Symbols, Abbreviations & Terms
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Paul Kalowski   May 1993

The following symbols are used to identify the "type" of stunt kite.  
For example, Hawaiian Team (T,B,I,P) would mean it is a TEAM kite that 
can be considered for BEGINNERS, INTERMEDIATE, and/or POWER FLYERS. 
Kites may have multiple identifiers. 

Kite Type codes:
----------------

Beginner       B
Intermediate   I
Advanced       A
Power          P
Speed          S
Radical        R
Quadline       Q
Team           T
Ballet         Ba
Precision      Pr


Price codes: 
-----------

Prices will vary from time to time, from shop to shop and from country 
to country. The price code reflects the suggested retail price in US 
and in US dollars. Imported kites might fall to another price category 
in the country of origin - and vice versa. 

$     under $50
$$    $50-$100
$$$   $100-$200
$$$$  $200-$300
$$$$$ over $300

It's recommended you treat price code as "relative price".

WIND RANGE Codes:  
----------------
The wind range that the kite handles well in. Example:

WIND RANGE:   5-30 mph  (2.5-13 m/s)

- The recommended minimum wind velocity 
is 5 miles/hour (2.5 meters/second)

- The recommended maximum wind velocity 
is 30 miles/hour (13 meters/second)

For your convience, a wind speed estimating table is tagged on the end 
of this FAQ kite review section. 

Velocities used in WIND RANGE CODES are approximated only, but should 
offer insight into the kites capabilities. The WIND RANGE CODES are to 
be used on a "relative" basis, that means that they are used for 
comparison purposes only. 

Think of it this way:  

Do not expect to fly the kite if the wind outside is below the "min 
wind" code, and it is suggested that you don't fly the kite in winds 
above the "max wind" code. Min wind ratings tend to be "optimistic"; 
don't expect to fly in min wind without moving yourself. 

Kite Span codes:  
----------------

Wing span (b) of stunt kite, where the `span' is defined by the 
following: 

|<-------b-------->|        
/^\               /\           _____________     __________________
/     \           /    \        |             |    \       /\       /
/___/\____\         \    /        |             |      \    /   \    / 
|  \/  |       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~         \/       \/
|      |       |             |
|<---b--->|        |<-b-->|       |<-----b----->|


delta (dart)        diamond         rectangular           Revolution

KITES ARE FULLY ASSEMBLED                                  

Most likely the largest dimension of the kite will be defined as the 
span of the kite. 

The "height" of the kite referes to the dimension as measured from the 
nose of the kite to bottom (trailing edge) when the kite is fully 
assembled. 

The dimensions given in this FAQ are approximate only, and should be 
used only as a guide.