RE: Why is CL losing popularity?  
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Tower Hobbies
Enter up to 4 keywords or Tower stock numbers
Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
       

All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Control Lines >> RE: Why is CL losing popularity?
Page: <<   < prev  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [10]

Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
RE: Why is CL losing popularity? - 1/9/2007 2:22:28 AM   
da Rock



Posts: 6366
Joined: 10/11/2005
From: western, NC, USA
Status: online 		Actually, there seem to be about as many guys flying C/L around here as there were in the 60s when the "hobby park" opened up in town. What is missing is that there used to be contests all over the country, and they're now just a few.

And the C/L people don't do fun flies like the RC guys do. So they're a very easily overlooked bunch.

Back when PAMPA started, a good contest wouldn't draw 10-20 stunt flyers. PAMPA now publishes an excellent, and large bi-monthly magazine and reports on contests with almost that many classes. chuckle....

(in reply to Wulf_Flieger)
       Post #: 226

RE: Why is CL losing popularity? - 1/14/2007 6:50:27 AM   
propjobbill


 

Posts: 307
Joined: 1/26/2004
From: Oberlin, OH, USA
Status: offline 		Hi, I did write on this thread about one year ago. I belong to an RC Club and enjoy flying RC. But in all honesty I find it much more enjoyable flying Control line. With RC it’s a matter of learning to be easy on the controls just like it is with C/L The biggest differences are with C/L when you are headed at the ground at 60 mph and less than 8’ away you must react a lot sooner.

When Flying RC I am very cautious as I get close to landing, and when I’m less than 8’ off the ground I just don’t like to show off. But with my C/L planes I enjoy flirting with sudden destruction. It probably has a lot to do with the fact I can build a good Coroplast C/L in a few hours, or a profile balsa in about 1 day for less than $10.00. And I never worry about it getting away or the damage it could cause. And the thrill of a good 40’' = 55’' plane pulling at 10 pounds or more is a thrill RC can’t give me.

It doesn’t bother me that so few people are flying C/L to the degree I can go into my own back yard and fly by myself. I wish there were more C/L clubs and fliers. But I feel the way to change that is to fly more often where others can see you, and talk to you about flying.

Some of the biggest problems I see facing C/L is that it has been banded from so many places, and there are so few clubs. One other big draw back that I find is there are no flight simulators, or buddy boxes for C/L.

It is my hope that we who enjoy C/L flying make sure that we don’t let this sport die.

_____________________________

propjobbill (I just love to fly)

(in reply to da Rock)
       Post #: 227

RE: Why is CL losing popularity? - 1/14/2007 4:24:30 PM   
rjbranchii


 

Posts: 346
Joined: 4/9/2004
From: Harsens Island, MI, USA
Status: offline 		As a mater of fact, there are buddy boxes for control line. I have used them to teach with and they work very well. Big Art Addamissin used to use them to let anyone fly who was at a circle. Of course its not a buddy box, its a buddy handle. To build one just take a second handle and make it with longer leads coming out of the handle, about 2 feet works well. Clip it to the handle attached to the plane at the clips that connect the primary handle to the lines. The instructor simply stands to the side of the student and gives any inputs needed. Works very well.

A nice second step is for the instructor to come and stand behind the flier as he flies after he can solo. This is how I learned the stunt pattern. In fact in competition it is allowed in beginner stunt and if I remember right in intermedite to have the coach in the center of the circle to tell the competitor the next maneuver. I've watched kids 5 years old learn to lfy on the buddy handle.

Bob Branch

(in reply to propjobbill)
       Post #: 228

RE: Why is CL losing popularity? - 1/14/2007 4:39:38 PM   
jerichod


 

Posts: 30
Joined: 11/10/2004
From: Los Alamos, NM, USA
Status: offline
quote:

One other big draw back that I find is there are no flight simulators, or buddy boxes for C/L.


Sure there is a buddy box! and it works great! see the attached photos. One photo with the box unassembled, and one assembled and ready to go :}
The wooden handle actually says "Control Line Buddy Box". Idea certainly not original with me, but basically:

a) setup the handle as shown. I go out and start the plane flying using the yellow handle, while guest stays in the pilot circle or safely on the sidelines.
b) i move my hand out to the wooden (inner handle) to fly. can do this just with fingers, or two handed.
c) i take the plane up high and have them scamper into the circle, and stand off my left shoulder (or stand up if they are in the circle) and face the plane.
d) I put my hand on their shoulder and we start rotating. generally they pivot in place and i run around them flying.
e) in a few laps you can tell if they are going to go wobbly or stand up ok. if they wobble and fall, you just fly, all is ok.
f) if they are doing ok, they reach up and take the yellow handle with their right hand. they can get in the safety thong if you want them to, but generally i don't have them do that
g) i give them more and more tension on the controls as they get a feel for it. i can coach them thru manuvers, as i drive on the inner handle, they follow behind on the outer handle.
h) if they are doing ok still, i can even drop down and let them fly, and jump up and get the handle if i need to.

i have trained several people to fly, from kids as young as 6 (my back aches from reaching down so much) to guys as big as 6'4" and >250lbs (i run alot, takes alot of steps to go around a dude that big) but i can say that crashes are pretty rare.

if folks think this is an interesting topic, let me know and i will document it a bit better, including safety tips and take a video of it.

r.


