Ken, my brother, as I am the only "Fred" in this thread--- I am not sure --where you mean NO DISRESPECT...
But OK--- certainly none taken...very especially from you--- who I deeply respect, and learn a LOT from
My point ---responding to, NON Competitor John (AKA DOC Holiday) was simply----
The deep thinking about Spectra lines, knots etc.... was not all that necessary for us, NOW casual sport fliers....
I am certain, with NO trepidation, that Doc Holiday could look at a set of my terminated .015 lines ---and invite me into his shop and school me...
I do get it that man made fibers can have quite a few desirable features over mono or stranded metal lines
MY real experience is (despite very casual, and very few flights, on combat planes) is that MY attempts to use a BETTER--- IMO, flying line set ----IE Dyneema/Spectra/ Fishing line ----is that ----
Trying to use my aged body, and deteriorated shaky hands, and progressively poor eye sight--- to get a set of usable, nearly same length, lines, is a hard task....OK-- seems that for me--- impossible
BUT I do know---they (Spectra et all) are actually better than .012, .015, or .018 stranded steel
And I stand by my last comment... If Phil Cartier, Tom Morris, Randy Smith, or any other cottage guy---- offered Spectra lines ----in various strengths and lengths I would certainly be a customer
And for the record--- cuz I do not compete... I would NOT be greatly concerned WHAT knot was used
BUT obviously--- if I was to buy--- pre-made lines for competition -----they would certainly need to comply with AMA rules
I seriously do respect, and understand, the desire to get the AMA-- to get freaking real ---and zoom into the 19th century, regarding a whole host of current technology... not just AI controlled FPV, autonomous return to home---- Drones
I usually find these threads about fishing line frustrating--- as it pertains to the AMA Rules... Currently acceptance for Combat ( dangerous sport) but a lingering concern for Stunt....(NOT SO DANGEROUS SPORT) REALLY???!!!
I would probably focus my energies IF (I was MR AMA) on concerns about current flying line specs and capabilities in the faster classes of Racing or Speed...just from a common sense SAFETY perspective
That is- IMO ---For years NOW ----we have had products that greatly exceed the Tested/assumed/and scientific -safety parameters -by a factor of 10 or more
Not sure who all the numb nutty folks are, inside the AMA ----but it seems to me, many of them are not qualified....
scientific facts of differing products is easy to research,
A 100% knowledge of the current rules is implied in the job title...
cost benefit ratios, some scientific/rational, easy to implement testing method described,... is their responsibility!
advancing the state of the ART is an implied responsibility
I do not compete and --as I age ---never will again, in any sanctioned AMA venue
BUT those of you who do,
need to seriously thump your knuckles on the current, and any future AMA leader's foreheads, ....
OK NOT Truly physically assault a elected member....
BUT do chastise them
INTO
doing THEIR JOB
COMPLETELY
IMNSHO