Q: Are there regular meetings or flies in the Pittsburgh area?

A: Fly Pittsburgh Kite Club holds monthly flies, and many members also participate in local community events. For a complete list of monthly fly dates, and other events that Fly Pittsburgh members will be participating in... Return to Fly Pittsburgh HOME PAGE!

A: Fly Pittsburgh Kite Club holds monthly flies at Cooper's Lake Campground on the first Sunday of each month from March through December (except for August, which is held at the Treesdale Community Center fields). Cooper's Lake Campground is located in Butler county, not far from Moraine State Park (click Cooper's Lake or Treesdale links above for driving directions).

A: Generally our flies are just fun flies, of which members gather to enjoy each others company, and share our common interest, hobby and sport of kite flying. Since our flies are basically all day events, we pack lunches, and make sure that we bring plenty to drink (water or sports drinks are best to help prevent dehydration, especially when out on a hot sunny day). Also, sun screen is a must during the warmer seasons (Spring, Summer & even Fall)! As with any other outdoor activity, when exposed to the sun for hours on end, you can end up with a nasty sun burn, even when flying kites!

Fly Pittsburgh members are also involved in promoting kite flying, and many members participate in community and organizational events, such as the Buffalo Tap Day & the Carnegie Science Center's Sci.-Tech Festival

A: Yes! Fly Pittsburgh Kite Club welcomes the public, both kite fliers and spectators are welcome at our events (with the exception of our New Years Kick Off Party and a few workshops or planning meetings).

A: Yes! To have FUN! But seriously, yes... the biggest requirements are safety related. When attending any of our events we must all be aware of our surroundings. Extra caution must be used to avoid contact from kites and the kite lines with... power lines, roads, parking areas, buildings, fellow kite fliers, spectators, and all other obstructions that may come within the path of the kites. If you see someone that needs a hand, ask if he or she wants or needs help. Please advise others of safety issues, so that we all can can fun without anyone getting hurt. Also, it is important to be kind and courteous to one another on and off of the flying field.

Please note: Some of the events that club members attend in order to promote kiting, there may be admittance fees. These events are not our events, but events that we attend in order to promote kiting (such as the Sci-Tech Festival, at the Carnegie Science Center).

A: You can fly kites anywhere where the space would allow you. Typically many of our members also fly kites on their own and local fields near our homes. These may be baseball, soccer fields, or at a local municipal or county park. HOWEVER, many of the local fields are not conducive to kite flying at times (see next question).

Q: What are conditions which are not good for kite flying?

A: Many of the local fields are not conducive to kite flying at times because the wind direction can be obstructed by buildings, trees, and the terrain. A good example would be... Point State Park in down town Pittsburgh! The only good wind direction at Point State Park is coming from the West (right off of the Ohio River). Any other wind direction is not clean, and is very turbulent, with the wind swirling or changing direction. The city itself (with it's many tall buildings) causes the wind to do very strange things. Have you ever noticed that you may be walking down a street and the wind is almost dead calm, and you turn a corner, only to be blasted by a gust of wind. This phenomenon is caused by the wind being funneled between the buildings!

A: Follow the manufacturers suggestions for flying your kite, and make sure that you fly using the proper test strength line for your kite and the wind conditions and wind speed. Extra caution must be used to avoid contact from kites and the kite lines with... power lines, roads, parking areas, buildings, fellow kite fliers, spectators, roads, and all other obstructions that may come within the path of the kites. Do not fly during thunder storms, or when conditions are such that lightning may occur. Follow all safety instructions that come with your kite, and if you kite did not include such safety information, and for more in depth safety info see the...
"Kite Safety Field Card"

A: Although many people think the Spring time is the time for flying kites, this is not true! Yes Spring time is usually a good time to fly, because winter is over and the weather is starting to improve, but in the Pittsburgh area, we actually have better and generally steadier winds in the winter. Although it's cold outside, many of kiting enthusiasts fly in the winter (just bundle up, like you are going snow skiing or boarding). AND in fact quite a few of our club members use kites to propel us on snow and ice during the coldest time of the year. This sport is called Kite Skiing. As for other times of year to fly kites, you pretty much can fly kites all year round. All you need is the proper kite for the wind conditions.

A: See our Membership Application .

A note about the Treesdale Community Center & their fields: These facilities are for use by Treesdale Community residents. Fly Pittsburgh Kite Club has permission to use these facilities specific dates mentioned on the Fly Pittsburgh schedule of events. Anyone who is not a member of the Treesdale Community and wishes to fly at their fields should get permission before doing so. This is a common courtesy!

