Three Sky Birds and some other kites

[@fotonmom]

Boy ...how nice to see this after a crazy day in retail. Thanks for treating us to those beautiful birds, Jim. Very relaxing..

[@JimNicholls]

You're welcome, Priscilla. They're great kites to fly.

[@CirrusRC]

Very impressive Jim. Rare to see that many Sky Birds in the air at once.

[@JimNicholls]

I don't usually fly all three together, David - in fact, this might be the first time, although I really can't remember.

[@kiteflyingdownunder....car6272]

I think this video joins your collection of some of the more visually beautiful films you have created. The Skybirds make an impressive and restful sight. Well done.

[@JimNicholls]

Glad you liked it, Carl. The Sky Birds are very special kites, so it's sad they're so expensive and more people can't enjoy them.

[@MrOldflyer]

Very nice Jim. George Peters is an amazing kite designer. His birds are amazing. His Flying Man series are awesome too.

[@JimNicholls]

Yes, his designs are great, Nigel. The difference is, if you give up wine, women, and cigars for a while, you can afford a Sky Bird, but the Flying Man kites are rather less attainable.

[@grahamev1]

That is just a brilliant display Jim. They certainly are lovely KItes. Nicely edited video.

[@JimNicholls]

Thanks, Graham. I hope you get some flying over Easter. We're having a very wet spell here, as you know, and flying opportunities are rare at the moment.

[@ianvirco5897]

Impressive display, it is only when one skybird was near the ground being flown by the young man is it possible to see just big they actually are. You might have to make this new location your perminant kite flying home because you seem to joined by many more kite flyers than near the pier.

[@JimNicholls]

Strange, that, Ian, but we do seem to attract more fliers there. But visitors to the city usually go to the pier area, and I like meeting them, so it's hard to know what is best. Maybe I'll alternate between the two.

[@Turk380]

you have THREE!?? Not fair. but, Oh My what an impressive display!

[@JimNicholls]

Yes, I'm very lucky to have three - although one of them was bought shop-soiled and has some nasty marks that won't come off. Luckily they're not noticeable when it's high in the air.

[@ynarfap]

I want to go fly my kites! : D

[@kiteguy8576]

I was thinking about getting a sky bird, but I recently bought 29 go fly a kite kites for about $10 each. So maybe when my kite fund grows a little bit I will get one.

[@JimNicholls]

Twenty-nine kites at $10 each sounds like a great buy, and you'll probably have more fun with them than with one Sky Bird which would have cost more. You'll fill a lot more sky, too, if you ever fly all of them at once!

[@kiteguy8576]

Yes I would definitely fill more sky!

[@fotonmom]

I got one of these from Aliexpress--a knock off- not as much detail. But it is still hand cut and sewn in appliques. So I am content with it. And so far 2 flies and it performed well in both fickle winds and light condition. So very happy with it.!

[@JimNicholls]

That's great, Priscilla! The ITW version is also made in China (everything is!) but to ITW's specifications, and yours probably looks just as good when it's in the air, and flies just as well. Often with items from China the spars are not quite as good, so be careful not to over-stress the kite in stronger wind.

[@fotonmom]

@@JimNicholls Yes..I agree.. I had it up in 7mph winds and it was doing well. But I would think twice in anything stronger. There was quite a bit of flapping going on. I may have to buy some backup spars..as I love to fly this one so much.

[@liqiang2569]

@photonmom , Do you still have the name of the factory or link to where you bought your Sky Bird on Aliexpress? I was hoping to get one. Thank you!

[@fotonmom]

@@liqiang2569 I will look and see. May not find till tomorrow..if that is ok..

[@fotonmom]

@@liqiang2569 it was Wei Kite Factory store. Easier to find than I thought. And I would only say..watch for imperfections in the color on the rip stop..and strength of the cross spar supporting the wings. I am in the process of replacing mine. Hope it helps and have fun with it. Otherwise it is a fine flyer..:)

[@pottsy1907]

I’m looking st buying the sky bird Jim....would u recommend 500’ or 1000’ of 300lb line.. I like flying high , but is 1000 to much for this awesome flying kite. Btw, ur videos are fantastic, as a seasoned flyer I really appreciate ur insight and the construction demo in the clips.

[@JimNicholls]

I'm glad you enjoy the videos. Here in New Zealand, we are restricted to flying at 400 feet maximum, and I usually fly much lower as there are roads, power lines, and trees quite close to where I fly. The Sky Bird certainly shows up well at 100 or 200 feet, but at the heights you're talking about would rather lose its impact, I think. Of course, kites don't fly vertically, and so the length of line and height aren't the same thing, and it's always better to have too much line rather than not enough. One factor to consider is that, particularly in low wind, the weight and drag of the line start to counter the lift of the kite, and provide a practical limit to how high you can fly. Whatever length you choose, you'll have fun with the Sky Bird anyway!

[@pottsy1907]

Jim, I really appreciate ur response and agree with ur comments. I think staying with 500’ makes sense , especially with a kite this size and never truly knowing how different the winds are so high up. Keeping it on 500’ of line will allow for good viewing as well as control And potential recovery if wind conditions should change. I was struggling between the pterosaur and the sky bird , but I’m excited to acquire the sky bird after watching ur videos. Keep up the awesome videos, this seasoned English kite fan transplanted into the Mid West in USA really enjoys them. Many thanks Jim

[@JimNicholls]

The Sky Bird is definitely a better kite than the Pterosaur. I'm a Sussex man myself, but have been in NZ for well over half my life - a bit of a mistake really, but at least it doesn't get too cold here to fly in the winter.

[@halaasen3416]

Outstanding Jim! I've never seen a flock of Sky Birds before, very impressive. Does your new Sky Bird have just one spreader rod or two like the originals? The silhouette seems to be different.

[@JimNicholls]

There's just one spreader, Hal, but on the newest one it's in three pieces, not two as before.

[@melvyn3426]

Hi Jim I like the bald eagle ,where do you buy them or can you build your own?

[@JimNicholls]

Hi Frank. It's a Premier Kites item, and widely available. Picture Pretty Kites and Into The Wind both have it, and probably a lot of others. Building one might be rather hard, as it's quite a complex design - certainly I wouldn't even dream of trying.

[@sumitthakur709]

sir how to make it

[@JimNicholls]

I have no idea, sorry. I buy all my kites, but you may find some plans on the internet if you search.