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Meeting with @acrop and her family at the National Air and Space Museum leads to a bit of indoor glider flying. They didn't kick me out!

Just don't have happen what JB had done to him years ago at a clinic. He was playing with some kids. One had a stick !!!! Goodbye center panel!!!!! OWCHIE!!

The B-Series kites have John Barresi's signature on them. He designed the panel layout and that's why they are called B-Series. The word "standard" refers to the type of sail. The types are: indoor, ultralight, standard, mid vent, full vent, extra vent, and max vent (aka Vickie). Each type is intended to allow comfortable flight within certain wind ranges, from absolutely none all the way through and including gale force. The two that will cover the widest range of wind speed for you, once you have acquired basic control, are standard and full vent. Most folks getting into the hobby start with a standard and subsequently acquire either a full or a mid vent depending on average wind speeds where they will be flying. In other words, the kite "series" whether production models like the SLE and B-Series or custom like the B-Pro Series may be available in any sail type. The SLE, B, and B-Pro are no longer being made, but if you can find them are worth having. The 1.5 classic (1.5 is the size format) currently being produced by Revolution Kites has the Reflex springs that previous versions did not. It has the panel layout of the B-Series but is not a signature kite. Any of the production or custom models may also be available in other size formats, which are 1 (larger than 1.5) and 2 (smaller than 1.5), which may also be available in any series or sail type. If you're looking at what is currently on the GWTW forum, my recommendation is grab whatever you can that fits in your budget. You probably won't find a better deal elsewhere. If I didn't already have a ton of Revs, handles, lines and a Rev bag, I would buy the entire lot myself. The kites being sold are becoming hard to find. I hope that doesn't confuse you. It will become easier to understand as you learn more. It's not rocket science after all, but stunt kites have certainly gained a greater level of sophistication since their introduction. P.S. -- If you have any questions, ask.

120 tickets sold, drawing VERY soon. Bear with the drawing timing as we’re in Japan until 5/23 but we’ll be sure the cut off for entry is correct, and no more than 48 hours delay to draw. 🙏🏻 Thanks everyone!!

Welcome Jake. Never flown a quad.Will be following your journey into the Dark Side with interest. Quad I seem to keep looking at is the Freilein Transeye vented. Top of it's stated wind range is 40 mph. When first starting out a lot of people advised me when above 15 mph fly a vented quad. Got a vented duel that the more I fly it the happier I get up to 25 . Top of the line kite but I don't know if I'll ever get good on it in +30 winds. Intend to have the builder make me a different vented kite to try and achieve that. Would be nice to have a speed kite, vented quad and duel that I could become comfortable with in 30+ winds. Then my mood would be the deciding factor of what I fly. Not the wind 👹. Got to hold a OSK Freilein Exodus at a shop awhile back. Don't know much yet but the build quality was very obvious. Thought it was a really nice kite.

Be VERY careful playing with the kids. Are you FULLY in control? Don't do it if the wind is fast and buffeting the kite. Use common sense and don't hurt anyone. They love it don't they? Just be careful. Angry parents are NOT fun!

Get a used one as your first, if possible. You're gonna beat the hell out it. No point in beating up a new one. Of course with a new one you get more usage before it wears out. Your call. Bottom line is how much you want to spend. Either way will get you started. You will need lines and handles. They are included in a ready-to-fly package if you purchase new. Sometimes you can get a used one with lines and handles, but it takes a bit longer to find unless you already have one tagged. An 80-foot line set is fine, but for $20 more you can get a 120-foot set and make it into two sets later when they begin to show wear, and the 120's slow the kite down a bit which makes it easier to learn. Get whichever makes you smile more. That's what it's all about.

80 - 85' will be fine for solo flight. If you have any desire to fly with others - plan on getting a set of 120', all in 90# or 100#. Just remember - the shorter the line, the smaller your wind window is. And in almost all cases, take the time to check the lines for evenness. Put all 4 lines on one stake, pull them evenly and compare lengths. Most will need adjusting. Then check again after a few flights to see if things have changed. Do not trust that "New lines are equal"!! You can defeat the Reflex technology by removing the springs or getting another set of verticals without it. Then you can decide on how you like it set up. If there is one piece of advice I give - Learn to "GIVE to the Kite!!". Counter intuitive I know, but pulling just drives the sail into the ground that much harder! Learn to let the kite crash. Even step forward. It takes all the power out of the sail. Much better to walk down and straighten things up, than to find a broken kite!! GIVE!!

@happysuperbutton Great work.!!!

