Control Lines & Handle

[RK]

Help! 
I am new to the larger size (15-40 ) size planes & I need to locate a source for the control lines & handle. I am not sure what the legal size wire is & I don't want to make the handle my self.

Thanks RK Flyer   

[Tim Wescott]

Brodak has handles.  If you want to be serious about flying then get their hard-point handle and a line clip assortment.  If you just want to fly casually, you may be happiest with a cable-style handle.

For line sizes, look to the appropriate rule book.  If you're sport flying, then use the CL Aerobatics sizes.

https://www.modelaircraft.org/files/2015-2016CLPrecisionAerobatics.pdf

If you want to use Spectra lines, the CL General rules has guidelines:

https://www.modelaircraft.org/files/2015-2016CLGeneral.pdf

[Paul Smith]

Tom Morris is also a good source of handles and lines.  .015" by 60' seven-strand cable is good estimate for what you stated.

[Jim Roselle]

http://stunthanger.com/hobby/index.php?cPath=24_46_68

[Randy Cuberly]

Do a search on this forum for Control line handles.  Especially hard point handles and Fancher style handles.  You'll learn more about handles and flying with them than you ever wanted to know!  Believe it or not handles can get to be quite a complicated subject with lots of different opinions!  Most expert level stunt fliers use hard point handles similar to the Fancher Style...I said MOST...different strokes for different folks.  You can't go wrong with a hard point handle but they are a little more difficult to set up.  Don't get stuck into a canted style handle...The handle should be straight up and down in your hand.

Most 40-46 size airplanes fly on about 63 ft of .015 stranded lines.  If the airplane weighs more than 60 oz you probably should use .018 lines.

That's just general stuff but good advice if you're a sport flier.  Look up AMA Control Line Aerobatic rules for exact weights and line sizes.

For more specific information we need to know what your desires are for flying...are you interested in competition...What kind.

Randy Cuberly

[Tim Wescott]

Tom Morris is also a good source of handles and lines.

I should have mentioned in my post about Brodak that LOTS of people sell handles.  Handles are one of those things that are easy for beginner-level or sport flying, but have some depth to them -- I was astonished the first time that I went from a heavy (100g) handle to a light one (20g).  I probably picked up 10 points per flight just by changing (and now I fly a 16g handle).  Yet, other people who fly expert in this area have tried the super-light handles and don't see any difference in flight performance.

So yes -- tell us more about what you want out of a handle, and we'll be better able to guide you toward what makes the most sense.

[Tim Wescott]

It would be helpful to join the AMA and then have access to the various CL events rules and CL general rules which will give all the info needed to fly, sports or competition. FWIW

AFAIK you don't have to be a member to read the rules -- they're not in the password-protected part of the site.