Flight (kiting) in known/knowable turbulence.

Flight (kiting) in known/knowable turbulence.

Mid Spring, a pilot was kiting on the Grass at the North Side LZ in strong, gusty, turbulent conditions. Pilot was kiting in the mid-section of the LZ nearer the sidewalk than the launch area. A strong gust picked up the pilot off the ground pushing him backward toward the parking lot. Pilot struck a parked vehicle in the parking lot, but never stopped flying the wing. He was able to safely bring the wing back down and disable the wing in the middle of the parking lot. No known injuries to the pilot, but damage to the struck vehicle did occur.

From the Book of Risk:

Don’t fly (kite) closer than 500 feet to the ground (thinks you don't want to hit), except at take off and landing, anywhere that turbulence might be present. 

This type of kiting is valuable to improving a pilots handling skills for in the air or on the ground.  The lesson is obviously to do it with a safe margin.