Thanks again guys, and Paul! For the further thoughts, more valuable notes for me to take to the field next time Seems like it all boils down to "flying with intent" hehehe. Which I don't hahaha. I go with the wind. For now. well, 10 months ago I tried my hardest to stay away from kids, fearing I would lose control of my QLK and smash down on an unsuspecting little one, maybe even decapitate lines slice through them like butter. but now 10 months later, I thoroughly enjoy having the kids around, run up and chase and play with the QLK. I even taunt them jokingly and invite them over as they stare from a distance. Some have even "role played" calling it a spaceship and "shooting it down" hahaha...oh joy.. thanks Sport Kiting hobby! gonna keep practicing ^^

IMHO B series are better made and and respond better although if cost is a major factor a classic is a great learner, the fever is real so plan on having a few within 6-12 months [emoji848] well maybe just some of us! Sent from my iPhone using KiteLife mobile app

unless your preference is Skybond instead of LPG

They didn't kick us out, but we were being careful. What security guard??? Sad that we two are such rule followers, we wanted to have much more fun but we were as good as we felt we should be....almost. Sent from my [device_name] using http://KiteLife mobile app

Nice backdrop! Sent from my iPhone using KiteLife mobile app

The Kite Shoppe still has a couple of Full Vent B-series new kites. I believe the kites are on sale and I doubt that they will be there long. They also have the handles set-up with JB's knotted pigtails. The best line sets are Laser Pro Gold.

The Tensor 3.1 should be here Wednesday. I can't wait to get it in the air. Hopefully this weekend I get a day with less than 15mph winds to try it out. Thanks for the input guys. Looking forward to becoming more involved with the community here.

Hi, Jake, and welcome to the forum. Get on the GWTW (Gone With The Wind) forum and look in the "kites for sale" section. One of the guys is selling four Revs because of a physical injury that makes it painful to fly kites. I believe two of them are B-Series Revs. Message him and see what he has. Also, they pop up on eBay frequently. You'll need handles, lines and a stake in addition. The stake can be a long screwdriver if you want to keep costs down. I look forward to flying with you someday. Have fun, smile and don't forget to breathe.

I had a Reflex.. It didn't stay with me long. I do a lot of catch and throw and that is NOT the kite for that style of flying. You want a Phoenix or Freilein, then I'd highly suggest giving Eliot Shook a call at Flying Smiles Kites.. Bottom line is the Reflex wasn't a bad kite, it just isn't the kite for me..

One leg at a time... Kites are just cool. Welcome @toddnkaya, fresh eyes and passion are always a gift to this forum. 🙏🏻

Yeah, that Barresi guy will fly his kite on your grass. Gotta watch out for him. You never know where he'll pop up next. Next thing you know you'll be flying a kite with him and having a cold one after. Run when you see him. He's the kite pusher man. (insert Steppenwolf tune here) You know I smoked a lot of kites, oh Lord I . . . and you won't believe you're on the eve of destruction. Seriously, though, yup that's the one. And he'll fly with you. It's a whole lot easier than getting a game of horse with Michael Jordan, and asking him to help you with your shooting and dribbling. Get comfy, you're family.

Wow , your THE John Barresi!! I have seen a whole bunch of your videos online. Thank you for all your expertise that you share! I am just starting out , kites are on the way, but your videos and this site have been an inspiration!!! The folks on this site have been welcoming , and I even found a local member that has offered to mentor me!! Another kite guy from an audio site decided to gift me a stunt kite if I pay shipping. Are you kidding me? These are the kinds of people I want to fly with. I’m very humbled by everyone’s generosity in this community. I can’t wait to get my new kites in the sky. Thanks for all you do for the sport!! Todd

Here's a video I created this past Sunday flying "The Long Way Home" glider

Thanks very much for your advice Breezin!!! I actually just bought a Prism Synapse 140 , and I am beyond stocked to fly it. I was actually gifted a stunt kite , from a member of another forum. Sooooooooooo generous!!! He is sending me a Skyburner Freestylist UL , which looks to be a pretty nice kite!😁 I just pay the shipping. Nice folks in the kiting community!!! The Premier Wolf Ng looks like an amazing kite. Maybe one day when my skills are up to snuff. Great to know that my daughter will be able to handle the Prism foil. I want to get a single line just for fun, as I had one during a trip to Norfolk, and it was fun!! I imagine you do enjoy the Zephyr , that a pricey kite. Lol.... I can see , this could be a money pit , like every other hobbie. Jason , thanks for input and generous offer to show me the ropes!!!! That is really appreciated!!, and I will shoot you a PM, to set something up. I have zero knowledge, other than learning stuff on Youtube. It will be great to learn hands on. I checked out the 4d , and that seems like the perfect kite for our winds here in the Burgh. I will build up my skills first, as I imagine that thing would tear it up in some wind. I am really excited to get flying!! Thanks, Todd

I'm basing my opinion, and it's only an opinion because I have not found any facts yet to support it, on quad kites I have built. I my experience any time you have a cross member running across the kite it will create air dams above and below it, which can drastically impede motion in either forward or reverse flight or even both. This is an extreme example of how much it can affect motion. This is an example, only in the horizontal direction. It nearly refuses to side slide. Yes, it's a quad.

