Quote:
Originally Posted by bclaker
I have seen people flying on kites towed behind fast boats on paugus bay. How does this differ from skydiving safety wise.
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Hi Bob,
The people on kites towed behind boats don't go anywhere near as high as a skydiver or jump plane would go. From a safety standpoint, Paugus Bay is not close to the airport or around the area of the landing path to the Laconia Airport. The towed kites are not subject to FAA or airport rules as far as I know. I believe they have to watch out for seaplanes (landing or taking off) but there are very few of those compared to the air traffic at Laconia Airport.
I'm NOT an expert but I understand that skydiving around airports IS a safe sport (my personal flight experience was in the early 1970's and I don't recall learning anything about flying in an area with parachutists or tandem jumpers around the airport back then - I flew primarily out of Green Airport in Providence/Warwick RI). It may be hard to directly compare skydiving around the airport with being towed behind a boat under a kite or parasail. They are different but both are safe when done properly.
Again, a NH Marine Patrol permit is required for a boat to tow a kite glider or parasail.