Control Line Article in Model Aviation

[Shug Emery]

So there was a great control line article in Model Aviation by Bob Hunt. I took it to heart especially after all the handle/arm thoughts after I pancaked my Prowler.
Today I got to go fly with some of the Piston Poppers and after reading the article 4 times and dry flying put it to task with my Super Clown. After a trimming out flight I focused on sighting down my arm and keeping it straighter through maneuvers. There was a tendency for me to pull my arm in and fly from the hip but I really worked to keep it out fairly straight, sight down the lines and flow through the moves I can confidently do. Also I fly lefty.
It really helped my loops...in and out and horizontal 8.
Came home with all in one piece and felt like I went with a goal set that I felt some results. Ahhhh.
 Been giving the handle, arm, hand position and flow a lot of thought. Keep in mind this palaver comes from a neophyte.
In conclusion this article inspired me and got me to see that CL is very intense and there is so much to it.
Thanks Bob Hunt

Shug

[wwwarbird]

 I read that last night too, good stuff. Thanks Bob!

[john e. holliday]

Yes Bob does write some very great articles.  It's also great that you set a goal while you for flying.   

[James D. Hayes]

Shug,

There's a really old article that helped me with flying quite a bit. It's written by Bob Palmer and is titled "straighten out and fly stunt" PM me your e-mail address and I'll send it to ya.


Jim Hayes

[Shug Emery]

Yes Bob does write some very great articles.  It's also great that you set a goal while you for flying.   

It sure did help ...a lot!

[Shug Emery]

Shug,

There's a really old article that helped me with flying quite a bit. It's written by Bob Palmer and is titled "straighten out and fly stunt" PM me your e-mail address and I'll send it to ya.


Jim Hayes

I would love that...PM on the way)))))

[George]

Perhaps it would be a good idea to write Model Aviation and let them know how much you enjoyed the article so they know there is a CL flyer at the other end of that AMA number.

I am getting the download version and find that I do not peruse the magazine as much as I did the hard-copy version...but then, it's much easier to store. 

George

[Steve Scott]

I learned basic CL building/flying when I was a pre-teen at an overseas airbase.  I could loop and perform a wingover.  I became much less active in the hobby when we relocated CONUS but dabbled a bit while in HS.  I built a Top Flite Flight Streak Jr with a Fox .15x, 8-4 wood prop, no LG and a simple silkspan finish.  I managed to master inverted flight with this setup.  It was only with the help of reading stunt articles I started doing the S maneuver where, at the top of the inside loop you reverse control and do a half-outside loop.  Then you start extending the inverted portion of the maneuver until you can do several laps.  I practiced inverted flight quite a bit.

Things got set aside again during college when work/school and other hobbies got in the way.  When I returned after graduation/military service I hooked up with the (then) Seattle Skyraiders and entered a few of their contests - doing the simple round maneuvers in Beginner Stunt at a few contests.  I ran into a mental block trying to fly the outside square loop.  Splattered many models into the asphalt on the 2nd (and lowest) corner.  Strangely, my highest-scoring maneuver was my inverted flight.  I think I was awarded a 35 point score once.

I got very discouraged at that point.  I could do all the round maneuvers but those squares still presented a mental obstacle.  I finally figured out my hand position was way over my head when coming down the vertical leg of the outside square.  Even though I knew what NOT to do it was pretty difficult to break this form habit.  After getting my son active in CL and RC flying, he got interested in other activities and now is away at college.

I think I've flown 2 CL flights in the past 7 years with the most recent flying in a CL racing event yesterday.

I'm currently building a profile stunt training w/foam wing cores but the epoxy I mixed up to glue the cores together never set up.  I had a perfectly aligned wing with a forever gooey center joint.  Took a table saw to it and will rejoin with a 1/4 balsa spacer and fresh epoxy.

Armed with a new (and straight) inexpensive stunt trainer and Hunt's article, I'm ready to tackle and this time, master the full pattern.

[Shug Emery]

Perhaps it would be a good idea to write Model Aviation and let them know how much you enjoyed the article so they know there is a CL flyer at the other end of that AMA number.

I am getting the download version and find that I do not peruse the magazine as much as I did the hard-copy version...but then, it's much easier to store. 

George

I will do that for sure then. Great suggestion.

I learned basic CL building/flying when I was a pre-teen at an overseas airbase.  I could loop and perform a wingover.  I became much less active in the hobby when we relocated CONUS but dabbled a bit while in HS.  I built a Top Flite Flight Streak Jr with a Fox .15x, 8-4 wood prop, no LG and a simple silkspan finish.  I managed to master inverted flight with this setup.  It was only with the help of reading stunt articles I started doing the S maneuver where, at the top of the inside loop you reverse control and do a half-outside loop.  Then you start extending the inverted portion of the maneuver until you can do several laps.  I practiced inverted flight quite a bit.

Things got set aside again during college when work/school and other hobbies got in the way.  When I returned after graduation/military service I hooked up with the (then) Seattle Skyraiders and entered a few of their contests - doing the simple round maneuvers in Beginner Stunt at a few contests.  I ran into a mental block trying to fly the outside square loop.  Splattered many models into the asphalt on the 2nd (and lowest) corner.  Strangely, my highest-scoring maneuver was my inverted flight.  I think I was awarded a 35 point score once.

