Sam's Gallery

Meet Roy . . .

To date, this is Sam's largest creation, with the help of plans from Adrian Conn. It is affectionately known around the "Swamp" and the Ritter household as Roy. A couple of stats: There is almost 1000 ft. of 200 lb. Kevlar in the bridles; approx. 80 yards of Icarex fabric(0.6oz., 0.75oz., and 1.5oz. combined); made completely of Icarex including edge binding. Oh yeah, can't forget . . . the total sail area is 130 square feet! Yes, there is tons of lift from this beast. In case you're wondering why the name: remember science class in school . . . ROYGBIV.

1st Place Non-Rigid or Sled Kite
USAF Kite Festival, Wright Patterson AFB Museum, Dayton, OH, September 1, 1996.

1st Place Soft or Flexible
AKA Grand Nationals Kite Making Competition, Santa Monica, CA, October 5, 1996.

The Twins . . .

OK, you be the judge. Is this kite too risque?? The air force didn't make us cover anything up. A "soccer mom" in Kalamazoo, MI went ballistic and "told" Sam to that this kite had to be put away because these women were "showing their" butts. She didn't even fuss about the "soccer dad" that had a shirt which said "Just Eat Me". Sam just asked this woman if she had been to a beach lately.

1st Place Trains
USAF Kite Festival, Wright Patterson AFB Museum, Dayton, OH, September 1994.

1st Place Open or Combined.
AKA Grand Nationals Kite Making Competition, Wildwood, NJ, October 1994.

The Ice Foil . . .

This is Sam's first parafoil.

2nd Place Non-Rigid or Sled Kite
USAF Kite Festival, Wright Patterson AFB Museum, Dayton, OH, September 1994.