| An RC kite is pretty much what it sounds like. That | | | | which resists scratches and tears quite well. |
| is, a kite-like aircraft fitted with RC (radio control) | | | | In 2008, people's video of flying events and |
| receiver and pulled through the air with a propeller. In | | | | gatherings are increasing awareness of the RC kite. |
| structure, it has a lot in common with kites and yet it | | | | It's fascinating to watch real precision aerobatics and |
| is flown around like an RC plane. The man behind the | | | | also the very slow flight capability of RC kites. |
| concept is Mr Michael Lim from Singapore. Mr Lim was | | | | To give you some idea of the size and weight of |
| formerly a jewelry designer but now finds it hard to | | | | these kites, here's a few basic specs on the Pro III: |
| drag himself away from further research and | | | | - 680mm x 540mm x 55mm in size |
| development of these amazing little flying machines! | | | | - kite itself weighs 45 grams |
| Singapore is a crowded city-state-island in South-East | | | | - kite ready-to-fly weighs 260 grams |
| Asia, with an enthusiastic and growing crowd of RC | | | | Some Thoughts On The RC Kite Scene |
| kite fliers. In typical Singapore fashion, the scene is | | | | My first reaction to reading about this whole scene, |
| very organized with simulator training, a ranking | | | | and seeing some video? That really looks like fun! |
| system for fliers and scheduled events. | | | | With miniaturization as advanced as it is now, |
| So what exactly can a radio controlled kite do? It | | | | something like this had to happen sooner or later. |
| can... | | | | Also, flying indoors takes away a lot of the limitations |
| - float around like a glider, with the motor idling | | | | that the weather imposes on outdoor RC flying. |
| - perform all the basic aerobatic maneuvers like a light | | | | An RC kite works fine outdoors too, as long as there |
| aircraft | | | | is not too much wind. |
| - 'hang on the prop' in hovering or very slow flight, | | | | I guess for some successful RC fliers, used to the |
| nose high in the air | | | | noise and speed of powerful fuel-driven RC planes, |
| - zip around pylons like the Red Bull racers | | | | these kites could seem a bit tame. A floating kite |
| I should add, only a well-trained pilot can do all the | | | | just doesn't re-create the feeling of 'flying an aircraft' |
| above! | | | | like a fuel-powered RC plane does. |
| The Best RC Kites Are Made In Singapore | | | | At $600 for the starter kit, these are not toys. |
| That's right, as of 2008, the good ones are the | | | | However, a remote control kite does appear flimsy |
| originals made in Singapore. The original and the best | | | | and toy-like at first. Only after looking into it a bit |
| as they say. The first design was named the FireFly | | | | more do you appreciate the achievements of those |
| and emerged onto the market in the year 2000. This | | | | involved in developing this unique technology. |
| kite featured LED lights around its rim for night flying. | | | | Kite or RC Plane? |
| The effect gave a lot of pleasure to both the fliers | | | | The R C kite seems to have more in common with R |
| and those looking on. | | | | C model aircraft than with normal tethered kites. |
| 2001 saw the next generation of kites, named | | | | The construction is very kite-like on most designs, |
| Golden Ingot. But Mr Lim didn't rest, finally bringing | | | | with the sail fabric stretched between a surrounding |
| out the popular Pro III which is the current | | | | frame. This isn't much like the well-known diamond |
| entry-level kite. The original colored-LED lights idea | | | | kite in the West, but it does have something in |
| has persisted, making night flying a big part of the | | | | common with a particular class of traditional Chinese |
| RC kite phenomenon. | | | | kite. I'm talking about those kites that have molded |
| Other kites have been developed too, for specific | | | | bamboo spars and hard edges. |
| characteristics. For example, the Scorpion pylon racer. | | | | On the other hand, the vertical fin of the Pro III |
| The frame and RC housing of the kites are made | | | | does look more like a model plane fin than the flexible |
| from carbon fiber. That's the same material that is | | | | keel of a kite. |
| used for the very best spars in ordinary kites. Strong | | | | In any case, everybody is calling these things RC |
| and yet very light. The sails use polyester canvas | | | | kites, or air kites so kites they are! |