Kevlar Control Lines

[Dick Pacini]

Has anyone tried these?  Are they AMA legal?

http://www.sullivanproducts.com/ControlLineMainFrame.htm

[ChrisSarnowski]

Hi Dick,

I have not tried them, but I do not like the looks of the crimps to terminate the lines. I have only bought 1 set of steel lines from them and one of the crimps failed during flight. Anyway I think I saw someone sport-flying with a set of those lines last day or so of Brodak's this year.

Combat has recently gotten synthetic lines approved for use, generic name is GSUMP. I think that is gel-spun ultra-high molecular polyethylene. I forget the trade names but you can get it from Cabela's and places like that. Probably more recent real-world testing than the kevlar lines.

-Chris

[john e. holliday]

Are they still making those.  I remember when they first came out.  They are very draggy and hard to handle.  The Kevlar ishard to cut also.  I use it to make hinges on the racing planes or replace a hinge on a stunt/sport plane.  Will never use them for flying. 

[John Stiles]

I bought a set once after inducing some static electricity in front of a big storm.........decided that I didn't want the liability of anyone getting electrocuted at my flying field. Seemed to work okay but did produce a little more drag that the stainless lines I was used to. I feel like anything that won't get kinked and later break....should be considered an improvement.

[Alan Resinger]

A little drag???  I saw someone use a set with a combat model and the amount of drag and the bow in the lines made it almost impossible to fly.  I doubt that Sullivan found that they were a financial success.  Save your money and stick with cables.

[Bill Heher]

They make good stooge release lines, the yellow shows up in the grass so you don't get tangled up in them.

[wwwarbird]

Has anyone tried these?  Are they AMA legal?

http://www.sullivanproducts.com/ControlLineMainFrame.htm

 On the kevlar ones, known and packaged as "Tufstrand", just pretend that you never saw them and that they don't exist.

 Their steel ready to fly lines are "ok". I used to use them all the time and I still do have, and use, a few sets. Be a little careful though because they usually vary in length to what the packaging says. I used to buy a lot of the ".015 x 60" foot ones. I have personally seen those vary from 57.5 feet all the way to 63 feet eye to eye. This can be an real issue when trying to trim a plane when you think your flying on 60 foot lines and they are actually shorter or longer than that.

 I only buy Tom Morris lines these days, consistently accurate lengths and very nice materials and construction. And they are no more expensive than the Sullivans.

[John Stiles]

A little drag???  I saw someone use a set with a combat model and the amount of drag and the bow in the lines made it almost impossible to fly.  I doubt that Sullivan found that they were a financial success.  Save your money and stick with cables.

We waxed ours, and just for the record, we didn't fly any "fast" combat planes on those. We mainly "had to" use the kevlar because we were very close to highline wires[un-insulated] and after the day I got hit several times in my palm[easy-just control handle] I made the decision not to use any lines that were conductive. 

[Brian Massey]

Hi Dick,

Combat has recently gotten synthetic lines approved for use, generic name is GSUMP. I think that is gel-spun ultra-high molecular polyethylene. I forget the trade names but you can get it from Cabela's and places like that. Probably more recent real-world testing than the kevlar lines.

-Chris

Commercial name is Spectra; I've bought it as fishing line. I know a lot of 1/2 A flying is done on them, and combat is trying them out. Search Spectra and you'll find that thread.

Brian

[Dalton Hammett]

I bought a set once and have to agree with the majority, I tossed mine after the first flight.  They curved behind the plane and slowed the response to the handle.  Go with Tom Morris - best deal I've found.

Dalton H.