American Kitefliers Association

𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗟𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬: 𝗗𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡

The attached photo is David Anderson, standing on the field at the 2025 AKA Convention in Niagara Falls and holding the sport kite that earned him the Novice Kitemaker Award.

The word competition can be intimidating, especially when something you made will be displayed and judged beside work created by some of the most experienced kitemakers in the AKA. David entered the Kitemakers Competition as a novice, but his kite was evaluated using the same four judging factors applied to every other entry: flight, visual appeal, craftsmanship, and structural design.

His quad line kite earned a total score of 32.67, placing second in the Sport Kite category behind longtime builder Jon Trennepohl. David received an 8.90 for craftsmanship, tying Jon for the highest craftsmanship score recorded anywhere in the 2025 competition. His 8.93 for structural design was just seven-hundredths of a point below the highest structural-design score of the entire competition.

Those scores are what made David the 2025 Novice Kitemaker, but they also tell us something important about the award. A novice entry is not placed in a separate room or treated as something less important. David’s kite stood beside the work of established builders, was examined by the same judges, and proved that a newcomer’s work can stand among the best.

David is the son of Steve Anderson, a familiar name within the AKA and the leader of our Communications Team. At Niagara Falls, Steve taught a workshop on building the Essentials Quadline kite, while David taught convention participants how to make kite sleeves and roll-up “burrito” kite bags. A father and son were each sharing what they knew, while David was also beginning to establish his own place in the kitemaking community.

There is some history behind the Novice Award. When the AKA Convention was last held in Muncie in 1999, nearly one-third of the entries in the Kitemakers Competition came from novice builders. The highest-scoring novice entry that year belonged to Kenji Ueda of Japan, whose kite in the Open or Combined category earned a score of 32.26.

Twenty-six years later, David Anderson earned the Novice Kitemaker Award with a score of 32.67. Everyone begins somewhere, and the award exists to encourage builders who have not previously received recognition in the competition.

Now we are returning to Muncie.

The 2026 AKA Convention begins October 12, so there is still time to take an idea from a sketch, select the materials, sit down at the sewing machine, and make something that flies. Your kite does not need to be famous. Neither do you.

Perhaps this year, we will be telling your story.

Have you ever considered entering the AKA Kitemakers Competition? What would you build?

Competition results:

1999 Muncie:
https://www.kite.org/1999-muncie-in/

2025 Niagara Falls:
https://www.kite.org/2025-aka-convention-niagara-falls-ny/

𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦. 𝗪𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗦.

When the Communications Team developed the Digital Access to Kiting proposal, we tried to anticipate many of the questions members might have if the Board approved it.

Well... they approved it. And judging by some of the comments already appearing, a few of those questions are arriving right on schedule.

So, before speculation gets too far ahead of implementation, we're sharing the FAQ that accompanied the proposal to the Board.

It's a little long, but that's intentional. We tried to anticipate just about every question we could think of and provide clear answers before they were asked.

Don't see your question? Ask it in the comments.

And remember, implementation will take a little time. It's approved. It's coming. And we'll keep you posted.

—sf

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𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗲

The American Kitefliers Association is expanding access to Kiting by providing current members with a digital edition of each new issue through the members-only section of the AKA website.

Digital access is being added as an additional member benefit. It does not replace the printed magazine, change membership dues, or create a digital-only membership.

The following answers address the questions members are most likely to have about this new
benefit:

𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗞𝗔 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴?

No. The AKA remains committed to publishing and mailing the printed edition of Kiting to its members. Digital access is being added as an additional benefit—not as a replacement for print. Members will continue receiving the printed magazine as they do now.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗞𝗔 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?

The goal is to strengthen the value of AKA membership by giving members another convenient way to read Kiting. Digital access will allow members to read the magazine while traveling, view it on a computer or tablet, enlarge photographs and text, and access an issue even if their printed copy has not yet arrived. It will also provide new and international members with more timely access to one of the Association’s most important membership benefits.

𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗲?

Yes. Under the approved program, all members will continue receiving the printed edition of Kiting as part of their membership.

𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗱𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲?

No. No change in membership dues is being made as part of this program. Digital access is intended to enhance the value of the current membership rather than create a new fee or separate subscription.

𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗞𝗔 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹-𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽?

No. The program does not create a digital-only membership category. All members will continue receiving the printed magazine, with digital access added as an additional benefit.

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?

The digital edition will be available to current AKA members through the members-only section of the AKA website. Members will need to sign in using their website credentials. Current issues will not be made available to the general public.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲?

Each digital edition is expected to become available approximately two weeks after the printed magazine arrives in members’ mailboxes. The exact date may vary slightly depending on production and mailing schedules as determined by the Association.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀?

The delayed release recognizes the value of the printed edition and helps preserve the benefit received by members who select Premium Membership and faster delivery. The goal is to provide timely digital access while allowing the printed magazine to arrive first.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽?

