Power Kite Forum

DC

Maven454 - 2-7-2009 at 05:14 AM

Hi people, I'm pretty new to all this and am wondering if anyone knows any good places to fly in the DC area :puzzled:. The best area that I've found so far is just north of Reagan National Airport, but it's annoying to want earplugs while flying :wink2:.

Thanks,

stetson05 - 3-7-2009 at 12:08 AM

Is the spot really gusty? :o or just loud from the planes. Might make an interesting you tube video.

Maven454 - 3-7-2009 at 03:10 AM

It's not gusty, the planes are already a couple hundred feet up by that point, they're just loud.
I could always try the national mall, but... let's think about this... while hitting tourists in the head with a stunt or power kite is... :lol: hilarious, it's not conducive to a productive day flying.

lad - 3-7-2009 at 04:46 AM

You might want to google WOW (Wings Over Washington) - they do a Sunday Mall Fly each month. They might know good traction spots too.

william_rx7 - 10-7-2009 at 03:02 PM

Stay away from that spot at Regan Nat'l, it's really not safe.
Here's a couple spots I landboarded at when I lived in Arlington.

East Potomac Park Map


TV Antenae Field Map

Maven454 - 10-7-2009 at 03:05 PM

What's wrong with the area near Reagan?

william_rx7 - 10-7-2009 at 03:20 PM

Well it's you're call (well you and FAA I guess). Most airports are pretty sensitive about kites, so I never felt the need to "push-it", especially with other spots nearby.

I thought about it too (and I've even flown there), but with all the pedestrians, pic-nicers & bicycle trail traffic and noisy DC-10s zooming right overhead, I felt much safer at these two other spots.

If you're just static flying a 3m, I'm sure it's fine, but it's pretty crowded for a buggy or landboard (in my opinion).

It's never very crowded at E Potomac Park, and only a 5 minute drive away.

Anyway, good luck, have a great season, love to get any other spots you find posted on the map.

Maven454 - 10-7-2009 at 03:25 PM

Right, appreciate the info. I'm usually just static flying (at least until I get more practice). I definitely agree with you about crowds at the Reagan spot, which always seems odd given the noise from the jets.

Thanks.

arkay - 10-7-2009 at 04:38 PM

The biggest problem with flying by an airport, aside from getting carried away by a plane ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_cCbB6xkBM :) ) is that the planes and helicopters make really horrible air turbulence. This makes the air really rough and dangerous, one of the reasons why the air needs to settle after a big plane lands before a small plan can land behind it.

Maven454 - 11-7-2009 at 06:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by william_rx7
Well it's you're call (well you and FAA I guess). Most airports are pretty sensitive about kites, so I never felt the need to "push-it", especially with other spots nearby.

I thought about it too (and I've even flown there), but with all the pedestrians, pic-nicers & bicycle trail traffic and noisy DC-10s zooming right overhead, I felt much safer at these two other spots.

If you're just static flying a 3m, I'm sure it's fine, but it's pretty crowded for a buggy or landboard (in my opinion).

It's never very crowded at E Potomac Park, and only a 5 minute drive away.

Anyway, good luck, have a great season, love to get any other spots you find posted on the map.


Hit East Potomac Park this morning, I beg a thousand pardons for even sounding as though I might ever have doubted you. The wind was coming up the length of the point at around 10mph with gusts of maybe 15mph. It was excellent :wee:.