(Also, see So Much More than Kites, Take They’re Breath Away, Meet Michael Sherman in Canvas Rebel, and Meet Michael Sherman and Showkite Productions in Bold Journey)
I specialize in flying large showkite displays. I’m a proud member and former president of the award-winning Wisconsin Kiters Club and member of the American Kitefliers Association.
Whether flying professionally at corporate and community events nationwide, or out on my own, I always find a creative way to capture the experience.
Some of my larger kites and line laundry:
Overlarge Octopus by Peter Lynn Kites:
This kite is a gentle giant at 40M (23ft X 130ft). A number of the large kites below work well as a lifter or pilot to keep it aloft. Flies most often under the Ray. It’s a monster at 60lbs when packed away. Line used: 4,500lbs. Have a look a the Overlarge Octopus flying recently here in Madison, Wisconsin.
Ultralight Andreas Fischbacher Manta
This kite is huge at At 39ft X 98ft. Manufactured by Peter Lynn Kites, it’s made of light-weight 20 denier ripstop nylon and designed stay aloft when most other kites find their way to the ground. The Manta flies on its own and benefits from a pilot kite that helps keep it in place on busy flying fields. Line used: 4,500lb. Here’s an up-close look.
Otters by Kaixuan Kite
Every now and then an otter in the stream near my favorite kite field makes an appearance. How fun to have its likeness with a pup. Thankful to the Kaixuan Kite customer who authorized the manufacturer to make a duplicate of their original custom built kite for me. At 50ft, it has a gentle presence in the air and is incredibly easy to fly. Line used: 1,000lb
LED Dragonfly by Kaixuan Kites
At 52ft X 72ft, the dragonfly is beautiful, and very powerful kite… pulls like a freight train! This is the first of this size to be outfitted with LEDs for night flying. The kite is best flown in calm winds of 10mph with a minimum 16sqm, or 172sqft lifter. Here’s an up-close look at this kite in action on a perfect day with perhaps just a bit too much wind. Line used: 4,500lb.
Maxi Gorilla by Peter Lynn Kites
I didn’t think it possible for a Gorilla to look so majestic in the air until I saw this fella at a number of festivals. Designed by Claudio Capelli from Italy and developed with the technical collaboration of Filippo Gallina. At 32-plus ft., he’s a behemoth and an excellent flier with or without a pilot kite. Overall, an great addition to any stack of kites. Lined used: 4,500lb. Here’s a look at how this critter flies.
Maxi Gecko by Peter Lynn Kites:
Measuring 30ft X 88ft, this kite is a handful and needs plenty of space and consistent winds around 10 to 15 MPH. This version (Circa 2005) of the Maxi Gecko flies entirely on its own without the assistance of a lifter kite. Line used: 4,500lbs. Here’s a look at the Maxi Gecko flying in the Color the Wind kite festival in Clear Lake, IA.
Maxi Ray by Peter Lynn Kites:
This Patchwork Maxi Ray measures 32ft X 96ft and is a stunning fixture in any sky. The kite is best flow in winds from 6 to 12 mph and will require a team of people to take it down in higher winds. Seen here flying in the Color the Wind Kite Festival in Clear Lake, IA in 2022. Line used: 4,500lbs.
Maxi Trilobite by Peter Lynn Kites:
This gentle flier fills the sky at a massive 70ft long. It’s absolutely stunning in the air. Here’s a look as it takes to the sky in one of my favorites places to fly here in Wisconsin’s driftless region. Flies entirely on its own, or as one of many kites here in a stack, preferably with the Maxi Ray at the top. Line used: 4,500lbs.
Maxi Flying Fish by Peter Lynn Kites:
Here’s a real treat! This Maxi Flying Fish takes up a whole lot of space at 30ft. X 50ft. It looks impressive as it swims through the air to make room for other large kites. It’s definitely a crowd favorite among many. here it is in action at Cool Kites on Ice in MN. Line used: 4,500lbs
Maxi Astronaut by Peter Lynn Kites:
There’s something about this design by Australian-based Kiwi Jan O’Loughlin that makes this kite an absolute favorite of mine. Perhaps its the reflection in the helmet and the appearance of flowing in the air. At 33ft., the astronaut is something to behold. It’s ideal for stacking with a number of other kites and taking a view from the top! This one goes well with its 15ft brother. Here’s a look at it in action on a beautiful evening in the country. Line used: 2,500lbs
Maxi Patchwork Ray by Peter Lynn Kites:
The Maxi Ray lifts just about everything, and this one in cool colors is no exception. It gets the job done on a grand scale. Like its brother in warm colors, this one measure in at 30ft X 98ft and is absolutely mesmerizing in the sky. First kite out of the bag at Kites on Ice in Buffalo, MN. Will be a thrill to fly for years to come. Someone point me to my next kite festival! Line used: 4,500lbs
Maxi Crab by Peter Lynn Kites:
I love the look of this Maxi Crab, and at 26ft X 24ft, this guy fills the sky when flown with a pilot kite. He also looks great tap dancing on the ground when flown as line laundry. Here’s a closer look at his debut at one of my favorite flying fields.