Premium Members will continue receiving the printed magazine through the upgraded mailingservice. The delayed digital release is intended to preserve the principal Premium Membership advantage: receiving the printed edition earlier.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝘀𝗲?

Current issues will be presented through an online flipbook in the members-only section of the AKA website. A flipbook allows members to read the magazine on screen and move through its pages in a format similar to the printed publication.

𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗣𝗗𝗙?

No. Current issues will be viewed through the members-only flipbook rather than offered as downloadable PDF files. This provides convenient access while reducing the ease with which complete current issues could be copied or broadly redistributed.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀?

Older archived issues will continue to be made available as downloadable PDF files, consistent with the AKA’s current archive practices. The flipbook format is intended primarily for current issues.

𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗲?

Yes. The digital edition will present the same issue of Kiting that members receive in print. Minor technical differences may occur in navigation, page display, or active website links.

𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲?

No. Members should be able to view the digital edition through a standard web browser after signing in to the members-only section of the AKA website. The flipbook is expected to work on common computers, tablets, and smartphones, although the reading experience may vary depending on screen size and internet connection.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀?

New members will be able to begin enjoying Kiting after their membership has been activated and their website account is available. This means they will not necessarily have to wait weeks—or until the next publication cycle—to experience one of the AKA’s primary membership benefits.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀?

International delivery can take considerably longer than domestic delivery. In some cases, members may wait weeks or months for a printed issue to arrive. Digital access will allow international members to read the current issue much sooner while still
receiving the printed magazine by mail.

𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀?

No immediate reduction in printing or mailing is part of this program. All members will continue receiving printed copies.
The primary purpose is to improve member access and strengthen the value of AKA membership.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄?

The AKA is in a strong operational and financial position. That stability provides an appropriate opportunity to thoughtfully evaluate a modest improvement to an existing member benefit.
The Association does not need to wait for a crisis before considering a practical enhancement. Digital access offers greater convenience, faster service for some members, and additional
value with limited disruption to the existing publication.

𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲?

The program will initially be implemented on a limited basis and reviewed after the first two publication cycles. The Board will evaluate member use, feedback, technical performance, administrative workload, costs, and any measurable effect on membership or Premium Membership participation before
considering long-term continuation.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀?

The program can be adjusted or discontinued. The limited implementation is intended to allow the AKA to respond if unforeseen technical, financial, membership, or administrative concerns arise.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸?

Members will be invited to share their experiences and comments through official AKA communication channels. Feedback from new members, international members, Premium Members, and members using the digital edition will help the Board evaluate the program. Fell free to comment in this Facebook thread.

𝗜𝘀 𝗞𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗞𝗔 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽?

No. Kiting is one of the Association’s most visible and valued benefits, but membership includes much more than a magazine.
AKA membership supports kiting education, events, competitions, historical preservation, grants, outreach, communication, safety programs, community activities, and the broader mission of promoting kite flying and kite making.

Digital access strengthens one benefit within a much larger membership experience.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺?

The goal is simple: To strengthen AKA membership by providing members with both printed and digital access to Kiting, while preserving the Association’s commitment to print and carefully evaluating the results before making any long-term decisions.
Print preserves history.

Digital expands access. The American Kitefliers Association deserves both.

𝗔𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?

https://www.kite.org/

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𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗞𝗔 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗦!

Tonight, the AKA Board of Directors approved a new benefit for our members: current issues of Kiting magazine will now be made available digitally in the members-only section of the AKA website.

The printed edition of Kiting isn't going anywhere. Members will continue receiving the magazine in their mailboxes just as they do today. The new digital edition will be an additional membership benefit.

Why does this matter?

A new member shouldn't have to wait weeks—or potentially months—to begin experiencing one of the great benefits of belonging to the AKA. Our international members shouldn't have their access determined entirely by the distance their magazine has to travel through the mail. And our longtime members who value receiving the printed magazine should continue to enjoy that experience.

𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿.

Tonight's decision is the result of several months of discussion by the Communications Team, followed by thoughtful questions and discussion among members of the Board of Directors. Different perspectives were heard, concerns were raised, the proposal was refined, and ultimately the Board made its decision.

That's how a healthy Association should work.

Digital versions of new issues will be added to the members-only section of kite.org approximately two weeks after the printed edition arrives in members' mailboxes. They will be available for viewing as flipbooks, but not for downloading or redistribution.

This does not change membership dues, create a digital-only membership, or replace the printed magazine. It simply gives AKA members another way to enjoy Kiting.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗲𝘀.

This won't happen overnight. There is still some work to do before everything is ready for members to use. But the important decision has been made: It's approved. It's coming. And we'll keep you posted as it develops.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the discussion—and especially to the AKA members who took the time to listen to tonight's Board meeting and stay engaged in the governance of their Association.

