Hello All:

Am getting back into control line flying, and have a couple of questions. 1) I see reference to a wing covering called SLC. Is there a brand name for this, and where might it be available here in the states? 2) In the past, I used music wire for leadouts. I see that braided wire can also be used. Why choose braided wire over music wire?

Many thanks.

Dave Mo

Dave,

Solid wire has a few quirks. More careful maintenance requirements, particularly...

It is more susceptible to kinks. It can also 'bind' one line to the other unless it is scrupulously clean. Makes for "interesting" handle response at worst.

Also, if the solid line is left out, on the ground, any scuffing by passers-by can do more damage than to braided cable. (Ideally, of course, NO ONE should step on anyone's lines. However...)

Plus points: Since each line is a single "strand," it can be used at a smaller diameter than braided cable for the same strength. That's less drag than the larger bundle of strands that is a braided line.

Braided cable is packaged for the hobby enthusiasts, btw.

Added: The Academy of Model Aeronautics - our national aeromodeling organization - governs competition for CL, Free Flight and Radio Controlled models. Part of the regulations for CL include the specified flying-line diameters for each event. The specs are based on experience and industrial strength standards. That makes a good guide for sport flying, too. Inadequate line strength can lead to a fly-away. Not a good idea to launch a CL model because of broken lines! Damage and injury are too likely, and do not earn more tolerance from others for our flying.

AMA members enjoy certain insurance against liability for accidental injuries and damages, provided the flying involved observed AMA's Safety Rules and guidance.

The AMA Competition and General Rules are available to all on-line at http://www.modelaircraft.org/ The rules also describe excellent ways to form 'ends' on cable and solid lines.

It might take a bit of hunting on the index, but 'publications' and 'rules' will get you there. Worth the effort...

SLC is some sort of laminating film, marketed by Phil Cartier at The Corehouse.

http://home.earthlink.net/~philcarti...t/catalog.html

SLC stands for Super Light Covering - it is often used UNDER traditional silkspan and dope to cut down on filler. It is kind of lightweight to use by itself on built up structures. Works well on foam though.

As for leadouts of music wire, there are still some who do use them, but most use .027 or .032 cable, mostly because music wire can kink right at the leadout guide.

It's a matter of choice. I use either.

Some people do not like solid leadouts because it is easy to get a bend where they exit the wing. Some do not like stranded leadouts because they can saw through the bellcrank or the bellcrank can saw through the leadout wire, if not bushed.

George

There's lots of options these days for covering. You have all the normal plastic films, but they are pricey. There is a hybrid covering out there that you dope on and then shrink with an iron. I have some but dont recall the name at the moment. It looked a lot more like silk, but all in all I didnt like it. I usually use a seal lamin...laminating film. It used to laminate papers. I use the 1.5 to 1.7 mil. Them make it in 3 mil but its a bit heavy. I also use pvc. You can see some of the coverings on this blog http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=387956 the ones that look like silk span are seal lamin with whit primer sprayed on the back side. I wanted a silk span look, but the durability of plastic.

Lou:

The link for the AMA standards is especially appreciated as I'm interested in reducing risk to bystanders (I hope to attract others to our hobby). Thanks for the explanations.

Mo...

Thanks, Mike for the link to SLC. At this point, I'm considering a layer of SLC covered by either light silk span or tissue (dope compatibility will be a consideration). I checked out some braided wire left over from picture hanging, and it measures .040.

Mo...

George: I'm probably going to try the stranded leadouts but will certainly look at the bell crank closely and see if bushing material would be appropriate.

Bob: Nice images! That CL bipe was fun to watch!

Thanks!

Mo...

DaveyMo, I am glad you asked these questions, some I have had myself.

I see Lou answered this down below ----> Is there somewhere on RCU that shows recommended method of using stranded cable to make leadouts?
Or you just buy the Sullivan kit to make them?

Thanks -

Follow up questions - The AMA rules - http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/2...CLGeneral4.pdf
Section 5.3 shows the recommended terminations... Has figures drawn.
What is a button - type bellcrank?
What do we really need to know - the drawings are bit generic, if there is a youtube video or forum thread about leadouts, much appreciated...

BrightGarden: That's a very useful link as I've always wondered how to translate all those "G" criteria in ounces of pull. Many thanks. By the way, I really like your byline advice on staying in the middle of the air!


DaveyMo...

Button Type Bellcrank - check out this link : http://www.clstunt.com/htdocs/dc/dcb...age=show_topic

Rszanti: Kind of neat, I'd say. Less terminal gear subject to failure. Thanks.

Davey...