Electrics and glows both have their place, as far as I'm concerned. We have at least half a dozen guys flying electrics on everything from 1/2A size (we call it 1/2e) up to '.46' size planes. I have an electric powered Navy Carrier plane that pulls over 75 amps during high speed flight and throttles down to where I can do 35 - 40 second laps. But I still like to "turn Nitro into noise" out at the field too.

I was mainly commenting on your finding that the electric has sparked an interest in some people who weren't interested in the glow powered stuff - and that we had similar findings.

Fishing line - use of Spectra line (a fused multi-filament line) has been done for 1/2A and tested for the larger planes. It is NOT legal for any AMA contest events, but for sport flying you can use it. (Be sure to read and follow the AMA Safety Code for Control Line if you are AMA and expect the insurance coverage!).

For 1/2A I have used Berkely Fireline, 20 lb. test. It is NOT cheaper than steel lines, but it flies as well as steel and is a LOT better than the dacron "1/2A" line that comes with 1/2A handles. For the 25 size, I don't have any reason to mess around with fishing line - I buy stranded wire in bulk spools of 1000 ft. in .012, .015, and .018 diameter, so don't really need to switch over.

Be advised that the act of tying a knot has been known to reduce the strength of the lines by over 1/2. The kite flyers have lots of experience with Spectra and they recommend a 'sheathing' covering where there are knots, but I don't know what they use to sheath it with. I have seen a couple of threads on this that recommend a "Palomar" knot, and if you google it, you'll find a lot of places that have instructions on how to tie a Palomar knot. I have had a set of Spiderwire Spectra that failed in flight when the plane (a 1/2A combat) got a little loose on the lines and then hit the end again, very hard. Yes, it broke at the knot, and yes it was a Palomar knot. So, word to the wise ......