I. Am. Sold!

[Matt Colan]

Yesterday, I was originally planning to fly the Trivial Pursuit and trying to get through a full pattern again.  Needless to say, that didn't work because the crankshaft hub broke with it sitting on the ground before flying it.  My grandfather heard a *pop* turned around and saw the spinner and prop laying on the ground.

I decided to take the Oriental Plus out and give that some time with getting it in better trim.  I took one flight and with a slightly lean needle setting, it got through everything ok, just a line tension issue in the normal spots where it has been losing tension.  I have been fighting with that airplane on getting good bottoms, they were either 10 feet, or I would pull out at 3 and then pop up to 7; not a good pattern.

I put Ted's handle on, adjusted neutral, and it was like a miracle!!  Either I was concentrating a lot more or it was the handle that made the difference, but my bottoms IMMEDIATELY went back to 5 feet.  The plane became so much easier to fly, and it flew better!!  I still have some trim work to do on it, take out the rudder offset, shorten the lines and vortex generators...oh and a new plug since the one that's in it is on it's way out.  After that, it should became a very good flying airplane.

I am officially sold on hard point handles, because with this plane, I went from fighting it, to flying it!  By the end of the day, I had what I thought was one of the best wingovers I have ever done, and flying as good as I was during the team trials!

[David M Johnson]

I just have one question  DOES IT HAVE ANY BIAS??? 

Just kidding That's great I'm glad the handle worked for you I'm going to have to try one.
David Johnson

[Steve Helmick]

I don't know if the handle has bias, but it sounds like Matt has a new bias. He's right, you know. Try a "TED handle" and you'll come to like it very quickly.

Oh, Matt...I just sent you a check for $100 by snail mail. I hope some others will jump on the bandwagon. Meet it or beat it if you can, guys, but every little bit will help.    Steve

[Matt Colan]

I don't know if the handle has bias, but it sounds like Matt has a new bias. He's right, you know. Try a "TED handle" and you'll come to like it very quickly.

Oh, Matt...I just sent you a check for $100 by snail mail. I hope some others will jump on the bandwagon. Meet it or beat it if you can, guys, but every little bit will help.    Steve

Yes anything helps to help get me to the Worlds! 

[steven yampolsky]

I put Ted's handle on, adjusted neutral, and it was like a miracle!!  Either I was concentrating a lot more or it was the handle that made the difference, but my bottoms IMMEDIATELY went back to 5 feet.

A couple of years ago, when you tried my Stoli Special, you flew it with a TF handle. You didn't have problems with bottoms that day either 
Glad you found the handle that works for you.

[Matt Colan]

A couple of years ago, when you tried my Stoli Special, you flew it with a TF handle. You didn't have problems with bottoms that day either 
Glad you found the handle that works for you.

Oh yea that's right!! I forgot you had a Ted handle on it until you just mentioned it. Funny thing is, is back then I didn't think any handle worked, and they worked the same, not so anymore! I've gone from brodak handles with the bars all the way out, to Windy handles and Brodak handles with the bar in as far as they can, to Ted Fancher handles. Each one has been better than the last one 

[Ted Fancher]

HI Matt,

Glad you got a chance to try it out.  Hope it continues to be helpful.

Ted

[Ron Merrill]

Hey Matt, ain't it fun when new things come together? Ron.

[Matt Colan]

HI Matt,

Glad you got a chance to try it out.  Hope it continues to be helpful.

Ted

Hi Ted,

I had that handle on the P-40 at the team trials, and I haven't been able to really "test" the handle on the Trivial Pursuit because of airplane issues (broken landing gear, tank and motor).

[DanielGelinas]

Can anyone post a picture of the handle? 
Just wondering what the differences wound be with mine...
Thanks,

-dan

[Steve Helmick]

Sorry about the fuzzy picture. It feels like a "Hot Rock", but better (carve to fit your hand), probably lighter, better feel (no cables bending) and safer (no cables to corrode, fray and break). It does require a certain type of line clip. The good news is that those are a very good type of clip, and you can make them at home, in 1/16" length increments to adjust for neutral.  Steve

[DanielGelinas]

Thanks!
-dan

[Ted Fancher]

It should feel like a Hot Rock!  I "designed" it by tracing around one.

Ted

[PJ Rowland]

I have to say Im surprised to see very few of the "top guys" use a molded handle..

Most are like the above.. generic shape - I will spend a fair amount of time with Body filler ( Car bog ) put it on the handle, wait for it to start to go off a little so its the consistency of putty, put on a rubber glove - hold the handle so it molds the ergonomic shape of my hand in the exact flight position.

After it sets, I will then sand it down so its not an EXACT representation of my hand, but very VERY close. Obviously when other people fly with my handle its useless to them.. but fits me perfectly.

[steven yampolsky]

Most are like the above.. generic shape -

The point of making molded handles is to ensure that the finger placement is consistent. One could shape the handle or one could get one that fits tightly one's hand. If you look at handle top fliers use, they all appear tiny in their hands. A large handle with plenty of room would mean that the fingers can "wonder" up and down the handle affecting response consistency.