Back in the saddle again....

[Michael Panek]

Hello all!
After approximately 40 years of NOT flying control line, I am glad to say "What the heck have I been doing all these years!" I first flew a newly built Twister a couple of months ago (bought kit 30+ years ago when I was going to "get back into it" then) and I have been having a great time. I have been an avid R/C pattern and IMAC competitor and am looking forward to C/L precision aerobatics as well. One of the things holding me back was the lack of control line stuff available from the local hobby shops, but thanks to websites like this, I have found "OZ" and all will be good from now on. Just looking through all the stuff on this site is amazing! I have much to learn in the control line world.

Thanks,
Mike Panek
AMA 61543

[Tim Wescott]

This isn't Oz.

This is Oz, or part of it: https://www.google.com/maps/place/27%C2%B030%2700.0%22S+153%C2%B000%2700.0%22E/@-27.5,153,13z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0

The Twister is a good starter plane.  I have one myself, albeit Fancherized.  Due to interruptions in my build schedule and a more rapid advance in the ranks than I expected, I'm still flying it even though I'm in Expert.  I'm working on replacing it with a Legacy, but as pointed out to me recently I'm still making a lot of mistakes that don't have anything to do with the thing on the outside end of the lines.

If you find yourself crashing a lot, consider building a flapless plane such as a Sig Skyray 35 to fly until the ground stops jumping up while you're at the tops of maneuvers.  They're quicker to build, quicker to repair, easier to trim, and a good pilot can coax over 500 points from one.

Keep us posted!

[Jim Kraft]

Welcome aboard Mike. Many of us have come here from R/C. I myself flew R/C pattern for 25 years before getting back into Control line. Nothing like feeling the plane as it is flying thru the maneuvers. Something you do not get with R/C. I still fly a little R/C, but mostly Old Time free flights converted to flying with a radio. I remember my first few flights when I started flying control line again and how I realized that I had been missing a lot. Modeling became fun again.

As with most endeavors, you will find that we do bicker over little things sometimes, but you also have to remember that the people on here are a wealth of information and are ready to share not only knowledge, but also things you might need. I have found control line people to be the salt of the earth as far as modeling goes. Most if not all will go out of their way to help others.

I have made so many life long friends in control line and am humbled by there generacity, there sportsmanship, inspiration, and so much more. They come from all walks of life but have a common bond in this great hobby.

Feel free to ask questions because we all learn from others.

[Dave_Trible]

This isn't Oz.

This is Oz, or part of it: https://www.google.com/maps/place/27%C2%B030%2700.0%22S+153%C2%B000%2700.0%22E/@-27.5,153,13z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0

The Twister is a good starter plane.  I have one myself, albeit Fancherized.  Due to interruptions in my build schedule and a more rapid advance in the ranks I'm still flying it even though I'm in Expert.  I'm working on replacing it with a Legacy, but as pointed out to me recently I'm still making a lot of mistakes that don't have anything to do with the thing on the outside end of the lines.

If you find yourself crashing a lot, consider building a flapless plane such as a Sig Skyray 35 to fly until the ground stops jumping up while you're at the tops of maneuvers.  They're quicker to build, quicker to repair, easier to trim, and a good pilot can coax over 500 points from one.

Keep us posted!

You need to watch the Wizard of Oz once more- Dorothy and Toto were from here in Kansas.

[Michael Panek]

Thanks gentlemen,
I plan on alot of questions being answered by you guys. My last control line endeavors was a Top Flite Nobler with a Fox .35 (1972-74). Back then I could not do much more that a loop and a regular wing over. Now, after about 14-15 flights on the Twister, I can do the reverse wing over, inverted flight, inside/outside loops and I am beginning the eights. The twister was built stock, since I didn't have any cool stuff from all the "cottage industry" specialties that I have discovered. The next "whatever super-duper" will have the cool-kids stuff on it. I am open for any suggestions/recommendations.

[john e. holliday]

Now get the plans for the improved Twister.    They are available from Brodak as well as the article .   Hope I remembered right.

[Mike Griffin]

Hi Michael

Welcome Home

Mike G.

[FLOYD CARTER]

Michael.  If you let us know where you are, it's possible someone close by would volunteer to offer some flying help?