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆. 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀.

Tonight, we took another step forward.

—sf

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Love Kites? Fly with AKA. Share the Joy.
American Kitefliers Association
𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲... 𝗔𝗞𝗔!

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𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡. 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗥𝗗.
𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗜𝗡.

The American Kitefliers Association Board of Directors will meet on Tuesday, August 25, at 6:00 p.m. Pacific / 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

The meeting will include reports from the President, Executive Director, Kiting Editor, Communications Team, Convention Committee and the newly formed Steering Committee, along with new business concerning AKA archives and storage.

During the Communications Team report, Steve Ferrel will present the team’s recommendation to expand member access to Kiting through a members-only digital flipbook edition while continuing the printed magazine.

An association is strongest when its members are informed, interested and involved. We would love to see a record-breaking number of AKA members listening in.

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗞𝗔 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗞𝗔 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻-𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲. 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲.

𝗔𝗞𝗔 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:

Tuesday, August 25, 2026
6:00 p.m. Pacific • 7:00 p.m. Mountain • 8:00 p.m. Central • 9:00 p.m. Eastern

Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone:
https://meet.goto.com/967306333

You can also dial in using your phone:
Access Code: 967-306-333
United States: +1 (224) 501-3412

𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔

Call to Order – Dertien
Roll Call – Prentice
Additions to the Agenda – Dertien
Consent Agenda – Prentice
President’s Report – Dertien
Financial Report – Prentice
Executive Director’s Report – Prentice
Kiting Editor’s Report – Lutter

Committee Reports

a. Communications – Ferrel
b. Convention 2026 – Whitaker
c. Steering Committee – Dertien

New Business

a. Archives and storage – Prentice

Adjournment — target time: 75 minutes

Come listen. Stay informed. Stay involved.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

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American Kitefliers Association

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𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗞𝗔? 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘!

Are you a new member of the American Kitefliers Association?

First of all — THANK YOU for joining us!

Now that you're officially part of the AKA, you may be wondering...

What do I do next?

Here are a few good places to start.

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲:
Start with the AKA website and take a look around. You'll find information about events, clubs, competitions, kite history, education, resources, and the many different corners of this wonderfully diverse hobby.
www.kite.org

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀-𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
Your membership opens the door to much more than what you see on the public website. Log in and explore! Read past issues of Kiting, browse our archive of kite plans, and dig through the AKA's resources. You'll also find Association documents, Board meeting minutes, financial reports, By-Laws, and other information about how your AKA works. There's a lot in there — take some time and see what you discover.
https://members.kite.org/

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗞𝗔 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀.
While you're logged in, check out the Member Directory. Search for other AKA members in your area. You may discover that another kiteflier lives closer than you thought.
https://members.kite.org/member-directory

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿.
The AKA is divided into 13 regions, each represented by a Regional Director. Find yours and say hello! Your RD can help connect you with clubs, festivals, events, and other kitefliers throughout your region.
https://www.kite.org/about-aka/aka-leadership/

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁.
Kiting is even better when you share the sky. Check the AKA Event Calendar and see what's happening near you. Festivals, club flies, workshops, and competitions are great places to meet other kitefliers — and don't be shy about introducing yourself!
https://www.kite.org/event-calendar/

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗞𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.
Your AKA membership includes Kiting, our quarterly magazine. When that next issue arrives, don't just flip through it and put it on the coffee table! You'll find stories about kite people, festivals, history, building, flying, competition, and what's happening throughout the kiting community and around the world.

And remember — you can explore past issues in the Members-Only section of www.kite.org

Complimentary issue for non-members:
https://www.kite.org/community/kiting-magazine/

𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗞𝗔 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸.
You're already in the right place! We regularly share member stories, events, history, kitebuilding, photographs, questions, news, and opportunities to get involved.

Join the conversation. Comment. Ask questions. Show us what you're flying or building.

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳.
This may be the most important one.

Tell us who you are.

Where are you from? What kinds of kites do you fly? Are you a builder? Sport kite flier? Fighter kite enthusiast? Photographer? Collector? Festival traveler?

Or did you just discover kites last Tuesday?

There is no experience requirement for belonging here.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆... 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱.

The AKA isn't simply an organization you join. It's a community you participate in.

Attend a festival. Join a club. Volunteer. Teach someone to fly. Build a kite with a kid. Submit something to Kiting. Share a photograph. Ask a question. Answer somebody else's question.

And if you're brand new and don't know where to begin, ask us.

That's what we're here for.

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

𝗪𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲!

American Kitefliers Association

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ATTENTION!!! - Kite Builders (all skill levels) Needed!!!