Attachments
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize

(in reply to propjobbill)
       Post #: 229

RE: Why is CL losing popularity? - 10/6/2007 4:39:20 PM   
retnavycdr


 

Posts: 163
Joined: 8/26/2002
From: PUEBLO WEST, CO, USA
Status: offline 		It is a sad fact that as we get older, our vision, reflexes, fine muscle control, (and other things) start to go !!! In my case, a minor stroke speeded up the decline of all these things. I was and am a 50 year plus veteran of the model airplane and boat hobby, starting with u-control Sterling Ringmasters, Veco Tomahawks, in the early 1950's in Chicago. I flew in many places like parks, school yards, etc. that rapidly disappeared as things build up. One of the flying fields became O'Hare Airport !!! Anyway, I graduated through rubber band escapements, "Galloping Ghost" rudder-only RC, Kraft "Full house"" and now Spektrum -7 computer systems. But I also have returned full circle (no pun intended) to Contnrol Line for many reasons: 1) I have twenty acres of my own to fly on without worrying about complaints - both RC and U-control 2) it is a lot more relaxing not having to worry about losing the plane and crashing 3) It is a LOT less expensive 4) I get a crazy, euphoric feeling of nostalgia while going in circles 5) Much less can go wrong with a contnrol line plane, less complicated systems.

I don't think any one type of flying is any better than other. Diversity is the spice of life!!! BTW: My latest system all was available at my computer via Tower Hobby: A Nobler ARF, an OS Engine, and control lines and handle from Brodek.



Attachments
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize 		Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize


< Message edited by retnavycdr -- 10/6/2007 5:26:29 PM >

_____________________________

Roger in Colorado (Just another Old Curmugeon..)

(in reply to jerichod)
       Post #: 230

RE: Why is CL losing popularity? - 10/6/2007 7:27:28 PM   
Lou Crane


 

Posts: 241
Joined: 5/11/2006
From: Sierra Vista, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		Roger,

I've looked into this thread before over the 3+ years it's been up. Many good comments, some less so.

Two or more things I think we overlook, because they are so much a part of flying CL we no longer see them as outstanding benefits:

You meet great people flying CL. NOT precluding other model disciplines from that opportunity, but in CL, YOU have to be a good enough person that your buddies will trust you to launch their models, and THEY have to be good enough friends for you to trust to launch yours. (Unless your arms are 60'+ long, and then you don't need the lines...)

Also, CL is essentially for the FLIER, not the spectator. It is physical. It revolves around the flier completely. And the flier is close enough that 'he' can enjoy it thoroughly. No one else is as perfectly positioned for all that. And the flier stands on the ground, which is never very far from the model, either. That adds a sense of thrill, danger to be avoided, and good fuzzies for doing it the way you want to.

Because we must rely on friends who rely on us, we are a welcoming family for new flying buddies of all ages. The major task is to introduce new people to the world of CL. We don't generally buy a toy ready to play with. Some of us older. old-fashioned types don't think very highly of ARFs, but I doubt that ANYONE can argue against the idea that it still takes enough time and effort to put one together that there is a real feeling of putting ourselves into it. Some old-f**ts were complaining that the die-cut (die-crushed?) parts in kits of the 1950's were the end of the world. Nothing new under the sun, eh?

Sure, there are great modelers in all parts of model flight; guys who have decades at it. But, most we meet at local RC fields are just passing through, rarely sticking with it more than a few years. In CL, we make more effort, have more supportive pals, and because we are not the headliners in the mags, the cover photos, the 5-color 10-page ads types, we have to stick together better, to make sure we CAN still do what we enjoy best. Good sales points, but it seems we have to make personal sales pitches...

Bien Hoa, Jan68

< Message edited by Lou Crane -- 10/6/2007 7:28:28 PM >

_____________________________

\BEST\LOU
Lou Crane, Sierra Vista, AZ

(in reply to retnavycdr)
       Post #: 231

Page:   <<   < prev  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [10]
All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Control Lines >> RE: Why is CL losing popularity?
Page: <<   < prev  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [10]





Jump to:


Google 



Search | Marketplace | Event Calendar | Local Clubs | Magazine | Product Ratings | New Products | Discussion Forums

Photo Gallery | Member Video Posts | RCU Video Gallery | Instructor Search | Field|Track|Marina Search

Advertisers | Hobby Vendor Resources | Rate Manufacturers | Sign In/Sign Up

SITE MAP!   : :   FORUM RULES

© 2001 - 2007 24-7 RC, LLC, all rights reserved.

Charities we support that also need your help
Yorkie Rescue | Humane Society | ASPCA | Crohn's-Colitis America

Kaango.com Classifieds

0.875RCU1