Just a few things that haven't turned up so far... A great deal of excellent comment so far!
The first CL I ever saw was flown on the ruins of Luna Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn. NY. The Park had burned down either just before or early during WW2 and remained undeveloped for several years. The circles used were just below the elevated easternmost tracks at the Stilwell Avenue terminal of BMT subway lines. Date? About 1946-47. All BMT lines converged there to bring people to the Coney Island beaches and circus-like Boardwalk rides and concessions. Tried to get a closer look on next beach outings. No luck. Timing?
Next was a legendary Armory toy and recreation show in Manhattan, about 1948, where several fliers demonstrated CL in a cage maybe 45' across! Too cramped!! But the sound and aroma were there...
Found model aircraft magazines soon afterwards. They covered of all aspects about equally, whether it was the dozen or fewer RC pioneers, the hundred or so indoor microfilm FF specialists, the thousands of outdoor FF fliers or the growing hundreds and thousands in CL's boom years. it read as if all were happening universally, and heavily attended.
Succeeded with a very few dime Comet "scale" rubber FF kits, then discovered engines, Not really room in my Brooklyn neighborhood to fly even the AJ sheet wing, balloon tank profile, and no car in the family..
Motivation will out, anyhow. At about 12, did succeed with CL, an own-design on McCoy 098 'power.' It could fly level with a strong enough hand launch. Overweight. I did "loop" it occasionally. More of a lap with one side higher and me leaning way back to see it instead of turning with it. From there, onward and upward. As when I got three laps behind my first flight on a Flite Streak before it completed one lap! A case of PIO!! Repaired, it lasted a several more years.
So far, no need for outside encouragement. The magazines practically pushed RC, in days when an airborne pack could weigh several pounds. Controls only gave Neutral -or Left rudder -or Right rudder, with a possibly a blip to shift the engine between high and low speed... Much progress since, but it not a huge involved number back then. Reeds, Galloping Ghost, proportional and other approaches were years later.
Then as now, magazines must make money to stay in business. They favor "the industry," which buys advertising space, and is sweetened by featured and favorable reviews of their latest toys uh, products.
Coverage of other aspects doesn't pay as well, and the most intricate expertise in, E.g., Indoor FF techniques, or a reduced depth coverage of World Championship results for one aspect or another, may appear. The few who do create are still appearing IF it's RC.
I did several AMA Delta Dart sessions with local middle schoolers. X-Acto knives, CyA glues, etc. The kids were nervous at first, but got into it. Didn't believe their own 'monstrosity' would ever fly. The looks on their faces when that foolproof baby actually did? A deep reward to me, as their guide to that point. But none of them ever came back to go further with building model planes.
Groups of kids that age and a bit older, offered a CL flight on a Guillow's profile trainer type. Both of us on the handle until the kid got the feel. Most crashed, damaging the plane. Their comments? "Gee, that was cool. When you get it fixed I'd like to do it again." No sign of interest in putting their own Ukie together. This occasionally over the past 25 years. Finally decided that my head was not going to break down that brick wall..
The concept of building something to fly is alien to a lot of people, today. Why bother? The department store toys look much nicer and they are ready to go almost as soon as you open the box. But they ARE all junk. Whaddya mean did I read the instructions? Or ask somebody to get me started? You think I'm stupid or something? They just won't fly; it's a ripoff...
We occasionally have parent, and/or 'local hero' problems, too. Dad feels it would be nice to do something together with Junior. They find, or may have seen, a local RC club flying. They connect. The local self-appointed Flight Instructor guides their purchases and trains them to the basics. He is often of limited ability. A trainee going beyond his ability would lower his 'hero pilot' standing. Meanwhile, Junior learns quicker and better than Dad. Dad loses interest in carrying Junior out to the field for him to be humiliated. Neither has a 'next step up' to pursue, or a reason to seek one. They gradually slip away.
In several years as an RC Club Officer, I saw large Membership turnover cycles of about two years, as this stagnation point took effect.
It's fine for the industry. They get to sell to a steady, consistent beginner level market.
Traditionally, we in CL SHOULD have less of this, since we need someone to launch for us and help us clear the circle. We also encourage and help new buddies to improve. We take pride in seeing a new guy develop beyond our level. Those who carp and abuse may be few, but they can be loud. In our present days of hypersensitivity, few see reason to keep that in perspective.
My prognosis for the future of CL? It won't long survive us. I am one of the oldest fliers in this discussion - I'll be 80 late next year - and to my knowledge only Lew Woolard and possibly Glen Allison and Keith Trostle "outrank" me. We've had a good time. and several younger guys enjoy being part of what we started. Whether they can form that into something that will endure for their active futures, is something I might see, but probably won't. Not gloomy or morbid! Not eager to "look up at the grass" either, but can accept that will eventually happen.
Anyway, smile! It really bugs those who disagree with you....
Topic: Future of Control Line (Read 10276 times)