The American Kitefliers Association returns to Muncie, Indiana this year for the 2026 AKA Convention. The convention was held there in 1999. At that time an Arch was auctioned from sails built around the world. Sails were collected from kite builders of all skill levels and assembled. The Arch was sold in sections at the Auction. We are making another Arch to go to auction this year. The auction of the arch kites at convention is a chance to add kites to your collection from some of the kite builders you admire - a bunch, all at once!

We want everyone around the world to make a sail and send it to us to be sewn into the project. Spines, pockets, and tails will be added in Muncie before the auction. There is a simple drawing of the diamond kite by AKA president Mike Dertien in the attached pictures. Please make a sail, Sign and Date it.

Blank sails can be mailed to you. A workshop will be available at convention to create a sail for the project. If you are not attending the convention, contact Craig Rodgerson for a mailing address. The sails can be folded and enclosed in an envelope. It is best if they are mailed by September 15, 2026 so they arrive in time. Email Craig Rodgerson at: [email protected]

Use the Subject ARCH 2026 for mailing address or regarding any questions.

Notes on building:

Add 6mm (1/4”) hem allowance if you are not using edge binding. Please use ripstop fabric. Decorate it with appliqué or any other design method. Be sure any color added is going to last in the sun.

Thanks! (From Craig Rodgerson, who is coordinating the arch kites this year)

𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗢𝗡 𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬:

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𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲… 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗞𝗶𝘁𝗲

August 19 is 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘃𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆, celebrating the history and achievements of aviation on the birthday of Orville Wright, born August 19, 1871. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated August 19 as National Aviation Day, inviting Americans to observe the day to “further and stimulate interest in aviation.”

But for kitefliers, there is another part of the Wright brothers’ story worth remembering.

𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘄 𝗮 𝗸𝗶𝘁𝗲.

In the summer of 1899, Wilbur and Orville Wright built a small biplane kite with a wingspan of about five feet. They weren’t simply building something to fly. They were trying to solve one of the great problems of human flight: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗮 𝗳𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗿?

Their solution was wing warping. By twisting the wings in opposite directions, they could change the lift on either side and make the kite roll left or right. Four lines connected the kite to two control sticks in the operator’s hands. The experiment worked. That little kite gave the brothers confidence to go bigger.

In 1900, they traveled to Kitty Hawk and built their first full-size piloted glider, incorporating the control ideas they had explored with the kite. But progress was hardly a straight line. The 1900 glider produced less lift than expected, and their larger 1901 machine performed even worse. The results, as one history describes them, were “𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜.” But the brothers questioned the accepted aerodynamic data rather than abandoning their idea. They experimented, gathered their own information, and kept building.

Their 1902 glider performed dramatically better. They had solved many of the problems of lift and control, but rather than immediately risk their lives in a large, heavy powered machine, they continued to learn from gliding flight.

Then came 1903.

On December 17, at Kitty Hawk, the Wright brothers made four brief powered flights and changed aviation forever. Their Flyer still incorporated the fundamental control concept whose development had begun with that little kite just four years earlier.

And they weren’t finished. The 1903 Flyer could fly, but it was not yet a practical airplane. Through 1904 and 1905 they continued experimenting and improving their machines. On October 5, 1905, Wilbur remained aloft for 39 minutes, circling the field 30 times and traveling more than 24 miles. The machine that had begun as an experiment in control had become a practical airplane.

Looking back on their breakthrough at Kitty Hawk, the brothers wrote:

“𝙒𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚, 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙡𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩.”

It is tempting to remember history only by its great moments — the famous photograph at Kitty Hawk, the airplane leaving the ground, the achievement everyone remembers. But great achievements usually begin much earlier.

For the Wright brothers, one of those beginnings was a five-foot biplane kite and a question:

Can we control it?

The answer carried them from a kite, to a glider, to an airplane.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝘀. 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝟭𝟮𝟱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗸𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.

On National Aviation Day, the American Kitefliers Association celebrates everyone who has ever looked toward the sky and wondered what was possible.

Because somewhere near the beginning of one of humanity’s greatest technological achievements was something wonderfully familiar to all of us:

𝗔 𝗸𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗔 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱. 𝗔 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽.

Long before humanity learned to fly…

We learned from kites.

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘃𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆!

American Kitefliers Association

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References & Further Reading:

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum — Researching the Wright Way
https://airandspace.si.edu/explore/stories/researching-wright-way

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum — 1899 Wright Kite (Reproduction)
https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/1899-wright-kite-reproduction/nasm_I20031236002

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum — 1903 Wright Flyer
https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/1903-wright-flyer/nasm_A19610048000

Wokipi — History of a Kite Which Becomes a Plane by the Wright Brothers
https://www.wokipi-kite.com/Kittyhawk/story_va.htm

VIDEO:
This film documents the official test flight of the Wright Brothers' military airplane at Fort Myer, Virginia, on July 27, 1909.
https://youtu.be/qHEIMoLOx_g?si=2RbsGLFxAZIunoR7