Line Lengths

[Ed Carlaw]

Hello to all, I'm looking for suggestions on optimum line length for a Ringmaster S1 and S1A. They're setup with Fox .35's and tongue mufflers. Way back when I thought we used to fly on 60' lines but I'm not to sure about that. Going to be getting some new lines so I thought I'd see what everybody thought. Thanks, Ed

[Brett Buck]

Hello to all, I'm looking for suggestions on optimum line length for a Ringmaster S1 and S1A. They're setup with Fox .35's and tongue mufflers. Way back when I thought we used to fly on 60' lines but I'm not to sure about that. Going to be getting some new lines so I thought I'd see what everybody thought. Thanks, Ed

   I would start with maybe 58 and be willing to cut them down if the control seems a little vague.

    Brett

[Ed Carlaw]

Thanks Brett, the more I think about it, we may have flown on 56'-58' lines. Too much time has pasted between flights on my Ringmasters. Ed.

[Geoff Goodworth]

Depending on the wind, I use 60 ft on my LA 25 powered Ringmaster. If it's a little breezy, I use 58 ft.

[Steve Helmick]

If your lines are too long, you might not get a chance to use shorter ones, if you get my drift.

I'm not sure what line diameter Geoff is required to use in AUS, but here you can run .012" dia. cables on .25's, but have to run .015" cables on a .35. That could easily explain being able to use 60' lines. Or, his plane is really well trimmed for the line length, etc. I'd get a 58' and a 60' set of .015's and maybe would cut down the longer set after some flying and trimming.  Steve
 

[Andrew Hathaway]

I'm not sure what line diameter Geoff is required to use in AUS, but here you can run .012" dia. cables on .25's, but have to run .015" cables on a .35.

Under the current rules, line size is governed by model weight rather than engine displacement.  Up to a 40oz model can use .012 lines, regardless what engine/motor is powering it. 

http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/2013-2014CLAerobatics.pdf

[Tim Wescott]

I'm not sure what line diameter Geoff is required to use in AUS, but here you can run .012" dia. cables on .25's, but have to run .015" cables on a .35. That could easily explain being able to use 60' lines. Or, his plane is really well trimmed for the line length, etc. I'd get a 58' and a 60' set of .015's and maybe would cut down the longer set after some flying and trimming.  Steve

Steve needs to read a current rule book?  Line sizing is by weight these days, has been for the five years or so that I've been competing.

[Ward Van Duzer]

Interesting subject! 5 or 10 yrs ago I used to tell folks that we flew OTS type ships in the early 50's on 60 ft. of .010 wire. All around me said I must have been halucinating! That was untill I showed them an old Harold Reinhardt article specifying, guess what? 60" of . These were solids, of course as braided didn't come along untill later. This is not a reccomendation, of course, as solids do have their own issues. But what did a couple of 13 yr. olds know anyway?

Ward-O

[Tim Wescott]

I have a 20 FP in my Ringmaster, and fly it on 60' .015 lines.  I should probably try .012 lines, and in the wind I should maybe try shorter lines.

But I like the way the plane flies -- the long lines give you plenty of room to go gently on the square maneuvers, which makes your pattern appear better than the plane is really capable of.  It was good for personal high of 475 points in Classic at the Fall Follies last year, so I must not be doing things entirely wrong.

[FLOYD CARTER]

You know when you should try thinner lines when, in level flight, the lines bow back more than usual.

I recently flew a Jr. Madman with Orwick 29 on 60 X .015.  That plane was so light that I'm sure the lines weighed more than the plane!

Not really, but line drag with a light model calls for thinner lines.  Next time 58' X 0.012"

F.C.

[Geoff Goodworth]

All my 20/25-size models have finished at less than 30 oz so it's 0.012" braided at all times.

[john e. holliday]

Almost all my planes fly on 60 foot lines measuring from center of handle to center of plane.   I also tried the .012 cable and went back .015 cable as it had better feel to it.  So I guess if you remove the wing  and handle measurement I am probably close to 58 foot or less on eye let to eye let on the lines not counting the clips.

[Bill Little]

Hi Ed,

I agree with .015 X 58' eye to eye.  Some will say to use .012, but I think the .015 will give a better feel.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Andrew Hathaway]

.012 lines can free up a good bit of performance.  Lighter lines mean less drag, less weight and consequently less tip weight to compensate.  I flew my Ringmaster on .015 lines before the rule change, and .012s after.  The .012s made the plane much easier to fly through the verticals and overheads.

[Shug Emery]

How long does a set of lines last barring any kinks or such. I have some very old ones in good shape but at least 17 years old.
Gut says to toss them......
Shug

[Tim Wescott]

How long does a set of lines last barring any kinks or such. I have some very old ones in good shape but at least 17 years old.
Gut says to toss them......
Shug

On the one hand, if they're not corroded and if they pass a pull test, why not use 'em?

On the other hand, unless the $12 to $15 for a new set is outside of your budget, why not replace 'em?

[Shug Emery]

On the one hand, if they're not corroded and if they pass a pull test, why not use 'em?

On the other hand, unless the $12 to $15 for a new set is outside of your budget, why not replace 'em?

I do have a new set........just needed to hear it. Thanks.

[john e. holliday]

Instead of the money for one set of lines.  Learn to make lines and get them by the bulk from MBS Model Supply.   He has thousand foot spools of different flavors.   Go on the internet and type in MBS Model Supply. 

[phil c]

Tim, if the old lines are stainless cable(most likely) and don't have a thousand flights on them they are perfectly fine to use.  Stainless doesn't corrode or fatigue sitting in a box.

[RknRusty]

On a side note(not intended to hijack), I clean my lines after flying with acetone. The reason being, it's usually so humid here, when I clean my plane with alcohol, I have to go back over it with a dry rag to wipe off a lot of water droplets, particularly on Monokote wings. So I figured I was leaving water on my lines if I cleaned with alcohol. Acetone evaporates almost instantly and I feel like there is less chance of leaving water on them to cause corrosion. Some people just look at me dumbly when I tell them that, but it makes sense to me.
Rusty

[Mike Keville]

58 feet, eyelet-to-eyelet....015 cables on a hard-point ("Fancher") handle.  That's what worked well for me, back when I could fly reasonably well (which is no longer the case).

Your mileage may vary.

[FLOYD CARTER]

I have a set of 0.018" at least 20 years old.  The secret is to prevent kinks.  I do that by using a line reel 15" in diameter.  No abrupt bends there!

F.C.

[George]

...I do that by using a line reel 15" in diameter.  No abrupt bends there!

F.C.

 

Now THAT is a line reel!  :-) 

George

[55chevr]

What are you using for a reel?  An old car rim?