New to U/C
 

Like many other people here I started in RC Planes and I enjoy it. But now I decided to give control line a try, so I ´m looking for a good 1/2a plane to start.
What kind of plane do you think is better? Balsa sheet wing or Built up wing ?. I was thinking about this one:

[link=http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Zinger.htm]http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Zinger.htm[/link]

Regards

Claudio

RE: New to U/C
 

Welcome aboard! CL is a great deal of fun and very different from RC because you are physically connected to your plane.

The built up wing plane will generally fly better, so if you want to go that way, terrific. (I had not seen the Zinger before. It looks good.) If not, the Platter, also featured on the aeromaniacs site, is excelent. And an even quicker build.

Brodak <www.brodak.com> also has a nice line of small CL kits. If you want to go with a little larger .15 size model, the Flite Streak Trainer is great.

In the small models, the Cox engines have been the favorite for many years, but now have been supplanted by NorVels (handled by Sig Mfg.) and the Brodak 049.

Let us know what else we can help with.

Kelvin

RE: New to U/C
 

Built up wing is likely to fly better, although a sheet wing will fly fine if it's big enough and flat enough.

I'd not seen the zinger before either ... but I agree with Kelvin ... looks great. The Sig 1/2 A Skyray flies great too, and it's a sheet wing. As a trainer, I've heard somebody mention, it can use a little reinforcement at the gap between the nose blocks and the leading edge. It can be built in a couple of days.

Either way, with a good running motor and the right prop, you'll do fine. Good luck,

Phil

RE: New to U/C
 

Hi Claudio, Dave Fritzke posted some free downloadable c/l plans a couple of days ago.
www.pclink.com/~dfritzke You might find something you like amongst them......John

RE: New to U/C
 

Brodak makes a nice Baby clown arf perfect for an .049 or .061. they fly very well to. Definetly get a built up wing plane, the others dont do anything.

RE: New to U/C
 

First of all I have to say thanks for being so helpful. I have a couple Babe Bees, so I think I´m gonna try the Platter first, it seems to be a good trainer (cheap and quick to build).

I bought the CG 430 1/2a handle, can you tell me which is the best way to attach the Dacron lines to the lead out wires ?

Regards

Claudio

RE: New to U/C
 

Can't find a picture of the things right off hand, but these line connectors work nicely:

http://www.brodak.com/shop_productde...maincatagory=1

RE: New to U/C
 

For 1/2 A stuff I use fishing swivels ... the little ones with the round brass swivels on one end and the safety-pin type clip on the other.

Phil

RE: New to U/C
 

I've just gotten a little nervous about the snap swivels after seeing the performance possible with the Norvels. They do work fine. I'm just being cautious.

RE: New to U/C
 

One thing you may want to try is subsituting "Spyderwire" fishing line for the usual dacron flying lines. It has a smoother finish, and is stronger and doesn't stretch. Your planes will fly better with less drag on the lines and better control authority.

It is available at K-mart and Wal-Mart, plus any fishing supply store. It comes in various sizes, I don't have a spool handy now, but someone will know the exact size too use.

RE: New to U/C
 

Claudio,

If you decide to do the Zinger later use the rib spacing for the smaller wing. The larger one is a bit much for the Babe Bee. The complete construction details on that plane makes it almost fool-proof.

If you are going to use the Dacron line, tie it to the leadouts on the plane and keep the line as one piece by running it through the handle. This allows easy center adjustment. Just leave the lines attached to the plane.

Use close spacing on the handle at first (which will yield less sensitive control). Later you can move to the outer spacing when you can better handle more control movement.

Expect to get dizzy at first from turning around with the model. That will go away after you have flown some.

Good luck and welcome to CL flying.

George

RE: New to U/C
 

Thanks for the information. I´m gonna use the dacron lines first, until I get used to the control sensitivity.
About the dizziness, this is one of my worries but I hope everything will be ok. I´ll keep you posted about my progress. Regards

Claudio

RE: New to U/C
 

It´s been a long time, but now I have my Lil´ Zinger ready to fly. I expect to test it next weekend (Sunday will be, ´cause Saturday is my son´s first birthday party).

Regards. Claudio

RE: New to U/C
 

Nice, I don't think that will be too fast. Walking a circle rather than turning in one spot will help with the dizzy thing.

RE: New to U/C
 

some of the best times in my life are memories that my dad and myself made over several years of flying c/l together. i still feel the sting of a 10-6 wood propeller when i got to close while adjusting the needle. Fox .35 a ringmaster or banshee and that was all that was needed to make an old man and kid both smile ear to ear. my dad would fly his nobler upside down until the engine quit and then flip it around to land on the wheels before he lost all his speed. when he was done, there where never twist in his lines. i miss him dearly and the times are indeed precious. good luck