ABOUT THE AKA
The American Kitefliers Association was founded in 1964 by the late Robert M. Ingraham of New Mexico. With thousands of members in 25 countries, we are the largest association of kiters in the world.
We are men, women, and children from all walks of life. Our interests run from kite building to multi-line kite competition, from miniature kites to aerial photography and more. Some of us are in the kite trade, but we are not a trade organization. The AKA is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.
OUR MISSION
To share the joy of kites through education in the art, science, and practice of making and flying kites safely.

OUR GOALS
We strive to promote public awareness of the pleasures and educational opportunities that kites provide. They can remind us about how we interact with our environment and each other. Kites can be a source of community building, breaking down barriers that typically prevent us from interacting. No words are needed to fly a kite.

Benefits to members
By becoming a member of the AKA, you are joining an international group of like-minded individuals who are as passionate about the hobby of kites as you are. Your membership dues go to helping the AKA promote and encourage the use of kites as both a family and environmentally friendly hobby, as well as a tool for understanding a wide range of art, science, and technology subjects.
Membership Perks!
- Full-color quarterly magazine: Kiting
- 10% discount at over 100 Member Merchants throughout the country
- $1,000,000 individual insurance coverage at AKA sanctioned events
- and Much More!
Members
International Members
Affiliated Clubs
Merchant Members
more about the aka
Leadership
The AKA is managed by an Executive Committee and Regional Directors representing regions within the United States and Internationally.
Special Programs
The AKA manages a number of special programs to serve the Kiting Community.
Special awards
Annually, the AKA recognizes kitefliers who have made significant and inspirational contributions to the AKA and kiting in general.
Leadership
The Executive Committee
Composed of the Officers of the Association and the remaining Directors-at-Large not serving as Officers conducts the affairs of the Association between meetings of the Board of Directors. READ MORE+
Board of Directors’ Code Of Ethics
Realize you represent the AKA in public at all times. Your words, writings, and actions need to reflect that. With that in mind, do not say or do anything that can be misconstrued. What you may mean as a joke can easily be misunderstood. Many more people than you are aware of know who you are.
The AKA is a global organization and we must remember this every time we write an email, talk with anyone, or write for any source whether it is for on-line forums or Kiting.
By accepting their position, directors agree to support the policies and actions of the AKA, even if these policies would not be the personal choice of the individual. Each director bears a responsibility to fairly and positively represent the BOD and its actions back to their region and/or committee, and to fairly and positively represent their region and/or committee to the BOD.
BOD business is to be conducted civilly, and respectfully. Posts to the BOD mailing list or forum are not to contain racist, sexist, rude, vulgar language or accusations and insinuations. Scorn or ridicule of others personally or types of kiting will not be tolerated.
Matters discussed in Executive Session are always to be held in strict confidence. These are private matters concerning contract terms, negotiations, performance reviews, and other confidential topics, as such, they are not for public discussion.
Effective October 10, 2007
Conflict of Interest Policy
The standard of behavior at the American Kitefliers Association (AKA) is that all staff, volunteers, and board members scrupulously avoid conflicts of interest between the interests of the AKA on one hand, and personal, professional, and business interests on the other. This includes avoiding potential and actual conflicts of interest, as well as perceptions of conflicts of interest.
The AKA understands that the purposes of this policy are to protect the integrity of the AKA’s decision-making process, to enable our constituencies to have confidence in our integrity, and to protect the integrity and reputations of volunteers, staff, and board members. Upon or before election, hiring, or appointment, any staff, volunteer, or board member will make a full, written disclosure of interests, relationships, and holdings that could potentially result in a conflict of interest. This written disclosure will be kept on file and will be updated as appropriate.
In the course of meetings or activities, staff, volunteers, and board members will disclose any interests in a transaction or decision where they (including their business or other nonprofit affiliations), their family and/or significant other, their employer, or any close associates will receive a benefit or gain. After disclosure, they understand that they will not be allowed to take part in the discussion and will not be permitted to vote on the question.
The AKA understands that this policy is meant to supplement good judgment and will respect its spirit as well as its wording.
AKA Waiver
I, the undersigned, by participating in any AKA sanctioned activities, agree to engage in and promote safe, responsible flying and to adhere to all event safety rules; inspect all facilities, fields, and equipment prior to participating and immediately share any safety concerns with event organizers; acknowledge that kiteflying may involve risk of serious injury and/or economic losses from my actions or those of others and to assume this risk; and not sue the AKA, its directors, agents and volunteers, and event sponsors, organizers, owners and lessors of event locations, and participants, for losses or damages due to property damage or injury. I have read this waiver and release, understand that I give up substantial rights by signing it, and sign it voluntarily.
Affiliated Clubs
Over 60 local or regional kite clubs are affiliated with the American Kitefliers Association. These clubs are listed in Association publications including this website, receive support from the AKA Club Liaison, and share other information and materials.
Affiliated Clubs can receive AKA insurance coverage for all “fun flies”, meetings, and get-togethers.
Become an Affiliated AKA Kite Club! IT’S FREE!
Affiliated clubs must:
- support the goals of the AKA as stated in Article 2 of the Bylaws “… to educate the public in the art, history, technology, and practice of building and flying kites; to advance kiting, its joys and its values, in all nations.”
- have at least 5 AKA members
- and be non-commercial in nature.
Applications to become an AKA Affiliated Club are available from the National Headquarters
Member Merchants
Merchant Members are commercial enterprises that agree to give a 10% discount on kites and related merchandise to AKA members in good standing. The discount applies to the regular price of such merchandise and not necessarily to the “list” price. The discount does not necessarily apply to sale merchandise.
There are currently over 75 AKA Merchant Members who operate retail and mail-order kite businesses.
How to Become a Merchant Member?
Applications to become an AKA Merchant Member are available from the national headquarters, any Regional Director.
There is no charge to become a Merchant Member and no requirements other than that the business agrees to provide a 10% discount to AKA members, and that there be an individual AKA member uniquely associated with each Merchant Member address.