1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Barton Bailey, Oak Ridge, TN, A $30 Spectra Sport twin pack (a diamond dual line and a delta dual line) gifted to me by my mom on a family trip to Litchfield Beach, SC hooked me on kites and stunt kites in particular. A couple of trips to Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach on the Florida Gulf Coast added an Alpha+ and the education that sunscreen on the top of the feet is a necessity when flying. That was also the first place I touched a Rev. There was a bit of a lag during college when I only flew occasionally, but trips to Charleston, SC with the woman who was to become my wife added a love of the thrill of a dual line power foil and then the enjoyment (i.e. crack-like addiction) of my first Rev. I live in among the hills and tress of East Tennessee so I like to call myself an Inland Kite Warrior. You learn quick that more than one SLK in the air at a time is a recipe for disaster and long lines on a stunt kite is just silly because 30 seconds from now you will be flying 90 degrees or more different than you are right now.
2. Why did you join the AKA? For the opportunity to be a part of the flying community, for the magazine (I’m with you Jason Wheeler), and for the resources that are available.
3. What is your favorite kite to fly? My Revs or any of my Brasington SLK’s.
4. Where is your favorite place to fly? If I have to give a discreet location, it would have to be either the Whalehead Club Peninsula or the beach right on the other side of Corolla Island. But I am generally content anywhere I have room to put something in the air
5. If you could fly with anyone dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you fly? I think it might be fun to spend time flying with Leonardo da Vinci and pick his brain about possible kite designs..
6. Where is the next place someone can find you flying a kite? either dabbling with one of my iFlites in my den or with something bigger next to the Oak Ridge Civic Center
AKA Featured Member – Barton Bailey
