A Success Story With A Roller Kite

by Craig Ensey
(Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA)

Taken on my birthday over in Newport, Oregon

Taken on my birthday over in Newport, Oregon

So, got inspired to build a Roller by this site. It took about 6 hours, but I used taffeta nylon instead of a bag. It was OK for a first try...

When I got to the beach over in Newport, Oregon I let it out in about 8 mph winds hoping for the best. I flew from altitudes varying from 100-300 feet and it flew great the whole time. I'm thinking about switching to bigger cross spars like 1/4" 'cause they bend a lot. I'm thinking bigger is better, yes?!

It's a great design... If you're thinking of building one - DO IT!

Comments for A Success Story With A Roller Kite

Average Rating starstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstar 		Stiff breeze
by: Tim Parish

8mph winds are a little stiff for this design if made exactly according to instructions, yes. Give 1/4" dowel a try if you are likely to fly in this kind of breeze most of the time.

I fly my Roller in the lightest of breezes, and usually in thermal conditions inland.

Thanks for encouraging other would-be kite builders out there!

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to MBK Kite Making.

I can tell you love kites...

Otherwise you wouldn't be all the way down here near the bottom of the page :-)

So, could you do me just a small favor? 

Please sign up for my free monthly publication, "Tethered Flying". No other emails will be sent, and your details are safe with me. You do need to be at least 16 years old. There's...

  • A huge "photo of the month" (linked from a much smaller one in the email of course)
  • 3 "tips of the month" (1 for beginners, 1 for parents and 1 for more experienced kite-fliers)
  • A "flight report of the month" (selected from my own flying logs and illustrated with a photo)

Looking forward to hearing from you...

P.S. My free kite-making e-book "Simplest Dowel Kites" can be downloaded as soon as you sign up.



 

Back to top of page

Need winders, reels, flying line?

We earn a small commission if you click the following link and buy something. The item does not cost you any more, since we are an "affiliate" of Amazon.

Click here to buy anything you need. Just use the Search box in there if you need different weights or lengths of line, for example.

P.S. Keep an eye out for books by kite author Glenn Davison, a prominent kite person in the USA.

What's New!

RSS

  1. Indian Kites Promote Voting

    May 20, 19 10:22 PM

    In 2019, kite shows were used by the Indian kiting organization FLY360 to encourage Indians to participate in their democratic elections.

    Read More

Wind Speeds

Light Air
1-5 km/h
1-3 mph
1-3 knots
Beaufort 1

Light breeze
6–11 km/h
4–7 mph
4–6 knots
Beaufort 2

Gentle ...
12–19 km/h
8–12 mph
7–10 knots
Beaufort 3

Moderate ...
20–28 km/h
13–18 mph
11–16 knots
Beaufort 4

Fresh ...
29–38 km/h
19–24 mph
17–21 knots
Beaufort 5

Strong ...
39–49 km/h
25–31 mph
22–27 knots
Beaufort 6

High Wind
50-61 km/h
32-38 mph
28-33 knots
Beaufort 7

Like/share this site...

Like/share this page...