, and within weeks it was copied by everyone so he had to give up on trying to sell or license the design himself.  I certainly buy only from American or European companies wherever possible, and would encourage others to do the same.  Apart from the moral issues of "rip-offs," the quality of a lot of direct-from-China products is appalling  I almost never have a problem with "American" products, even though these are almost all now made in Chinese factories.

Jim.

Great site, Jim! And of course, I love your cover page kite!

Pyro Deltas were first designed by Frank Schweiman in Germany. He flew the white ones at night in firework shows. Hence the "pyro" name. Frank licensed his kites to us, although some other firms are now using the name more generically.

Keep up the good work!

David

David,

Thanks for your kind comments.  There will be a number of Gomberg kites appearing on the Review page (as you know, I have a lot of your products), and I might even say nice things about them!  Whether anyone outside the AKA ever gets to read them is an unknown at this stage.

Thanks, too, for the anecdote about the pyro deltas.  I always like to know such things.

Jim

Hi Jim,
Welcome to Kiting!    Happy to see you here, and yes it does seem quiet at times..  However, it is not due to anything *fishy* as Woody puts it.  I think a lot of people just have been busy with life, and traveling ( as in my case), and other things..     
I think some people get too caught up in politics and don't remember what it is that brought us all together.    I chose to stay focused ( or try to) on the kites.. whether they be sport or show, fighters or single line.   I like them all.  Though I do not  pretend to be an expert at any of them lol.   
Anyway,  I will check out your website!   
Amy

Whatever you say Amy your in the know as to what goes on inside the AKA. I did wish the guy well with his website and I wish you well too. However I don't think you know me at all so please try and refrain from using my name in any of your posts.

Relax Woody,  I was just responding to your comment.. explaining why I believe it's been quiet here. 

For whatever reason  I think she just likes says my name.