I'm actually pretty much a flute repair specialist at this point — even though I can't play it worth a damn. Life's funny like that.

Flute and harmonica are good choices for certain kinds of music making: easily portable; no need to tune it if you're playing by yourself; no reed to fuss with, you can just pull it out and play. When my brother and I backpacked across Europe, I brought my guitar and he brought a flute.

On a more serious musical level, I suspect that's why Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull went with the flute. Lightweight and no reed to break, so he could carry and play it while dancing around like a maniac.