Kitebuilder.com

[Al Hargus]

I know I'm about a month late here, but "Not my fault"
Back on 11/3 a topic was posted about a "World Record Kite Train" in China
http://www.kitebuilder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1475&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

The original post:

[Progcraft]

Many thanks for digging that out Al
So, what do you think? Assuming that all kites were retrieved intact, would you call it a record?

Thanks again
P.
_________________
There is no box.

[Al Hargus]

Would I ???

I probably would. The kite did fly for 30 minutes and it sounds like they had plenty of "official" documentation! (Despite the confusing reports by the media) Although I can just imagine the hassles of retrieving nearly 1-1/2 miles of cloth tail (Also imagine the angle of flight of a dragon kite, and the altitude needed to get 1.47 miles of tail completly off the ground?)

They will probally have trouble getting Guinness involved, as no Longest Kite is in the current book! BUT besides Guinness there is no one else to really "Recognize" this kind of record right now.

As previously noted, I'm not a big fan of Guinness which also verifies records for the most simultaneous marriages under water, the largest picture made from toasted bread or the recent "Worlds Record Pillow Fight" held here in Columbus, OH at Ohio State University??

The "whine" in my previous post and the "rant" I got into in your own back on 11/3 about Guinness has grown a bit! As mentioned I was in contact with Peter Lynn about his problems with Guinness. I've also had discussions with a flier, from Australia that is going to attempt a record for the "Highest flight by a single kite" Robert has also 'bumped heads' with Guinness.

As mentioned previously, with the demise of KITE LINES there is no official kite record keeping any more! (excluding Guinness' inaccurate methods!) Over the last three weeks I've 'pestered' Dave Gomberg enough about the subject, that he has discussed the situation with Kay Buesing and the World Kite Museum, which would be the perfect organization to track records!

Nothing definite yet from the AKA or the museum, but just shows that "Al's Whining" can occasionally get results More on that later.......

I wrote a lengthily commentary on the subject of Guinness and kite world records that will appear in the next issue of KITELIFE Robert Moore from Australia will also report on his record attempt to fly a single kite higher then 15,000 feet!
(K-L Issue #39 out around 12/1)


_________________
GOOD WINDS

AL
Columbus, Ohio
USA

[Progcraft]

Thanks again Al. Your the best.
Now, since you've proven to be so friendly here...
I've noticed you have a great deal of knowledge and experience about such things. Well, I've managed to volunteer my time for some microphone work at next years Pincher Creek festival. It would be nice to gather some of these facts, or even's 'Al's facts' about about kites type thing. Just interesting fodder to toss out for the crowd.
I know you have a few articles spread around, both on kitelife and else where, but do you have any more? A kite facts thing?
Just asking

Hey DPB! and SteveF. Would things like the above mentioned, longest kite, and it's associated facts be a good candidate for a new section. Kinda where you've got the other two new sections. You know, the new sections that nobody can read and therefore are being driven nuts about?

btw, I'm also sending the organizers of the festival a readers digest version of kite theater and the other various posts about involving the spectators.

Cheers
P.
_________________
There is no box.

[torontokitefliers]

[Al Hargus]

I definitely wasn't implying that there were no records for the highest kite flown or the longest tail!
I agree with and know about these two record are held Michel Trouillet of France and Richard Synergy of Toronto.

The problem lies with Guinness!

I contacted them during my conversations with Peter Lynn and asked why some records had been deleted in the current 2004 edition. The answer was that they include records that they consider "Interesting to the public" Remember that although we all believe that our kiteflying and related records have to do with aviation and flight. Kite records in the Guinness Book are currently listed in the "Toys" section of the 2004 edition!

Robert Moore in Australia contacted Guinness to find out the "Criteria" Richard Synergy used when he flew his kite, and how his record was accepted. Guinness quoted Richard Synergy's record statistics to Robert, but gave him no 'criteria' and said that he should check with Richard about the 'criteria' he used for the record flight. Guinness then stated that Robert should check back with them when he is closer to his attempt! Robert Moore later inquires about specific 'criteria' went unanswered! (As mentioned his report will be in the next issue of KITELIFE)

Peter Lynn's problem was that Guinness changed the criteria for the worlds largest kite to give the record to a group in China (The tail was counted in the total lift surface) Peter's petitions along with diligent work by Meg Albers finally convinced Guinness the tail should not be counted and the Record for the worlds largest is still Peter's Megabite. (Peter has not yet filed a form to list his Kuwait Flag kite for the record)

In one case Guinness states that they are not involved in setting criteria, and in another they randomly change criteria when they wish! I realize that The Guinness Book of Records is considered the "Authority" in world records by many people, when in fact they are not! Guinness only publishes records verified by official authorities! When aviation records are listed they are first verified and made official by the FAA - Federal Aviation Administration @ http://www.faa.gov/ or the FAI - Fédération Aéronautique Internationale @ http://www.fai.org/

When a record does not have an official verifying authority (such as Toast pictures, or largest collection of nail clippers) Guinness steps in and arbitrarily sets criteria, just as they have done with the kite flying in their "Toys" section!

Read through the method for submitting a record with Guinness @ http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/
and you'll see that there is very little 'criteria' of any serious nature mentioned!

If you look in the very back of the 2004 Guinness World record book there are four pages listing individuals and organizations that assist Guinness in the production of their book. The AKA is not listed, nor is any other kite organization in the world!

We, as serious kiteflyers and not people who are playing with toys. We need our own Official World record authority, simply because we know MUCH more about kiteflying then a publisher and beer company does!
_________________
GOOD WINDS

AL
Columbus, Ohio
USA

[torontokitefliers]

[Al Hargus]

[KiteSquid]

Didnt a guy on the west coast break Richard Synergy's record a few years back???


Older gentelman flying a "swift victory"????

IIRC there was a write up in Kiting... but I could be wrong...
_________________
VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA


P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Doesent he ever shut up???

P.P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

[torontokitefliers]