How to Fly a Two-Handed Kite

Find a large outdoor area that has a consistent medium-strength breeze. Prop the kite up on its tail, or have a helper hold the kite so that its front is facing the wind.

Back away from the kite, with your back to the wind, facing the kite, until all the slack is out of the kite string leads.

Give the kite control handles a firm, steady pull and take a couple steps backward, into the wind. The sudden acceleration will cause the kite to leap directly up into the sky.

Control the flight path of the kite by pulling on the kite control handles. A slight pull of one handle will cause the kite to fly in the direction of the line tug. For example, pulling slightly on the right-hand kite control handle will cause the kite to fly to the right. The path of the kite too far in one direction can be corrected at any time by pulling on the opposite control handle.

Experiment with the kite's flight characteristics as you learn how to perform the aerial maneuvers. For mid-air directional turns, pull slightly on one of the controls. The kite will immediately respond by changing directions toward the direction of the pulled line. The kite will continue in the new path until the pilot pulls the other control line to straighten the kite's flight path.

Pull one of the control handles in your right hand until the kite turns 180 degrees and plummets toward the ground in a speedy dive. Before the kite reaches the ground, pull the other handle, and the kite will rotate in the opposite direction and climb back into the sky. Once the kite is flying level again, balance the kite's flight path by holding the lines parallel to each other.

Pull the right handle until the kite completes a complete 360-degree circle. The lines will be twisted at this point, but the kite can still be controlled with the two handles. By pulling the left control handle, the kite will perform a loop in the other direction and untwist the lines in mid-flight.