You finally arrive at the absolute, picture-perfect location for KAP, unpack your kite, get it smoothly up into the air, rig up the Picavet suspension and the gimbal—only to realize that you left your GoPro batteries or memory card sitting on the kitchen counter at home. That is a Huge Bummer!
To ensure this never happens again, I’ve put together a foolproof checklist containing everything needed for a successful KAP expedition. By following this routine, the odds of forgetting a vital ingredient are reduced to an absolute minimum, so I figured I would share it right here with you all!
- The Kites: Essential for generating the aerodynamic lift required to carry your entire aerial rig aloft in varying wind conditions.
- Flying Lines & Winders: A good mix of flying lines is crucial for maintaining a secure, durable connection and safe control over your kite at high altitudes in different wind conditions.
- Tails: A good mix of miscellaneous tails that you can add to your kite for improved stability (and drag in higher winds).
- Anchors: Ensure your kite and line can be safely secured to the earth while you prepare or adjust your camera gear or have a cup of coffee.
- Picavet Suspension System: Vital for automatically keeping your camera rig level and stable despite turbulence and shifting angles of the flying line.
- Camera Gimbal: Necessary for stabilizing the camera and allowing remote or programmed control over your framing and panning.
- GoPro Camera: The core recording device that captures those stunning, high-resolution landscape photographs from above.
- GoPro Batteries (Charged & Spares): Guarantee you have enough operational power to last through multiple flights without running out of juice mid-session.
- Power Bank: To make sure you never run out of battery power.
- MicroSD Memory Cards: Provide the storage space you need for all your high-definition aerial imagery and video files.
- ND and CPL Filters: Essential for reducing harsh glare, managing shutter speeds, and enhancing color saturation in bright sky conditions. Especially when flying at the coastline.
- Mobile Phone Rig (Tripod): Bringing a phone with the appropriate app connected to your camera allows you to frame your shots accurately, check live feeds, and adjust settings on the fly. (As long as the camera sits within range for transmisison.)
- Tool & Repair Kit (Tape, Multi-tool, Zip Ties): Indispensable for handling emergency quick-fixes on torn sails, loose bridles, or rattling hardware in the field.
Optional - Wireless Microphone (and Wind Muff): Captures crisp environmental audio if you are recording video commentary or ambient sound on location.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, Kite Aerial Photography is all about patience, timing, and a healthy respect for the elements. But nothing kills that sense of adventure quite like a forgotten battery or a missing memory card when the wind is blowing just right. By sticking to a reliable pre-flight routine and double-checking your gear against a trusted list, you save yourself the frustration of a wasted trip. Pack smart, keep your lines tight, and I’ll see you out there in the skies!
