Flying off a Stooge

[David M Johnson]

So I rebuilt my Ringmaster and went to fly today, nobody at the field, nooo problem I'll just use a stooge!
The ring took off and hooked the stooge line and promptly turned into the center of the circle head high, big problem.  Now I'm not a small target but trying to duck, run, hide in the deep grass, nothing worked. The plane crashed into my feet as I was falling down. nothing injured but my pride. Scratch one Ringmaster.  If somebody had gotten a video they could have won Americas Funniest hands down.  Anyway thought this would get a laugh, I was laughing as I was trying to untangle myself from the lines.
David Johnson

[Bootlegger]

DAHM, sure glad nuttin but pride wuz hurt!!  B carefull

[john e. holliday]

What kind of stooge are you using.  I did cross the stooge line with the control lines one time.    Lucky for me the down line worked before it got any kind of speed.  Also don't throw the stooge line.   Once plane is moving I just drop the stooge line, it's tied to an old peice of stair rail, then step backwards.   

[Jerry Leuty]

Safety here has to be the issue. I use a simple pull line of nylon string with a piece of  push rod wire. I use either a fishing lure leader, one has never failed me yet, or a piece of the nylon cord tied to the tail wheel assembly. You must do everything the same way everytime. Always watching that prop. And use a wooden prop so it does not cut as deep as an APC. I have given all my APCs away. They are great props as far as performance goes but the inherent risk is just not worth the slight benefit over wooden props.

[Russell Shaffer]

A big one is not to throw the stooge reel.  It is way too easy to get it over your lines.  I bend over or squat and then just gently drop the reel.  I got my reel over the lines once and was very, very lucky.  I saw another very good flyer total a plane from this.  Also, try using a soccer cone to mark the circle center.  That way you know where the reel is laying and also won't drift over and land on your stooge and field box.  Another hard learned lesson. 

[Fred Cronenwett]

This topic was covered in depth on a prior post and it comes down to safety and triple checking everything before you start the engine. There is rarely anyone at the field when I fly so if I don't use a stooge I'll never get some flights in. My Stooge is a 12 lb metal plate with rubber feet and before I takeoff I do the following 2 or 3 times

1) make sure the model is firmly hooked to the stooge, give the model a quick tug
2) make sure the pull cord is not twisted, not setup correctly, etc...
3) Start the motor and only walk away if everything is working
4) pick up the handle and once I am ready only then pull the release cord
5) repeat step #1 thru #4 until you are certain....and this is before each and every flight

Now if you fly electiric.....then no problem, I don't need a stooge for my electric scale models.

Notice the release cord is bright orange and can be clearly seen.

Good luck,
Fred C.

[David M Johnson]

That is pretty much the same set up that I have with the exception my pull line is fishing line what happened is the fishing line is tied to a 10 penny nail and when I pulled it it broke and tangled with the tail of the plane. lessons that I learned is do a better job tying off the line or using different type of line all together.

[Fred Cronenwett]

You want the pull pin to be spring loaded and firmly attached to the stooge plate. In fact my pull pin is 1/8" dia music wire that slides in nose wheel landing gear blocks that always springs back to it's restrained position. If the nail is loose it can shake free, you want the pull pin to only release the model when you pull the cord.

[rob biddle]

 Due to my odd work days (4on, 4off) it's hard to arrange a flying partner during everyone elses working week, I often use a stooge for the sake of getting some flights in.

We always fly over grass here so my stooge is a length of 3/8 steel rod that I drive into the ground at about a 20 deg angle opposing the take off direction. The spike has a notch cut into the top that I pass a music wire pin through two holes to retain the model.

 After setting everything up and checking the controls and the stooge release function 2-3 times I always drive a large screwdriver into the ground through the down line clip at the handle to ensure the model will nose over should it release prior to the stooge line being pulled.

 Cheers, Rob...

[PerttiMe]

Now if you fly electiric.....then no problem, I don't need a stooge for my electric scale models.

Some feel that a stooge is a nice extra insurance with electric too.

Let's say you twist your ankle and fall before you reach the handle, then your wrist breaks trying to break the fall. Motor starts and the lines are hung up on your leg...

[Fred Cronenwett]

This is the design I use for the pull pin, notice the pin is always engaged unless the cord is pulled. Th brodak design is similar to what I have been using

[minnesotamodeler]

Why do you seem to be trying to pick a fight here, this kind of stuff gets old and takes the fun out of reading post on these sites.

James

I agree.  Adds nothing to the discussion of stooges, good or bad, and is irritating to boot.  Mr. Gomez, please take your grievances to private email.