Giant Lobster
Designed by Rolf Zimmermann, the Giant Lobster by Premier Kites has spectacular action in the air. It takes up a lot of space for 22ft and is choice for livening up my line alongside the Maxi Crab. Here’s a look at the Giant Lobster in action at one of favorite flying spots. Flown on 500lb line.
Oranda Apache Goldfish
Originally designed by Vietnam Kite Master, Tung Ho, this is the first custom made goldfish of its kind in the U.S. It’s 30ft long and absolutely gorgeous! Swimming through the air here in 15 MPH winds and held up by a 161sqft pilot kite. The kite (line laundry) is made by Kaixuan Kite. Flown here on 1,000lb line. Here’s a look at this beautiful work of art in action. Imagine a kite line filled with several of these.
Maxi Dog by Peter Lynn Kites:
Measuring 46ft long, Barkley flies with a 130 square foot lifter (kite) and fills the sky as a can’t-miss attraction at kite festivals across WI, MN and IA. Flown on 4,500lb line. Here’s a look at Barkley flying at Kites Over Lake Michigan (at 5:17 in) in Two Rivers, WI.
Mega Flying Fish:
And speaking of fish, the Mega Flying Fish is a spectacular kite. At 45 ft. long, the kite easily fills with air and flies on its own. It can also be held aloft with a large lifter kite like the one pictured. This is an ideal piece of “line laundry” to stack with others. Line used: 1,000lbs. Take a look here.
Jordan Pro AirForm:
This Pro Air Form is one of my favorites, measuring 12ft X 16.5ft and flying with 170ft tube tails. It has a wonderful presence in the sky, as seen here. Like the Sutton below, Pro Air Forms are out of production. Oregon-based kiter, Rod Thrall, is the only person licensed to make and sell Jordan kites commercially. These kites are modified Jordans. Line used: 1,200lbs.
Rieleit Foil 20 by Premier Kites:
Measuring 15ft X 15ft with an attached 60ft long rainbow checkered tail, the Rieleit Foil 20 is truly one of the most beautiful and majestic kites to ever grace the sky. It’s a kite that requires a lot of space and attention. Flies at an incredibly high angle and can be very active in the sky. Line used: 1,200lbs. Here’s a look.
Sutton 252 Flowform by Air Affairs:
Measuring 14ft X 18ft, this beautiful Sutton 252 flies with two 100 ft tube tails and mainly serves as a lifter kite capable of supporting the largest of “line laundry,” those beautiful wind-filled creations hanging from the line. This Sutton flies in winds of 8 MPH and above. Line used: 1,200lbs. Here’s a look at it flying in a light breeze.
214 Flowform from Fun With Wind:
I love the colors of this 13ft X 16ft flowform. Its 13ft X 88ft custom tail really helps it fill the sky. This kite is an excellent choice for winds from 7 mph to 20 mph. I use it in place of the Sutton 252 on occasion when the weather is less than optimal. It’s also an excellent lifter for some of the large items shared below. Line used: 1,000lb Dacron
250 Barry Ogletree flowform
This beautiful flowform came by way of a friend in Florida, and at 250 square feet, is an outstanding lifter for some of larger items shown here. I use a few different tube tail combinations to keep it stable in the air. Line used: 1,600lbs. Here’s a look at it at work with the Maxi Astronaut and Goldfish out at Windsor Sports Complex, the site for Windsor’s Windy Kite Festival.
Jellyfish from Weifang, China:
One of my favorite kites, this beautiful Jellyfish measuring 10ft across and 60ft long with attached tentacles (tails), is a hard-pulling kite that’s fun to watch on its own or as it’s holding up a wide range of “line laundry”. Line used: 800lbs. Here’s a look at an early morning flying of the jellyfish in 10 MPH winds.
Turbine:
Made by Columbia’s Huber Orlando Monsalve Alvarez, this turbine/rotor/spinsock is 115ft long and 12.5ft at its widest. Any of the larger kites above will lift it off the ground. This piece performs well in 11-plus mph winds and, ideally, needs a little more space. Here’s a look at it in action at the Prairie Winds Kite Festival.
Fauchi:
At 15ft long, my red and yellow Fauchi fills the sky wherever he flies. This is my first line laundry in a growing collection. I also enjoy flying 9ft and 16.4ft wind turbines off of most any kite line. Here’s a look at Fauchi lighting up the sky.
You Know Who:
These are a lovable sight in the sky and look great wherever they fly. At 16-plus ft. each, they are a big bundle of fun for all occasions. Here’s a closer look at I Love Kite Flying and Kite Flying with a Little Peanut.
Fish:
At 7ft each, these Moorish Idol Fish and Copper Banded Butterfly Fish make a fun statement in the air.
Michael K. Sherman 
4 thoughts on “Kite Flying is My Other Passion”