PRODUCT
SPOTLIGHT
Toys that Take Flight Without a Kite
By Jodi
M. Webb
March 1, 2003
Charlie Brown fought week after week in the comic pages to get his
scraggly kite aloft. In his quest for flight he battled kite-eating
trees, non-existent winds, even the occasional lightning bolt. If
only someone had let him know about the wide variety of other flyers
he could have tried.
Aerobie Orbiter Boomerang |
The
Aerobie Orbiter Boomerang, made by Superflight,
Inc., combines the easy launch of a flying disc with the
amazing motion of a boomerang. This neon colored, 11 ½”
equilateral triangle flies up to 90 feet before returning home.
Sold for $9.95, this flyer has the added advantage of needing little
wind to perform its amusing flight.
X-Zylo Air Rider |
With
a little practice, even the youngest child can launch the lightweight
X-Zylo Air Rider. A simple toss puts this cylinder
shaped flyer into action. Made by the William Mark Corporation
with a price of $9.00, the X-Zylo is a straight flyer. Because it
has a flight capacity of up to 200 yards, the X-Zylo is a good choice
for those that enjoy running.
Zing Wing |
At
first glance, Zing Wing and its two narrow polystyrene
foam wings--hinged at the center--leaves most people skeptical about
its abilities. Folded in half, the Zing Wing is tossed high into
the air. Just when you are certain it’s going to plummet to
the ground, a small rubber band hooked to both wings pulls them
open, and it begins to glide--the windier the day the longer it
stays airborne. Zing Wings range in size from 12” to 18”
and cost around $5.99. No need to trek to the local park, Zing Wings
can be enjoyed even in small back yards.
Kenka Aboriginal Fingerangs |
Kenka
Aboriginal Fingerangs come in a four-pack containing a
variety of shapes costing between $1.65 and $3.30. The Fingerangs
are launched with a simple “flick” of your thumb and
index finger. The paper models are perfect indoors on a rainy day,
while a plastic model is available for outdoor play. At only 6 cm
each, they are ideal for tossing into a backpack, glove compartment
or pocket until playtime.
Give
one of these alternate flyers a try when in need of high times,
and you won’t need to search for a treeless meadow, a persistent
wind or 100 yards of untangled kite string.
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