Well, I went ahead and spoiled myself. I purchased an Enya 61 CXLS and a Brodak/Brad Walker T-Rex. I've been flying helicopters for 15 years almost exclusively plus Senior Pattern and some IMAC. I hadn't flown control line since I was a teenager though I built and flew many classics by Goldberg, Sterling, Keil Kraft, Veron.
One thing that turned me on to CL again was watching Windy and tons of YouTube videos, some of the Brodak fly-in and others showing combat, team racing and stunt. To me, stunt is a wonderful avenue to explore - the equipment needs are modest, the models are readily available and the videos of some of this flying are inspirational. Also, I'd like to credit Shug Emery for his series of fun and informative videos - if you watch through them you can see how his flying has evolved and improved.
Coming from the complexities of helicopters (and the expense), you would think that CL was simpler and less demanding. That's a misconception I probably had until watching some of the videos and reading articles. While definitely less expensive, it is every bit as demanding and rewarding as flying my Hirobo Turbulence. I think the beauty of CL - the models, motors and flight patterns deserve more recognition by our fellow modelers. Fortunately, after a period of hibernation, it seems that CL is finding somewhat of a resurgence. I'm seeing that at my club and now in Model Aviation.
I've actually been talking with fellow r/c modelers who are now actively interested in CL and we've all purchased models at swap meets, from Brodak and others - I also got a Sakitumi from Walter at BuiltRightFlyRight - what an incredible kit! But, in my humble opinion, ARF's will be what get pilots "in the door" to control line flying, and punchy web sites that show and tell the fun and excitement of CL flying. Not to say that the Brodak site is boring, but you can barely get a good look at the models there as the photos are small, and I don't think I've found much in the way of videos there either.
Stunthanger is a great site, once you get past the CAPTCHA which I found nearly impossible to complete - there are CL resources spread around, but I still find myself doing a lot of searching for information, and especially places to buy models and particularly engines.
I sure hope we can get a few more articles into Model Aviation and distribute more electronic magazines to promote interest - sure, I understand that you have to be a PAMPA member to get current issues, but if you want to stimulate interest have more than one dated issue as a sample; we're trying to encourage people here - not lock them out.
I don't know if anyone has done an article for the T-Rex or any of the Brodak models or ARFS in Model Aviation for example, but I bet that an article such as that would generate yet more interest.
Despite the technology all around us in the forms of electronics and computers, massive online gaming and so forth, I think there is plenty of space for CL. We just have to foster the interest.
Chris
Topic: Brodak's - Brad Walker's T-Rex Building (Read 10056 times)