Re: Stooges--I use a lineless system with my 1/2As, a loop in the tailskid that slides onto a hook attached to my flight box...I pull it off with the lines. Simplicity itself.  Not sure I'd trust it with bigger engines.   Also I second the suggestion to mark the center of your circle (I use a towel), so as to avoid the "into-the-box" kind of landing, not good on plane or box either one. I set up with the handle about 6 ft. or so out of center, then back up into it after takeoff.

[Russell Shaffer]

About David's fishing line.  If it is plain monofilament, it will break easily if it has been damaged at all.  I tried using 80 pound stuff for glider launching once and it is very easy to break after a little use. It didn't take much pull at all. Braided stuff of any kind is much better. 

[RogerGreene]

For the pull string for my stooge I use an IRWIN STRAIT-LINE. What that is is what is used in construction to "SNAP" a chaulk line. You can get one at any Lowes or Home Depot or ACE hardware, etc. Take off the connector you get with it and put on your own line connector then to connect to your stooge. Reel it out to your handle. When your finished flying reel it back to the stooge.

My 2˘

Roger

[Phil Coopy]

Having had a couple of serious stooge accidents I want add:

Check your stooge regularly...they screw up.
On grass always put a screwdriver through your  thong into the ground (not the one you're wearing :=)).
After starting always walk behind your lines lest they get caught in your feet if your stooge malfunctions.
Finally make sure you are behind the prop if you tach the engine just in case the stooge lets go......got the scars to illustrate this one.

Phil

[Michael Massey]

I generally fly on blacktop so a screwdriver in the ground does not work as an attachment to the down line.  I do use a heavy weight and clip that to the thong.  Actually a smaller weight would work just fine as some of my earlier flying on grass has proven.  If a dandelion can grab a down line and cause a nose over, a large fishing sinker can do the same.

Some restraint on the thong/down line is really important.  I know of people who have tried to chase down a fly away from a stooge.

[Jim Thomerson]

I'm in general agreement.  I use chalk line for the stooge line and have a wooden handle to wrap it around.  I do throw the handle, away from me and away from the lines.  I don't like the attached pin on the stooge because if you do get tangled in the stooge line, you are tied down.  As said, check every thing several times and be sure it is right.  I have had an airplane hang on the stooge wire loops when released.  I simply held on to the handle until the engine quit. 

[Paul Taylor]

Having had a couple of serious stooge accidents I want add:

Check your stooge regularly...they screw up.
On grass always put a screwdriver through your  thong into the ground (not the one you're wearing :=)).
After starting always walk behind your lines lest they get caught in your feet if your stooge malfunctions.
Finally make sure you are behind the prop if you tach the engine just in case the stooge lets go......got the scars to illustrate this one.

Phil

I do it just like Phil. I also always tack behind the prop even we I have someone hold the plane. And I do the chalk line also. I got all these ideas from the message boards. Be safe.

[John Stiles]

I recessed mine in a rich pine cutoff from the sawmill.......it works flawlessly....I also recessed it in the hardpan at my flying field. Here's a couple pix.

[Joe Mig]

What kind of stooge are you using. 

Must be the three stooges stooge ! 

[Russell Shaffer]

John, I would like yours a lot more if there was a spring holding it in the closed position.  OK, the wire is music wire and that is it!!  Good idea with hardware store stuff.  Not trying to be smart, I had to back up and look after I started to write and thought I should check myself.  Nice engineering.

[John Stiles]

John, I would like yours a lot more if there was a spring holding it in the closed position.  OK, the wire is music wire and that is it!!  Good idea with hardware store stuff.  Not trying to be smart, I had to back up and look after I started to write and thought I should check myself.  Nice engineering.

Made the spring myself...works acceptionally well at closing the bolt. I use a string loop with a wire ring that goes in the slot....when the plane leaves the pad, the ring flips up and over-out of the way. Next time I have a chance I'll try to get an action shot of how it works. The string loop fastens to the inboard side of the stooge{small staple] and goes under the inboard horiz.stab then over and around the vert. fin[over the outboard horiz. stab]...then into the stooge. The string is about 24" long and allows the plane to be well forward of the stooge. Less fuel contamination that way.

[Curtis Shipp]

Electronic stooge. 
No string.
No failure since made.
No string to pull and hook.
Carry to plane, no dragging lines.
Showed beginner how to use it, He loves it.

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=18488.0

[john e. holliday]

Item number 120786554191 is the stooge I got off the bay under a different number.  It has been worth every penny spent on it.