ORIGINAL: Lou Melancon

I haven't picked up a CL handle in about ten years but with the introduction of the Brodak ARFs and the quality of CL Combat ships coming in from Eastern Europe I want to give it a try. One of the drawbacks for me is finding a place to fly and folks to fly with. Atlanta is a big city but doesn't have any permanent CL flying sites. You really need folks to fly with and a partner to launch the ship.

I do fly RC, and compete in RC Combat heavily. There is a limit to just how much modeling anyone has the time and energy to do. When attempting to fly CL Precision Aerobatics about 20 years ago it took all my time to build and fly that one event. Now it is taking all my time to build and fly RC Combat.

There is one thing about CL flying that cannot be matched by any other form of modeling and that is the feel of the airplane flying. In RC we are not connected to the plane, but in CL we feel every bump in the air. Also the plane is always 60 feet away so you can watch it fly and I really enjoy the feel and view when flying CL. It is rather boring for spectators but very fulfilling for the pilot.

Several years ago at the Joe Nall flyin a fellow brought a CL stunt ship and flew it for fun. He was surprised at the amount of interest it evoked among former CL fliers and those who had not seen it before.

I will always have a love for CL and will also try to participate in all forms of modeling.