Flite Streak/CL engine questions...
 

Been looking at the Flite Streak lately, and thinking about getting one. First, I don't have any .20-.40CL engines (just smaller) I always thought that you wanted an engine that was not ABC, so you could 4 cycle it for control line. Are the new CL engines ABC? I have a bushing .40 I could put on it (R/C) and just use a pushrod to limit RPM's. Really don't want to spend $60.00 on an engine too. Does the one wheel affect take-off? Will probably be flying on my own, and have to use some sort of tail-holding launch pin for release. And Tower shows two different lines for them, which do I need? I off and on have messed with CL for about 35 years, but mostly just 1/2a stuff, and not much lately, so any advice would be appreciated!

RE: Flite Streak/CL engine questions...
 

The Flite Streak is more like a combat plane than a stunter: can be tuned for very quick lap times, very quick turns. I have an old Veco .29 on mine, and it screams. That's not to say that you couldn't slow it down with a smaller engine or richer setting, or as you say, limit the throttle on an R/C engine.

The one wheel is for landing. The Flite-Streak is intended to be hand launched.

The other thing with this plane is the balance point. If you balance it 3.5 inches behind the leading edge, as the instructions with the ARF say, you will have a wicked handful. I think most fliers recommend 1.5 to 2 inches behind the leading edge, at least to start.

Good luck,

Phil

RE: Flite Streak/CL engine questions...
 

If you are using a stooge for takeoff replacing the single wheel with a two wheel u/c would be a good idea - you may have to add a lot of tailweight to get a 40 to balance right.

How do you use a pushrod to limit RPMs - do you mean wiring a carb in a particular position?

If you are using a 40 go for the longest, heaviest set of lines they show.

Tony

RE: Flite Streak/CL engine questions...
 

I've flown Flite Streaks with one wheel gear off a stooge with no problem: however, given that you are kind of getting back into it, I'd say go with a two wheel gear. I have a Brodak original Flite Streak with an ST 23 on it. Had a real problem slowing it down enough to stunt. 1/8 hole in the venturi and an APC 9 x 4 on 60 ft 015 lines is pretty good. What is said above about the balance is good advice. Mine is about 1 1/2-1 3/4 behind the leading edge and is very stable and still squares pretty well. I don't think you want a 4-2-4 run with a Flite Streak, but that is personal bias. Your 40 should be fine. Try a 10.5 x 4.5 APC. Lots of folks recommend that prop.

RE: Flite Streak/CL engine questions...
 

Duane,

Listen to Jim T. His remarks are about spot-on.

Other thoughts: A $60 engine like an OS 25LA-S is an excellent choice for the ARF Flite Streak. It is ABN (nickel plated sleeve, not chromed), designed for easy and dependable operation, and not so heavy that balancing a Flite Streak becomes a problem. It is also pretty economical; you should be able to get enough time from the TF ARF Flite Streak tank.

Not everyone runs a 4/2 break mode any more, especially with the newer designed engines. Like the OS LA-S (and their R/C cousins) as plated brass sleeve engines, you want to break them in on the fuel and at the RPM you'll fly them at. They are manufactured with a slight taper to the sleeve, which opens to the right clearance at operating temperatures. So, the initial wear time (break-in) should give the engine those conditions as soon as possible. (This applies to ABC and AAC, as well; AAC is chromed aluminum sleeve. The first 'A' in all these designators is aluminum, for the piston.) Instructions for the OS LA series cover break-in nicely.

And, as they are much like their R/C cousins, they are designed for more RPM than you might remember for stunt. The way to keep airspeed and laptime reasonable is first, with a flatter pitch prop, and also with line length, fuel, plug and all the other goodies that are involved. You want the engine to run at the proper temperature, so you don't want it struggling with a too large or too high pitch prop - either/both will run the engine too hot.

Even the oil rquirement is a bit different. Good R/C fuel (by which I mean around 10% nitro, with around 20% total oil, about half of which is castor) does well. So, no more happy hours scraping off a deep layer of castor...

For a 25 like the LA, a 9-4 or 9-5, or even a clean 10-4, keeps things in "lower gear" so you don't overload it and fry it. Don't be surprised if launch RPM is around 12K - the engine is happy there.

The single wheel on the Flite Streak is no problem if you have a friend to launch for you. It is only a slight problem taking off out of a stooge. The plans on the original TF Flite Streak showed launch position as outboard tip on the ground, nose slightly out of the circle. It's up to you to NOT pull too hard on release. If you do, you might drag the onboard tip to the ground and turn the model in at you. A no-no...

From a stooge, I found hanging a rag over the outboard tip kept it down nicely. It didn't ride along very far as the model took off...

RE: Flite Streak/CL engine questions...
 

I have an old green head .15, and an Enya .19(R/C) but it barely turned 12,000 and that was almost too lean. It had trouble flying the MiniMagic Extra it was on. I didn't know if they would fly it or not. Like I said, I didn't really want to buy a new engine for this, there is NO C/L activity at our field, so I would be about it. I just wanted something to play with a little. I did a Father/Son(7 year old) project a couple of months ago, built a 1/2A solid wing plane with him, and got to thinking I'd like to have something a little better. The ARF caught my eye, no real build time anymore. My older brother still has my old Shoestring and KB .35, that my other brother built back in the early 70's (stayed in the family!) I should see about buying it back, but it needs to be re-covered again. My R/C is where I have most in, mainly going fast and racing, so I just need a "part time" thing to play with. I may jump in and buy an engine, but on the bigger planes, I'm starting from scratch, no lines/handle, anything... So less than $60.00 sounded good for a plane. Thanks again for the advice.

RE: Flite Streak/CL engine questions...
 

Duane,

I know Texas is big, I've driven across it many times. However, near Arlington, TX, is where a few stunt guys like Al Rabe and Bob Gieseke fly. And they fly CL - CL Stunt, that is. They're both great guys, and willing to help people willing to accept help. Your local field may not have much CL action, but, at least to visit and chat, you may be able to find where Al and Bob and a few other serious CL Stunt guys do their thing.

It's always a nice thing to find someone else who shares your interest, and regardless whether they've ever won anything or not, share with you the light coat of exhaust oil, the dinged fingers, and the scraped knees...

Their advice may reflect what they've found works for them - so take that into account. The engines you have sound like they can do a decent job on a TF ARF Flite Streak, on somewhat shorter lines perhaps. Say 52' for starters, instead of 57.5' or 60'? If the plane feels solid, or too much, at the short lengths, go up to the next length. (E.g., laptime too quick/pull too much on 52', go to 57.5' and see how that feels... etc.)

And remember, for the older all iron and steel (cyl and piston) engines, more castor in the fuel is safer than less.

Hope it all works for you - CL and CLPA are great exercises for good people! And, you DO meet good people in CL!

\BEST\LOU

RE: Flite Streak/CL engine questions...
 

The controline field at the back of Hobby Park, Garland Road and Northwest Hwy, sees a good bit of action. There is another field in Ft. Worth, but I don't know where it is. Check the AMA website for the Dallas Model Aircraft Association under District VIII clubs. there is also a DMAA website.

RE: Flite Streak/CL engine questions...
 

Hi,I just received a Flite Streak and since I am also new (or just getting back to control line) I would like to know how to go about mounting wheels to this plane as it only has the one in front. What would I need and where exactly would I mount the wheels. I have an OS 40 motor that I will be using. What prop size would you advise and also wood or nylon. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.