I got very discouraged at that point.  I could do all the round maneuvers but those squares still presented a mental obstacle.  I finally figured out my hand position was way over my head when coming down the vertical leg of the outside square.  Even though I knew what NOT to do it was pretty difficult to break this form habit.  After getting my son active in CL and RC flying, he got interested in other activities and now is away at college.

I think I've flown 2 CL flights in the past 7 years with the most recent flying in a CL racing event yesterday.

I'm currently building a profile stunt training w/foam wing cores but the epoxy I mixed up to glue the cores together never set up.  I had a perfectly aligned wing with a forever gooey center joint.  Took a table saw to it and will rejoin with a 1/4 balsa spacer and fresh epoxy.

Armed with a new (and straight) inexpensive stunt trainer and Hunt's article, I'm ready to tackle and this time, master the full pattern.

Mighty fine....way to be inspired.
I have the Prowler and the Bi-slob on the fix-it bench....starting one today.
CL can be difficult but I think it is worth it in fun, challenge, nostalgia and fellowship.
Nice to finally meet you yesterday.

[Shug Emery]

So I did write a letter to the Model Aviation editor thanking them for the article and gave them a wee story. See what happens.
Shug

[Dane Martin]

awesome! thanks Shug. hopefully your story gets published. i love when MA does CL articles

[Steve Helmick]

Perhaps it would be a good idea to write Model Aviation and let them know how much you enjoyed the article so they know there is a CL flyer at the other end of that AMA number.

I am getting the download version and find that I do not peruse the magazine as much as I did the hard-copy version...but then, it's much easier to store. 

George

The online version may be more difficult to keep handy in the "library"? That reminds me...I have the hardcopy right here, and need to move it in there!  Steve

[john e. holliday]

Like I told you years ago when you were doing the lead in article for MA,  I read my magazines from cover to cover.   Guess it was the years on the farm when pennies were scarce.   

[George]

The online version may be more difficult to keep handy in the "library"? That reminds me...I have the hardcopy right here, and need to move it in there!  Steve 

 

So the big question is, are you just reading it or are you tearing out the pages?

(Sorry, Bob) 

George

[Steve Helmick]

I leave the pages installed as delivered. When I'm tired of reading an issue, I drop it off at the Doctor's office. Don't ever pickup an issue of MA at the Doctor's office.    Steve

[Douglas Ames]

Just don't fly like the "Sterling Kid" (Sterling box art).

Watch closely, hand and arm, how a Expert in your Club does it.

[Shug Emery]

Nice to know my "stuff" is being read in an appropriate place... 

Bob Hunt 

It was inspiring and really helpful. Thanks Bob.

[Shug Emery]

Just don't fly like the "Sterling Kid" (Sterling box art).

Watch closely, hand and arm, how a Expert in your Club does it.

I aim to stare down their technique for sure...thankee.

[RknRusty]

My mail has been on hold for two weeks. So when the pile came today, the first thing I did was find the article and read it. The next thing I did was go out to the shop and pick out an unused handle to bring into the house, and after that, I tore out the previous article(which I had already read) before I deposit the mag at the doc's office tomorrow.
Rusty

[Ron Cribbs]

Shug,

There's a really old article that helped me with flying quite a bit. It's written by Bob Palmer and is titled "straighten out and fly stunt" PM me your e-mail address and I'll send it to ya.


Jim Hayes

I'm in for a copy Jim. I'll shoot you an email.

Ron

[RknRusty]

I'm in for a copy Jim. I'll shoot you an email.

Ron

Ron, you might as well copy one to me too as long as we're passing around the sacred knowledge of our forebears.
Rusty

[James D. Hayes]

Rusty, fire me your e-mail and I'll send it to ya. It's a pretty good article, a lot of trimming techniques included.

Jim Hayes

[ron young]

I recieved my copy wanted to say thanks.
Ron

[RknRusty]

Got it. Thanks Jim.

[RknRusty]

Now that I'm learning to fly the full pattern, dry flying seems more a necessity than it did before. Unfortunately though, it's ten times harder on my shoulder than real flying.  That sucks.
The tension of the lines helps support it and I don't have any problem with a live plane on the other end.
Rusty

[Shug Emery]

Now that I'm learning to fly the full pattern, dry flying seems more a necessity than it did before. Unfortunately though, it's ten times harder on my shoulder than real flying.  That sucks.
The tension of the lines helps support it and I don't have any problem with a live plane on the other end.
Rusty

That is true...hurts my should too as I was dry flying an overhead 8 tonight.

[RknRusty]

That is true...hurts my should too as I was dry flying an overhead 8 tonight.

Haha, what a bunch of creaky old guys we are. Other than that, I'm trying to learn to keep the simulated speeds accurate. It's been over a month since I flew, and will go out and give it a rip on Saturday, so I'll have a better feel fo my dry flying speeds after that. Last time out, I tried my first full pattern, got it on video, but it was ugly. I remembered all the stunts. Aborted the hourglass and got the clover and the OH8 out of order, and the outside square in the wrong part of the circle. I did the first vertical leg where the second vertical leg was supposed to be. That was just confusion.

Now I need to concentrate on using the full hemisphere instead of short looping some of them. And my footwork in the reverse wingover is seriously out of place. I still get all twisted out of place if an OH8 gets out of shape and I kind of get lost sometimes. other times they go quite well. I'm going to try and get my second try at the full pattern on camera Saturday. Wayne, my coach will be out of town doing fireworks displays.

So much to learn and so little time to practice.
Yaaaazoo!
Rusty