"Control Line? What the heck is that??"

[Richard Grogan]

Just curious- How well do you describe CL to your non-flying, non knowing friends and family members, or even a stranger, who doesn't have a clue as to what you/we do?(In blind conversation,ie. no model present to describe/demonstrate with...)  

This question has very good purpose: How well do we communicate our hobby/sport to others, and is that a part of the reason why it's not growing; because we won't,or just plain can't explain it?    

Tell us what it is that you have said,honestly, and why it's so much fun to do what we do...!!

Come on,  get me interested! I'm a complete stranger...Really!

[Brian Massey]

I try to describe as best I can (2 wires; 1 "up, 1 "down"), and then elaborate by saying it's the original "Fly by wire" hoping to catch some modern reference. Many people, unless they see it, just don't grasp the connected wires and how we control the plane.

I know this doesn't answer your question; I look forward to the other answers.

Brian

[John Castle]

Most of the time their eyes glaze over    and I just tell them I build and fly model airplanes and leave it at that. If they are truly interested that usually means they have some prior experience and the explanation is not difficult.

John

[Bill Heher]

I work with mostly technically oriented people- and they usually grasp the concept when I sketch it out on paper. Other people remember it vaguely from their youth and say " People still do that?"

The ones who see it in action are often amazed at the actual flight compared to what they imagined. I keep a few video clips on my laptop, and that helps a lot to get the concept across.

[Paul Taylor]

The way I explain it is I say it is not even close to R/C planes. The planes for the most part are the same size, and we can do every stunt that a R/C plane can do except roll. Also all our stunts are done 60 feet off the ground vs R/C that is done about 1500 ft off the ground. It takes more skill to fly our planes that close to the ground. And it is not like a video game controller, you are connect to the plane with a real "stick" in your hand. When you pull back on the stick the plane goes up, when you push down on the stick the plane goes down.

[Garf]

Whenever I mention "control line", The response is usually, "you mean those things on strings". Then the fun begins.

[David Shad]

For me....if the person with the question is "older" then they either did c/l as a youngster or
saw it and have a clue as to the concept...but if they are "younger" then they get the flying
with a handle and lines in a circle explanation and it sojmetimes takes more than one illustration
to bring the point home.

[Phil Coopy]

It's not too hard to explain the mechanics and concept of C/L flying but the fun begins when you try to explain the experience and why it's just as fun as RC flying.  I do both bu,t for the simple pleasure of the model flying experience, I will take C/L every time.  There is just nothing to compare with trying to get that sequence of maneuvers better and better.  I've flown both pattern and IMAC, and the satisfaction of getting maneuver right 800 feet away and 60 feet away is just not the same. At 800 feet you can always bail out of the maneuver if you get into trouble but at 60 feet it's not a sure thing. And nothing compares with coming out of a wingover at 5 feet with no wobbles, not to mention the wheel spinners.

Phil

[Tim Wescott]

Control line is grown men spinning around in circles until they fall down.

At least that's what it was this morning, when I was out flying with a friend who switched from CL to RC in '68 and never looked back -- until now.  He's in his late 70's and he's not afraid to relearn how to fly (good thing the ground is soft today).

Who needs beer when a good 1/2 A plane will make you fall down and laugh?

[Robert Jones]

"it's a circular thing, you wouldn't understand".

[john e. holliday]

If you are at home or ant where a computor is available, just go to U-Tube and look for control line.

[Neville Legg]

Try not to denigrate any other forms of aeromodelling, I love all forms of modelling, and I dislike the narrow minded bod that thinks only his form of aeromodelling is the be all and end all of modelling!! I get the "P" taken out of me when I turn up at the field with a rubber powered model, the new radio flyer think its hilarious that I just let go of it and watch! But I had a few of them change their minds and have a go when they realise the fun that can be had for little outlay! I've even built static models, its all an art form as far as I'm concerned

Cheers     Neville

[don Burke]

I flew a BI-SLOB at my R/C club's summer barbecue a couple of years ago.  Utter amazement from the R/C flyers.  One even said he had NEVER seen a CL airplane, he thought they did nothing but go around in circles.  No requests from anyone to try it.