Hi all,

What's a good starting out line-length for a Vector 40 ARF eyelet to eyelet?


I'll be using a re-worked OS FP 40 with tube muffler and
.015 dia lines.
 

Hi Ron

That will depends on several factors, how fast-slow you fly, how much the plane weighs  etc.. but a good start point would be 62 ft

Randy

Well, let me add something here. I'm not an Expert by any means, just a retread at it with great pleasure for the last five years. Perhaps my experience, however, is closer to Ron's than Randy's. I'd start off with 60 foot lines on the Vector, at least for shake down flights. If something is out of trim, the shorter lines will make it less likely that the plane will come in on you. Or if it comes in, it'll be easier to back up and maintain tension. Also, initially, the shorter lines will make coming over the top on wingovers less demanding on the set up. A poor over rich engine run will also be easier to handle on shorter lines. After the initial trimming the longer lines would probably be closer to ideal.

I disagree, in my experience there's quite a difference in feel between 60 and 62 feet. Speed difference may not sound like much. But, for me, in practical terms, felt quite different.

Hi Ron,

I did not build the Genesis 35 per se.  I modified the fuselage to a bubble canopy, and added a couple inches to the WS.  I used an FP 40 from Byron Barker and it flew excellent! 

Bill <><

No biggee, of course. Simply a caution. I've had one or two birds that showed weirdness on the initial flights. A misalignment not caught or a wing warp, for instance, or an engine mounting that made for slight offset the wrong way. Shorter lines make it somewhat easier to deal with big trim errors like this. IMHO. I'm talking about the first shake out flight. I've got an assortment of lines now, some of which are kept strictly for back up. So it's not a problem for me to choose shorter lines when trying a bird at first, a set that might be replaced by lines that are longer. I've had more than one bird that felt very different with a line length differential of 2 feet. Also, 62' eyelet to eyelet is close to 64' handle to center of plane.  Very different from 60' eyelet to center of plane. The AMA method of measure. Never thought much about the difference until one of my birds sat next to a friend's bird. I was using my typical 60' lines, eyelet to eyelet, my friend's bird looked like it was on short lines to me, big difference. I asked him why he was using such short lines. Well his was measured eyelet to center of plane. Accurately classified as 60' lines when using the AMA standard. An appropriate length for the 35 sized plane he was flying.

.

Big Bear, reread your last post.  64 foot lines eye to eye will be measured longer than 65 foot center of plane to center of handle at the NATS or anywhere.  Now don't yell at me as I make the same mistake at times.  I think it was last year or the year before when guys had to cut lines to meet the rules.  Another is when the guys find out that the safety thong has to be pulled also.  I think several never even got close to lifting the weight.  But, as far as trimming planes I think Windy, Bobby, Billy andquite a few others say the important trim is when you learn how to bench trim a plane.  My Fancher "Doctor" did not take any trimming at the field as I followed Ted's advice to the letter.  Have fun,  DOC Holliday