Mike. Have you experimented with dual-line control yet? I used to fly birds and dragons, and it was great fun making them dive and swoop across the sky. I just thought it might be a good idea for aircraft too, but getting the rigging points balanced right can take a fair bit of experimentation.
Another thing that never occurred to me back then was using a fishing pole to get a heavy kite up into the wind. Some of the Chinese dragons flew beautifully once they were up there, but they could be very awkward to launch.
Are you aware of these people and their magazine? ...
Kiting Magazine | American Kitefliers Association (AKA)