Hi Todd I am from the Pittsburgh area and was in your shoes not too long ago LOL I can actually give you a lot of beginner tips because I am still a beginner and would even be willing to meet up and show you how to fly I even have a few stunt kites that would be ideal for a beginning flyer that are not brand name but fly very well are very durable. The prism Jazz was my first brand name stunt kite purchase and I must say, if I were to do it all over again I would not have bought the Jazz right out of the gate I would have either went with the quantum like everyone suggested to me but by that time it was too late LOL I found around here wind is not very constant and one of the biggest mistakes I made in the beginning was trying to learn how to fly into little of wind for as heavy as my kite are even the Jazz is in my opinion wakey for its smaller size but let me tell you, with the right wind conditions and Bridal setting this thing flies precise. I would strongly advise after you learn how to fly to invest in a prism 4D they will fly in zero wind even it was definitely worth the purchase it is the 2-line kite I fly the most just because it does not take much wind at all to lift that kite off of the ground and keep ot in the air. HOWEVER It is a fragile kite NOT FOR BEGINNERS. Also. My daughter jist turned 12. I tought her how to fly 2 liners pretty easily. And its like riding a bicycle. If you have any questions please message me here on in dm and I will help as best I can. Jason

List updated with Advanced Way to Fly, all three Prism videos are now on YouTube. Please let me know if you find any of the other tapes/DVDs online and I’ll add them too.

Very solid flying. 🤙 Sent from my iPhone using KiteLife mobile app

If you are looking for higher heart rate you should try doing 360s. [emoji3] Sent from my [device_name] using http://KiteLife mobile app

Once you get a bit more comfortable with reverse flight it's time to get really comfortable with it. Sit down. On the ground. Yup, plant your butt in the sand or on the grass and fly. It suddenly becomes an entirely different game. You'll feel as out of control as you were on day one two three. Yeah, definitely day three. Learn to fly well while sitting down and you will truly appreciate how easy it is when you're on your feet, and you will understand how moving your feet affects what you can do. It will force precision into your flying. Not only is it fun and like taking a break, but when you can do all the things you can do standing up, you will be well prepared for low wind. It teaches you fine control on inputs, and how important hand position really is.

each direction of flight has a finite speed limit,... look at 'em as proportions of each other,... Remember the objective is to hide the differences in speed, generally and maximize the differences to certain aspects of your routine (precision) or music (ballet). These items are called opportunities! 1st is a side slide, inverted or upright, doesn't matter. Call that speed "X" Doing this same movement up and down instead of side to side will be slower still. The 2nd speed is reverse flight, or "X-2", it is a little bit faster than a slide. Again going against gravity (like a reverse from the ground to the top of the window) will be slower than the other way towards the ground. HIDE that difference with your handle control and foot movement. The 3rd speed is forward, it's "X-4", Way faster than a slide, like 400% if you so desire. If all you do is fly around in forward flight though you are missing out on the magic of a quad-lined kite's capabilities. The kite will never go as fast sideways or backwards, as it will in forward flight,... so you control that forward speed and hide those differences, unless it really fits at the moment of your need. I am offended when folks fly/demo a two stringed musical routine with a quad. In my mind you aren't showing me what I want to see, SLOW precise control with bursts of power ONLY where they actually fit. A good portion of that routine needs to be backwards, not 5% if you are knocking my socks off, the "quad-line effect" So, don't worry about your reverse speed, just fly backwards like you own it. Amaze folks such that they don't even understand what direction your kite can fly in naturally, then offer 'em the handles for a try themselves. Practice an inch above the ground inverted until you are MORE comfortable in this orientation than upright. Pretend you have to fly between my outstretched arms and the ground. Less room than under soccer goal..... to execute this level of control you might very well be moving your feet all over god's green earth to make the kite appear stationary. If you can stand in one place and fly all day, then you've got better wind conditions than I know locally here in the mid-atlantic states!