Local Directions to Treesdale Community Center...

Coming from Pittsburgh area to Warrendale exit:
Take 79 North to Warrendale exit
Right at end of ramp onto Warrendale Bayne Road
go .7 mile to Route 19 (at light go straight)
Cross over Route 19 to Warrendale Road
go 1.6 miles to 2nd STOP sign to Wallace Road
at Wallace make LEFT (going through underpass of Turnpike)
go 2.2 miles (passing Mars road & first sign for
Treesdale, and passing Pierce Mill Road)
make LEFT onto Treesdale Drive
go .6 mile and turn RIGHT to THE COMMONS (Treesdale Community Center) You are there!

Coming from North of Cranberry Twp - Mars area:
Take 79 South to Mars - Cranberry exit to 228
LEFT at end of ramp onto 228 East
go 4.3 miles (approximately 8 lights)
look for small white sign on right "Treesdale"
at light 8 light RIGHT onto Warrendale Road
go .4 mile make LEFT onto Treesdale Drive
go .6 mile make LEFT to THE COMMONS
(Treesdale Community Center) You are there!

Coming from Route 8 to 228 West to Mars area:
go 4.5 miles ( 3 lights) passing Borland Auto Repair on right
Make LEFT onto Warrendale Road
go .4 mile make LEFT onto Treesdale Drive
go .6 mile make LEFT to THE COMMONS
(Treesdale Community Center) You are there!

Coming from East or West Of Cranberry Twp area:
Take PA Turnpike to Exit #3- Cranberry Twp
Take Ramp for Route 19 North, then go short distance
turn Right onto 228 East
go 4.5 miles (approximately 9 lights)
look for small white sign on right "Treesdale ?"
at light 9th light RIGHT onto Warrendale Road
go .4 mile make LEFT onto Treesdale Drive
go .6 mile make LEFT to THE COMMONS (Treesdale Community Center) You are there!

From Pittsburgh area:
Follow 79 North to exit 99 (old exit 29) (Moraine State Park & Route 422)...
at end on ramp, turn LEFT onto 422 West (heading towards New Castle)
proceed about 1/4 mile, and at the sign for the 422 Auto Auction
turn RIGHT onto Currie Road, crossing over one lane bridge
continue on Currie Rd for about 1 mile (from route 422) until you come to Campground

From Mercer or Erie areas:
Follow 79 South to exit 99 (old exit 29) (Moraine State Park & Route 422)...
at end on ramp, turn LEFT onto 422 West (heading towards New Castle)
proceed about 1/4 mile, and at the sign for the 422 Auto Auction
turn RIGHT onto Currie Road, crossing over one lane bridge
continue on Currie Rd for about 1 mile (from route 422) until you come to Campground

From Butler area following 422 WEST:
Follow 422 West
Pass I-79, and proceed about 1/4 mile, and at the sign for the 422 Auto Auction
turn RIGHT onto Currie Road, crossing over one lane bridge
continue on Currie Rd for about 1 mile (from route 422) until you come to Campground

From Ohio following 422 EAST (or from New Castle area):
Follow 422 East into PA pass New Castle and proceed about 12 miles or so.
Pass Route 19, and go about a 1/2 mile, and at the sign for the 422 Auto Auction
turn LEFT onto Currie Road, crossing over one lane bridge
continue on Currie Rd for about 1 mile (from route 422) until you come to Campground

Click for a Map to Cooper's Lake & surrounding areas.

Important Note: The Cooper family has been kind enough to let Fly Pittsburgh use their fields for the past 9+ years, and our members always confirm use of the flying fields before using them. We always get permission to fly before using any of the fields or when using other facilities of the campground. And, all of our events listed are scheduled far in advance. Cooper's Lake Campground's operating season starts on April 6, 2003 and goes until October 29, 2003. If you are not a member of the Fly Pittsburgh Kite Club, please check in at Campground office before using any of the fields or campground facilities.

Fly Pittsburgh is an Affiliated Club of:

The American Kitefliers Association

The American Kitefliers Association

Web site space donated to Fly Pgh by Con Engels
e-mail:

phone: (724) 869-4488

Fly Pittsburgh Kite Club
"Advisory Board"
Bob Patterson
Ed Mansur

Ed Mansur - Secr/Treas.
e-mail: edmhi@comcast.net
Phone: (724) 745-3977

Boop Baumgardner - Assistant Editor of Wind Warrior
e-mail: boop@certainty.net

Windstar Kites
of Greater Pittsburgh North
A great resource for all your kiting needs!